Life is a highway , no , life is the open road !!!: Day 51

Crossing the Ottawa river into Quebec

August 16

A different kind of a morning moving from dorms to truck , eating breakfast in the cafeteria ( very good !!! even though I got everyone there a half hour to early ) bring bikes and bags down , lots of elevator trips to and from the fifth floor , then Murray locked his water bottles in his room after turning in the key ( had to get security to help ) But at least the rain was over ( big thunderstorm last night )

Bob once again was our guide today this time on his bike , we biked bike lanes mostly which was a lot less stressful then the city roads, and it was very pleasing to bike next to the Canal and later the Ottawa River. First stop was Parliament Hill and pictures in front of Parliament, we rode our bikes right up to the buildings front doors and then all the way around it with out being stopped , it makes you understand what being a Canadian really is , its not about pomp and pageant and overbearing patriotism, waving a flag and singing out loud, no it’s more about a laid back comfortable quite existence, knowing who you are ( or maybe not knowing ) without having to prove it and without the need of heavy military presence in front of your Government buildings. Today I was proud to be Canadian and be able to ride my bike right up to Parliament Hill without being stopped , but then I always have been proud.

We were on cooking duty today so arriving in camp early was a priority , no big breakfast or lunch on the road today and no more sightseeing . And we did well , short stop at Timmy’s for a coffee and donut then fast pace to Cheateau Montebello were we were going to take one quick picture and go . Before getting there Ed had a flat tire which he fixed and off we were back on schedule. But when we got to the Cheateau everything fell apart , one picture turned into many as the place is just stunning and Janice said why not eat here as there was no line up and it would be just as quick as anywhere else , I honestly did not think they would let us in dressed the way we were but they welcomed us with open arms so much so that our bikes were wheeled right through the impressive lobby to the storage room so that they would be safe ( I was on the phone to Evelyn at the time and a porter walked my bike in for me, just like valet parking !!!! Oh, and what a decadent meal it was !!!! roast beef , quail , smoked salmon , more fish , asparagus soap, etc , etc .. and desert well the truffle was to die for !!! We left very full and very pleased !!, biking didn’t come easy but we pressed on at a good clip in the 30+ degree heat once again mostly pushed by a good breeze. We crossed the Ottawa river by ferry for the second time , went into Quebec then out and then back in and finally arrived at camp late but not to late and were able to help prepare diner even though a big spread was being put on by Maria-Andrea’s friends and family as she lives very close to here, so our ranks swelled to about 70 people for dinner and boy did we all eat well !!!!

Now I find myself in the sixth provence of this journey marveling about how far we have all come, everyday a new adventure !!!

Of note today was that three TdC veterans meet us just before the first ferry with muffins , cookies , water ,etc , it was a great gesture and very much appreciated by us all !!

It is late now 10.30 and I am quite tired from todays long ride, but once again it was a good day !!!!

Total ridden today: 170.5 - Average speed : 24.4 - Ridding time: 6.57