Ottawa to Fredericton - Day 1

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Friday, September 7 - Larose Forest, ON - 57 km

Went to work in the morning early, getting a ride in with Tom by car. Worked to just a bit after 14:00 and Tom drove me home. Made the final preparations and then hit the road just a bit after 15:00. Today turned out to be the hottest day of the year. So much for cool September weather. I motored through my first two water bottles in no time at all. Rode out the airport parkway, battling a killer cross/head wind. Traffic was pretty busy as well since rush hour was starting. Finally got to the airport and took Alert road away from the traffic. At the end of Alert, I had to unload my bike to get it through the maze gate onto Bowesville. Rode out to Rideau, continually battling the wind and then finally turned to the east and picked up a tailwind. Flew along for the rest of the day. Stopped for a quick snack at Devine road. Took Devine all the way to the end and into Larose Forest. After a few km of gravel, I found a good trail into the woods and soon located a nice campsite. Was immediately descended upon by the hordes of blood-thirsty mosquitos, so I applied some deet. I was not expecting such a swarm in September and I will be quickly out of my meager deet supply at this rate. If the weather was cooler, I could simply put on my rain clothes, but at 32 degrees, this was not a feasible alternative. Cooked a supper of broccoli, couscous, and sausage, and cleaned up as the forest faded to darkness. I write this in my tent, under a flash light naked and sweaty as it is freaking hot and it is only 20:00! At least I managed to get almost 60 km today. I am hoping to get to Bromont by Sunday, about 270 km from here.

My odometer reading upon departure.




I mounted my camera where I could reach it while riding, hence I have lots of road photos.


This is where I camped on my failed attempt in 2005.


Harris Glenn Milstead, the only actor that I have ever been a fan of - RIP


Approaching Vars.


Gravel road into Larose Forest.


Trail into the forest.






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