Ottawa to Fredericton - Day 9

Saturday, September 15 - Sully, QC - 106 km

It was pouring rain when I awoke. I showered, packed, and waited for the hotel restaurant to open at 07:00. I ordered a big meal which kept me satisfied for the first 50 km of riding. I checked out and the innkeeper talked to me a little bit about biking, but his English was limited, and my French even more so, so in the end, not too much was said. Still it was good to talk to someone who takes an interest. I rode out of town and sailed along the 230 with a gentle tailwind. It was raining, but fairly warm. The terrain was pretty flat and traffic pretty much non-existent. All in all a nice ride. I passed a neat waterfall with a small park, but only stopped to take a picture because I was not hungry yet. In short order, I arrived in Saint Alexandre where I found a park with a sheltered picnic table, so I got out of the rain for a moment and snacked on bagels, cheese, and tofu salami. Here I turned southward and back into the mountains. The next 30 km or so was a pretty steady, but gentle climb. There is also nothing along this stretch except for trees. Would have been an excellent place to camp, had I travelled far enough already. Finally I reached Pohenegamook where I stopped at a park on the lake which was designed to be accessible only by bicycle (or foot). Ate another quick snack in the downpour and quickly continued. I passed a motel advertising rooms for $29.95. It was tempting, but I continued on. I started looking for a place to camp. I found a trail into the woods and followed it for several hundered meters. I looked around for somwhere to camp, but decided to move on because of the density of the forest here, and also the copious quantities of poisin ivy all along the overgrown side trails. About 5 km later I found a narrow dirt road into the woods. I followed this and then explored an absolutely overgrown side trail. Maybe an old logging road? The forest was pretty dense in most places, but I finally foiund a nice clearing in which to camp. I quickly set up my tent, dove in and changed into dry clothes. I am hanging out inside the tent for the next couple of hours. Hopefully this downpour stops before I have to go outside again for supper. My knee, while not perfect, functioned satisfactorily. I think it should be alright if I do not push it too hard any one day.

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