Thompson Brothers on Lake Superior 2

July 8
It's a convoy - the two big RV's motoring down the highway. Ten four, Big Buddy. Over and off. We're lookin' out for Smokey. Really we're just looking out for a good cup of coffee. Oh yeah, and the riders. Often Bill and I are too busy talking to notice they have arrived.
The RV continues to be a curiosity wherever we go. In the campgrounds it never fails. People on their way to the lake, or the showers, or just to peer always slow up and read every word, often stopping to ask questions about The Ride. We get many honks and waves from cars, trucks and motorcycles on the road too. I had a brief conversation with bright a young woman today and she agreed there is not enough being done to promote awareness of mental illness. Well, it is starting with us - with all of you; blog followers, supporters, sponsors, friends.
It is particularly important to reach young people - high school,young adults even junior high school. Mental health issues often begin in this age group at a time when kids are exercising independence from the family and just striving to fit in amongst their peers. Nobody wants to be different or at the least to appear different. The symptoms of mental illness can be scary and when you're trying to be independent from parents and not willing to share different feelings with friends it can be dangerous. Early treatment means a better outcome.
Ho hum, we are seeing the Same Spectacular Superior Scenery - and today it was actually sunny. Puts everything in a whole new light. Blue skies, blue lake, crystal clear water. You find yourself anticipating at every bend in the road that a new vista will open up. And it is amazing.
We continue to scan for any more glimpses of exciting wildlife but to no avail. Although these last two campgrounds are overrun with little chippies. That counts, right?

Thompson Brothers on Lake Superior 1

July 7
Yesterday was a rest day so of course that meant rain. It also meant errands and laundry. And, best of all, we were to meet up with Bill and Rob.
Mel's brothers, drove up from the Toronto area in Rob's RV to accompany Mel on the road for the next five days. Our meeting point was the Wawa RV Resort and Campground where we all received a warm welcome by Rennee and generous support for The Ride.
Lindsay and I are pleased to welcome a new member to the Support Team. I think Bill will work out allright - no sooner did we have the riders on the road then we headed back into town for some gas and coffee - mainly coffee.
The riders, Mel and Rob and Lindsay attacked the hills and Mel and Rob did an excellent job covering the total distance for the day. In fact they over acheived and overshot the campground. We had to go find them.
The weather continues to be, well, not so good. Certainly not summer like, but it didn't rain today. Of course not, it wasn't a rest day. The beauty of the landscape is not bothered by cruddy weather. At the recommendation of our friends in Thunder Bay we stopped in at two picnic areas in Lake Superior Provincial Park - Old Woman Bay and Katherine Cove and I'm glad we did. It was well worth it. We also saw Dad, Mom and Baby Lakes. Granted, the names are not that creative but it's a cute concept. More cute; Rabbit Blanket Lake. Some of the other names not so cute, not so appealing; Leach Island and it's kin Lizard Island. Tomorrow we aim for Pancake Bay, so named I am told, because it is the spot where the voyageurs or couriers du bois on their way back to Sault Ste Marie after a season hunting would stop and finish off their provisions. There you go, a little tidbit of info just in case it comes up in your next Canadian trivia contest.
We finished off our day at beautiful Agawa Bay Campground on the shores of Gitchigoomi.It sure is one imposing lake.

White River to Wawa

July 5
Today was our last day with Al. The four days went too quickly. Can't believe he has only been riding for 3 months because he was a tower of strength - pulling Mel along for four long rides over a very tough and challenging route.
Today seemed like an easy ride - it was the shortest at only 96km - with, for the most part, a tailwind. The last few Kms each day, it seemed, were always into the wind. The challenge was to outrace the weather front coming in - to finish
the ride before the rains. And we were successful - beat the rain with enough time to tour Wawa and McKinley Street before saying goodbye to Al.

Terrace Bay to White River

July 4

We bid good bye and Happy 4th of July to our hosts Dennis and Patti at the Coach House Motel. But before we hit the road Mel needed a little oxygen - in his tires.
The first part of the highway was a pretty steep hill. Actually it was a series of pretty steep and seemingly never ending hills for about 50 kms. And then there was construction. Could it get any better? Well, actually it did. The hills calmed down somewhat after Marathon and the wind was more or less a tailwind. Lindsay joined Mel and Al on the road today and picked just about the hardest section. It was almost all hills.

Total kilometers today - 119. That makes three long rides in a row. The 100 km or so tomorrow will be easy.

Highlights of the day included some more spectacular scenery. On a sunny, cloudless day looking out over the inviting blue of the lake, it's hard to believe the ugly reputation of Lake Superior. But we had Al's rendition at breakfast of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald replaying over and over in our heads all day.

At one point in the day I had to bring the RV to a screeching halt. Lindsay yelled
"Bear!"
"Where?"
"There!"
Well, I can't see it, I'm driving. But sure enough there was a bear and her cub, playing on the railway tracks.

I guess it's fitting that we are spending the night in White River - home of the original Winnie the Pooh. (look it up)

By the way everyone, thanks for all the encouraging and supportive emails and comments on the blog. It's very motivating and much appreciated.

Nipigon to Terrace Bay

July 3

This morning as we were getting the bikes out, our new friend Mike Elliott(from Epic Adventures in Nipigon) arrived right on time. He was able to ride with us for about 30 km. Today was very hilly and Mike lead us up Little Kama then Big Kama Hills out of Nipigon. Those two were bad enough until we saw the hill just before Rossport. That one just went on and on - right up there with Jack Ass Mountain, Rogers Pass and Ten Mile Hill. The best part of these hills, beside the down, was the spectacular view. Lake Superior was a brilliant blue, the islands like emeralds.
At the end of the day we logged 130 kms. Whew! The last 3km were downhill and at the bottom we found The Coach House Motel, more like a B & B than a motel. Owners Dennis and Patti know a lot about the area. Apparently, some members of the Group of Seven used to come to the Jackfish Hotel a little farther down the road back about 75 years ago.
Al was assigned room 10 and when he entered the room he found a framed collection of articles and pictures on the wall commemorating a previous occupant. Terry Fox had stayed here when he came by.

T Bay to Nipigon

July 2
At the foot of the Terry Fox Memorial, high atop the the hill overlooking the city of Thunder Bay we began today's ride. Even at 9:30 in the morning there were a steady stream of people coming to see the monument. It's a fitting place to begin the second half of our journey.

It also marks Al's first day with us - he completed the 104 km easily - not bad at all. In fact he looked pretty good out there on the road. Hardest part is getting off the bike - those toe clips are tricky.

Small issues with bikes seem to plague us lately. Al had a problem with gears that wouldn't shift properly. Makes climbing those hills just a bit harder. So we were directed to Mike Elliott of Epic Adventures in Nipigon who did a little tweaking of the gears for Al and we're good to go.

Harry, look who we found! Filipe and Nelson, our Brazilian friends. We first ran into them near Revelstoke. Similar to us, they are cycling across Canada to raise money. Their goal is to be the first Brazilians to cycle across Canada. They are fundraising for the Rotary Club in Brazil in support of various projects sponsored by the Rotary Club. They left Victoria in May and plan to be in St. John's by September 15. Unlike us they do not have a stellar support team and support vehicle. They pack all their belongings with them. Check out their website at www.canadacoataacosta.com. A pretty amazing pair. Just goes to show there are smart, strong and dedicated people in every language. Best of luck, guys. Hope we run into you again further down the road .

Canada Day

July 1

In Thunder Bay, as in many towns and cities today, it was Parade Day and we were riding in the Canada Day Parade. The gray and overcast skies gave way to the sun finally. We were joined by about a dozen members from the New Foundations Clubhouse walking and riding as we made our way down to the waterfront. There were no elephants and luckily we were in front of the horses. What a fun experience - I may have developed tendonitis in my waving hand though. Talk about great exposure - the RV was a hit with all the red maple leaves emblazoned on the white background. Great work on the design and wrap by Twist and Pareto.

Dave Grady, the Xerox agent at Thunder Bay Xerographix,Inc worked closely with Ken Gravelle a Xerox retiree and Adriana Foresto of the CMHA to have The Ride for Mental Health featured in the parade. They also organized a draw for a Specialized Mountain Bike. Didja get a ticket? You could already be a winner. Draw is not til tomorrow.

Have I mentioned all the new friends we have made on this amazing journey? Today was a day of old friends meeting new friends. Old friends and by that I mean long time friends - none of us are old - Sharon and Ken hosted a small luncheon before the parade. It was relaxing to catch up them and to get to know our new friends a little better. And we came away with Persians. What could be better?

I had the pleasure of a long conversation with Helen a mental health advocate. She is a real pioneer. Twenty five years ago she and her husband started the local chapter of the Schizophrenia Society and she is still active today. Schizophrenia is the least talked about mental illness with the most stigma, most misrepresentation and least acceptance. I asked her what she thought was the greatest need. Her reply " I guess you have to have a diagnosis." So that would mean more doctors are needed to make the diagnosis then early intervention programs would have a chance to make a difference.

Good friend and fellow adventurer, Al Varney, flew in to join Mel for a few days on The Ride and to help him tackle the tough hills of the north shore. As Al got his gear into the taxi the driver noticed his bike helmet hanging off the bag. "What brings you to Thunder Bay?" he asked. Al replied he was joining a friend who was cycling across Canada. The cabbie said "He's not the one doing it for mental health is he? I heard about him on the radio."

Tomorow we resume The Ride from the Terry Fox Monument. It will be both motivating and moving. After that it's on to the hills of the north shore. I understand cell coverage may be a bit spotty for a few days so we'll check in when we can.