Day 59-61 July 23-25 Castleford

Wed. July 23 Sturgeon Falls to Mattawa – 98k

After a relaxing rest day we took off again on Highway 17E. The highway surface was reasonable for much of the day but there continues to be many kilometers of narrow pavement beyond the frost line (maybe 12”) then a very soft, tire clutching, sand and gravel mix. As usual, Ontario also provides road edges with eroded and roughly grooved irregular valleys – particularly hazardous for the narrower tired bikes.

Another source of frustration is the posting of no cycling signs on major highways transiting an urban centre. This happened again in North Bay. Presumably touring cyclists are expected to levitate for numerous kilometers over these sections – of course no information about an alternate route is available!

After about 40k we had a second breakfast in North Bay at Colonel Hogaie’s 1950’s style restaurant, with black and white checkered table clothes. It is in the same building as Passionate Kisses (an adult equipment supply store), so a range of interests could be meet at one convenient location.

Camp was set up at a lovely little site on Taggart Lake – about 6k west of Mattawa. It seems this will be a busy place in a couple of days, thanks to a major music festival in Mattawa.

Dave2

Thursday, July 24 Deep River 108K
A pleasant change of routine was in order this am, we all had breakfast at Myrks restaurant in Mattawa. There were some definate climbs today as we continue to be challenged with only passable roads. We encountered what I call 'close call curve' when logging trucks on both sides of the road passed us with no shoulder. Needless to say a break was in order. This evening we stayed at Ryan's campground on the banks of the Ottawa River.

Friday, July 25 Castleford 117K
The 7:30am start today was in my estimation much to early!! You try to find your rhythum but can't seem to find it. That was me today. As we left Tim Hortons in Petawawa, I got my 5th flat. Things looked up now that we had left behind the infamous Hwy 17- the Trans Canada. We paused in Pembroke to see the numerous wall murals. These back roads offered us a view of farms lands of the Ottawa Valley. Grandview Cottages, again on the Ottawa River, offered us a secluded place to rest our weary mucles. Ottawa tomorrow for a well deserved rest.
Adele