July 20, 2016
The race is on: To Fredericton, and beyond!
I slept great, undisturbed by neither bear nor racoon, but I was somehow just not up for another early morning. I laboured about getting up, and then when I did get around to cycling I was tired and slow, taking a long break at a rare nice picnic rest area, then swimming and washing clothes in the river when I could. Progress was not great.
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It was another clear and sunny day. I continued to try and follow the trail, despite its poor condition. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be away from traffic even though the bad surface slowed me down even more. I was happy enough; following this great river in beautiful weather and watching bald eagles soar majestically high above me. Even the flies were leaving me alone now.
I crossed the river at Woodstock (no, not that one) and went to the library, still feeling obligated to visit as many as I could. I spent a good hour or two at the library and then emerged back into the daylight slightly concerned. It was by this time 1:30 in the afternoon, and I had cycled a mere 35 kilometres. I was slacking, at a time when I could scarcely afford it, especially as google maps had just revealed Halifax to be further away than I'd thought. A combination of realising this fact and also having just been reminded, via communicating once again with cyberDea, of what the stakes were, made me get my act together. I was worried about the distance that I still had to go to Halifax, and the rapidly decreasing time that I had to get there in order to make the boat. All the way around the world I had been rushing to make deadlines, and now I had one more. It was time to get my head down and ride.
Fortunately the trail petered out beyond Woodstock and I got onto a road. The asphalt beneath my wheels was a major advantage, as was the very fortuitous tailwind that was pushing me along. I was flying now, spurred on by thoughts of what awaited me if I could only make it to Halifax by the 26th - a relaxing six days on the ocean, then the chance to see my family for the first time in three years, and then, finally a reunion with Dea. It was all so good. I couldn't imagine how bad it would be to miss the boat. I simply had to make it!
At one point I had a nice alternative to the highway, following an old road down to the river. I'd been told that this was a good way to cycle, because a vehicle bridge that once stood on this road was no longer there, and had been replaced only by a pedestrian/cycle bridge. This meant of course that there was no vehicular traffic at all on this road. I did worry slightly that the road/bridge might somehow not be passable for me as the undergrowth increased on either side of me and I went further and further. If I dead-ended here I would have a very long way to backtrack.
I was therefore sent into a bit of a panic when I noticed something strewn across the road, completely blocking it. From a long distance it was hard to tell what it was, but it looked like it could be bollards or signs barring the road. I really did not feel like turning around now, so it was with a mixture of both relief and surprise when I got closer and realised what it was that was actually obstructing me. Across the road were four deck chairs, each with someone sitting in them, completely blocking it off. I was so astonished by this that I'm afraid I did not take a photo of this surprising road block and instead dinged my bell to alert them to the fact that I was approaching them from behind. One of them eventually turned around and noticed me and they moved out of the way. Next to them in the river was a big boat that they had evidently arrived here on, and they were enjoying a nice relaxing break here, sipping wine and getting a little merry. One of the women was more merry than the others, and she was very impressed to see me as she asked me loudly what I was up to. I think it very likely I was the only person they saw come along the road that afternoon.
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After the bridge I continued on the empty old road until I reconnected with a highway, which would carry me on towards New Brunswick's capital, Fredericton. A sign told me that it was 60 kilometres away, and it was already late afternoon, but I decided to accept the challenge and try to get through it before the end of the day. The road was good, with a decent shoulder, and I was making good time now. It seemed right to capitalise on the opportunity.
This turned out to be a good decision. A cycle path carried me the final few kilometres into Fredericton, and gave me a great view over the river at sunset. I hurried on through the town. Usually I would not like to cycle after dark in a big town, but there was a bike path all the way, carrying me safely through riverside parks beside the silhouette of the city skyline as couples strolled hand-in-hand in the twilight.
It was actually so nice to be cycling at this time and, satisfied that I had put in enough kilometres, I began to just enjoy myself, and make the most of the last moments of the day. Then I watched as a full moon rose over the river, a big bright moon gleaming orange and red, reflected in the water. It was a stunning way to end a day. A little beyond Fredericton, still on a bike path but now going through woodland, I found a place to camp. I looked at my cycle computer. Another 150 kilometre day. I was happy. I was back on target.
Today's ride: 150 km (93 miles)
Total: 55,206 km (34,283 miles)
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