I still had another 100 kilometres to get to Ottawa, however (where I would re-cross the river). I could have stayed in Ontario for the whole day, but I was excited to ride on Quebec's Route Verte #1. I actually got really lucky, because due to COVID-19 the Quebec/Ontario border has been closed for weeks, and only reopened today!
I had to cycle on Highway 303 for 15 kilometres to reach Shawville, but from there it was beautiful, forested trail for 17 kilometres.
Unfortunately, soon after I resumed riding on rural roads, I had a puncture in the rear wheel. I checked the tire pretty well as I changed the tube, but failed to check the rim. Anyway, I cycled on, occasionally along Highway 148 when the Route Verte joined it, but often on rural, sometimes gravel, roads as well.
In Aylmer I was able to join the multiuse trails along the river, which were wonderful. When I stopped at one point, however, I realized I was losing air again in the rear tire. I assume now that something must have been in the rim and punctured the new tube as well. I pumped it up and hurried on, hoping to avoid having to change the tube again. I still had 12 kilometres or so to go.
I crossed the Alexandra Bridge and at 16:00 reached the Auberge des Arts where I am staying. My wife had amazingly sent over a couple of beers and a piece of cheesecake to help me celebrate!
The tire was flat again when I checked on the bike after a shower, but I opted to simply wheel it back to Escape Cycle instead of deal with it myself. I was done!
With the North Bay to Ottawa gap closed, I have now biked from the Pacific Ocean to Moncton, New Brunswick, and probably just have one summer left to get to the Atlantic Ocean!
No comments:
Post a Comment