Dryden to Ignace, Ontario

Today was my shortest ride yet, about 107 kms, from Dryden to Ignace.

I cycled up the highway to Tim Horton's, where I waited a long time in line for some breakfast.  Then I continued on out of Dryden and southeast.

At some point along here I lost the nice paved shoulder, which made the ride far less pleasant and safe, and this in combination with rain in the forecast, made me very motivated to go fast (although I did slow down when I saw this sign! 😉).

I got to Ignace just after 13:00, and in time to "watch" the solar eclipse on TV.

Perhaps it was the dreary weather, but I found Ignace to be a pretty sad place.  It seems to be very economically depressed, with many of the businesses closed or for sale.  

I ate dinner at Subway, where I manged to spend over $27! (although that does include some food for tomorrow)

Kenora to Dryden, Ontario

From Kenora to Dryden, today.  The route was especially gorgeous, and for stretches I think it was among the most beautiful scenery I have ever cycled through, with countless deep, deep blue little lakes set alongside rocky cliffs and mossy forests.

Closer to Dryden I was surprised when the forest cleared somewhat and there was farmland.  I also was taken with this little church about twenty kilometres west of Dryden. 

I arrived in Dryden around 14:00, after my longest day yet this trip, but also probably my favourite day.  The scenery, variable wind, and rolling hills made for a compelling ride.

Once again I took it easy until dinner time, and then did a little tour of Dryden.  I went down to Wabigoon Lake, where some little girls were playing in the water and a handful of people were fishing off the dock.  Otherwise it was totally quiet, a far cry from Lake of the Woods at Kenora!

I cycled up from the lake along the Wabigoon River, past the pulp mill and through downtown Dryden back to the highway.

There I met Dryden's famous Moose, named Max, who I had somehow missed when I came in to town this afternoon.

Hadashville, Manitoba to Kenora, Ontario

Another great day of cycling, out of Manitoba and into Ontario. 

I left Hadashville at 8:15, stopping about 6 kilometres down the road at Prawda to get breakfast at a gas station.  Once finished my coffee, I was back on the bike and made good time.  I entered Whiteshell Provincial Park, which was absolutely beautiful.

I had to slow to coasting at one point because several deer decided to cross the highway in front of me!

I detoured from the highway once to West Hawk Lake to get some water, and after that it was just a few more kilometres before I entered Ontario just after 11:00.

With Manitoba behind me, I have now cycled across Alberta (2006), Prince Edward Island (2011), Saskatchewan (2012-2014), British Columbia (2008, 2015, 2016), and Manitoba (2014, 2017)!  I was feeling pretty good!

I had now left the prairie long behind, and was cycling through forest and rock.  

I reached Kenora shortly after noon.  

I was pretty tired, but happy with my speed, and I enjoyed cycling along the Lake of Woods' north shore and through downtown Kenora to get to my motel.

At dinner time I went for a little cycle around downtown Kenora, and along the shore of the lake again.  

Obviously summer is a popular time to be on and around Lake of the Woods.  I even noticed the Safeway has docks so boaters can do their grocery shopping without having to go far from the water!

I ate at a craft brewery that's done a really nice job taking over a historic fire hall.  

Winnipeg to Hadashville, Manitoba

This morning I headed out from McFeetors Hall at 9:00.

Rather than head straight out of the city I took a more scenic route towards the Assiniboine River, past the legislature.

I went around the back along the Assiniboine to The Forks.

I cycled by the Museum of Human Rights and crossed the Red River on the iconic pedestrian bridge.

From there it was through Winnipeg's industrial east side and eventually out of the city.  Just at the Perimeter Road I stopped briefly at this nice cemetery.

The military section of the cemetery reminded me of the Commonwealth World War cemeteries I have visited in Belgium, France, and Singapore. 

I rode out on Highway 15 due east and was loving it as far as a town called Dugald.

After that unfortunately the highway had no paved shoulder--and in many places not even a white line, and so really was not a very viable route for me.  At Anola ("home of Corey Koskie"), I opted to take Highway 12 due south to the Trans-Canada.  Highway 12 also did not have a paved shoulder, but it was much quieter and anyway it got me to the Trans-Canada fast.

From where Highway 12 met the Trans-Canada I had just another 55 kilometres left, and was making excellent time.

About ten kilometres from the hotel I stopped at a rest stop where there was a food truck serving hamburgers and milkshakes.

I took half an hour or so to enjoy lunch at a nice picnic table.

I reached the Riverview Motel at 14:45, and checked in.

I struggled to communicate very well with the nice Chinese lady who runs the place, but she was quite accommodating and ended up doing my laundry for me for free.

Around 18:00 or so, after a good cold bath, hot shower, and lazy time in front of the TV, I cycled into the tiny village of Hadashville for dinner.  The Trans-Canada is actually a real mess in front of the hotel because they are redoing a bridge that crosses the river, so I took the back country roads.  

Hadashville is very small, but it has a little Ukranian restaurant called Sophie's, and I was able to get a great dinner of borscht, cabbage rolls, latkas, perogies, and pumpkin pie, and a nice Ukranian beer!