Lazy, hazy, crazy!

Before I ramble on, want to give a HUGE shout out to Conrad, of Conrad's Mobile Bike Repair, in CP. He checked my bike (no charge), and adjusted Scott's tension (if only!), which fixed the gear problem. Super knowledgeable and helpful, and kind to old dogs who are thirsty! And to Molly! 🐕 Highly recommend him!

Yet another stinkin hot day with just enough wind to make us enjoy ride home so much more. A shorter ride, but nice to have my partner back. One thing I don't get. We both have odometers, we both do the exact same route...mine said 47km today, his said 49km. He claims he works harder.

As usual, had a song stuck in my head, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,

Those days of soda, and pretzels and beer...

On that note...

Burritts Rapids loop, almost!

Rode south on Dwyer Hill today, despite warnings from Scott about how rough it is. Should have listened. Should change name to Cobblestone Hill, or What Were you Thinking Hill. Bike paths are in better shape. So are footpaths! However once I got to Burritts Rapids, the ride along River Rd was so lovely!

Spoke to 2 people today who had great attitudes. One man was picking up litter along the road, he was on his 2nd bag when I stopped. He said he was just trying to clean things up a bit, does this when he can. He wasn't angry or cursing, just doing something good.

The next person works for Parks Canada, at the locks in Burritts Rapids. He was running between the locks and the swing bridge, said he works 6 days/week, sometimes they're shorthanded so he has to literally run back and forth across the locks even in the heat...said it was the best job in the world! Refreshing!

I mentioned this was sort of a loop...took McCormick Rd heading north, but no easy way home from Richmond, especially with construction and bridge work. So, I called up the 'Sag Wagon' and Scotty picked me up in Richmond. 60km was enough for me! Half way done my kms, yea! Thanks Scotty!🥰

Ride #5!

Sunny, windy, hot, dump-trucky, windy, hilly, windy...

Scott reluctantly opted out of a ride today, muttering something about this being my odyssey and he'd rather go grocery shopping. That's the kind of person he is, utterly selfless, always making sacrifices!

Trying to minimalize impact of wind, I chose routes somewhat sheltered. Ashton, down that hill, Appleton Side Rd, to TC trail, to CP, to Ramsey 8, down that even bigger hill on Old Perth Rd into Almonte. Delicious.

For a change I decided to reverse my route exactly, coming home. Those uphills were much bigger, I swear! I rarely ever swear, but I did. Scott texted to see if I needed picking up from some ditch somewhere...I told him I thought there was steam coming from my seat. Without missing a beat, he replies, 'I'll take your word for it'. That's what 37 years of marriage does!

Home to use both the ice pack, and hot pack together!

1 rant: going out of the hood, AND back in on Copeland, passed by a tandem dump truck. And they had just sprayed the road, magical on a bike. Really sick of construction on all sides!!!

Kudos to driver of that Manitoulin transport truck, who slowed down, completely went into far lane as he passed. Very classy!

Love messages on benches in Almonte, all different. And all tested!

More than 25% done, and still no rain in forecast!!!

Gananoque bound (and determined)!

The dog days of August. I'll get to that. It feels/smells/sounds like late August. Is it the multitude of 'Back to School' ads we've heard? No, they started late June. The fields of corn, wheat, hay? The wildflowers, the crickets, cicadas? Even gladiolus in full bloom, which my mom had in her Sept wedding! Everything is early!

Our annual trek to Gananoque from near Butternut Bay is usually saved for later in the month, after the callouses develop. Wasn't thinking about it until somebody reminded me how we always enjoy the Parkway. 1000+ Islands to look at, but I spent most of my time looking at homes and gardens along the way. Some gorgeous flowerbeds, but what really caught my eye are the many barn quilts (for my quilting friends), the Fred Flintstone car (of my dreams), and the signs. 75.1km in this heat wasn't one of our smartest ideas, but we took it better than the dog, who was lying beside the trail, refusing to get up! His owner explained that he took off chasing a squirrel, now was paying for it. I gave him the last of my water, and listened to their conversation a bit longer, all good. Obviously not a sensible dog like Molly.

Really looking forward to babysitting toddlers tomorrow for a rest!

3 out of 3!

If you know me, you know I'm a fair-weather cyclist. I don't do crazy wind, or rain, or worms. I always plan to get out when the sun is shining, to log my kms. Long range forecast is still no rain for the next week! I'm doomed!!! I'm icing my arse as I type!🤪 And I'll be starting a rain dance very soon!

Scotty joined me today, so we parked at the Park and Ride, headed into Carleton Place, Almonte, then checked out the new Blakeney Bridge. Rail train was so dry coming out of Amonte, of course that made me think of Dusty Bottoms and Lucky Day, 2 of the 3 Amigos. Taking a sip of water from our extremely dry water bottles...

Make Hay, right?

Another hot August day, and we've got to make hay while the sun shines, right? Hoping it rains soon!

My pit crew decided fairly quickly this morning that his other 2 wheeled ride needed some adventure, so off he went to Calabogie and Renfrew on the motorcycle, leaving me to conquer the road by myself. I didn't mind really, it means I don't have to wait for him (haha!).

It also allows time for me to compose...I apologize in advance, but I had to...

'Ode to a Dear Fly'

I try my best

to go fast enough,

so as not to be bothered by bugs and stuff.

Crickets, grasshoppers, the lovely dragonfly

are smart, it seems and don't even try.

But then,

there's that Christly deer fly!

I swat, I slap, I wobble, I swerve,

I'm tapping into my last reserve.

It circles, it darts, it’s shadow pursues,

I’m on warp speed, it’s on cruise.

I cry, I curse,

but this is worse.

That bugger has stung me on my arse.

The title should be 'Owed to a Deer Fly'

Paid in Full!!!

I said I was sorry!

63km up to Almonte and back, one of my favourite routes. Almonte deserves their 'Bicycle Friendly' rating, and then some...water fountains, washrooms, friendly people, markets, music, bike repair stations, benches, and beautiful scenes. Well worth the debt paid to that deer fly.

Maiden voyage 2025!

10th year doing the GCC, and still 'chuffed'! A huge shout out to my wonderful supporters, your encouragement and generosity is first class, thank you!

Parked at Beckwith, headed out Tennyson, with the lure of coffee at The Hourglass, in Perth for motivation. Oh and that date square!! A picture perfect day, despite the wind coming home, and having the song 'Pink Pony Club' stuck in my head for the ride!!! 70kms in the books to start, good job, Scotty. We really need to move to a bungalow! And either the GCC shirts are longer, or I'm getting shorter...