I was up sort of early this morning, not quite early enough to catch the sunrise, but definitely some nice calm quiet time to do some reading down a the dock. I’m currently reading Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge and enjoying the book very much.
After some reading I’m feeling the need, the need for speed, on the bike that is. So, after attaching a second water bottle cage and loading up, I’m off for a run into Kenora. The route is about a 40km return trip with the usual hill climbs to get from our branch road out to the highway. After that, it’s paved shoulders all the way, but with some longer, less steep grades. In preparation for the upcoming mountain hike of Mt. Thompson, I’m climbing every hill out of the saddle to work the legs more and hopefully simulate more of a climbing exercise that will pay off when we’re hiking.
Just after starting the ride, it started to rain, and then it rained harder, but hey it’s warm and it’s only water so I push on to Kenora. It rains the entire way for about one hour, and I’m fully soaked. After a little crusing around town, it’s back to the cottage. This part of the ride is rain-free, but there are still puddles and spray from cars. When I’m back I notice a gritty feeling in my mouth were I’ve apparently inhaled some road debris. Yummy!
After making a post-ride breakfast of bacon and eggs, it’s down to the dock, where it’s now hot and sunny with very few clouds. Shirley and I head out for a paddle in the kayaks down to the bottom of the bay and I’m starting to think that a shirt would have been a good idea as the hot sun is frying my back. However, things change quickly and as we’re paddling back a thunder clap is heard and we’re caught in a downpour and get totally soaked by the time we’re back at the dock. An hour later as I write this, it’s clear and sunny again. It’s been quite a weather day!
Tonight, nobody cooks as we’re going out to the Plaza Restaurant to celebrate a birthday.