As you can tell - I am using the numbering system of the group - not my days.
Today was a little bit longer than yesterday. Hmmm - I wonder how this is going to be? Despite the torrential rain we had late afternoon yesterday - it didn't rain any more and so we were relatively dry in the morning - except for the dew which was heavy!
Had a bit more for breakfast - I don't know why - but I can't seem to stomach a whole lot in the morning. Not sure why. Then we were off. The five girls were going to ride together today, but I knew I was taking a side trip so would likely ride most of the day by myself.
Oh yes - I managed to get the Garmin 810 working Yeah - a hard reset and it was good to go. I checked the battery before leaving camp and it was 93% - so that should have been good for the day. I am 27 K into the trip and I see a low battery alert. ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? I am ready to throw that piece of crap in the garbage, however it cost a lot of money. Let's just say that Garmin and I are going to have a chat when I get a chance. Fortunately I was prepared for the worst and had my back up - the Garmin 710 with me. It takes a lot longer to get the satellites connected, but then I was good and that one lasted the entire day. The only problem - it is hard to see as I don't have the clip for my handlebars with me. But I put it in my map case and I just had to lean forward to see what was happening.
Remember last year when we passed Doc Holiday place in Nestleton?? Well - this group was NOT excited about it at all. Where are Larry and Gee????? Anyway - I wasn't going to stop UNTIL - I saw a sign - Annie's Quilt Shop. NO WAY - a quilt shop? Well I had to stop. The store has been open almost one year. I have NO ROOM on the bike since I don't have that rack, but I picked up info on two shop hops they are participating in in the fall - I just might have to plan a day for that. That was a pleasant surprise - the only problem now is that the group is ahead of me. I have no idea how far, but I didn't really think I would catch them.
So - I think this is the FIRST time I was on my own and had to deal with the maps in a LONG time. Actually it was entertaining and gave me something to do. Because I switched bike computers mid stream - it meant that I had to do math for each turn. No big deal - it was pretty easy and I did remember a lot of spots as I went along. The day was nice - cloudy and a smidgen of rain - well just drops at one point. One of the problems with the map reading is that I need glasses for distance, but NOT for near. So if I want to read street signs, I wear my prescription sunglasses. If I want to read the map - it would be a breeze without the sunglasses or I am peeking underneath them. A total pain!
I did a bit of research before I left and thanks to the maps from last year - I knew that I was going to be very close to FIVE quilt shops that are participating in the Row by Row Experience. Hmmm - can I pull it off to visit all of them? I had the address for today and was cruising into Port Hope. I knew I had to make a left turn, however I didn't see the street. I arrived in downtown at the bottom of BIG hill and checked google maps - OH CRAP - the turnoff was back about 2 KM - of course - UP that hill. So back I went. AS I was going up, I met the others coming down. I waved - told them I knew where I was going - so they didn't think I was lost. Made it to Cozy Quilts. A great little store - the owner recognized me - they have come to our local quilt shows. I picked up the row - took some pictures and for the SECOND time in ONE day - I entered a quilt store and did not buy anything. I know - I could have slipped a fat quarter or two in my jersey pocket, but I thought better of it. Space is VERY tight.
There was a convenience store just around the corner from the quilt store so I got a half litre of chocolate milk which was divine! I am just amazed at how everything falls into place. I have to say that since I stopped eating bread a while back - it is tough to eat a piece of bread. That GOOEY lump of bread - just rolls around in your mouth and you don't want to swallow. Thank god for chocolate milk.
Had a great rest of the day and zipped along at a pretty decent pace. I think I was fourth into camp. I was certain that the rest of the group was ahead of me, but nope - they were behind. I'm not that fast - I think they just stopped more often. Once I got going - there was no need to stop. I had everything I needed on the bike. And of course - Neil wasn't there to encourage me to stop for goodies!!!!
Arrived in camp and left my tent and other bits and pieces out to dry. They are not completely dry - but not bad. It was sort of threatening rain and I wanted to get everything organized so I didn't wait for it to be completely dry. Everything is pretty much organized for tomorrow. Just charging up that damn Garmin again - I am not sure that I trust it. I will start with both and see what happens. I will have to tape the other one on the handlebars so it is easier to read. I have TWO quilt stores on my list to stop tomorrow and it is a longer day. But I got into camp at 3 PM - so I am sure that I will have time. Neither one is far to detour to.
My legs are feeling good, had enough to eat and often enough that I didn't run into trouble - that was a relief. No WI-FI for the second night. Too cheap to pay for it!!
On that note - I am out of here for tonight.
Have a great day!
Ciao!
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