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Mixed bag night for me. I started the night off on a loveseat to avoid unpacking my sleeping pad and get to bed faster, but it proved pretty uncomfortable. Half way through the night I put the cushions on the floor and that proved a much better sleeping spot. Dana had a good night in the hammock and we got right to packing up and making breakfast, snapping some daylight pics of the camp spot, and talking with Tom some more. We have a 105+ km (65+ mile) ride in front of us to our next stop in Maclean.
We managed to stay off the highway for about 12 miles on a parallel road, but eventually had to get back on the M1. It held a surprise for us, too: our first flat. A doosie, too, with a big construction staple. The good thing about that was I didn’t have to wonder what caused the flat, replaced the tube replaced in about 10 minutes, and was back on the road quickly.
We stopped for lunch in Grafton, and got refreshments from a Maccas obviously built to avoid floods. We picnicked in a park under a railroad trestle then had a couple of ice cream cones from Maccas for dessert. We then went to Coles for some groceries where for the first time on this whole trip, I left the bikes without locking them. Looked like a busy place and we were going in for a quick stop. Well, the manager hunted us down in the canned tuna aisle and gave us a tongue lashing about leaving our bikes out there and there was a homeless guy eyeing up our bikes. We thanked here and I went out while Dana checked out and still did not discern the threat. What we did encounter was a guy wanting to know where we were from and when he heard “Pennsylvania,” he told us he was a US Civil War buff and had we ever visited Gettysburg and much, much more. He also asked where we were heading and offered us an alternate route that involved a ferry — we considered it, but decided against it given our Timber Trail “it’s easy” experience. On the way out of town, he passed us again, pointing the way to his route. We told him we were OK with this road, thanked him, whereon he said, “I’m late for work!” and did a u-ey as he waved good-bye.
The rest of the day was less exciting and we rode along the Clarence River the rest of the way to Maclean. We stopped at the Maclean Hotel for some refreshments and scored some clandestine showers in their communal bath area. I voted for staying there, but was vetoed and we ended up in the show grounds campground. It itself was pretty nice, but it was close to a bridge with a wooden deck that rattled loudly anytime a vehicle crossed (and they crossed all night long). Still, it was a nice spot and we did get some rest. 🫨🥱
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