Day 58 - Wiarton to Meaford

91.3 km - Total so far 4,805.33 km - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5788927

We took our time leaving the motel this morning as we had to stop at the grocery store to pick up water. The water at the motel had the distinct smell of sulphur which is harmless but is not very appetizing. 

We had planned our first stop to be at the home that has three bread delivery wagons on the front lawn. We ended up stopping sooner when Hélène spotted an 8-in adjustable wrench on the side of the road. I just had to get it. Back on the bikes and about 1 km we made it to the bread wagons.

Our latest find!

We spent quite a bit of time looking over the three horse-drawn bread wagons restored by Dave Wilton. Dave came out and showed us around the delivery wagons. Most of these wagons came as parts and he has spent a number of years finding and/or making the parts needed for their restoration. Dave has a special interest in these bread delivery wagons as he used to drive one as a teenager delivering bread in Toronto. He was telling me about changing the corks under the horse's shoes in the winter. His friend Tom was also there and he told us of many other delivery wagons sitting in the barn, waiting for restoration. We could have spent much more time with Dave but we had to get going so that someday (possibly today) we could make it to our next overnight stop, Meaford.

Dave and Hélène talking bread delivery wagons

At the grocery store, we spent more time then expected as we ran into a group of cyclists from Montréal who were touring the area. They were quite excited at meeting long distance cyclists and frankly, we enjoyed the attention. They were heading to Tobermory for their overnight stay. 

I lost the video contest so I hold the bikes while Hélène takes pictures

  

Colpoy's Bay

  

  

Flower of the day

Who knew there was a sweet pay capital, we figure Helen Dowd did

Hélène and I had decided that we would take the scenic route to Owen Sound which added about 13.5 km and trust me it was well worth it. The route started with a "long slow climb from Wiarton to Oxenden" (this is the description in the Bruce County cycling guide) but we ended up almost racing up the hill on our big chain ring up front and almost the smallest gear in the back. Cycling against those head winds in the Prairies really paid off!

The scenic route was quiet, little traffic, nice and smooth pavement and yes, scenic. There were a lot of nice homes along the waterfront and most had custom made garbage containers by the side of the road and not the broken down freezers painted green that we had seen in other areas. There were a few lookouts onto Georgian Bay and another lookout named after the Kemble Womens' Institute. We had the wind to our back most of the way. We also saw tons of wild sweet pea flowers and found the Big Bay General Store where some of our Velo Quebec friends stopped for ice cream, earlier this summer. We were there before 11 am at the general store so no ice cream for us.

Another windy day

Kemble Women's Institute lookout

At the Kemble lookout

We finally got to Own Sound at about 12:30, followed the bike path along the lock for a while and headed out towards Meaford on Hwy 26. We had a nice downhill ride into Owen Sound so we had to climb out of Owen Sound. After a nice little heart pumping ride up the hill, we stopped at Tim Horton's for coffee and to eat stuff from Hélène's lunch box. Once the lunch break over, we were back on the road and climbing towards Meaford. At one point, Hélène put on the after burners and was racing uphill on 105 lbs of loaded touring bicycle and trying to reach 40 kph (she made it to 39.4 kph). I'll let you draw your own conclusion about this incident :-)!

Owen Sound waterfront

We eventually reached the top of the climb and got to coast almost 5 km into Meaford. It was exhilarating. We picked up supplies, Hélène took part in the "COPS" sequel and we took the bike path "Georgian Trail" heading to our campground. A lady on a bicycle with her young daughter was kind enough to point out when to get off the bike path and what road to take directly to the campground. I am sure we will have to do a bit of climbing tomorrow when we head out.

We did have to pedal up hill and had to deal with serious headwinds for a while but today was another very nice day. There was lots to see, we met with really nice and interesting people and a few commented on our 'muscular legs'. 

Mural in Meaford

Mainstreet Meaford

We forgot to tell you that we found out on the Internet, that as of early June 2015 the province of Ontario has a '1 meter law' that requires drivers of vehicles, when practicable, to keep a distance of at least 1 meter when passing cyclists. Hélène and I just thought that all those folks on the highway were being especially nice to us. At the Kemble Womens' Institute lookout, we chatted with a couple that had seen us on the road and they commented that we were very visible with our yellow bag covers and orange flags. We try really hard to help drivers see us and drive around us. 

The Georgian trail

The daily fix of Cheezies

Grandma Roux editing pictures

56.73 miles - Total so far 2,985.89 miles