Starting Point: Sherbrooke, QC
Ending Point: Victoriaville, QC
Via: Bromptonville, Windsor, Richmond, Cleveland, Danville, Warwick and Saint-Christophe-d’Arthabaska
Mileage: 64.5
Time: 7:58
Mph: 8.1
Terrain: mostly flat
Temperature High: 45-50
Temperature Low: 36
Lunch:
Dinner: chicken, mashed potatos, cole slaw
Weather: sunny
Wind: cross-winds and tail-winds
Lodging: Motel Le Victo
Cumulative Mileage: 310
Miles to Go: 200
Projected Distance: 510
Percent Completed: 61%
Today marked the first day when the Green Way (La Route Verte) was partitioned from the road itself for a significant distance. It was separated for nearly the entire distance and the surface was like that of the Erie Canal Bicycle Path- compacted crushed rock. Every now and then there would be a paved section which would make for a much quieter ride. The trail followed an old railroad bed and so most of the hills disappeared. This was great relief after the huge slopes that were everywhere from The VT-NH border until Sherbrooke.
The path was virtually deserted and the only time there was a biker coming from the other direction, it was, for the most part, a racer who had neither the time nor inclination to say hello much less a conversation. I did run into two ground hogs and one very healthy-looking raccoon. At one point up ahead about 200 meters there was an animal that appeared similar to a Golden Retriever, but it seemed unlikely. So the identity of that one escaped me.
It looks certain at this point that I am going to have to suspend the remainder of the expedition (from Québec City on). The reasons are many:
a) Poor planning of daily mileages. They should have been much less considering the terrain.
b) Long stretches with no means of mechanical/medical support should something happen
c) Due to a), no time to do anything but bike. Not possible to take time in a place and take pictures or interact with people when there were any to interact with.
d) Temperature… For 2 nights running, temperature hovered near the freezing point and I haven’t even reached the most northerly portion of the ride. Riding with the threat of frozen areas in the woods is unsafe in my estimation.
e) Weather…combined with d), today, for example, it looks as if it will rain or snow. Biking in that kind of weather is risky in itself (hypothermia despite good gear) and makes for a ride that is more of a forced slog than a ride to be enjoyed to some degree.
As I mentioned yesterday, this decision has not been reached lightly. As a matter of fact I have had five days to reflect upon it. I feel an obligation to fulfill to all the people who put their trust in me to do this ride. I do also feel an obligation to foster my own health and safety. How many times did Admiral Peary attempt reaching to Pole? Was he sensible enough to abandon when circumstances dictated he do so? In this case, I guess I’m following his lead. The disappointment may be great for my sponsors; it is even greater for me. I don’t abandon projects offhandedly. I do hope that all sponsors will be understanding and know that my commitment to the American Lung Association of Maine hasn’t weakened. Neither has my commitment to staying healthy and safe so I can be around to ride next year.
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