Biking with Bill

“ OH CANADA, GLORIOUS AND FREE ”


Those are the words in Canada’s National Anthem which the group of riders known as “the Final Four” (Annie, Lois, Abe, and Stew) were prepared to sing to the Customs and Immigration officials at the border in the event it became necessary for entry. It was not required (naturally), but a few bars were sung anyway. Actually, the preparation and procedure itself went off very smoothly. We assembled at 7:15 am in front of our hotel in Port Huron with passports tucked away in our ABB jerseys and cameras at the ready. We were to ride closely behind the van–all 54 of us–, and we were to be followed by our other van and luggage truck.

The bridge authorities were ready for us. They held all truck traffic going into Canada until we had cleared the bridge, which rises high over the St Clair River. The Canadian officials at the far end of the bridge were cordial and efficient. Only the 5 Europeans were asked for their passports–in order to stamp them. The Americans passed right through after disclaiming having a weapon or contraband.

We were in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada where we immediately found better roads, but the same crops as we found in Wisconsin and Michigan. Our welcome to Canada was complete with the arrival of warm sunshine and a TAILWIND! The unattainable tailwind we begged for in South Dakota and Wyoming we found in Canada on this day. This tailwind pushed us faster than expected down the country roads. What a pleasure to have a wind at our backs.

The route from Port Huron to London, Ontario was a flat 82 mile ride. From the SAG stop in the town of Watford at the 34 mile mark, we shot right into our destination city of London, Ontario. It was a 48 mile non-stop push at speeds in excess of 18-20 mph. We were at the hotel before 1:00 pm. Actually, Dan and I first stopped for a lunch of fish and chips at a restaurant next door to our hotel. There we found “the Wolfpack”, the group of mainly European cyclists who ride in a pace line together each day, and are always first in. Peter (UK) offered us a celebratory Labatts Blue beer. “Welcome to the Commonwealth”, he said. “Cheers, Peter” was our thirsty response.

It was a great biking day: the excitement of crossing into and biking in another country, the weather and tailwind, the challenging speedy finish all made for a great bit of cycling.

I was told at the “all you can eat” buffet restaurant last evening that a gentleman was there looking for me. To my amazement, an old friend from the paper industry, who resides in Port Huron and was the president of the paper company here, heard of my bike trip and knew I was in town. He invited me to his beautiful home right on Lake Huron for a beer and some good catch-up exchange of news on people we both know. His wife and Betty had been good friends and shopping and touring buddies at the paper industry conventions in years past. Small world!

I ordered another t-shirt. I know I have too many, but this one is an original and is offered by a fellow cyclist on the tour. It describes our unalterable itinerary for the 50 days of our cross country bike ride. It says: “EAT, SLEEP, PEDAL.....REPEAT”. Perfect.

Cruisin’ in Canada,
Bill