Mine Centre to Atikokan
After fixing a flat tire on Sue's bike this morning we were on the road by 8:15. Funny how a tire can go flat sitting against a tree. I guess we did not go entirely unscathed by our 'road construction' after all! A heavy cloud cover stayed with us for the entire ride today but thankfully only produced an early mist. The road was again narrow and winding but with even less traffic than yesterday. There were definitely more hills to climb today (3 Bayview Hills) but nothing that 'Granny' could not handle. For the entire day we never saw a town! Sightseeing consisted of the road, rock outcroppings, construction flag people, (We had a scare as we came upon a sign that said 22.7 km of road improvements...but the equipment was just being moved into the area to begin the project...good thing!) and lots of beaver ponds.
Highway 11 is the longest highway in Ontario running from Rainy River in the northwest to downtown Toronto (Younge Street). It will be our 'constant' until we turn towards Manitoulin Island at Espanola.
We are staying in the Quetico Inn in Atikokan. Our decision was based on 2 factors. Firstly, the threatening sky, which by the way opened up and dumped an unbelievable amount of rain while we were inside and dry. Secondly, we have a long ride tomorrow again through a 'serviceless area', so we hope to get an early start.
Atikokan...an old mining town. Iron Ore was discovered here in the 1930's. Two mines were developed and by 1970 more iron ore was mined than would have been used in every car built in Canada up until 1970. However, with a technological change in iron ore mining, the mines became uneconomical and both mines closed in 1980!
Daily Distance = 86.52 km. Time on the bikes = 5 hours 22 minutes. Average Speed = 16.08 km. Maximum Speed = 47.90 km. Wildlife Sightings = Deer, Cedar Waxwings, Phoebe, Great Blue Heron, Chipping Sparrow, Grouse.
Kevin = 3 Sue = 0.
