Deer Lake to Baie Verte Junction (Sheppardville)
On the road by 8:00 after a nice breakfast at our B+B. It was 'cool' for the first part of the ride as the temperature was below 10 degrees and it was cloudy. Soon the sun broke through and we enjoyed a 'beautiful sun filled sky'.
We 'finally' turned east today and we also 'finally' found a flat part of Newfoundland. Today's ride reminded us of both Northern Ontario and New Brunswick. The highway 'across the top' is cut through nothing but bush and has very little habitation except for a few private trailer parks. Our # 1 companion was logging trucks arguably as many as we saw in the Fort Francis area. They would be taking their loads to the pulp plant in Deer Lake. We are told that production levels are pretty low so one wonders if it will remain open or if it will close like the one in Stephenville did a couple of years ago.
As we were riding this morning we were overtaken by another Cross Canada Cyclist. We are beginning to get a 'complex' seeing the back wheel of so many cyclists as they 'blow past' us! He has been on a real mission. He left Vancouver on July 12 and has a flight out of St. Johns on September 9. Today he was looking at getting to Grand Falls - Windsor about a 260 km ride. Makes our 100 km seem pretty minuscule!!!
We are staying in the Junction Inn tonight. We had very little choice as the campground that was supposed to exist no longer does. It now says "PRIVATE PROPERTY - KEEP OUT". Okay, we can take a hint! Our motel is not the nicest that we have stayed in but 'beggars cannot be choosers' and it is 'semi' clean.
Daily Distance = 99.16 km. Time on the bikes = 5 hours 29 minutes. Average Speed = 18.07 km. Maximum Speed = 51.93 km. Wildlife Sightings = Blue Jay, Grey Jay, Moose Tracks
Kevin = 3, Sue = 0.
