Day 19
May 31 - 70km (Barachois Provincial Park)
Apologies for the inconsistency. At first, I was finding excuses for myself not to post (“It’s too tough to bike and write!”) but I realized that this bike trip is not just about pushing my physical limits. It’s about going above and beyond in all regards. I CAN make the time for it, I just need to do it.
Anyways, Lynn took me to a bike store to get some spare tubes (I wouldn’t be seeing one for quite some time after today) and to get my first provincial license plate. I then started from the exact spot that I stopped biking when Lynn picked me up. It was really, really important to me that I traversed every centimetre across Canada with my own two legs (barring the ferries and Confederation Bridge). Even walking my bike made me uncomfortable - I only want to resort to walking when I physically can’t bike. For example, like the first hill I encountered after starting my journey.
Speaking of hills, this was the most difficult stretch of terrain in all of Newfoundland for me. The steepness was insane, and it was hill after hill after hill after hill - but I did not regret my starting point for a second. I was getting to the top every time and each small victory gave me more and more confidence.
It was really sunny - the first real summer day that I experienced - and I had to take off my sweater. It was today when I made an important realization: I could deal with the heat. I could deal with the rain and the cold. I could beat the hills. However, I COULD NOT BEAT THE INSECTS!!!
These vicious little demons would swarm me everytime I stopped for more than a second. It was therefore in my best interest to take short breaks and pedal on.
I was planning to wild camp, but I wasn’t seeing any good spots and I could not deal with the insects anymore, so I went to a campground. I was trying to avoid paying for places to sleep, but I was not upset with this purchase because I wanted to set up my tent ASAP.
I was not diligent in closing my tent quickly, and coupled with my proximity to the water, the swarm joined me in my tent for the night. Great learning experience. I put my sweater on top of my face and went to sleep.