Day 52 August 20 Richmond to Chatham Sea to Sea 08

Day 52 August 20 Richmond to Chatham Sea to Sea 08

Today’s Stats

Distance 56.85 miles
Time in saddle 4.24 hours
Ascent 604
Current elevation 559 feet
Average speed 12.9 miles per hour
Temperature at 7 am 48 degrees at noon 75
It was a very sunny day with winds from the northeast at 8-10 miles per hour.
Campground in Richmond The largest number of tents since the tour started.
As we were crossing into Canada today, everyone was up early. Breakfast was served from 6-7 AM. Hank and I got up at 530 had everything packed by 6. As it was still a little dark and we did not have to be a the white lighthouse staging area in Marine City till 10, we did not want to leave too early. We did get out by 7 AM as it was 20.5 miles to Marine City and we had some headwinds. I biked with Carol and Rich Rienstra and Hank biked with Mary and Bill Dracht.

We had a good ride into Marine City. We stopped at a café there for coffee and a cinnamon bun, which Carol and I shared. When Hank, Mary and Bill arrived Mary had a flat tire. All the cyclists were there in plenty of time including the SWIP team.

At 10 am we headed to the ferry and started to get on. They would not fill the ferry with all cyclists so we had to go on a number of ferries before everyone got across. When we arrived in Sombra on the Canadian side we were greeted by lots of people. There was also Tim Horton’s coffee for everyone, along with cupcakes, fresh fruit, cinnamon buns. It was a real treat. People came from Sarnia, Wallaceburg, and Chatham in addition to family members of Canadian riders. We were given a royal welcome into Canada.

I meet lots of people I knew. Uncle Lex and Aunt Jennie Kapetyn were there. I had not seen them for several years so it was really nice to see them. They also knew Mary and Bill Dracht through Disaster Response Services with CRWRC. Small world we live in. Also saw Diane Plug, and the grand parents of the Kornelis’s in Visalia California. They knew my son Scott. It seems no matter where we go Hank and I run into people we know or are related to in some way or know our family members. Uncle Lex and Aunt Jennie with Mary and Bill

Rich, Carol and I left Sombra at 1130 to finish biking into Chatham. We arrived at 245. It was a good ride even though we did have a head wind. The weather was cool which made it more bearable and enjoyable. No one was complaining. It is amazing how few people are complaining about the headwinds these days even though they are very strong. I think that because the temperature is much cooler, people are enjoying their rides.
Barb and Cynthia at the border
When we arrived in Chatham we were again greeted by lots of people from the Chatham churches. They had watermelon, cantelope and ice cream for us. It was refreshing.

Members of the church were also willing to take us to their homes to take showers which I did, and to drive us to the bank which I also did. They will also take people to the bike shop and the library. People here are very accommodating. Tonight Chatham churches are serving us dinner. Thanks so much Chatham for your hospitality and generosity.

Tonight Hank and I hope to be billeted by someone from the church and I hope I can get Internet so I can upload to my blog for the last two days.