Day 53 Chatham to London

We billeted at the Aukema's last night and had breakfast with them and a number of the London Express cyclists. Thanks Cynthia and Ralph for your hospitality. Cynthia cycled yesterday from the ferry crossing to Chatham and also did today's ride at pretty well her normal clip. Way to go Cynthia!

We hit the road at 6:45. It was a little misty out on some of the fields (pic)(my pictures should show up eventually on Fred Meyerink's blog) but it was warmer than yesterday's cool start and the day turned out really nice. This afternoon it's over 30 C (90 F). It was head/cross wind all day again, but it still didn't rain, so it could be worse, lots worse.

The roads today were really nice, no potholes etc. The only tricky part, which we were warned about at peleton meeting last night, was a double set of RR tracks which were at a 45 degree angle to the road. We want to go over them as straight as possible if we can, but that didn't quite happen and Fred almost took me out. My cuz' Doug Schoon (AB) did fall on them today and he will attest to the pain they can dish out. He has a mild shoulder seperation.

We had a great lunch at 10:30 at the Mt Brydges CRC. (pic) They treated us to beef on a bun, chilli, fruit, and drinks. Thanks folks for your hospitality. They have a Sea to Sea progress map going on at the front of the sanctuary as well.

By London, we got on a really nice bike path through Springlake Park (pic). There were a number of people waiting for cyclists there as well and watermelon and water was available too. We were biking with Bert S at the time. At the stop the media wanted to speak to someone from BC so Fred and I nominated Bert to which he said fine, but it never happened as Gayle H had a lot to say to the media so Bert finally left.

We cycled a bit with a Londoner named Albert D. At lunch he told me an accountant joke. When we got to London, a nice lady named Sharon who served me some ice cream told me the same joke. I told her a guy named Albert told me that joke at lunch. Turns out they're married. We thought that was funny. I'll see if I can find them some new jokes, but then again, who wants to hear a joke from an accountant.

So we got into London Christian School at 1:30. They're all ready for us here with all sorts of baked goods and even chocolate milk! Good job. Thanks to you all for your interest and hospitality. I met some nice people who read our blogs.

Jeff and Judy Ypma along with their sons Bryce and Troy dropped by for a visit. They had been at the Cadet campout which got rained out north of here last week. We also saw Jeannette Huisman at Grand Rapids this past weekend. Charlene was along and they were dropping Ryan H off at Kuyper College. As noted earlier, we visited with the Kloot's from Chilliwack this past Sunday, so we're feeling quite connected to home recently. It was nice seeing all of you. We hope and pray you all have a safe trip home and an enjoyable time on your holidays.

Supper was hosted by the London CRC people. Barbequed burgers, sausage, corn on the cob, salads, lots of desserts, etc. They went all out and talking to them it appears that the community here was quite happy to be involved. Thanks again London.

Totals for day: 127 k (75 mi), 4:50 pedalling time, 26.4 kph avg (16 mph)