The untitled blogpost so as not to ruin the cliffhanger

The astute amongst you will have realised two things: firstly, that I left you on a pretty obvious cliffhanger last time. And secondly my photos have changed a little in quality - sadly my camera has decided to have a major breakdown, and I have had to revert to using my tablet and a disposable as my main means of visually recording this trip. And so the number of photos may be a little more limited from now on but I am trying my best to keep snapping!

So, back to the thrilling moment where I left you hanging...does my bike get fixed? Do I make it out of the Sault (as the town is so called by locals) and onwards with my journey??

Well hurray and praise be, because those wonderful bike mechanics did indeed fix my bike, using my spare hanger in the process - huge thank you to my brother for having the foresight to pack me off with one of these, as I would have had to wait for them to order one in for me otherwise...cheers Josh, you wiggy legend!

Bella all fixed up and ready to roll

So I had a spare day on my hands to wander through downtown, eat a lot of food and drink copious amounts of tea, of course!

A fellow tourer showed up to camp at the bike shop later that day, and we ended up heading out to the pub with the bike mechanics and a some of their mountain biking crew. A brilliant night including my first taste of a bison burger - yum! - and plenty of beer was consumed...needless to say I was not feeling tip top the next morning!

But what do you do when you're feeling hungover?? I know what I do at least... You hop on a bike and sweat it out dammit!... years of working in pubs and bars has conditioned me well to deal with these trying situations!!

Outisde of Thessalon

Stocking up on baked goods!

Have I taken a wrong turn?! Sorry Ontario, but this just isn't as good as the original!

Fuelled with plenty of stodgy carbs I pushed on and covered good ground, making it to Sudbury in two days. I ended up having a brilliant couchsurfing stay with Jen, a teacher turned musician with a wonderful zest for life. We went out to see the album launches of three fantastic local bands, a great night of live music and dancing the night away!

I headed off late the next morning and pedalled through drizzle which progressed quickly to full on torrential rain, the heavy spray coming off cars doing a stellar job at maintaining my drowned rat look.

Soggy cycling!

After having cycled a very decent leg in three days, I had decided that I would take it easy the next day and simply see where I ended up. My body very much too this on board, and after a mere 25 miles, it decided enough was enough. It was very much one of those days where my body was just not interested in cycling and was rejecting the exercise I was subjecting it to.

So I listened and heeded, taking the next available turn off the highway for a campground, sped down a steep dirt track to the edge of a lake and fell asleep as soon as my tent was pitched.

Joined for snooze time by a wee turtle

Later on I was heading up to the little shop onsight to buy some food, and I ended up chatting to three girls (a Candian, a Belgian and a Dutch girl - almost sounds like the start of a joke...anyway!) about anything and everything. The two Europeans were over for exchanges, but all were full of optimism about future travels and life. It was truly glorious to meet them, and to have my growing love of travelling and the open road so re-inspired by such a chance meeting.

With Suze, Kimmy and Florine 

Whether powered by this boosted optimism or the invigorating tailwind (most likely a combination of the two) I made excellent ground the next day, revelling in the apparent ease of every incline and speeding along long straights. I put myself within touching distance of my next rest station, and decided to push it and cover the ground the following day.

A giant wooden dude at Mattawa

Some guy had told me that after Mattawa it would be pretty much flat...this was me looking back at the climb I did just after leaving Mattawa...

And despite the change in wind direction (I knew it would be too good to be true to expect two consecutive tailwind days!!) I made the miles on some stunning riverside roads, with the water separating Ontario and Québec. I span through some beautiful farming country that could have almost been like cycling back at home.

Taking a tea break and enjoying Arnprior

I past a country pub with five miles to go, and after pulling in to fill up my water bottles, I decided it was a perfect moment to enjoy a cheeky cider: the sun was shining and I had covered what was soon to be 215 miles in two days, so I think a celebratory drink was definitely in order.

Crossing the Rideau river at Burritt's Rapids

Ah the sweet taste of a successful couple of days

So it's fair to say that the last couple of weeks have been pretty eventful! I am now staying with some relatives just outside of Ottawa, enjoying the longest break off the bike since I set off, this break being the beginning of a couple of chunks of 'holiday time', for my legs.

I've been sightseeing, stretching and heading out for an occasional jog, as well as stuffing my face with plenty of starchy carbs and ice cream (I only tend to realise how much food I'm eating when I'm off the bike and staying with people for longer periods of time!) and lots of tea to help with these scribbles.

At a Canadian tea party! Some good brews and scones were had!

TUNNOCKS!!! Just yes, on sooo many levels!

Rest day post-run breakfast

The eternal flame in Ottawa 

The 'Women are Persons' monument 

The Locks at Parliament Hill

Parliament building

Enjoying a half n half 'beaver tail' with Lisa - I freaked out to begin with thinking they would be genuine beaver  tails, but they are actually yummy sweet flat breads with various toppings...oh yea!

So I am still pinching myself when I think that I've made it to the capital, and that the east coast is starting to pop up on my radar! I'm also realising that I'm over halfway through my time on the road now, and I'm loving how comfortable this transient state of existence has become.

I'm looking forward to heading across the provincial border and seeing what Québec has in store for me. And so onwards! Or should I say allons-y?!