I take my time getting on the road this morning since the Wood Islands ferry doesn’t leave until 11:15. A late departure from the residence still leaves more than enough time to cruise along at a comfortable pace.
I follow the TransCanada for the first 30 km and then switch to a more rural and hilly Route 23 the rest of the way to the ferry. Surprisingly, every single side road that joins it is unpaved.
When I reach the dock at 9:45, I still have a good 90 minutes before the next ferry. I take a seat in the gazebo and it isn’t long before I’m joined by eight others from our group.
We’re on the road again at 12:45 and ride straight into the wind for 10 km. Pictou Causeway is particularly gusty.
The road into New Glasgow is unmarked and I miss the turn, but I eventually find my way thanks to some friendly locals. For the last hour I follow a very rural Merigomish Road and an even more rural Route 245.
The heat of the afternoon starts to take its toll when I run out of water 20 km from camp. My pace slows but I keep pedaling, certain that there’s a corner store along here somewhere. There has to be.
There isn’t. I’m so thirsty it’s all I can think about. With 7 km to go, I see three people in front of a house with tools so I stop and ask if there’s a corner store nearby. Unfortunately the closest one is a few kilometres past the campground.
As it turns out, the woman happens to have an ice cold jug of water in her truck. She fills my bottle, I thank her several times and I finish the ride with a new appreciation for random acts of kindness.
Lynn's Bike Ride 