July 21 - Day 47 - That Rama Magnetism

I am officially back on the road.  Day one of the eastern swing began today with a 100km+ ride from Blue Mountains/Georgian Bay Club, through to Orillia, just past the narrows on the north side of town.  This was the first HOT day of the trip so far, and it was very nice to be out cycling in just jersey and shorts.  Tomorrow's forecast promises more of the same, with good weather to follow for the balance of the week.  We rode the perfect route down around the bay, staying off main roads, and riding on quiet, (surprisingly) freshly paved concessions, almost all the way to camp.

It was sad to leave this morning, saying goodbye to close friends who came out to wish me well, but I know this is not over yet, and I didn't just ride from Vancouver to Collingwood because that was the plan..........the plan is Coast to Coast, and nothing short of that will do.  I will miss Jutta more during this last, shorter, portion of The Ride, but know she will be there to greet me on my return in mid-August.  The faster I ride, the faster I get home.

Hugh - Sid - Tony - heading out from GBC

What a busy week........had a chance to see Stephanie who was home for a quick break before heading back to Reading, UK., then taking off for a summer job at a leopard sanctuary in Africa (where the hell did I go wrong when I was younger).......great to see her however brief the visit,  and her beach buddy MAB who promised she would read my blog!!!.......played golf for two days in the Georgian Bay Club Member Guest with Sid, and had a great time although my game has suffered from lack of attention........back to the beach for a few chores, then reception at GBC.......friends over for dinner.......late nights, drank too much, and six days later, here I am, sitting in the trailer writing my blog once again.

It is odd to be writing you from Orillia which is a stones throw from the cottage, and within easy driving distance of Collingwood, but this is just part of the process.  Our new ace driver and ground crew support until we reach Montreal is Tony Ciccocioppo, a welcome addition to the team.  Tony has been known, on occasion, once in a while, sometimes, to stop by Casino Rama in Orillia, and given that we are just a few clicks away, that Rama Magnetism was starting to take hold..........we have resisted, but it would have been fun.

A very big Thank You to everyone who has come out in support of The Ride........I am blown away by your generosity, and know our efforts will make a difference at the hospitals.

Not too many pictures today, but promise to have the camera back in action tomorrow.  I do have one parting shot, and it is of a friend who came to join us one summer a couple of years ago........he blew in from across the bay, and I sent Steph out to drag him to shore, only to realize when I saw his size in comparison to hers, that she might need my help to reel him in.........he stayed with us most of that summer, actually co-starred in Eden W's winning  "Clifton" movie at the Wasaga Beach Film Festival that year, but alas, a strong gale blew in off the bay one day and even though he had an anchor and rope attached, he was gone, never to be seen again.........until now........Honey, I found the FUNSTATION.........he's in Orillia and wants to come home.........good night all........until tomorrow

LYJ