September 26, 2024
Our first fully loaded ride on our new folding touring bikes. It was only a short ride, but we were battling 18 km headwind most of the way. We also had gusts of 26 km. It was a tough ride, but at least we now know what we should be taking and leaving behind. The kitchen sink is staying at home. Actually, all of the cooking stuff is staying at home. We will be staying in hotels and eating out for all of our future cycling adventures. Ralf has decided to take my Arkel Dolphin panniers and I am taking the smaller ‘front’ panniers.
The bikes feel very weird, as all of the weight is on the back whereas before we had equal weight on front and back.
The route was nice with quiet back roads for the most part. There were some heavy trucks on a couple of roads, but they were very good and gave us lots of room.
We passed a cemetery for lawn tractors, there must have been over 100 old, rusty lawn tractors all lined up in rows. Very strange people in Elizabethtown Kitley. We have to get back into the habit of stopping and taking photos of interesting and weird things on our journey. Like this massive solar panel on a house.
After we arrived at our Best Western Hotel, showered and had a nasty cup of coffee we headed into downtown Smith Falls. The municipality have done a lovely job in beautifying the downtown. The planters were stunning, especially for the end of September.
Dinner was at the Lock Masters Taphouse, a bit expensive for a pub dinner, food was o.k. service was good.
Another walk back to our hotel and a relaxing evening watching the TV. We should sleep well after the hard ride.
Tomorrow we head back to Brockville on a different route and according to the weather network a tailwind.
