Started at 7:20, probably 70 degrees but already humid, some clouds which quickly burned off. Traffic gets thicker but Rt. 17 not too bad at first, then deteriorates with broken up and narrow shoulder. Then two miles of construction, roughed up bumpy road for repaving. Hot. Then mostly just two lane, not even an occasional passing lane as it gets hillier. Grumble as I rumble. Eventually it becomes divided highway and I can get off on old Rt.17, cracked two lane into Sudbury, fewer trucks. Takes forever to navigate through, passing "Copper Cliff" -- name of this plant with immense smoke stack.
Mid way through industrial strip I stop at a Tim Horton's (big fast-food chain) for ice tea and bagel and shot of air conditioning, and meet Yvan from Quebec, age 67, retired, heading west doing his 4th cross Canada, my twin on this side of the border. We agree about how dangerous 17 is, even though it's the trans-Canada bicycle route. So why does he keep doing it?
70 miles, very tedious and sweaty, even with the tail wind that developed midday. This trip has already persuaded me not to try a cross Canada ride. Somehow being stuck on a major truck route day after day has lost its charm.
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