Day 37 - Ignace, Ont. to Upsala, Ont.

June 19, 2026

Start Time: 7:10 am (Eastern) 6:10 am (Central)

Stop Time: 1:00 pm (Eastern)

KM Travelled: 111 km

Elevation: +536/ - 513 m

Special Stuff: Thinking time, Rascal rodents

(NOTE to readers...I ran into some tech issues that impacted my ability to develop and post to this blog...it is resolved now. I'll do a bit of catch up over the next couple of days.)

I get up at my usual time, but with limited battery, I need to be careful with how much I use my devices. I spend a lot of time just thinking this morning. This is something I don’t practice a lot (off the bike) - just sitting with my thoughts. I think my “Landman” neighbour has reminded me about this valuable tool in my toolbox. (Landman BTW left for work at 4:15 am – super long work days for that guy!)

On my way into town yesterday, I established that Subway and the gas station open at 7:00 am. Without a fridge in my trappers' cabin, I have planned to stop there on my way out of town.

I park in front of the Subway at 6:45 am and wait. I am soon joined by some hungry fishermen who will be flying out to camp to go fish for – no other than – walleye. I mention Kenora fishing to them and they swoon. I don’t understand this fishing thing, but it sure has people enamoured. I wonder if walleye fish even tastes good.

While chatting with the fishermen, I notice a lady bike around to the back of the building. She ends up being the lady who makes my sandwich! It turns out she loves biking and she says she bikes everywhere (I’m assuming she means in town). She is from Labrador and is excited to hear I am going to Newfoundland. She suggests that I bike up to Labrador – I say, “maybe that is trip all on it’s own another time”. She wishes me well and moves on to help the fishermen.

I drive past English River. Allegedly (according to the Upsala motel manager), this is where the time changes to Eastern Standard Time. English River is a small, unassuming place – there is no sign to suggest a time change. My bike computer (Garmin Edge) time has changed to Eastern Time, but my iPhone is still on Central Time. I’m confused about what time it actually is.

I spot no more wildlife on the road today.

The highway shoulder has changed – it is now narrow and crumbly in some areas. My riding style adapts to accommodate the change.

The motel I booked is just past Upsala, so in Upsala I stop to stock up on food for tomorrow’s ride. The options are limited, but they have sandwiches and muffins that should keep me fuelled.

I get to the motel and check-in. The motel manager tells me a some scary stories about the bears that live in the area. He makes sure to point out the newspaper clippings and pictures (from 2019 and the early 2020's) on his bulletin board about bear attacks and moose getting hit on the highway - I see things I don't want to see. By the time I leave the office I’m feeling uneasy. I’m starting to think that maybe the motel manager going a little too far with this. A healthy respect for wildlife is important, as is being aware of how to manage an encounter, but being terrified does not do anyone any good.

As I come out of the motel office, I notice that I have a visitor on my bike – a squirrel. At first I think it’s cute until I realize that my recent purchase in the grocery bag (strapped onto the back of my bike) has been breached, and the little rotter has been snacking on my precious blueberry muffin!

In the motel room, I reflect on how I am feeling, and for the first time, only now, am I starting to feel more sore in places (right shoulder and upper legs). Booking a registered massage therapist (RMT) at short notice is impossible but I feel like any kind of massage would be helpful – even if it is not an RMT. I will look into this tomorrow morning.

The “time change” has still got me confused. Is it 8:00 pm (Garmin Edge/ iPad mini) or 7:00 pm (iPhone)? I don’t want to get on the road too early, but I also know, I need to adapt to the time change as soon as possible. I decide to go with it being Thunder Bay time. This is an important decision when it comes to the weather because it looks like there is a chance of thunder showers towards the end of the ride. An earlier start will be helpful to get ahead of it.

I look at my map to check on my progress crossing Canada, and then settle in for a night of resting up for the final approach to Thunder Bay.