Day 42 - Terrace Lake, Ont. to Marathon, Ont.

June 24, 2026 (Wednesday) 

Start Time: 7:00 am 

Stop Time: 1:00 pm 

KM Travelled: 82.6 km 

Elevation: +1,038/ - 1,082 m 

Special Stuff: My husband - Brian, Granny gear, Ladies coffee groups, Chatting

I wake up excited because TODAY, Brian will finally catch up with me!  

Brian has been on the road for 5 days – maybe he will pass me on my way to Marathon! It has been 29 days since I last saw him in Creston, B.C.  

Originally, when planning to do this trip – it was going to be together with Brian - the whole way. As the departure got closer, he was not able to make a firm commitment, so I made preparations to do the trip on my own. I learned so, so, so much preparing to do the trip solo – and I found an incredible internal strength that only committing to such a grand venture can uncover.

Back in Creston, it was very difficult for me when Brian left. I liked having him around. But, I had to adapt quickly because I had to be ‘present’ and ‘get my head in the game’ so I could ride safely and be open to accept and truly appreciate all the gifts that this amazing ride has to share with me. 

I am also very happy to welcome Brian back – so we can do this thing “together"-"ish”. 

On today’s ride, a few things stand out: 

1. The skinny shoulder keeps coming and going (I guess this is just Ontario) 

2. Road construction paces the traffic, making it safer for me (I just pull over now when I hear traffic starting up again behind me) 

3. There are ALOT of hills!  

4. Downhill is not so fun - because of rumple strips, slanted pavement, cracks, traffic, etc.

5. I’m spending alot of time in granny gear slowly climbing the uphill 

6. I don’t really care where I go for bathroom breaks anymore – a semi-public area between the flows of traffic feels safer than going in the bushes where there are may be bears and possibly travellers on foot (this new bathroom development really surprises me – I think it shows that my ‘give a damn" has somehow become "busted’). 

At the turnoff to Marathon, I need to make a decision. I can’t seem to get a hold of Brian on the phone. Marathon is off the main road 5 km – all downhill, which means a 5 km uphill when it's time to hit the road again. There are no other camping alternatives close by. The bike shop in Sault Saint Marie (where I need my brakes checked and my chain replaced again) is closed Sundays and Mondays (and will be closed next Wednesday for the Canada Day holiday). It seems to make the most sense to take a rest day tomorrow and then ride every day (4 days) until Monday when I stop in Sault Saint Marie for a rest day. 

I secure a campsite in Marathon and coast downhill. I get to the A&W to wait for Brian and am invited to join a table of ladies having their weekly coffee group meeting - I decline as I’m quite dirty and am not feeling too social. I love the idea of a weekly ladies coffee group and decide that when I get home, I’d like to focus on making some more friends – and/or seeing my existing friends on a more regular basis. Maybe a weekly ladies coffee group at the Brackendale Art Gallery or something like that...we’ll see. (If you are a lady living in Squamish, and like that this idea, make sure you hit me up for coffee in September when I'm back in town.)

I see Brian on my 'Find Friends' app and he is getting close to the Marathon turnoff, so I pack up to leave. As I’m departing, two Chinese men who are taking pictures of the A&W ask about my trip in broken English (they seem like business investors). They ask to take pictures with me, I see no harm in it, so I agree. 

At the campsite, I eagerly wait for my husband. He turns the corner into the campground with the truck and our 19’ fibre glass trailer, and my heart does a little happy dance. I get right to bossing him around, because I know he misses being bossed around (lol, just kidding). He’s got some calls to take, so we get him set up to work. 

I take care to keep my bike gear and the RV materials separate. I will continue to carry my panniers and biking supplies so that I can still be fully independent when riding.  

My day ends with just chatting with Brian after his day is wrapped up. I wouldn’t call myself a particularly chatty person, but with Brian, it’s like he presses the download button, and everything spills out (poor guy). Luckily, he doesn’t seem to mind too much.