Day 62 - Kanata, Ont. - REST DAY (High Temperatures)

July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Start Time: N/A

Stop Time: N/A

KM Travelled: 0 on the Bike

Elevation: 0 on the Bike

Special Stuff: Ready for the next stretch, Air conditioning

Today the temperatures are forecasted to go up to 35 degrees - which is not a favourable for bike riding.

Brian is busy with work stuff all day, and I have some work to do getting ready for the next 4 days (creating my routes on RidewithGPS, booking accommodation and a bike repair appointment) as there will be a few nights that I will be on my own and without access to a good computer for more in-depth research. I take note that there are thunderstorm and tornado warnings up ahead past Montreal - I get a flashback from my Manitoba days.

Later in the morning, I feel bored and feel annoyed because the conditions are great for riding - it is overcast, the air quality is good and it does not feel very hot. Around noon though, things take a turn. It starts to feel warm, warmer, and then by late afternoon the heat gets incredibly thick, heavy and unbearable. There is hardly any wind. I look in the mirror and see my face is red and blotchy. I text my friend (who grew up in Ontario) and ask her why anyone would voluntarily choose to live here (I was suffering by this point). I am remind myself to keep well hydrated. Riding in THIS heat (especially up hills and without a wind) would be intolerable and unsafe - now I get it.

To get a bit of relief from the heat, Brian and I take a drive in the truck with the AC on - yes, this does feel like cheating the weather a bit, AND it is glorious!

Later in the eventing, I scroll through my social media and I'm happy to see that the two investigative journalists that I met back in Whitewood, Manitoba have arrived at St. Johns, Newfoundland. I am so impressed and happy that they have completed the ride by their target date! They were super motivated to finish by the middle of July.

A new part of my body feels soreness today - my shins. I reflect on this and realized it has probably come from walking around Ottawa with Brian yesterday! I realize that I spend very little time just walking around.

Once I get my planning all done, the rest of the day feels like it drags on forever. I guess that is the purpose of rest days - to get me rested up and excited to get back on the bike. Vivement Montréal et Québec and Québec! (Bring on Montreal and Quebec City!)