Mary (almost) does a Barrie ride!

Hello everybody!

In an attempt to see what a real day on our trip from Toronto to Halifax would be like, I (Mary!) set out to bike from Toronto to Barrie for a 100km day.

My ink cartridge ran out, so I drew out a map and put it in my new and handy handlebar map holder! Thanks to Velotique in Leslieville for all of their awesome advice!

Beauty at Derrydowns park on my way north out of the GTA

Time for a break north on Jane St.

A piece of advice from other bike tourists was to eat apples! They are convenient, delicious, and hydrating! I took their advice and brought four.

Alas, a forecast of scattered showers turned into a severe thunderstorm watch while I was biking away unwittingly. After fear of being a human lightening rod (do my tires really ground me?) I hid under this vegetable truck on Woodchoppers Lane in Bradford.

A little sad but not defeated. A few lessons to bring on our trip to Happyfax: if you see clouds ahead, check the weather forecast! Even if you did that morning. Also, bring warm things! Either one of those thermal blankets or some light woolens. As I waited for the storm to pass (30 min after the last thunderclap!) I got very chilly. Luckily, as the storm didn't seem to be passing, my sister from Barrie came and rescued me! Thanks sis!

Although the weather put a snag in my plans, doing this solo trip was a lot of fun! I rode about 60 km and it was beautiful. So excited to begin our adventure :) :)