Grand Falls, NL to Clarenville, NL

 

Woke up this morning without enough sleep, legs very sore and having difficulty walking because of my achilles. Nonetheless, ready to go for it! For me, this part of the trip was one of the few parts where I was physically sacrificing myself for the cause for which we were riding and this was important to me.

 

There was very little wind in the morning, but the roads were wet and it was very cold. My one foot got to the point of numbness where it feels like it was ballooning up to a massive size. Jack and I had left later than the other riders as we were a little slow in the morning and so it was just us for a majority of the ride. We stopped at a tourist information center for our first bathroom break (toilets always seemed to appear at the right time these days) and a Clif bar. My achilles were very tender and so I just had to spin lightly to avoid riding with too much discomfort. After wearing the CBS-provided shorts yesterday which had been quite uncomfortable, I was pleased to be back in my Pearl Izumi’s again. I didn’t realize until last summer when I bought my first good pair of riding shorts just how much difference they make in one’s comfort level while sitting in the saddle!

 

We actually saw some sun by the time lunch rolled around, which was really quite exciting. It was amazing how immediate the sun’s heat was in warming our bodies. The afternoon turned out to be quite beautiful - partly cloudy, and the hills also seemed to return with it. Riding through Terra Nova National Park was stunningly beautiful - lakes, trees, hills, beautiful views. It was great! I just kept trudging up the hills, trying to avoid too much discomfort, and then scooting down the hills in an aerodynamic position (I can’t achieve quite the position Jack does because of my bars in the middle of the handlebar).

 

We arrived into Clarenville in good time (before the other group actually). It was good to greet other riders as they came in and congratulate them on their ride. I found some ice and advil in an attempt to salvage any hope of riding tomorrow given the condition of my achilles tendons.

 

I was asked to make a sacrifice this evening - and that was to ride with the group and be bussed 90 km ahead and ride the final 75 km into St. John’s as one united group. I immediately said yes to Len, knowing that for me it was the right decision. It was difficult to give up another [team] goal on this trip, yet I knew that it was important for me to honour the other riders and show my respect for them by doing what they were doing tomorrow. It was a difficult night as Jack felt strongly in the opposite direction - for the first time on the trip we were not united in our actions, although we trusted and supported one another’s decision.

 

I ended up staying up really late, discussing things through with Jack and a few others and also had a good conversation with Warren, who continues to be an inspiration and a joy to have come to know on this trip.