September 9: Barachois Pond Provincial Park to Deer Lake, 120 km
The headwind on top of all the hills was soul crushing today. I moved slowly. 60 km of remote Trans Canada Highway with barely any traffic and no services. With all the lakes, rivers, hills and trees, this island reminds me of BC. It’s still early for fall colors.
Corner Brook, a city with all the amenities, was welcomed. Tired, I took a long break. Traffic picked up as I got back on the road and a day cyclist came up next to me. We briefly chatted and he offered to take me on a quiet road, paralleling the highway. Richard and I rode side by side for the next 20 km and I learned all about his family, work, wife and Newfoundland life. We passed by a ski area. As a fellow cyclist, he had lots of info about the road and services along the way.
It was a welcomed distraction from the headwind. When we were ready to part ways, he told me to take his number in case I have questions about the island or need some help. Such is the Newfoundland way.
Stats:
120 WINDY and HILLY kilometers
Honks of support (I think) from passing cars and trucks
First day of Moose hunting and I saw quite a few quads loaded on trucks probably going hunting
Country music blaring couple camp sites over late into the night; it’s Saturday night.