Sea-to-Sea NA Day 41 The day started off well but somewhere along the way it went all wrong. You see I let my taste buds rule my head, that was probably the first mistake or maybe it was getting up early-at the same time as Rita early. I had spotted a Swiss Bakery on the town square yesterday and so I thought it might be special to have a nice pastry and a coffee on the square before leaving. So I got up with Rita and did my usual chores ending with packing a soaking wet tent. Off I went to the bakery, cinnamon roll and large coffee for $2.50, ate it on the bench outside the bakery. No matter how large these things are they are always gone too soon. Now for my second chore before leaving town, a picture of the square. I scout out a nice location; turn the camera on and nothing – dead battery. You may recall that I rolled the camera up in the sopping wet tent the day before. I had a long debate with myself; picture or no picture? Back to camp and recharge or off on my ride? The picture won and I will post it tonight with this. That set the timing for the ride for the rest of the day. We had a 60km rail trail to ride after a few kilometres of road riding. I started the trail having passed several riders on the way there. At one point I passed a nice coffee shop full of our people, soon after while negotiating a detour (yes on the bike trail) I came across George vK again and we started to ride together. We biked and biked along the trail side by side talking from time to time. As we approached the marked distance I casually mentioned to George ‘what idf we are on the wrong trail? Dumb question the end should be right up here we figured. As we crossed a road I spotted a trail map and decided that I would have a look see. “You are here” irt said but scanning the map further it had an arrow pointing off of the other end of the map to Aurora; the place we were supposed to be. We had ridden over 8 miles in the wrong direction! As we were standing there along came another 5-6 riders also going wrong. We figured out how to get back to the route via another trail. Now we were more careful to watch for splits in the trail and direction signs even though they were confusing at times we eventually found our way to the end of the trail. We were now well over 100km when the correct route indicated 77! We saw riders at the SAG stop that we had passed hours before. Rita had gone through wondering if I had passed yet (she does worry about me). Pack-no-lunch George was now in need of food, even though we had stopped for a milkshake at a 50s style dinner along the way. So the search was on, this pastry shop too fancy, this pub too dingy, this restaurant too big a meal, this one would take too long and 15 km later an Arbey’s was OK so in we went, ordered, ate and off we were again. Now I was stalling, no energy (even though I had an Italian sub ). George was riding beside me on the paved shoulder (something I have difficulty doing), I spotted some glass, he went through it and 10 minutes later we were stopped to fix his flat. We pulled a piece out of the tire; put in a new tube and off we were again. Another 10-15 later George is yelling at me again. Turns out he has another flat and tells me to go on, he will have to check his tire more closely. Off I go, no reading glasses, the road is marked so why worry. Sure enough there is an arrow on the road in our familiar orange with the C below it. I proceed to follow the arrows. Now when you pass an intersection you are never sure if the cars that are stopped are covering the arrows or if in a moment of inattention you miss an arrow or maybe they missed a corner, especially when they are busy paving the road, have they covered the arrow? My od0meter has now rolled past 150km and I really don’t want to go wrong again. Boy this road is long and I haven’t seen an arrow, even the reassuring straight thru arrows in a long time, better stop and see if my arms are long enough to read the instructions. Yes they are today (the type size is different every day) but it doesn’t help because the name of the road I’m on is not on my instructions and the full map we get covers too large an area to see anything. I notice a person reading quietly beside the lake that I’m stopped beside and asking him he says go a little farther and you will find this road that is on the instructions. Sure enough there is the arrow and I turn left, go a long way, wonder if I’ve missed another arrow –traffic is heavy now, rush hour- when along side the road up ahead some kids waving flags, some signs, a typical welcome Sea-to-Sea reception and sure enough I’m a mile from Trinity. Riding a little farther I hear shouting, even sounds like a familiar voice but I can’t be sure, glancing sideways I see yellow safety vests, turn into the plaza and sure enough there is Rita with Joan, Peter and Theresa having a tall cool beer. They ask if I would like one (dumb question) and we proceed to swap getting lost or nearly lost stories. My Odometer reads 170km on a 135 km day and my wife nearly beat me to camp. But so my reputation would not be totally ruined I passed her on the way to Trinity. Tomorrow we have more city to negotiate and I hope no rail trails.