87 miles ridden – 1240 feet climbed

The excitement of cycling over the bridge into Canada was palpable as we sat eating breakfast at 5:15 this morning. It’s quite amazing how at that time of the day you don’t really recognise what you are eating, just whether it is hot or cold. We left the hotel at exactly 6:40 so that we could meet the team that were going to close the bridge for us.

The weather forecast was for rain but in the end it didn’t appear hence the excitement. After all the hype of the Republican and Democratic Party conventions it did feel reassuring as we waited in the Canadian immigration hall to see a picture of the Queen. As I told my fellow riders she is a ‘proper’ Head of State and, amusingly enough, a few agreed!

The Welcome to Ontario sign doesn’t quite match many of the state line signs but it was there nonetheless. Because it was in the central reservation of a busy highway we couldn’t stand by it for pictures because these signs have become important progress markers for us.

It only took a few miles for us to see differences between Ontario and Michigan. Not so much the landscape but more the design of the houses with many more built out of brick, more older buildings, and much more British in their design detail:

This house – I did put an offer in but it was turned down – has a steep pitch roof, gutters, and the carving detail in the gables which I didn’t see at all in the US. The main improvement over UK design is the covered porch which I would like to have. This is more encouraging evidence of my ability to think of non-cycling subjects – good preparation for after the ride finishes. 

Not only am I staying in London but we had our SAG stop in Watford. It seemed more spacious than Watford in Hertfordshire with fewer cars, no large shopping mall, and fewer youths hanging around on street corners. Otherwise not much in it:

The route was very flat and although we had a slight headwind it didn’t rain so it was a good day. We stopped for lunch again at a deli in the town of Delaware and it really became clear from the type of sandwiches on offer and the stuff the store stocked that we were definitely in a different country and I must admit to feeling very at home in Canada.

London Ontario seems to be an industrial and commercial sprawl but it is big with a population according to the sign of 381,000. We are staying in a fabulous hotel – TownePlace Suites by Marriott – very nice but we have already been told not to get used to it.

Good location for retail therapy though and I now have a Canada cycling top to add to my wardrobe

Tomorrow we head for Brantford – only (I can’t believe I am really saying ‘only’) 69 miles but it really does look like we are going to get wet. Still we can’t complain really we have had brilliant weather so far.