We arrived at the church at 7:00 a.m. after spending the night at billets homes. The local Anglican Parish provided a light breakfast that fueled the riders for the morning. After a brief devotional thought and last minute bike repairs we were on the road.. Rain clouds threatened, but rain did not materialize. The roads tended to be fairly busy so the riders rode in single file.

The morning break was in the shade at Chalmers United Church with snacks waiting for us on the lawn. The lunch break was at Grace United Church in Tavistock, and several riders nursed aching bones and muscles on the last day of riding. After lunch the riders put on sunscreen as the sun was very hot, and yet dark clouds could be seen in the distance.

The rain seemed to avoid us all afternoon until we got close to Poole. There the riders rode straight into Scott and Amanda’s barn and avoided the rain! A quick tour of the dairy farm and off to the Poole Mennonite Church for the afternoon break and washrooms.

The last stop of the day was a harness shop on a Mennonite farm. Ezra explained the art of harness making and the traditional methods of the craft. From there it was a short run to the finish line at the Listowel Mennonite Church. Showers were at the local arena, followed by a delicious supper of scalloped potatoes and ham. The evening program included singing, thank yous and certificate presentations. It seemed like everyone was amazed at the success of the week and how well the team came together!

Let the planning begin for next year!

Distance Covered: 127 km

Total Trip Distance: 733 km

The men of the church served breakfast and we learned all about salt mining! The ride out of Goderich was one of the nicest of the trip along a tree-covered route with fresh asphalt under the tires and almost no cars! It was a fairly fast ride down to Bayfield for the morning break at St. Andrew’s United Church.

After muffins, cookies and fruit we rode though Bayfield, among scenic cottages and over towards Dashwood for lunch. The team rode well together and seemed to average speeds of around 30km! The ladies at Dashwood United Church provided a fantastic lunch, including some yellow raspberries!

Since the riders were going so quickly today, it seemed like in no time we were in Parkhill at Grace Bible Church for the afternoon break. Again this afternoon the pack maintained a quick pace and rode together. The beautiful countryside passed by and we were welcomed at our evening stop at Ilderton United Church. This evening we were billeted out to home provided by the three churches of Ilderton.

Distance Covered: 129 Km

Our morning began with another great breakfast that would fuel the riders for the day. After a short prayer and morning instructions, the slower riders headed out and the faster ones held back for about fifteen minutes. Dan left the group that morning as he had to head back to work. A short time later we stopped in Molesworth at the Presbyterian Church. Joan from Only Sports in Listowel came out to fix a tire and supply a new water bottle carrier.

Lunch stop was in Belgrave at the United Church and a local newspaper reporter greeted us and took pictures as we arrived. Leslie led all the riders in stretching exercises before we left to loosen up stiff muscles! A sunny afternoon and a couple of flat tires later found us at Dungannon United Church for the afternoon break. The bike mechanics quickly got to work and fixed the problems.

Just before the group arrived into Goderich, they regrouped so as to ride in together. With Lake Huron off in the distance, the riders climbed the hill and came into the square. They each went around the square several times before heading off to Knox Presbyterian Church. We were given rides over to the YMCA and then served mouth watering meatloaf for supper! After evening devotions we headed out to walk the square before our 10 p.m. curfew!

Distance Covered: 127 km

Another hearty breakfast, under blue skies and a warm breeze started our day in Chatsworth. Right out of Chatsworth we were greeted by a series of grueling hills that not too many were thrilled to see! The countryside was very scenic and peaceful with little traffic. The morning break found us in the small town of Markdale were we visited their old Fire Hall, after enjoying the food and using the washrooms of the Nazarene church!

We then headed out along mainly deserted country roads towards our noon lunch stop at Knox Presbyterian Church in Swinton Park. As we came out of lunch the wind started to blow and cooler weather moved in. The rain hit shortly after the afternoon break in Gordonville, and it really came down. We stopped under a shelter in Arthur to regroup and try and dry off!

The Christian Reformed Church in Drayton was a welcome sight and the hospitality of the folks there was first class! Several commented that the meal that evening felt like a Thanksgiving Dinner! Clothes were dried out and made ready for the next day. That evening many gathered around tables for some evening fellowship. Scott and Amanda had to leave us that evening and were driven back to Listowel.

Distance Covered: 118 km

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day on the shores of Lake Huron! After a healthy breakfast of cereal, pancakes and bacon we hit the road, and began the pedal down the gravel road to the main highway.

After a quick bathroom break in Ridley we enjoyed an uneventful ride up towards Glammis and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. The ladies of the congregation provided a wonderful snack and we were surprised by Jeff Loach, the former District Director of Central Ontario., and his wife Diana. They stayed with us for most of the day.

Our lunch break today was at Immanuel Evangelical Missionary Church in Paisley. Just before the stop we had a rider with a flat tire and another one with a broken chain. While repairs were being made we had an impromptu hymn sing in the church sanctuary before getting back on the road.

For the afternoon break, we stopped at an Organic Mill for a quick tour and lesson about organic farming. We then headed towards the last stop with ominous rain clouds looming in the distance. Several riders were caught in the tail end of the storm as we headed into Chatsworth for the evening stop.

Distance Covered: 129 km