While cycling along the northwestern shoreline of Lake Erie in Ontario Province, two things are of note, wind turbines and Mosquitos. The former dot the horizon in all directions indicating that, undoubtedly, winds are rather frequent. Indeed, during daylight hours the breezes are onshore, driving the turbines - and if in your face make for some difficult cycling. During the nocturnal hours the winds are offshore and usually light and, when camping provide superb conditions for overzealous mosquitos.
Such were the conditions over our first few days in Ontario. Strong headwinds limited our eastward progress to about 100 miles, and whilst camping, the mosquito population prompted Michelle to dress in her bicycling rain gear both while setting-up and breaking-down our tent site.
Other early impressions of this geographical section of Ontario from a bicyclist's point of view, besides the turbines and mosquitos, are 1) the terrain is very flat - highest landmark seen being a landfill that unfortunately we punctured downwind of; 2) the road network is laid out on a right-angled grid, and roads on hypnotizingly straight, no diagonal shortcuts; and 3) whilst the roadways are without paved shoulders, the motorists are very respectful of cyclists, providing us with a generous amount of space off our left hand grip.
So hopefully tomorrow the winds will change from the east/southeast to more westerly direction and favor us with a push!
Wind Turbines and Mosquitos
ReplyDeleteWhile cycling along the northwestern shoreline of Lake Erie in Ontario Province, two things are of note, wind turbines and Mosquitos. The former dot the horizon in all directions indicating that, undoubtedly, winds are rather frequent.
Indeed, during daylight hours the breezes are onshore, driving the turbines - and if in your face make for some difficult cycling. During the nocturnal hours the winds are offshore and usually light and, when camping provide superb conditions for overzealous mosquitos.
Such were the conditions over our first few days in Ontario. Strong headwinds limited our eastward progress to about 100 miles, and whilst camping, the mosquito population prompted Michelle to dress in her bicycling rain gear both
while setting-up and breaking-down our tent site.
Other early impressions of this geographical section of Ontario from a bicyclist's point of view, besides the turbines and mosquitos, are 1) the terrain is very flat -
highest landmark seen being a landfill that unfortunately we punctured downwind of; 2) the road network is laid out on a right-angled grid, and roads on hypnotizingly straight, no diagonal shortcuts; and 3) whilst the roadways are without paved shoulders, the motorists are very respectful of cyclists, providing us
with a generous amount of space off our left hand grip.
So hopefully tomorrow the winds will change from the east/southeast to more westerly direction and favor us with a push!
Stay upright!