The freezing bike ride back home

17.05.2009

Well, we all woke up in time for brunch at dimsum in Kensington market. I wasn't too impressed with the place where we went, but it was good enough.

John took us around the Kensington area and also to see his bar. It's pretty cool, in front is a casual bar type place, and in the back there is a stage for theatre productions and also bands to play after. So it's kind of ingenious. You get to turn the crowd over twice in one night for double the cover charge. Interesting.

So, pretty soon it was time for me to pick up my motorcycle at my aunt's house back in Newmarket. Alan is eternally awesome, so he said he would drive me all the way there just out of the goodness of his heart. Thanks Alan!

My aunt and uncle had already prepared quite the sumptuous spread for lunch. By the time I actually left, I think it was 3 p.m. I wanted to get back to Ottawa before dark, but that wasn't destined to happen.

It was quite cold on this Victoria Day weekend, so I dressed up in as many clothes as possible and just took off. It was easy to get the hang of driving it again, so that's a good thing.

I drove all the way back to Ottawa on Hwy 7, which is a beautiful drive, but brutally slow. Not a problem, except I got ridiculously lost for about an hour near a place called Odessa. Poor me.

Before I left Toronto, my aunt randomly reminded me that I needed my house keys before I left. Oh man, they are in Ryan's car with the rest of my luggage! Crap.

Luckily, Ryan would be home for me to pick them up. Phew.

So anyway, it was cold, did I mention it was cold?

By the time I got to Sharbot Lake I was shivering. It was dark and the gas station was just about to close. I walk in...

"Do you have anything that's warm that I can wear?"

The guy obviously noticed my unfortunate predicament and immediately turned the lights in the store back on.

"Yeah, absolutely, there should be some long johns in the back corner."

So I walk over and there are only shirts, not gonna cut it. I need something to keep my legs warm. I buy the biggest, warmest looking pair of socks I can find and fill the tank up. Thank you Sharbot Lake gas station man.

There is only a few hours left until getting home, so I tough it out, stopping every time I hit another city for some coffee to warm up. It's brutal, really, my life is so tough. I call Ryan to get encouragement along the way... haha.

Perth, Carleton Place, OK I am almost there and manage to find Ryan's house, pick up my keys and get back home before midnight. Phew, back to work tomorrow, the roadtrip is complete!

Ryan vs. octopus