Heading towards Sault-Ste-Marie I ride past Sudbury and marvel as to how, like North Bay, it has developed. Years ago I used to visit this area regularly on business and things have certainly changed.

The riding weather is good today. Clear skies and sunshine but still those pesky westerly winds. One thing that I’m doing differently this trip is to make a list of things that I need to do, and keep that list in my map pocket where I can see it. Normally I tend to forget most to-do’s as I get underway and get caught up in the riding.

One of the items at the top of the list is to stop by a laundromat or hotel laundry room and dry out my sleeping bag and nightclothes. This will slow me down somewhat, but cold weather camping requires dry gear. Getting into a damp and cold sleeping bag when the temperature is 3C (37F) is no fun and not conducive to a good night’s rest.

As luck would have it, I pass a laundromat sign right on the 2-lane highway about thirty minutes from Sault-Ste-Marie. It’s built like a strip-mall, only it is composed of apartments and some disparate businesses. Interspersed amid the single row of apartments, there is a massage parlor, a hairstylist, a laundromat, and a bakery.

I need some change for the dryer and walk into the bakery where, surprisingly, I find a short line-up of people waiting for their order. Interestingly, this bakery seems to sell more pizza and meat pies than bread so I order a slice of pizza and get some change.

The pizza is ok and it certainly hits the spot while I get my things started, including my jacket and gloves. It’s nice out and I go out by the bike as I wait for my things to finish the drying cycle. As I’m re-adjusting luggage, two friendly lumberjack-type guys pull up in a pick up truck. They’ve noticed that I have Quebec plates and eagerly come over for a chat.

Turns out they are seasonal workers originating from Quebec and live in this complex. They marvel that I’m out riding a bike so close to snow season and ask if I shouldn’t be trading it in for a snow mobile! After all, this is Northern Ontario and winters come early, stay late and are harsher than most.

We share a good laugh. They ask where I’m going and I mention Jasper. They ask me if I’m going looking for work and I reply that I’m just going for a visit. During the conversation, they ask me again if I’m going out West in search of work. I realize that they have trouble computing such a long ride packed down with luggage if it’s not in search of work.

What strikes me about these two jovial fellows is how content they seem with life. They are living very modestly in modest quarters far from home, but they are working, getting a paycheck and life is grand. Reminds me of the importance of having a good outlook on life. Attitude is so much.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada