Today I went grocery shopping
Today started pretty normal. Well whatever normal is these days. Then we discovered that our route was actually closed due to road construction so we had a detour. That's when my road farming brain just started a day of wow. Rolled past what could be the only field of sunflowers in this part of Ontario. They were just starting to bloom too.
I should ask. What is your favorite flower and why is it sunflowers? Seriously on mass they are an incredible sight.
We also saw fields of most of the produce section. Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Mellon, Cabbage, Zucchini, Potatoes, Peas, Asparagus, it was all there. Bee hives peppered the ditches to help pollinate everything. The harvest was on for corn and squash as we saw workers toiling in the fields while flatbed trucks came rolling past with bins both empty and full.
Also discovered a few new crops to me as well. I was able to correctly call out Tobacco and learned on my way into town that this part of Canada has a long history of Tobacco production. The other one was very strange to me as it was grown under shade cloth. Acres and acres of shade cloth held up by metal poles. Now shade cloth isn't cheap so this crop must be something special. We rolled past one field and were able to ask a couple farmers what they were growing. Ginseng was the response. I would have never guessed ginseng. These crops I guess have to be grown somewhere. Why not here?
At one point we headed through an Amish area. Many of the farms had signs advertising roadside stands with eggs, produce, and baked goods for sale. Saw one running horse and buggy carrying metal milk cans though modern lawn mowers ran in the background. Eh. To each their own I guess.
We rolled into town along some beautiful rail trail. Smooth and fairly level it ranks up there with some of the best we've seen.
Getting through Brantford was more challenging. Lots of cars and not much for bike dedicated infrastructure. So lots of caution and defensive riding. Found side streets when possible though the last section of road had us going against traffic on a shoulder/sidewalk situation. No sidewalk except for intersections. Largest painted shoulder I've seen here. Blinking walk signs helped affirm I was probably in the right place though it felt strange for sure.
Storms are anticipated so we're at a hotel. That also means finally some "clean" laundry. (Clean as you can get with 60 days of touring dirt/grime) Our Detroit hotel didn't have laundry and one of my jerseys was darn near crusty with salt and sweat. Will feel much better on my skin tomorrow I'm sure.
'til next time
-Matt
Miles Ridden Today: 74.78
Feet Climbed Today: 719
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