Day 56 July 1, 2011 Perth to Middle of Nowhere 51km – Mike’s View
1 Jul
It was an early rise and shine for the Step Into Action Team again this morning. These 5:30 am wake-ups never allow me enough sleep; no matter what time we go to bed. Last night wasn't particularly early either, as we had been wandering around the lovely city of Ottawa and taking in all the pre-Canada Day celebrations.
So, first thing this morning, we had to go retrieve the MCC from the decal and design shop just outside of Ottawa. We filled the rental car with all of our bags, and I got on the Scooter and followed them to the RV. Unfortunately, the Scooter isn't fast enough to go on the highway, so we took the side streets for the full 40 minute ride. Lucky for me, it was a bright and warm Canada Day morning, so the ride was quite enjoyable.
As we arrived at the shop that had wrapped the MCC, I didn't know what to expect, but was hoping for the best. When we rounded the corner, I was totally shocked that it was better! There is really only one word to describe it… AWESOME!!!
The four of us literally just stood there staring at it. Finally, realizing that we are starting to fall behind, we "stepped into action", loaded up the bags and mounted the Scooter onto the back. We had some running to do!
We quickly said goodbye to Lauren, as she would return the rental car and then head off to the airport.
10:30 am and Riley is finally running (our latest start yet). Sarah ran alongside him for the first 10km, rested for the next 10km, and then ran again from km 20-30.
Now, you must be wondering, what on earth does the driver to this whole time while Riley runs? Does he just roll behind him? Does he drive up ahead and wait? Well, let me tell you! First of all, it depends on the type of road and traffic conditions. For the most part, I do my best to stay behind him, at a safe distance. The trick is to not get too close, because then you start to squeeze traffic towards him as they move away from the large RV. Riley prefers it when we stay behind so if there is a problem, he can simply stop and signal to us, rather than have to continue running until he meets us.
To be most efficient with my time, I will jump slightly ahead of him (to a spot where I have a long line of sight ahead), allow him to run past (in case he wants water or anything else), and then as he keeps running, I am parked there and able to get other work done. This work often includes photos, updating Facebook and Twitter, responding to emails and phone calls from Media and finally preparing lunch for Riley, right before his 30km mark.
Back to the day. The afternoon mostly consisted of Sarah being in the MCC with me, as Riley trucked along in the blazing hot sun. We had just bought him a nice running hat in Ottawa, and today was the day to test it out. He liked it because it stopped the sweat from falling on his face, and the sun out of his eyes, but it started to get too big part way through and bug his head. We will see if he wears it again.
Riley finished running at 5:00pm (not bad for such a late start), and there was absolutely nothing nearby. We are on highway 7 between Peterborough and Ottawa, and there wasn't even a pullout for us to stay the night. So, we drove a little further down the road and saw a sign for "Camping". We followed the sign down a gravel road for about 6km, into a nice little campground, full of RVs. I spoke with the lady, explaining our cause and that we only needed a spot for the night. I was expecting that they are fully booked as it is Canada Day long weekend, but she said she had one spot remaining and we could have it if we would fit. The space was large enough, however, it was atop a short, steep driveway. This wouldn't be a problem for a normal vehicle, however, the rear overhang on our RV is probably about a good 15ft from the rear tires. The trailer hitch will often grind on the concrete just turning into a gas station. This was not going to work, but with it being the last spot at the only camping spot for miles, I tried from a few different directions with no luck. Not even close. Not forwards or backwards. Riley had been standing outside to watch the hitch and let me know before it hit. Each time, I hadn't even really hit the hill before the hitch started digging. I took a better look at the hill, and found an angle that just may work if I do it properly. I had to turn the bus around, drive up perpendicular to the hill, tipping the RV on its side, and then reverse and turn the wheel all the way, swinging the nose out towards the bottom of the hill, and the tail straight up. It worked! Now, I just have to do the exact opposite on the way out and we'll be fine!
After parking, we immediately went down to the lake and went swimming in the lake. I have never been in a lake so warm before! As soon as we jumped in, it seemed like the whole camp came down to swim. We spoke to a few guys who have their RVs there year-round, and told them about Riley's run.
Sarah made spaghetti for dinner, and then we all turned in quickly, but not early. Right around 10pm in fact. Yikes this was a long day!
Oh, I hear fireworks! I would love to go down and see them, but I know we have another early and long day tomorrow.
-Michael Downie
So, first thing this morning, we had to go retrieve the MCC from the decal and design shop just outside of Ottawa. We filled the rental car with all of our bags, and I got on the Scooter and followed them to the RV. Unfortunately, the Scooter isn't fast enough to go on the highway, so we took the side streets for the full 40 minute ride. Lucky for me, it was a bright and warm Canada Day morning, so the ride was quite enjoyable.
As we arrived at the shop that had wrapped the MCC, I didn't know what to expect, but was hoping for the best. When we rounded the corner, I was totally shocked that it was better! There is really only one word to describe it… AWESOME!!!
The four of us literally just stood there staring at it. Finally, realizing that we are starting to fall behind, we "stepped into action", loaded up the bags and mounted the Scooter onto the back. We had some running to do!
We quickly said goodbye to Lauren, as she would return the rental car and then head off to the airport.
10:30 am and Riley is finally running (our latest start yet). Sarah ran alongside him for the first 10km, rested for the next 10km, and then ran again from km 20-30.
Now, you must be wondering, what on earth does the driver to this whole time while Riley runs? Does he just roll behind him? Does he drive up ahead and wait? Well, let me tell you! First of all, it depends on the type of road and traffic conditions. For the most part, I do my best to stay behind him, at a safe distance. The trick is to not get too close, because then you start to squeeze traffic towards him as they move away from the large RV. Riley prefers it when we stay behind so if there is a problem, he can simply stop and signal to us, rather than have to continue running until he meets us.
To be most efficient with my time, I will jump slightly ahead of him (to a spot where I have a long line of sight ahead), allow him to run past (in case he wants water or anything else), and then as he keeps running, I am parked there and able to get other work done. This work often includes photos, updating Facebook and Twitter, responding to emails and phone calls from Media and finally preparing lunch for Riley, right before his 30km mark.
Back to the day. The afternoon mostly consisted of Sarah being in the MCC with me, as Riley trucked along in the blazing hot sun. We had just bought him a nice running hat in Ottawa, and today was the day to test it out. He liked it because it stopped the sweat from falling on his face, and the sun out of his eyes, but it started to get too big part way through and bug his head. We will see if he wears it again.
Riley finished running at 5:00pm (not bad for such a late start), and there was absolutely nothing nearby. We are on highway 7 between Peterborough and Ottawa, and there wasn't even a pullout for us to stay the night. So, we drove a little further down the road and saw a sign for "Camping". We followed the sign down a gravel road for about 6km, into a nice little campground, full of RVs. I spoke with the lady, explaining our cause and that we only needed a spot for the night. I was expecting that they are fully booked as it is Canada Day long weekend, but she said she had one spot remaining and we could have it if we would fit. The space was large enough, however, it was atop a short, steep driveway. This wouldn't be a problem for a normal vehicle, however, the rear overhang on our RV is probably about a good 15ft from the rear tires. The trailer hitch will often grind on the concrete just turning into a gas station. This was not going to work, but with it being the last spot at the only camping spot for miles, I tried from a few different directions with no luck. Not even close. Not forwards or backwards. Riley had been standing outside to watch the hitch and let me know before it hit. Each time, I hadn't even really hit the hill before the hitch started digging. I took a better look at the hill, and found an angle that just may work if I do it properly. I had to turn the bus around, drive up perpendicular to the hill, tipping the RV on its side, and then reverse and turn the wheel all the way, swinging the nose out towards the bottom of the hill, and the tail straight up. It worked! Now, I just have to do the exact opposite on the way out and we'll be fine!
After parking, we immediately went down to the lake and went swimming in the lake. I have never been in a lake so warm before! As soon as we jumped in, it seemed like the whole camp came down to swim. We spoke to a few guys who have their RVs there year-round, and told them about Riley's run.
Sarah made spaghetti for dinner, and then we all turned in quickly, but not early. Right around 10pm in fact. Yikes this was a long day!
Oh, I hear fireworks! I would love to go down and see them, but I know we have another early and long day tomorrow.
-Michael Downie
