By the time I reach North Bay, I'm in need of a warming break and pull into the familiar Tim Horton's. It's now 1:40am and there is nobody inside. Well, nobody except for a strange and interesting character sitting in a corner. He looks like he has set up to wait the night out.

A thin, gaunt, hippie-throwback type with shoulder-length gray-white hair, he has that Charles Manson intense look to his eyes. Slightly crouched, he is just sitting at the table intently observing the world around him. He eyes me suspiciously as I start removing my layers. I want to nod a "Howya doin?" to let him know that I'm friend not foe, but he seems too intently encapsulated in his world.

I visit the washroom and spend a few minutes at the electric hand dryer warming my hands, my gloves, and myself. Every Tim Horton's seems to have an electric hand dryer. A real bonus when cold-weather touring.

Back at the counter, I order my usual when riding in cool weather. I find that a hot bowl of chicken-noodle soup with a toasted sesame seed bagel hits the spot just right. I quickly feel restored and ready to continue. My Manson-look-a-like friend watches me just as intently as I re-layer for the cold. It's now 2am as I head out of North Bay.

Though my initial plan was to make Sudbury (an hour away) and grab a motel room, I decide to scan for any campgrounds that I might come across. Half an hour later, near Sturgeon Falls, I find just what I'm looking for: signs and directions to a decent campground. I pull up minutes later and quietly tour the pitch-black campground looking for a tent-site.

The first one I find to my right is perfect. The one to my left, even more so. They both offer hook-up services. The temperature is now around 4C (39F) and there is high humidity in the air. No problem. Within minutes, my tent is set up and I plug in my miniature portable heater. Ahhh! Instant warm shelter.

It's now 3am. I carefully stow my riding gear to protect it from any additional moisture during the night and I'm out like a light.

Daily Miles: 694km 431mi

Bruno
Montreal, Canada