Physics observation: the mass of your home is inversely and geometrical relative to your
distance from it. Consequently, the closer you get to your home, the greater the gravitational
draw, squared.
I observed this principle over the course of these two days of travel with Jim. We left
Peterborough late and set our sights on Arden, Ontario – mathematically halfway. We rode 146
km, but fell short of our mark by about 35 km. This difference would have to be made up the
next day.
Incidentally, the road that we are on – mapped out for us by a friend – is away from busy
Highway #7, and it is some of the prettiest countryside that I have ever cycled.
Lakes border quiet roads for the entire route.
The next morning would require a Herculean effort, made more difficult by a very slow
restaurant breakfast (we mistook “all day breakfast” to mean availability, not duration). This set
us back again, only this time Jim was that much closer to home, and the draw that much more
intense. His pace seemed to quicken, and his breaks shortened. We were escorted towards
town by two friends of Jim – Wayne and Jeff. Jim was intent on riding up his driveway today
and he rode a personal best 183 km to get there. (I was so close to the 200km threshold, a
distance I covet but have never previously attempted, so I diverted to Quebec via the Champlain
Bridge, and crossed over to new territory: 202km.)
Tonight we enjoy the hospitality of Jim and Krista, Tilly and Beans.
