LDW: Day 1

Took Friday and Saturday off to prep for the bikepacking trip around Ottawa - the Log Drivers Waltz.

After days of packing, I started my ride Sunday at 9:15am, granting myself a no-alarm morning. Kicked off the day with my ritual album, "Music for Psychedelic Therapy" by Jon Hopkins.

I aimed for 200km per day, targeting Silver Lake Provincial Park for night one, but this route threw everything at me: tricky trails, aggressive farm dogs, technical challenges, you name it.

A few highlights: late-night derailleur issues with a wolf-like call nearby, YouTube advice-saving me from chasing dogs, a near-stop in mud, and the saving grace of 44mm knobby tires.

After a picturesque day on premium gravel, I arrived at camp near midnight, farther off-route than anticipated. Post-hammock setup, a combo of protein shake and freeze-dried burrito bowl made me sick, leading to an exhausted end at 1-2am.