O Canada!

My entrée to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada was more of a challenge than I anticipated. The Ambassador Bridge, from Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario, is no longer open to pedestrian traffic. According to the customs agent, with the advent of casinos in both Detroit and Windsor, there were 2-3 "jumpers" a week. In an effort to curtail gambling related suicides, they have shut down the bridge to non-motorized traffic (though I would have thought that a determined jumper could simply drive their car halfway across and then jump). Poor air circulation in the nearby Windsor tunnel has also resulted in pedestrian and bicycle prohibitions. Thus, my effort to bicycle across to Canada was foiled, and I annoyingly had to pay $40 for a 2-3 minute taxi through the tunnel in order to avoid the significant detour north (to the Port Huron bridge to Canada) or south (through Ohio).

As I unpacked my bicycle in Windsor, Ontario, the skies opened up on me, so I took shelter for the day after only 25 total miles (40 kilometers, eh) of riding. Still, this shortcut through Canada changes my terminology, as I now have to say that I have now entered by ninth state and/or province. But I can also now accurately claim that I am riding through my second country, too!

Today, in the brisk temperatures with rain looming again, I have had a short ride to Leamington, Ontario. September has featured atypically excessive rainfall, and I am hoping that October is drier, though current forecasts do not look too encouraging!