Wawa - A Town so Great They Named it Twice!

Yesterday on route from White River heading to Old Woman’s Bay we came across a large construction zone where they were blasting the rock face to expand the highway. The roads were pretty beat up and took a tole on my bike. I hit a large pothole and blew out the axle of my front wheel. I was able to make it the 65km to the next town, Wawa, however, there was a huge wobble in the front wheel making it near impossible to steer and control. The ball bearings were coming lose and falling out. We eventually got to Wawa at about 8 pm just after night fall, set up camp and prepared for a cold night with temperatures dropping below 2 degrees. I woke at 7am and searched the town for bike shop but soon learnt there was nothing in town. I inquired in the local hardware store for the delivery of the parts I needed but I was told it would take a minimum of 2 weeks. I stumbled across Bob’s Garage a local mechanic in the downtown. A little bit desperate I asked Bob, the owner, for some help. He said he finished work at 8pm and could take a look at the bike after but all his bike tools were in his shed at his house.

We had planned to get to Old Woman’s Bay that evening, cycling though on our rest day, since we hadn’t reached our goal for yesterday. But it was too dangerous to cycle after night fall and the weather forecast was showing negative 2 degrees. Decided to take the night in Wawa. Chilling in the warm Tim Hortons, just next to where we camped the night before seemed like the best place to stay again tonight. About 30 mins before night fall a bear had wandered into the property of the Tim’s and was hanging around the area. The thoughts of camping were terrifying and probably not worth the risk!

Trying to think of alternative options, I decided to search Facebook for local town groups where I could ask for a backyard space or perhaps a room. Anywhere that wouldn’t be exposed to bears. I found a local page and asked the 3 admins to allow me to join to add a post.

Couple minutes later I was lining up to get a coffee in the Tim Horton's and a man said “ Evan”, a bit shocked I answered ” Yes?”. It’s Yannick, “you just messaged me!”. It was one of the admins from the group. Yannick added me into the group and I posted a message on the page.

Within minutes there were locals messaging me. Soon had 2 clean rooms to stay in for the night with showers, laundry, breakfast, the lot. Before I went to our digs for the night, Yannick brought me to Bob’s house to get the bike fixed. Loading everything up in his truck so we wouldn’t have to cycle.

Turned out that Bob and Yannick were best friends. Bob worked on the bike for over an hour and half got everything up and running. When I asked for the bill. Yannick insisted that he would pay for everything. Definitely haven’t seen generosity like I have in Ontario. Pretty amazing! Already to get back on the road and finish the last leg. Another great Day.