Day 56: Winnipeg to Falcon Lake

The tailwind persists.

Just outside Winnipeg I passed the Longitudinal Centre of Canada.

I got blown along Highway 1 like an autumn leaf today, and even managed some cycling on the LEFT shoulder, due to roadworks.
The roadworks did mean that there was no right shoulder to cycle on, and what space there was was covered in serious grit and gravel. Hence riding on the left.

At one point I was the only person on the road. I stopped and listened, and there was silence. Crazy to think that I was alone on this massive highway.

I stopped and refilled my water where possible, chatting with the people, and on one occasion, threw sticks for a dog.

I stopped in Prawda, once clothing suppliers to the Devil, for lunch and was told that the water was yellow, and not drinkable. I have not had to buy any water on this trip yet, but that was a first.

After lunch, about 20km from Falcon Lake, my rear wheel starting fishtailing. Uh oh...please don't be flat.
I stopped and checked, and yup, flat.
A quick check of the outside of the tyre showed no penetration, so I pumped up the tube. The air was coming out as quickly as I was pumping it up!
Joy.
Bags off, rear wheel off, tyre off.
The valve had torn away from the tube, so I binned that, inserted my spare and pumped it.
There is no fixing a torn valve, but I am still curious as to how that happened.

I checked into Falcon Lake beach campground, and before my panniers had been removed from my bike, a couple arrived at my site and said they had passed me at lunch and wanted to hear my story. They also asked if I needed anything - food, drinks. I passed.
As they left, the family next to me invited me over for dinner, which was beef skewers and pasta salad, followed by the most delicious s'mores ever!

I had a quick dip in the lake to cool the legs and body, the water must be about 20C, it's almost like a bath!
Returning to my camp, I met 3 other cyclists, going west. Jason (Aus) was riding just to ride while Dru and Chad (Can) where raising money for charity.
It was Chad's late brother's birthday today, so we had a shot of whiskey around the campfire for him, before dropping into story time. Those guys have had some adventures so far.

Ontario tomorrow.

Distance: 132 km
Time: 5:08:29
Height gained/lost: 235m /-143m
Calories: 4128

Falcon Lake beach at dusk

Day 55: MacGregor to Winnipeg

The storm did arrive last night and produced a little thunder and lightning, and a few drops of rain. Nothing quite like the storm of a few days ago, thankfully.

I woke up fresh with good legs and a clear head this morning. There was a big tailwind on the cards for today, so I was going to make the most of it.
It was amazing, I was flying. 50km in 1:52!!

I stopped in Portage la Prairie for morning tea, a reward for the good progress. I redeemed one of the Tim Horton's vouchers and was sipping a hot chocolate when a man appeared at my table, and said good morning. He asked where I was from, I replied Cape Town. He was originally from Zambia and had recognised the flag on the bike, so came in to say Hi. He then offered to buy me breakfast!!
No, but thank you.

My goal today was Winnipeg, but the only campsites are on either side of the city, there is nothing in it. I chose the campsite on the east side of town and then proceeded to cycle through the city.

What terrible roads and horrendous city drivers! Give me trucks passing at 90km/h over a city driver any day!
I was speaking to some locals after the ride and they agreed, but the motor mechanics are not complaining...

The Mint

Once I had extracted myself from the city centre, I did a spot of grocery shopping and made for the Town and Country campsite, once again situated alongside the railway line.
En route I passed the Canadian Mint. Not a sweet, but rich.

I had a solid dinner and lay in my tent, trying to get to sleep.


Distance: 140.6 km
Time: 5:30:22
Height gained/lost: 273m /-333m
Calories: 4565

Day 54: Brandon to MacGregor

Paying it forward.

I left camp on time this morning, feeling bouyed by the goodwill from last night.
As I reached the junction with the main road, I noticed a girl pushing her bike up the road. I cycled up behind her and asked if all was OK. She didn't really know but said that pedalling was really hard this morning.
I checked the tyres and felt that they were extremely flat, so I pumped them up for her. Tyres hard, she jumped back onto the bike and sped off, wishing me a good day.

For some reason she reminded me of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

It was hot and humid today, very muggy and energy sapping, with an annoying, and quite strong, crosswind. I stopped in Carbury for lunch and filled up on water and extra treats. I use treats as a reward to myself on tough days.

"You can have a wine gum at 55km!"

My aim today was Portage La Prairie, so I stopped in MacGregor for dinner supplies. Once off the bike I realised how drained I was, so decided to stay in town for the night. There was also supposed to be a thunderstorm from 6pm, so wanted to setup camp before the weather hit.

I met another couple at the campsite who were driving across the country, and they invited me out for dinner. I guess good deeds do pay forward.

I put my bike and bags under a tree this evening just in case of rain.

Distance: 102.6 km
Time: 5:06:50
Height gained/lost: 185m /-248m
Calories: 2732

What country am I in..?