Day 53: Moosomin to Brandon

Rolled out of Moosomin a little later than expected as Blanche took me berry picking this morning. Saskatoon berries too!
Breakfast was 3 bagels, prepared like French toast, then cooked with an egg in the middle. Served with your choice of syrup.
What a delicious mess!

I had a slight tailwind this morning, more on my right hip than fully behind me, but it was appreciated assistance. Yet another hot day on the cards, 28C, so I was thankful for the breeze.
I stopped at the Manitoba border, said goodbye to Saskatchewan and introduced myself to Manitoba.

Manitoba then promptly stole an hour from me. Sheesh!

Instantly there were more trees present, less fields and crops. I had lunch at Virden, in the shade at A&W. I treated myself to the usual 4 slices of peanut butter bread. Mmm.
I must have consumed 6 litres of water this morning, yet I don't remember drinking that much. The sweat evaporates so quickly that one doesn't really notice it.
I made it to Brandon just as my energy levels began to dip. And when they dip, I fade very fast.
I coasted into a very well-positioned McDonald's and had a LARGE Coke and a couple of cheeseburgers, just enough fuel to get me to the campsite.

Having had the hour lifted from me earlier, all the major stores where now closed, which meant that my dinner choice was looking like brown rice with a tin of tuna thrown in.
How good does that sound?

Mark, the owner of the Turtle Crossing campsite I was staying at, heard my food story, and promptly invited me for dinner.
Steak, salads, beer. What more could I ask for?

A prime tent site? Yes please.

He led me to a spot overlooking the river, where I pitched my tent and slept like the dead.

Once again, trains in the night woke me up. It seems to be a running theme.

Distance: 147.6 km
Time: 6:29:40
Height gained/lost: 164m /-386m
Calories: 4192

Blanche and Harvey's garden

Day 52: Grenfell to Moosomin

Thankfully there was no more drama in the night. I was woken early this morning as people left camp.
Who leaves camp at 5am anyway?!

Fields of Gold

I took a slow ride through Grenfell, which is tiny, and then latched onto an awesome tailwind that whisked me through quaint little towns, fields of Canola and wheat, and interesting countryside.

I have seen countless hawks or harriers that are being chased by smaller birds, some of the aerobatic maneuvers they perform are just remarkable!
I even got waved at by a train driver. What a day this was turning out to be!

I stopped in Broadview for a boiled egg, which I carry with me. That's enough fuel for another 30km or so. Next stop was Whitewood, where I grabbed an early lunch, or very late second breakfast, I am undecided. While parking my bike, a local pulled up in his van and gave me a few drinks vouchers for Tim Horton's!
Ace!
The locals name was George Chopping, and he ran a museum just outside of town. He has built it all himself over the past few decades, and has been interviewed by National Geographic, amongst other publications.

Warmshowers

Moosomin grain elevator

Tonight I am using Warmshowers for the first time, a website for cyclists to host other cyclists.
I arrived in Moosomin a lot earlier than expected, due to the tailwind, and went to the house to meet Harvey.
He showed me the house, and my room, which was ideal. I dumped my bags and showered, then promptly fell asleep on the bed for 2.5 hours. That never happens to me, but I wasn't complaining, it felt very good.
I went to the Red Barn for dinner, met another cyclist there, and watched the CFL game between Saskatchewan and Calgary. Mid-game the power went out, so I left and went home where I met Blanche, Harvey's wife. I was then served Saskatoon berries and cream, which was delicious!

Blanche and Harvey told me that the storm the previous evening had produced a tornado nearby, and showed me the video (Youtube video) that the storm chasers had taken.
Scary stuff!

Distance: 101.2 km
Time: 3:36:40
Height gained/lost: 155m /-153m
Calories: 3406
 

Day 51: Regina to Grenfell

I left Kathleen and the kids at around 8am and was quickly out of the city. I was making good progress thanks to the gentle tailwind that was pushing me.

Not much different today on the scenery front, apart from seeing a large herd of bison just outside Indian Head, where I stopped in the shade for lunch.
It was another hot day today, with thunderstorm warnings issued for later in the day.

I stopped at Wolseley and walked across the famous swinging bridge, and stopped and spoke to a family who were just in awe of what I was doing. While in town, I met another South African, who now lives in Edmonton, and had a quick chat with him.

Leaving Wolseley I watched the nice fluffy clouds in front of me change shape, some getting bigger, others staying the same size, just getting fluffier. Just out of curiosity I looked behind me to see what was happening there.

Jiminy Cricket!
Stop the bike!
Take a photo!

That was something to look at. The entire horizon was pitch black and I had to tip my head back to see the top of the cloud. Rain was already falling to the south of me.
I had 26km to go to Grenfell and did not want to be caught in this monster! I had heard how violent these storms can be.

Setting of again, this time with a bit more effort in each pedal stroke, I saw lightning striking to the north.
The race was on, was I going to get caught or would I make it safely to cover? I kept checking on the progress of the storm and was soon happy I wouldn't get caught. At one point I saw a funnel cloud start to form, but it quickly disappeared. Could this produce tornadoes?
Eek...

Grenfell arrived and I ducked into the campsite and quickly setup my tent, chucking all my bags inside once done. No sooner had I zipped up the tent, with me inside it, did the heavens open. Big raindrops pelted my tent, smacking it wetly.
Then came the wind, buffeting my tent.
And then, a weird noise, followed by cries from people.
I poked my head out and saw the biggest hailstones I have ever seen, whacking everything in sight. My tent withstood the barrage, but some of the cars and caravan awnings in the camp got damaged.

Fifteen minutes later, it had all cleared and the evening was now beautiful and sunny, the air clean and clear.

I had a good dinner and was in bed relatively early, only to be woken in the night by trains shunting.

Distance: 137.2 km
Time: 6:03:32
Height gained/lost: 311m /-308m
Calories: 3920

Top secret Saskatchewan space program uncovered

Day 45: Moose Jaw to Regina

Today we find the Moose. Only the largest moose will do.

Moose Jaw is home to the tallest moose in the world, and I need to add it to my list.

A statue on the outskirts of town greets Jim and I as we roll by. The moose looks slightly comical in appearance, but we take the photos anyway.

Main Street

A short day is on the cards for me today, I think Jim may push on, depending on how he feels.

The wind made us pay for yesterday's tailwind right from the start. Hitting us on the right shoulder, it was blowing across us and slowing us down.

We were both a bit flat from putting in 176 km yesterday, so the speed was a touch under 20km/h for most of the day. Jim told me that the stretch between Moose Jaw and Regina was one of the flattest, and he wasn't wrong. Fields of Canola and Flax, yellow and blue respectively, fill the space between the road and the horizon, and I am sure you can see the curvature of the earth out here!

I was sore and tired, and the conversation with Jim had dried up. We were both in the pain cave, and were only focusing on getting to Regina.

We had heard rumours of large group of cyclists coming up behind us, and we saw some flags on the side of the road mentioning Sea2Sea. We stopped in at one of the RV's and spoke to the guys manning the station. They were supporting a trans-Canada cycle tour in aid of ridding the world of poverty. After washing our hands, they allowed us to refill our water bottles and have a few snacks. 

I welcomed the break and the opportunity to get off the bike for a few moments.

We passed another two support vans on the way to Regina, and the first of the cyclists passed us just outside Regina too. It's amazing seeing the speed differential between a loaded touring bike and an unloaded racing bike! A bit disheartening too.

I reached my turnoff and gave Jim a big hug and a thank you, he had certainly made the road a happier place for me over the last day and a half. 

I turned up Lewvan Drive and cycled up to the Whipplers, the sister of the family I had stayed with in Calgary.

What a welcome sight they were!

With very tired and sore legs, I parked my bike in the garage and went in for a lovely shower and a hotdog lunch...

Dinner was a lovely cedar plank salmon...sleep soon followed.

Distance: 81.8 km
Time: 4:13:00
Height gained/lost: 244m /-188m
Calories: 2154