Monday 30 June 2014

June 30 - Day 27 - Wish we were Dryin' in Dryden

Our overnight stay in the Rushing River Provincial Park, just east of Kenora, was interesting to say the least.  Gusty winds and rain started just after dinner, and continued all night long. The trailer was a shaking, and I really felt for Bill S. who was out in the tent, but he appeared just fine in the morning.  With the winds gusting, we checked the weather and made sure we weren't launching into an even bigger storm, and when Sid came back with word that there was a bit of a window on the radar, we threw down some breakfast and mounted up. 


Staqying under cover at camp

It was windy all right, but mostly out of the SW which was a bit of a change from the head-on crap we have been dealing with.  Rain was on and off, but never really heavy at any point during the day.  It really is a pleasure to be riding this part of the country with its winding roads, plenty of elevation changes, and really good road conditions.  The ride went well, and even though no speed records were broken, there was good pace all day long.  Our stop in Vermillion bay at the local bakery/coffee shop was memorable.......would go back there in a second.  We turned in 120km today when it was all said and done, so another respectable deduction from the total.

 

My R3 is acting up a little, and obviously needs an adjustment on the front end, as my chain is coming off when switching rings.........help.......someone tell me which screw to turn.



I was amazed at the size of the mill, dominating the horizon as we approached Dryden.  Only 8,000 residents here, so wondering how many work in the mill, and what happens if it goes south!




I think this Large Items section of the blog could become a daily thing. Baaaaahhhhhhhhh


The Bill's are quite a team.......very industrious and supportive......glad they are getting their rest.

We were forewarned by Anna and Tai who were heading the other way, that the bugs were bad in Dryden.......quick trip to Canadian Tire took care of that.....trying to figure out how to drink beer/wine and stay protected, and not get arrested as terrorists

So we are hanging out in the breakfast room at the local Holiday Inn, that was nice enough to offer us access to the internet so we could get caught up on the blog........very thankful.......heading to Ignace tomorrow, another 100km or so in less than perfect weather, but getting used to that.......I don't know if I remember what it was like to ride in sunshine, but know that is coming soon..........good night all





LYJ





June 30 - Day 27 - Ride Stats - Kenora - Dryden

June 30 - Day 27 - Ride Stats - Kenora - Dryden CLICK HERE then link below

June 29 - Day 26 - ONTARIARIARIO


I have to admit that I am currently sitting in the public washroom at Rushing River Provincial Park Campground, just east of Kenora, and as we have a campsite here (pretty hard to come by this weekend) with no power or water, and all of our devices need a charge.  The only option I have is to sit here and plug in the power bar, but I’m meeting a lot of the guys in the process…….those that don’t think I’m a pervert that is.  The things you have to do, I’ll tell ya.

A windy welcome to Kenora

Today was a great day…….it is great to be back in Ontariariario………with it’s rocky outcroppings, plentiful trees, winding, undulating terrain……..back to what we love.  Another province in the books! It was a nice ride from Falcon Lake to Kenora, interrupted only briefly when I blew a tire 20km in, and had to call Bill to the rescue.  Bill was there with my spare in 15, and I was up and running in 30………great ground crew! 


Good to be back in Ontario

Might be doin some fishin'

Having never been in Kenora, we skipped the downtown bypass and explored town a little, which also gave me the chance to hit the local bike shop and get a new tire.  I was really impressed, and thought Kenora was lovely.  Main Street downtown has great shops, good coffee, and a really nice feel.  Whoa, what about that muskie.  I have decided to start a new feature in the blog....."Large Things on the Highway".
Perfect start to my new feature......Kenora's Husky Muskie


It was awesome that Bill S. daughter Anna and her partner Tai could make it over to Falcon Lake and spend the evening with us on our day off.  They are on tour east to west in a vintage beauty Chevy Van, and we had a nice dinner together, great campfire, and one or two bottles of red. 

The crew enjoying a little pasta.

Love this vehicle.......a classic



We have arrived at a beautiful campsite on the shore of Dog Tooth Lake just outside Kenora. We will have a fun night without all of the creature comforts, and be on the road again first thing tomorrow.  Our target is Dryden, approximately 120km away, and as long as the weather cooperates it should be a very pleasant ride.  The forecast for today was afternoon, evening thundershowers which are underway now, but tomorrow looks lovely and clear.  Fingers crossed.
An odd view of our campsite

One more for the Large Things Album......Auto Body/ Repair Shop Kenora

Always a pain when we have no WIFI, so will post this tomorrow........until then.......thanks again for all your support..........Hugh


LYJ

June 29 - Day 26 - Ride Stats - Falcon Lake, MB. - Dryden, Ont.

June 29 - Day 26 - Ride Stats - Falcon Lake, MB. - Dryden, Ont. CLICK HERE then link below

Saturday 28 June 2014

June 27 - Day 24 - Huge Falcon Comes to Rest

The weather forecast for the day was thunder showers all the way from Winnipeg to Falcon Lake, so we prepared for the worst and headed out, actually leaving camp with the rain coming down.  The first surprise of the day came 5km into the ride when a distance marker posted Falcon Lake at 125km, so the expected 102km just got a little longer.  I refuse to even mention the "W" word, and even though I am starting to deal with it a little better, I am longing for another day with it at my back.

If you were wondering......I have found it

The terrain today was a carbon copy of so many days in the past 10, with long, straight, flat stretches of highway, with very little to look at on either side.  Everything was going along fine today until we reached a construction zone, and our  10ft wide paved shoulder shrunk down to 3, and then a few km later, to nothing.  Sid and I decided that if we were going to ride in the inside lane of traffic that we had to establish our position in the lane, otherwise vehicles would try to squeeze past.  All went well, and we were treated as a slow moving vehicle for what seemed like many, many km without incident.  We took a break about 35km from Falcon Lake, and had a nice lunch, even nicer chat with a lovely couple heading east to the lake for the weekend.

I guess there is freedom down there somewhere

We reached our destination late in the afternoon, and found the Bill's were totally set up and ready for our arrival.  They had already scoped out the town, and found the grocery store, a great local bakery cafe, and that you could only buy wine at the back of the lumber store, beer was available in a bootlegger like setting through a small door at the back of the hotel, the mosquitos were plentiful and hungry, and the golf course had been closed due to excessive rain the night before.  Hopefully we will be able to play tomorrow on our day off.......tee time 7:08.



Falcon Lake is in Whiteshell Provincial Park, and is a gorgeous cottage like area.  People from Winnipeg use it like we use Up North.  West Hawk Lake is just down the road and is apparently the deepest lake in North America, formed by a meteor impact.......somehow I think I have to research that one.

In many ways I long for some hills and rolling terrain, although the riding will be harder, it will be much more interesting.  People tell us that as soon as you cross into Ontario, which is not far away, the landscape changes instantly, and you immediately get into the hills that our north is famous for.  We are still trying to decide which route is better for us between Kenora and Thunder Bay, so if anyone has any advice, please chime in.  It is important we have at least some paved shoulder to ride on so we can stay out of traffic.

I neglected to include Jon's paintings yesterday, so here they are........




So even when you are sitting in the saddle for hours, pedalling endlessly uphill on flat roads (W), it is the little things that you will never forget, and make your day time and time again..........riding past a small farmhouse just off the highway near Steinbach, Manitoba, I spotted an older woman outside checking her gardens..........I gave her a wave........she waved back.......then blew me a big kiss....... and that is what I pass on to you now..........Goodnight........



LYJ



June 27 - Day 24 - Ride Stats - Winnipeg - Falcon Lake

June 27 - Day 24 - Ride Stats - Winnipeg - Falcon Lake CLICK HERE then link below

Thursday 26 June 2014

June 26 - Day 23 - Winnie the Peg

Our day started with a goodbye.  Jon is leaving us to attend weddings in Ontario, and flew home from Winnipeg this morning.  Meeting Jon and spending so much time with him over the past few weeks has been wonderful, and he has really taken very good care of Sid and I so that we could continue to focus on cycling day after day. He has a great spirit and endless energy, which has made it easy to ask him to take care of probably more than what he bargained for, when he volunteered for the job.  What a great guy!  Some of his work is below, but I have a feeling you will see a lot more of it soon.


Changing of the guard


We expected a short little toodle over to Winnipeg this morning, based on highway signs that said the distance was 65km.  Our campsite destination was on the east side of town, but we never realized we were in for a 100km ride, but that is what it turned out to be.  Avoiding downtown to get east of the city called for us to take this slick ring road to the south……….waaaay south………and 35km later, we arrived at camp.  Greeting us were the Bill’s, Dagneau and Stensson…….actually they didn’t greet us but did so shortly after returning from chipping practice over by some unoccupied sites. 



A plan was formulated, and we all set about various tasks, planning to leave for a trip to town 4:30’ish.  Winnipeg appears to be a really happening place, with lots of new construction and a bustling downtown.  We stopped in to Earls, a local favourite, and tied on the feedbag once more.  Can’t believe our appetites and how much we are eating.  A trip to Costco rounded out the day’s activities and we are now well stocked for the weekend, which we will spend at Falcon Lake, 100km east of the city.  Everyone we mentioned it to, said it was a beautiful place and we would really enjoy it.  That day off I was moaning about…….taking it Saturday before hitting the road and heading for Ontario.



I am bagged, so hitting the sack early.  Who knows what our 102km scheduled for tomorrow will turn into.  I didn’t mention the wind today, but those who have looked at our stats know what our conditions were today………..I’ve decided I’m just not talking about it anymore.

Signing off…….Hugh


LYJ




June 26 - Day 23 - Ride Stats - Portage La Prairie - Winnipeg

June 26 - Day 23 - Ride Stats - Portage La Prairie - Winnipeg CLICK HERE then link below

Wednesday 25 June 2014

June 25 - Day 22 - It's a community out here.

We had a nice overnight stay in Brandon, and awoke again to overcast skies, but with only a 30% chance of showers, and a predicted 10-15km/hr wind out of the east, I felt confident that our short trip to Portage La Prairie would be a piece of cake.  Our usual 2 hour morning stint produced only 48km, missing the minimum target of 50 by just a couple, but also telling me that this might be a longer day than I originally thought.  I can only attribute the shortfall and lower speeds to my friends the wind gods, as their subtle little 10-15 was having more to say about progress this day than it should on paper.  No coasting allowed, or you would loose speed instantly.  Every pedal revolution counted.

Manitoba Highway of Heroes runs from east of Brandon,
 CFB Shiloh to Winnipeg.....honoured to ride it

Our schedule for the ride got a little screwed up when we left Lake Louise, and tried to make Calgary in one shot through some terrible conditions, and fell short.  Since then we have tried to make it up, and with the century rides, and letting a day off slip by, riding instead, we are now back on schedule, but I think my body is craving a rest.  No aches or pains, just running out of gas too quickly, which is what happened today.  Hey, still no problem getting here, although it did turn out to be a 126km ride, but my speed and energy levels were down so it just took longer than expected.  Not to worry, tomorrow is another day.

First stretch of tree lined highway we have seen since BC

Sid and Jon are off to the Winnipeg airport to pick up our replacement driver Billy Dagneau, a welcome addition to the crew, and tomorrow, after dropping off Jon for his trip back to Toronto, Bill will pick up Bill Stensson who is joining us for a few weeks also.  Looks like all we will need to do if we need anything for the next little while is yell “Bill”.  Tomorrow will be a short day, allowing us time to hook up with a bike shop in Winnipeg for a tune and once over on the bikes……..Sid better pick up some more tubes also…….still leading 7-5.  He will also get a first hand look at tomorrows route, so we will know what we have in store for the day.  Sid still hasn’t broken out the new white cycling shoes (you heard it here first).  My feeling is they are being held in reserve for his return to GBC, so be sure to compliment him when you see them boys.



It really is a bit of a community out here on the Trans Canada.  Everyone has a story about where they are going, who they are going to see, and why.  Our story is pretty obvious as it is printed all over our clothing, and we get many chances during the day to share our thoughts and experiences with others in transit.  Clearly the best part of the day is when your efforts are recognized on the road.  Truckers, contrary to popular belief are the most courteous guys out here, moving over to the left hand lane when passing to give us more room, and the occasional blast of their horn lets you know they realize what we are up to.  The Honda Civic with bikes on his roof that toots his horn on the way by, and the best, the guy on the motorcycle who speeds past us, no horn, but with his right arm extended, giving us a big thumbs up.  Makes you feel good. 

So it’s back at it again tomorrow, bright and early.  Should be a great day, and will give you all the news from Winnipeg when we arrive.  Cheers everyone…..miss you……Hugh

LYJ


No Gas












June 25 - Day 22 - Ride Stats - Brandon - Portage La Prairie

June 25 - Day 22 - Ride Stats - Brandon - Portage La Prairie CLICK HERE then link below

Tuesday 24 June 2014

June 24 - Day 21 - Blowin in Brandon

Today the wind gods re-emerged to let us know once and for all who is in charge out here on the prairies.  After lulling us to sleep over the past few days with a nice little push from behind, they started us off this morning with some cross wind action out of the north, then after about 20-30km initiated the full frontal attack, which began at a civilized15km/hr, increasing in intensity to 30km/hr by 1:00pm (TWN) but it felt like 100 to me.

Bottom line, I suck in the wind.  No worries though, just kept on plugging, and we made it to our fantastico campsite at Bry-Mar Campground on the east side on Brandon by about 2pm.  Only 92km on the road today, and think we split up the remaining km to Winnipeg over the next two days.  Wind will not be in our favour.......praying tonight.  It freaks me out when I think that just 21 days ago we pushed off in Vancouver......what a distance we have come, but I don't think we have even covered what we will log going across Ontario by itself.
First Prize so far for for community signs on the edge of town......this one is great

We sprung Jon loose for the day as it was such a short ride.  He blew by us as we were stopped to take this one.......just had to.........

It was a totally uneventful day, with Sid and I spending most of the morning riding side by side chatting about anything and everything.  Road conditions were good, resulting in a flat free day......first one of those we have had in a while.  We are looking forward to Winnipeg when good friend Billy Dagneau will take over driving duties from Jon.  Jon has been nothing short of fantastic the whole trip, and will be missed when he leaves, but hope he might decide to re-join for part of the eastern swing.  I hope he gives Bill the run down on how to take care of us two, as he sure knows how to do that.  I'm sure we will be just fine.

People have been asking me about the bikes, and even though Sid and I both have spares, we have been on just one each exclusively.........I'm on the Cervelo R3, and Sid is on his new TREK, with the old one keeping my S5 company in the back of the SUV.


I can't believe my blog is done and it is barely 7pm..........usually sitting there at 11 trying to finish up........could use an early night.......will be back at ya tomorrow.  Best to Uncle Joe.

Bye all.........Hugh

Could be a fire tonight

LYJ  










June 24 - Day 21 - Ride Stats - Virden - Brandon, MB

June 24 - Day 21 - Ride Stats - Virden - Brandon, MB CLICK HERE then link below

Monday 23 June 2014

June 23 - Day 20 - Manitoba Bound

Waking in Whitewood this morning, I knew I was not have another cold shower before dressing for the day.  An extra layer of pit juice was going to have to do the trick until camp tonight where we hope to have both hot showers and wifi.  Good news, we are here and have both!  We didn't make it all the way to Brandon as we might have hoped, spending the night in Virden, MANITOBA, and that still means another province is in the books, we loose another hours sleep tonight, and we are one province closer to you.  We clocked 109km today, so nothing outstanding.  Sid took a commanding lead in the flat tire category, replacing one this morning before we even hit the road, and also threw on a new back tire, for a 7-4 lead, but I took one in the chops this afternoon and now trail Sid 7-5.

 Standing on a wall, not a platform, thought I was going down for sure


I must say I have been looking for blog inspiration while riding across southern Alberta and most of Saskatchewan.  I think the problem is that there is just so much of it, and it all looks the same, so it gets boring after a while.  The people we have met along the way are fantastic, and the friendliest bunch you would ever want to meet.........not that Sid and I are hard to talk to mind you.

Signing off for the day.......hitting the sack, and hopefully on the road early tomorrow, with a better chance of missing the afternoon showers.  Goodnight everyone......many thanks for tuning in.  Hugh

One parting shot from Sid......this is me changing #5.........




Who wouldn't talk to this cuddly bear?

Stay between the lines......the lines are your friends

Agriculture is big business on the prairies



LYJ




June 23 - Day 20 - Ride Stats - Whitewood, SK - Virden, MB

June 23 - Day 20 - Ride Stats - Whitewood, SK - Virden, MB CLICK HERE then link below

June 22 - Day 19 - The Whitewood Century

Our day began today with a scrumptious breakfast in the Home Suites Hotel on the east side of Regina.  I have to say this is the best roadside hotel I have ever stayed at and one that all the others should take a lesson from.  Many small comforts that made our overnight stay a real treat, with my favourites being the coffee machine that dispensed fresh ground coffee by the cup any way you wanted it, and the fresh baked cookies available 24/7. 


 Ready to roll out of Regina

 We could tell from the flags in the area that the wind was again in our favour, and with our snazzy new outfits, how could we not have a great day.  The Champion Systems gear was extremely comfortable, lightweight, and looked like a million bucks, even if I do say so myself.  They are turning some heads, ok a lot of heads, but I guess if you walk around looking like a 6’4” banana, that is going to happen

Sid and I have been trying to put in a strong 2 hour stint every morning, to get our day started, and today we managed over 60km, even while stopping twice to repair flats on Sid’s rear wheel (changing the tire for tomorrow) making the score 6-3 for Sid.  We realized that at this pace our scheduled destination for the day, Grenfell would be bypassed by lunch so Plan B was to target one of two locations farther down the road which might give us a shot at Brandon, Manitoba on Monday. 

Pretty cool 3D Grenfell welcome sign

Mother Nature turned on the faucet at about 90km, and we ditched into a gas station/convenience store in Wolseley and tried to wait out the rain.  When that appeared pointless, we called trusty Jon, and he was there in 15 minutes so we could grab our rain gear and get back on the road.  As always happens when you put on the rain gear, the sun comes out, so it was off, then on, then off again, as localized storms appeared all around us, but we were quite lucky and missed most of the wet stuff.  Our pace remained strong all day, and we were able to reach our farthest option Whiterock, SK., at around 5pm. 

One of those storms

Our total distance for the day was 168km, making that a second century ride for the boys over the last three days, and getting us close to being back on our original schedule.  Sid and I are quite proud of that, and hey, we know we had wind assist, and it was relatively flat terrain, but that is a lot of miles for these old dudes, or anyone for that matter.  Brandon is still a long way from  Whitewood…….we don’t have wifi or phone service to check, but we are thinking about 190km, which would mean yet another century ride…….if the wind gods are in our favour it could be done, but will make that a game time decision in the morning. 



Great chicken fajita dinner tonight prepared in camp, and every bit as good as those I had at Chilis in Regina yesterday.  Only cold showers available here in Whitewood, so I stood and stared at the water for 15 minutes hoping it would magically clean me……..eventually took the plunge and froze my ass off.   Good night all.......will have to post this tomorrow......no wifi.......love y'all......Hugh

Just another one of those unique properties you see out on the road........I think this is brilliant




LYJ