Day 20 and 21

Saturday, May 24th
Regina to Weyburn
126 km, 7h45mins
Sunny at first, overcast with rain later.
Windy, yes (what did you expect?)

The day started nice. I had breakfast at Melrose's Place (maybe lunch at Twin Peaks?). Belgian waffles with strawberry sauce (with real strawberries) and some whipped cream. Tasty.

The ride out of town was simple. Heading on the 33 (South East), I wanted to hit Stoughton then East onto the 13 right across the border to end up somewhere just South of Bandon (or touch the Trans-Canada again). For this trip, I wanted to explore a bit of the side roads, and not just stick to the Trans-Canada all the time.

The first hour was nice. It was a hell of a grind, but pleasant. The shoulder was good, so I just put my head down for 1-3 minutes at a time and just rode into the wind. I was able to hold a steady 14k/h. The tri-geek (on his aero-bars, riding a crack-n'-fail) who passed me just getting out of town was only able to stay ahead of me for 400 metres. I felt good, all loaded up and keeping up to someone. After the first hour, the wind seemed to start picking up, with more frequent and powerful gusts of wind. I could see the darker clouds up ahead, which was the rain they forcasted. No worries.

An hour later, those gusts and the clouds were getting very dark. I decided to pull over in a town and hide by the post office to get some shelter and eat lunch. After eating, the clouds and wind still didn't look too favourable, so I just sat down and had a little nap. It's always funny to be woken up by those big leg jerks (3x). After that 30 minute nap or so, I headed out on the road.

Rain came down lightly at first, and would pick up a bit here and there. The winds still stayed strong. With the speed I was going at, I knew beyond Stoughton would not be feasable. I eyed that town for the night. As the day progressed, I thought Stoughton would not be feasable anymore, so I decided to duck down South onto the 35 to head to Weyburn (only 50 k away, with some crosswinds). Slight detour, but what can I do.

Going South, there was definitely a crosswind, with a bit of headwind at first, but moved into a slight tailwind for the majority of that part of the highway. I was being pushed all over the place, it was pretty interesting. I started riding on the other side of the road, as if (when) the wind would push me, I would only be in the middle of the lane, vs off the road. Of course, when there was no cars coming. I felt like a jerk doing that, I just hope the cars understood why I was doing that. It was much safer.

Twice someone stopped by to offer me a ride. I guess they also thought the weather wasn't too ideal. Nice folks. I thanked them for the offer, and told them they probably understood that I have to do this on my own. They understood, and wished me good luck.

Campsite in Weyburn was decent. Cheap ($14.00). I honestly can't recall if I took a shower. I must of. The guy at the office offered me an extention cord to bring to the tent so I could have some power to recharge the batteries (mp3 and computer), instead of me being in the bathroom to charge them up. He also offered me a heater for the tent. I declined. Is that safe to put a heater in a tent? Plus, I didn't need one.

The plan for tomorrow, pending on the weather, was to maybe hit the Manitoba border. That would be some 170 km away. There would be 3 campsites along the way, so I could pick my sleeping spot.

Sunday, May 25th
Weyburn to Soughton
Overcast, raining, and you can guess about the wind conditions.
66.66 km, 4h15mins

Unphukenbelievable. Look at those people, in their metal and fiberglass vehicles. Probably drinking coffee, sitting on their heated seats, flying at 100 km/hr. Gees. Must be nice.

These past 2 days have probably been the hardest biking days I can remember. Two times it was quite cold during some of my trips that my hands were seized (couldn't bend my fingers, make/open a fist), which made braking and shifting difficult. Those occasions, stopping for lunch at a restaurant to warm up, I would still shake an hour later. I've also cycled in -40 degrees weather with no problems. These days, with these winds, fairly difficult for me. I think I'm an alright rider, but I was struggling out there a bit yesterday, and definitely today.

Woke up to rain falling on the tent. It'll be a wet one to pack up. Motivation wasn't there that much. I couldn't hear the wind much, so I thought that it might stay mellower (relatively speaking) while it rained. Something I wouldn't mind at all.

After packing all my wet gear, I started talking to a local who gave me the (false) hope that the wind was blowing from the North-West. Heck, I dont mind a cross wind with some tailwind. Wrong. North-East. Plus the rain. I haven't had a chance to check on the internet what the weather (temperature, wind) conditions are for yesterday and today, but I will try to remember and add it to the end of the post. It is for you guys a bit, but for me too (this is a record of my trip for when I revisit this in the future).

I was getting pushed all over the place today. It was a cold rain, a strong wind, the kinds you hear in songs. The shoulder was not in the best conditions, with broken pavement all over the place. I felt like I was mountain biking a technical section, having to chose very tight lines (changing directions within a foot) constantly, while battling the wind that had it's own adgenda of which line I should chose. I am so surprised I didn't flat today with the stuff I hit. Knock on wood.

After an hour, I knew I was only reaching Stoughton as my destination for the day. I didn't curse much, maybe once, as I've accepted that this is what I have to do. Just slowly chip away at km during these times, and then worry about whatever later. I do hope I can still attend Solstice (have a few days rest before the event to hopefully be alright at the event). But, the trip is the priority. Overall, I believe I am 1-2 days behind on where I wanted to be. But, when I planned this, Rouleau was not part of the plan, and staying on the Trans-Canada was.

After 2 hours, and everything soaked (socks, tights, toque, and the necessary fleece gloves), I stopped for lunch in a town hoping they would have a little tiny restaurant. No luck. I cooked a hearty soup, and tried to warm up with the stove. My feet were quite cold, but not numb. Keep on truckin'.

On the road, I decided I would (hopefully) find a motel in Stoughton. I figure I could dry some stuff (tent, clothes) and defrost my body with a shower (or a bath, if it looked tidy enough).

I rode the other side of the road again today, as much as I could. Those trucks (any direction) today were packing a mean punch (briefly cut the wind, or add a gust of wind with the powerful spray of water from the road). Along the way, I noticed more and more of those oil machines pulling up stuff. There was a few at first, but after spotting more than 3 dozens, it was routine. Up ahead, I could see something orange stuff on the side of the road. Was it a building on fire? Couldn't be. It must be flags or something. Nope, actual pipes from refinerires spewing out fire. Pretty neat, pretty powerful too. They would be places maybe 300 metres appart, but for a while (I think I saw a dozen).

Today was not a good day for pictures – the scenery was typical, and the rainy weather didn't make me take out my camera (unless something worthwhile would of popped up).

My arrival to Stoughton. I saw a hotel. Yes! Went there: “No vacancy, campground also full for the summer”. First f-bomb dropped. I enquired about other hotels in this small town at the next-door convenience store. Yes, just up the road into town a bit. I went, and found the place. Talking to the lady, she informs me that there is also no vacancy there. (outside, I dropped another f-bomb). I was cold, shivering, and my hopes of being in a dry and warm hotel room were being crushed. I spoke to some folks, and they mentioned that even though the campground said they are full, “just go there and pitch a tent, they dont mind”. We'll see how that goes. I wonder what goes on for paying, as there is no office there or anything.

After the tent set-up (so much wind, it was awkward setting it up), I had a shower (luke-warm water, but felt nice). It was hard to defrost my feet though. I also gathered all my dirty/wet clothes and headed into town for the laundromat (where I am writing this entry). The plan is to get a pizza or something, eat in (or at the tent), and just chill (hopefully not a pun) in the tent and get a long night sleep. I will most likely hit the road again tomorrow (unless I hear that the weather will be the same or worse than today). I didn't feel safe out there (playing with the traffic, avoiding flats, and it was quite straining – I do not want to get injured in any manner).

So, we'll see what the near future brings for me.

I want to wish good luck to Rolland H, who is leaving on his x-Canada trip on Monday (I believe), starting in Vancouver. I would assume the weather is nice over there. I do hope these winds die down as they head out West.

Alright, enjoy the warm indoors you folks, and have a beer (while chuckling over the times I am encoutering lately).

I have put things into perspective lately, which is probably why I haven't lost it on the road. I just think of what Terry Fox has endured, and the same with Rick Hanson. Amazing folks. I feel so minuscue compared to them. I am minuscule. Those are great folks.

Franck – right on. Felicitation.

Petit bonjour speciale a memere Boucher qui suit ce voyage d'une maniere. See you soon. See all the Val Gagne area gang soon too (after the Thunder Bay crew).

Currently 4 degrees (feels like -2 with the wind), winds at 43 km/hr.
This morning/afternoon: 6-9 degrees, winds at 43-46 km/hr
Yesteray: probably the same. can't get specific data past 9 pm.

Ciao,

P