Souris to Winnipeg
248.5 km, 9 hrs
Sunny, slight breeze to light winds, favourable
The friendly Manitoba wave continues today – sort-of that high-five while still holding on to the steering wheel. Nice folks down here. It might be because there are a lot of frenchies around here.
Terrain is fairly consistant – gentle rolling hills with rivers and trees surrounding big open fields. Nice day to ride in the country side. The sun was out, the clouds were inexistant, and the breeze for the first half of the day was keeping me guessing which side it was coming from.
After 110 km, I stopped in Holland for lunch. Nice little place. I ventured into the grocery store and purchased a bunch of cold cuts, some Swiss cheese, yogurt, chocolate bar, and a litre of chocolate milk (they didn't have the 500 mL). To make the sandwich a little less dry, I added some ketchup from the packets I have in my stock. Different taste, but doable.
As soon as I got back on the bike, everything felt sweet. I was surprised that my speed was faster – was it the tailwind? The chocolate milk? I thought of having a camel-back topped up with chocolate milk, but realized that could make me develop diabetes and lactose intollerance. Plus, I wouldn't be the person riding behind me with those conditions.
I attribute the pick-up in pace to the breeze turning into a light wind at my back. Thanks. The clothes were slowly coming off after lunch, with the last items (arm warmers, toque) coming off at the 175 km mark. It was warm when I would stop, but the wind just made it a tad cooler.
At the 175 km mark, I started riding on a concrete highway. The speed just picked up briefly – that stuff is fun to ride on. The music on the mp3 player cued up a Violent Femmes song, which gave me the idea of listening to the entire album. It was also an album I could sing while biking. But, since I am out of shape, I would run out of breath here and there. I hope my singing is getting better. I might have to test out my skills at a karaoke bar and see if I end up in the hospital like all the other times I “attempted” karaoke. But, that's another story.
After the Violent Femmes (self-titled album, 1981, or is it 1980?), I was in the mood for some Radiohead (In Rainbows). Another great album. I basically rode those albums into the city.
I had a quick little supper in town – good old McRaunchies to try the Angus burger again to see if it would do similar respiratory effects. Try anything twice, right? Joel, you'll be glad to know that I didn't hack up a lung afterwards, but I could still feel that grease in the throat that I usually feel after eating fast food of that type. Afterwards, I was off to Yvette and Dale's house for a couple of evenings. Thank you very much Christine for setting things up – I am in debt with you and the lovely hosts. It was great to talk to you too.
I didn't get a chance to reach 250 k. Too bad. I like round numbers.
The evening was also swell – little more supper (spaghetti with a home-made meaty sauce), some wine, and a few beers (Kokanee and Fort Garry dark beer, tasty). A few more beers were consumed while we were in the hot tub.
What I didn't realize was that I changed time zones the day before when I crossed the border. Oops. So, when I went to bed, I thought it was 1 am, and not 2 am.
The next day, Wednesday, is a rest day in Winnipeg where I get to visit the city. Should be fun.
I was surprised to get many emails and some posts on the blog. Thank you, tanan. Some folks commented on how the tune changed while I was in Saskatchewan. I'll try to keep it interesting during the Northern Ontario part. Long riding days up ahead, with towns few and far between.
Oh, even though I wanted to try local things throughout the country, I did not want to sample Prairie Oysters. For those who dont know, they are bull testicles. Yummy! No balls for me, sorry Lisa.
Han, last time I had pizza while biking was in Victoria. I'll take a picture of that next time. Peeing – yes, it has resumed with the calmer winds. Mooning – I am saving that for Solstice. Be near me for those.
Mom – yes, I'll try not to get too drunk too often. Je m'excuse (un peu).
I am peeling at a few spots, even though I have gone through lots of sunblock lately. I guess I am appeeling. Oh, bad pun.
Well, until next entry. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the reading, the interest, the comments, and emails. You guys are in my thoughts.
Ciao,
p2
Introduction
Allo, hello, tere,
Some old lines/puns: Pierre qui roule, rock and roll, the rolling stone (gathers no dust).
Who: Pierre, Ottawa (ON)
What: Cross Canada travel.
When: After a few days rest in Tofino, British Columbia at the beginning of May, 2008, hit the road around the 4th. The 1st time-based goal is to arrive in Ottawa in mid June, race in a 24-hour mountain bike competition, and head back on the road a few days later. Finish the trip in St. John's, Newfoundland, at the end of July, 2008, before returning home to Ottawa to start being an adult again.
Where: Canada, West to East, via Toronto, Ontario. Detours: Val Gagné and Manitoulin Island (ON), Gaspé region (QC), and Cape Breton (NS).
Why: Visit this beautiful (and fairly big) nation of ours. See family and friends. Taste the cuisine of different parts of the country and enjoy the various beers and wine along the way. Experience anything the villages and cities along the way have to showcase. Lose 50 pounds and be buff.
How: By bicycle (her nickname: Dzie, pronounced D-Zie).
Extras: According to mapquest, a drive from tip to tip (via Toronto) would be 7710 km (85 hours of driving, 2 ferries). A flight would only be 5400 km (9 hours flight time, with switching planes 2 times).
* I do occasionally feel I am following the footsteps of a few great ones (whom I've also had the honour of riding with), who have done this trip in the past - Al, and especially Tanya. I do hope that I can bring in some new pics, new stories, and not rehash stuff that those amazing folks have done before me.
** I imagine I'll be a bit lonely at times throughout the trip, where I highly request and encourage comments from you guys. It'll be my way of having some conversations with you. I'll try to update the blog every few days.
Disclaimer: Most of you guys know me. In my posts, there will probably be a mixture of bizarre stories, silly jokes (like the weight-losing bit a few instances before), some references to music lyrics and movie lines. I will do my best to entertain, but sometimes, I might miss the mark on being funny or entertaining (hopefully not though).
Posting messages: Readers with a gmail/blogger account - you know what to do. Readers who do not: post a comment as anonymous (but put your name at the bottom of the comment please). The occasional personal messages can be sent to pierre.l.perron@gmail.com
Ciao,
p2
Some old lines/puns: Pierre qui roule, rock and roll, the rolling stone (gathers no dust).
Who: Pierre, Ottawa (ON)
What: Cross Canada travel.
When: After a few days rest in Tofino, British Columbia at the beginning of May, 2008, hit the road around the 4th. The 1st time-based goal is to arrive in Ottawa in mid June, race in a 24-hour mountain bike competition, and head back on the road a few days later. Finish the trip in St. John's, Newfoundland, at the end of July, 2008, before returning home to Ottawa to start being an adult again.
Where: Canada, West to East, via Toronto, Ontario. Detours: Val Gagné and Manitoulin Island (ON), Gaspé region (QC), and Cape Breton (NS).
Why: Visit this beautiful (and fairly big) nation of ours. See family and friends. Taste the cuisine of different parts of the country and enjoy the various beers and wine along the way. Experience anything the villages and cities along the way have to showcase. Lose 50 pounds and be buff.
How: By bicycle (her nickname: Dzie, pronounced D-Zie).
Extras: According to mapquest, a drive from tip to tip (via Toronto) would be 7710 km (85 hours of driving, 2 ferries). A flight would only be 5400 km (9 hours flight time, with switching planes 2 times).
* I do occasionally feel I am following the footsteps of a few great ones (whom I've also had the honour of riding with), who have done this trip in the past - Al, and especially Tanya. I do hope that I can bring in some new pics, new stories, and not rehash stuff that those amazing folks have done before me.
** I imagine I'll be a bit lonely at times throughout the trip, where I highly request and encourage comments from you guys. It'll be my way of having some conversations with you. I'll try to update the blog every few days.
Disclaimer: Most of you guys know me. In my posts, there will probably be a mixture of bizarre stories, silly jokes (like the weight-losing bit a few instances before), some references to music lyrics and movie lines. I will do my best to entertain, but sometimes, I might miss the mark on being funny or entertaining (hopefully not though).
Posting messages: Readers with a gmail/blogger account - you know what to do. Readers who do not: post a comment as anonymous (but put your name at the bottom of the comment please). The occasional personal messages can be sent to pierre.l.perron@gmail.com
Ciao,
p2
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1 comment:
HAHAHA i love the photo pierre hahah cant wait till you get in VG this is sooo cool what your doing i wish i could accomplish something so big is so little time lol cant wait to see you
Love, Michelle xox
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