Memorial to George Antoine Belcourt

Portage La Prairie to Selkirk

Today was the flattest days ride of the trip. 120km on land as flat as a table top. The wind of about 20kph was behind us so it made for easy riding.

Tomorrow is our rest day. The only place of not today was a country cemetery where came upon s memorial of one George Antoine Belcourt. No doubt an early Jesuit? Unsure. He spent his life working among the native Indian population and left a dictionary of one of their languages as a legacy.

Next week we leave both Manitoba and the prairies and head into Ontario and the granite of the Canadian Shield. Lots of hills and forests.

Dinner last night was vegetable curry with rice and chick peas followed by gateau. Had some very heavy rain in the night and no water in the camp when we got up this morning.

The hotel in Selkirk is fine and Mike and I have just been to Barney's restaurant for dinner across the road.

Minnadosa to Portage la Prairie

A good easy day today. Got away from the camp at about 6.15am. Peter set a cracking pace out over the flat country. We did the first 90 km in under 3 hours and then slowed down for the remainder of the 146 km day. Did an average speed of 28 kph for the day.

No hills, no wind and a good cloud cover. But the day was still a warm 26 or so. 

Nothing much to report about the landscape. The little lakes so common over the past couple of weeks have disappeared. Lots of productive wheat and other crop farming.

Sorry this photo is a bit dark but this was about 7am. The Yellowhead Trail is the route we've been on for a few days.

Now only 1 easy days ride to Winnipeg - though we are staying at Selkirk about 30 km out of town.

The campsite here at Portage La Prairie has lots of trees, though within hearing distance of the Trans Canada highway. I've given my bike a good clean as well.

On the way here today we passed the birthplace of Margaret Lawrence, a Canadian author of some note for those of you interested in such things.

Tomorrow night is our rest day. Mike from Ontario who has been riding with us leaves the group in Selkirk.

Binscarth to Minnadosa

119km

Today can be regarded as an easy one. A relatively short ride with the terrain flat, wind behind us and partial cloud cover. Still about 30 degrees - so a long way from being cool.

Arrived in Minnadosa about 12.30pm, so quite early compared to some of our arrival times. It's much too hot to lie in the tent. So here we are under the awning of the truck, doing the blog and enjoying the cool breeze.

The day yesterday needs some further comment. Jim, one of the more mature riders at 70+ started to take the shortcut but changed his mind because he thought the gravel would be too hard. He turns round and goes back the long way, striking 16 km of continuous gravel that way as well. Result? A 200km ride and he still arrives smiling! One tough old coot!

I've been for a swim in the lake adjacent the camp, a rather murky affair but refreshing. Chris arrived early and has swum from one side to the other and back - about a kilometer each way.

Regina to Crooked Lake

Wednesday July 3 - 175km

Today was the longest day in terms of distance, so most of us got away quite early to avoid the sun. A group of us departed at 4.45am with the sun still 30 minutes from rising. 

It was a beautiful clear day but as usual a very strong cross wind was blowing from the south. This made for a tough ride for the first 127km, where we then turned downwind for 30k. The final 25 k or so were again into a strong headwind.

We stopped at a bakery at Indian Head for buns and coffee. and again at Grenfell to refill water bottles where we sat in the shade of the tourism office beside the Trans Canada highway. Of course there were the normal 20km breaks where we stop for 5 minutes. We also had a couple of punctures, with both Angela and myself picking up fine steel shards from truck tires that blow out.

The last part of the ride was down the Qu'Appelle valley, a deeply incised valley into the surrounding prairies. A lake by the same name abuts the campground and has lots of holiday houses on the shores. The camp ground has good facilities and I've found myself a spot beneath the trees in the cool. I'm leaving the tent fly off tonight because the current temperature is 34 degrees.

I feel pretty good considering the distance. I'm having some saddle rash despite using the cream on my shorts from day 1. This is an occupational hazard!

Thursday 4 July

Crooked Lake to Binscarth - 127

Finally the wind has turned and is behind our backs. What a difference it makes to both pace and our spirits.

We followed Lake Qu'Appelle for about 30 km to start the day. There were beautiful views over the lake and adjacent escarpment.

We stopped off at about 60km to a country cafe and store. It was full of retired farmers drinking coffee and telling tales! I struck up a conversation with a group of them who were keen to hear about what we are doing - we are usually a talking point at whatever cafe we stop at.

In the town of Esterhazy our truck was parked by the road. Megan was trying to convince us that there was a stretch of gravel road about 35 k ahead that justified a diversion adding 30km to the days riding. 

I refused to bite and Linda and I headed toward the gravel. It was nothing much, I guess as a city person Megan doesn't drive much on gravel.

As a result Linda and I arrived in camp 1 1/2 hours before our colleagues. Given that its 32 degrees at 3.30 pm we made the right call.

We also crossed into  Manitoba today.

The campground has good grassed areas under trees and a swimming pool which I have availed myself of.

Craik to Regina - Monday 1 July Canada Day

Today was the last of 6 days on the go. This section of the ride is mainly on the prairies and covers 853km.

The last 3 days have been into the wind so it's been a very tough week.

Today is our rest day in Regina so I'm going to be doing lots of sleeping.

There isn't much wifi outside the main cities, especially on rural campgrounds - so you may only receive posts on rest days.

The weather is very hot with most days over 30 now, so we are always up and on the road by 6am to avoid the heat of the day.

Tomorrow is our longest day by distance out to Crooked Lake -172km. Hopefully the wind will be assisting us.

28 - 30 June - Youngstown - Kindersley - Outlook - Craik

At the border

Early Alberta tractor

John & friend

Early Mennonite church

River at Outlook

Friday 28 June

A hot day on the prairies. Still quite a bit of rolling country but a good road and a wide shoulder. The bad roads of Alberta gave way to fine surfaces and good pace as we crossed into Saskatchewan.

The roads in Alberta are on a concrete base which has been sealed over. The result is that about every 10m there is a rough joint from which the vehicles have knocked the seal out. Hard on the butt!

The damp spring has filled all the lakes and ponds along the side of the road, and there is an abundance of waterfowl breeding. All the fields are knee high in grass, as are the roadsides. I'm told they are often browned off at this time of year.

We started early this morning. Most of us were away by 6.30am. Some got away at 5am - insomniacs!

There is a joke about the prairies that if your dog runs away you can see if for 3 days. We haven't got to land that flat just yet. In fact the rolling country makes for interesting views.

This is the third night with no wifi, I guess you know you are far from the big cities. Most of the named towns are little more than a gas station. Many are in name only, perhaps only a broken down old barn evidence of former habitation.

The days are warm with temps in the high 20's. Getting into camp by about 2pm means you avoid the heat of the day. However the wind also has to be favorable. I've been in for 1 1/2 hours and there are still 5 out on the road in nearly 30 degrees.

Camp is a generous term. It's little more than a parking lot with some grassed verges. Only about 3 trees in sight.

Dinner tonight was at the Golf Club across the road from the campground. Fried chicken with baked potatoes, followed by cheesecake.

Tomorrow we have all asked for breakfast to be ready at 5.30 am so we can do the ride before it heats up too much.

Its morning now, but not a good nights sleep. The town is clearly home to a good number of the morons and rednecks who live in Canada. Lots of partying keep many of us awake till 1am till they fell asleep.

Saturday 29 June Kindersley to Outlook

Another long day. 154km into a headwind with the landscape still rolling. Average speed at 22kph showed how hard it was.

The camp is beside the South Saskatchewan river, which is surprisingly large. Seems to be nice and quiet. There is a good swimming pool but no one is using it because they charge a $5 entry fee! The facilities are about 600m from the tent sites though - not ideal.

Dinner tonight was hot dogs and buns with tomato sauce, cole slaw and beets - followed by cheesecake.

Two more days till we get to Regina and our rest day. Can't believe we've ridden over 600km in 4 days. Most riders find this harder work than in the Rockies.

Sunday 30 June - Outlook to Craik 118km

Still no wifi. Still a strong headwind. Hills have gone. Temperature was 26 degrees. Hard work!

Stopped at Kenaston for our second breakfast at 9am, since we had risen before 5am. French toast tasted great.

Arrived into camp at about 1.30pm. Found some nice shade and set up camp.

We have a good story from today. Brian awoke with a start last night just before dark. He thought it was the sun coming up and that he'd slept all night. So he breaks camp and sets off toward Craik. It finally dawns on him it's actually getting darker! So, he rode all night and arrived at 6.30am and slept under a tree till we arrived. We all had a good laugh at his expense.

The weather is really heating up. The day following our rest day is supposed to be 34 degrees. We will probably start really early to avoid the heat.