May 31 - Day 25 - Regina about 101.2 km

 A short riding day today.  I woke up early and headed out as I wasn’t sure how long it was going to take me to get to Regina, but I arrived early enough for lunch before heading to the base.  I was greeted at the door, taken on a tour of the base, then given time to shower and change then tossed all my dirty clothes into the laundry.  

At 2pm we assembled to watch the live stream of the tribute to Dr Powell.  He was an amazing, kind and generous man who saw every obstacle as a challenge that could be overcome.  He will be missed.  

Afterwards we headed outside for a group photo….thanks Regina crew for a great afternoon, and for taking such good care of me 😀.  

I headed off down the road only about 30 km to a campsite for the night.  It was a good day, but emotionally exhausting.  I’m heading to bed.  Plan is another long day tomorrow….fingers crossed some of the smoke dissipates and that I will have favourable winds.  Either way I’ll make it work!  I’m heading south east tomorrow to get onto the Red Coat trail, with a stopover in Redvers in hopefully two days.  

May 30 - Day 24 - Moose Jaw 230 km, 1118m

Another grand day on the bike.  This morning I sort of thought…maybe I should try for Moose Jaw.  The winds were sort of favourable, and that would position me so that I could make it to the Regina STARS base in time for the live streaming of Dr. Powell’s celebration of life tomorrow afternoon.  For those that don’t know him, Dr. Powell was the original founder of STARS air ambulance  

I was on the road by 0700, after I took the time to clean off my chain I had another gas station breakfast, which was better than what I bought at the store yesterday.  

I called Ted to let him know of my plan, and to also have him check on a car rental, taxi and bus options in case I didn’t make it to Moose Jaw. None of those options panned out, so I worked really hard to make it all the way.  One quick stop at Tim’s in Swift Current and one stop on the side of the road to eat a puffed wheat square. I drank 1.5L today, and ate a bagel and half the square, a few skittles and of course the gum power kept me going all day!  

I forgot to mention yesterday, but I’m really impressed with all the small towns I’ve stayed at.  Coaldale in Alberta, Medicine Hat where I made some friends over dinner, Maple Creek was fantastic as was Gull Lake.  I wonder how many other towns that are just as great that I’ve missed.  And even here in Moose Jaw I made some new friends when I asked a stranger to help me unlock the door to the bathroom!  He was kind enough to help me out - I must have looked desperate for a shower 😂- well we started chatting and now we are friends.  So many unexpected encounters that are making this trip amazing.  

I saw this on the side of the road…sodium sulphate mine outside Chapmin

May 29 - Day 23 - Gull Lake 84 km 378m

Flowers on the side of the road

Ice cream stop….so yummy!!!

Total mileage is 2025.5 km!!!!  Whoop Whoop
 Hello, well a change of plans due to the wind.  I was planning on going south to Cyoress Hills today, then continue south tomorrow to the Red Coat Trail, then head East from there.  I woke up at 0500, and it was already super windy in the sheltered campground.  I checked the weather, and decided that I would have a rest day today in the hopes of being able to go south tomorrow.  A closer look at the weather called for windy again tomorrow ☹️.  I really didn’t want two weather days.  In consult with the Quebec Boys and Marcel who’s fundraising for MS, crosswind should be doable.  So at 0800 I packed up, headed to Tim’s for a tea and bagel and off I went.  The wind had lightened up by then, and was sort of light for the next hour before it really picked up.  

I looked ahead, and in the distance I saw another cyclist.  It took me about 6 km to catch him….it was Allan that I last saw at Christina Lake about 10 days ago.  We stopped at a rest stop to rest and catch up.  

Then at Tompkins we stopped at a roadside stand….it had the best burger I’ve ever eaten, and Saskatoon pie ice cream!!!  I did not want to continue after this break….and I was moving slowly….it was so hot, and so windy, but eventually we made it to Gull Lake campground.  Tents were set up, shower and laundry done, then dinner.  Now it’s off to bed, hopefully an early start when the wind will be more favourable.  I’m hoping to make a good distance tomorrow….but will see.  😀.  

May 28 - Day 22 to Maple Creek - 107 km, 408m

Marcel is riding in support of MS

Welcome to Sask….goodbye for now to Alberta

Breakfast!!!!  So yummy

 

Another day, another great adventure😀.  Medicine Hat to Maple Creek.   

Today was not an easy day….why is it not flat out here????…that was certainly my expectation….but no…400 meters up….most of it gradual and continuous.  

I tried for an early start, but it didn’t quite work out that way.  Eventually I hit the road….highway 1, and it was crazy busy, but only till about 15 k out of Medicine Hat, then it slowed down which was nice.  My plan was to stop at the only gas station on the way….about half way to Maple Creek.  

At a roadside pull out about 20 km out  I stopped to put on some sunscreen and cover my head and face with my hood.  There was a motor home stopped there, and this is where I met Joelle, support crew for Marcel who is cycling across Canada in support of MS.  https://msspwcms.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=58713

This is the link if anyone would like to donate to this worthy cause.  Eventually I did meet up with Marcel and we chatted and visited for about 10 km, when I just couldn’t keep up the pace, so he went off ahead.  

Today felt like forever….but I did make it to Maple Ridge….my GPS read 29C!  Ughhh.  So hot….but cool weather is coming, but not for another 4-5 days!!!!  

The campground in Maple Creek is really nice, and just down the road is a superb brewery where you can order food to be delivered from any restaurant in town.  I picked the food truck just across the street.  The brewery has a sour, that they can add an assortment of flavours.  Dangerous!!!!  

Tomorrow the plan is to go to cypress hills…..30 km, but about 800 m up.  I’ll have to leave early to beat the heat.  I think that will be a long enough day for tomorrow.  I just heard from the boys from Quebec ….they made it to Medicine Hat today.  I’m afraid of only doing a short day as they might catch up to me….they don’t know it…but it’s a competition!!!!  😂😂😂😂.  Anyways with the heat I don’t think I can do much more.  So I’ll just finish my beer, head back to the campground and tuck in for an early sleep so that I can have an early start tomorrow.  

Thanks for the texts and phone call….passes the time for sure😀

May 27 - Day 21 to Medicine Hat - 155 km

Snacks

 What a day…..another fabulous day.  Before I go into any details….a shout out and a thank you to the very kind people at the Rustic Pub who not only were interested in my project, but also paid for my meal…..so kind and generous when you were having a difficult day.  The kindness of strangers can be overwhelming ❤️❤️❤️

Ok….it was a long hot day….and I took several breaks, and even ate some lunch and drank about 1.5litres today.  That’s a lot for me.  And I learned a new skill today…..so excited.  Well, I learned how to drink while riding….so that means removing my bottle from the holder and tipping it up to drink. But that’s not the new skill!   I have two bottle holders on my cross tube and  today, I managed to swap bottles while riding!!!!  That’s my new skill….and I didn’t crash!   Whoop Whoop😀😀

I did have a bit of tail wind to start, but then the wind died off….just as the rolling hills started.  I wasn’t watching the km count up, but rather the 1/10 of km.  Eventually I arrived in Medicine Hat….well the sign , and then I saw that the info centre was 7 km away 🥵. I thought I was never going to get to the campground. Earlier this morning I met a fellow cyclist also going across Canada.  He’s much faster than me so I’m hoping to get going early tomorrow.  The plan for tomorrow is Maple Creek.  

May 26 - Day 20 to Coaldale - 172 km

 Wow!  What a great day….and I’m officially no longer cold….temps went up to 32C today.  

I didn’t have a super early start from my luxury accommodations…..I didn’t want to leave!!!!  Eventually I got up, packed up and headed off.  Today was mostly downhill to pincher creek, then mostly flat, but there was still about 400 meters of up.  I didn’t have a tail wind which was amazing!  Not super strong…but consistent.  

I really wasn’t sure how far I would get today….because I met up with Lorraine in Pincher Creek and between visiting and lunch which I normally don’t stop for, I was there just over two hours.  With the heat I stopped in Fort Macleod for a drink and ice cream.  

Through Lethbridge was scary on the highway….but I got off and it was better.  Then it was only another 15 km to Coledale.  I’m all set up at the campground….and it’s a 1.8 km walk to dinner….each way.  

Incredible views again today….i took lots of photos while I was riding….and the smells….well I think everyone chose today to spread manure on their fields 😂😂😂.   

The plan for tomorrow is Bow Island….about 90 km from here.  If I want to go farther…I have to make it to Medicine Hat….which might be too far.  I’ll see how things go tomorrow.  

I love all the texts and posts….thank you.  I think that Terry who is watching with my mother….he texted ‘it’s 5:56, where are you going?’  I had just passed Lethbridge at that time!!!!  Thanks for watching out for me!!!!  

May 25 - stats

 Now that I’m headed into the prairies, I was looking over the stats of my riding so far.  

Riding days - 18

Weather day - 1

Total distance - 1508.7 km

Total Ascent - 13,465 m

Total time - 112 1/2 hrs

Calories burned - 43,899

Number of texts/comments/calls/visits - priceless!!! ❤️❤️❤️

May 25 - Day 19 to Blairmore

View from my mirror

Accommodation last night ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Truck in Sparwood

Welcome to Alberta!!!!  

 I’m back in Alberta!!!!  Feels like I’m back home….back into familiar territory for sure!  I’m spending the night in the Mazzolini’s amazing cabin….they did everything possible to ensure I would be at home here….its amazing!!!

Today was my last day in the big mountains, and the views did not disappoint, such a gorgeous ride today.  Challenging because it was uphill most of the way….mostly a continuous slight uphill with hills interspersed.  I did love the challenge….but I also loved arriving early.  I stopped at a little store called take away….so many yummy things, I picked up some pulled pork, corn salad, crackers and three deserts!  I haven’t been eating much so today I will make up!  

I cried a lot today….clearing out those tear ducts….first saying goodbye to my nieces after an amazing camping night together, then I was singing Alberta Bound for about an hour before the sign….and just as I arrived at the Welcome to Alberta sign….so did my nieces!!!  What a nice surprise.  All the nice texts.   Then at the cabin….Angela and Justin are so kind and amazing ….thank you!!!  

Right now I’m soaking in the tub….checking out my legs and this weird suntan I have going on….I think I need more sunscreen!!!!  On the top I have a very thin long sleeved hoodie that I use to cover my ears, shade my face, and cover my arms.  But I really don’t want to wear pants….so I’ll need to slather on more sunscreen I guess!  

So have a good evening…..tomorrow is another day😀😀😀

May 24 - Day 18 to Fernie

Farmland to the right

Mountains to the left of me 

Flowers growing where it seems impossible 

 Today was the best day ever!!!  Made it all the way to Fernie.  Another 96.7km with 550m today!!!  It started off a bit slowly, it was cold outside so I didn’t want to get out of the tent.  I started off….but felt tired.  I was going slowly, and took a few breaks.  Then just up ahead I saw Louis and Martin…. I picked up the speed.  Slowly I was getting closer and closer….then there was a big hill, and they got so far ahead of me I didn’t see them again.  

You may wonder what I think about all by myself….well I sing parts of songs….today is was The Long and Winding Road!!!!  And I change the words to songs too.  Mountains to the left of me, farm land to the right…here I am, stuck in the middle again!!!  

A few more breaks….and my sister kept calling me, checking up on me I thought.  I stopped in Elko for an iced tea and my niece and her wife and son just appear out of nowhere!!!!  I was so stunned that I started to cry!  Then hugs all around.  The plan then became that we would all camp in Sparwood, and they will bring me back to Fernie in the morning, so that I don’t miss any cycling!!!  What a great surprise!!!  Tomorrow is Blairmore at the cabin!  So excited to do laundry!!!