Welcome To Saskatche-wind

It was one year ago today that I started my ride out of Toronto towards St. John’s. Today, I started my ride out of Manitoba. In some ways, it’s kind of hard to believe. While it took more than three weeks to cycle from Kitchener to the Manitoba border, it only took six days to reach the next provincial border. That said, the final day in Manitoba was probably the toughest ride of this year’s ride. Maybe even the toughest of last year’s ride too.

My morning began rather early. One of the effects of wild camping is a tendency to rise early in an attempt to be on the road before anyone discovers you were ever there. In the grand scheme of things, I wasn’t up TOO early. But early enough to escape any detection. But not early enough to beat the morning train.

Once the morning train had passed, I made my customary trip to Subway for breakfast and to stock up for the day. Both missions were successful. I thought I might see Moritz but, even though I knew he was in this small town, I hadn’t seen him. I decided to hit the road, assuming I’d see him somewhere along the way today.

Today’s ride had a very distinct theme. Wind. I had hoped one of the benefits to my early rise would be getting a jump on any high winds that might be in store for me today. That didn’t happen. Just to be clear, the winds happened. Getting a jump on them didn’t.

Despite me having a very healthy respect for the power of nature, the prevailing westerly winds decided to announce their presence with authority today. For the record, I never doubted their presence nor their authority. That said, the winds definitely ruled the day – despite my protestations. Actually, I didn’t protest at all. I really think I have made my peace with the wind. On the flip side, I’m not so sure that the wind has made its peace with me.

I’d have to say I had mild success over the course of the first hour of today’s ride. I managed to get to Elkhorn, MB (23 km) in a little over an hour. Not bad considering the conditions, and so I decided to reward myself with a Fudge-sicle. Sure, it was only 9:30 but it was clear I was in for a long day. Side note: While it’s common knowledge that’s is not wise to spit (or pee) into the wind … it should also be common knowledge not to eat a Fudge-sicle on a hot day, while facing the wind. My shirt now has a chocolate souvenir of today’s first rest stop.

My second rest stop would come about 90 minutes later. And it was a very tough 90 minutes. The winds continued to gain strength all morning and nothing I could do would change that. And so I pedalled. Slowly. Sometimes very slowly. But I didn’t stop. And by 11:00 I officially left Manitoba behind and made my way into Saskatchewan. More specifically, I made my into the Saskatchewan Welcome Centre. And it was a very welcome sight indeed.

I was only about 55 km into my ride when I arrived in Saskatchewan and the winds were just warming up. And yet already taking their toll. As such, I decided to hide in the Welcome Centre for a bit. I knew I had to go back into the wind eventually, but I was in no rush for that moment. Instead, I sat in the Welcome Centre, drinking their cold water, charging my devices, and eating more than a little junk food.

After about an hour of such decadence, I determined it was time to get back on the saddle. As luck would have it, it was about that time that I met Rob and Judy from Burlington. They were very interested in my overloaded bike and we ended up chatting for quite a while about many things – travel, cycling, gear, and even the joys of Mountain Equipment Co-op. They were great people to talk to. Eventually though, we both needed to get back on the road (they are also heading west but by car) and so we said our goodbyes and did in fact hit the road.

The wind had not subsided at all while I hid in the Welcome Centre. Quite the opposite. These were clearly the strongest winds so far. And it wasn’t even noon yet! Side note: The joys of the long lasting daylight that I mentioned the other day have now vanished since crossing into Saskatchewan – the land of no Daylight Saving Time.

I was on the road for a few kilometres when a car slowed down beside me as it passed. It was Rob and Judy. They wished me well one final time before they accelerated into the wind and resumed their journey west.

The next town down the road was Moosomin. 19 km away. It was a very slow 19 km. And even though it was such a short distance I decided I would stop for lunch. I also decided to not eat the subs I had bought earlier this morning. I suspected I would need them later and so when the road for Moosomin arrived I took it. The best part about that road is that it meant I could enjoy at least a partial tailwind – even if was only briefly.

Lunch was at my second Subway of the day. Yes, I had subs in my panniers but, as I said, I figured I’d need those later. And I really wanted a hot sub – and not hot from being in the sun all morning.

A 12-inch meatball sub later, and I was facing the wind once again. And, once again, it was stronger than it was before. On the upside, I only had about 45 km to go for the day. The downside was that the wind continued to get stronger all afternoon.

I don’t have an official measurement of the wind strength but, based on how they felt when I was standing still, I estimate the winds were between 30-40 km/h. Perhaps gusting even higher. At one point a gust hit me and it felt as though someone punched me in the chest. And despite the terrain being completely flat, I was in the lowest gear and my average speed dropped below 10 km/h on more than one occasion.

But I continued to pedal. What choice did I have? And eventually, I made it to Whitewood. A small town, with a few services – including a Subway. And so, after pedalling for over seven hours into a very stiff headwind, I was sitting at my third Subway of the day, eating another meatball sub. Seriously, how is that not worth a sponsorship of some sort? Oh, and to go with the sub there may also have been a large blue Slush Puppie.

Yes, it was a good way to end the day. A very long, tiring day. But another good day.

Today’s totals:
Distance travelled: 118.73 km
Ride time: 7:19:37
Average speed: 16.20 km/h
Maximum speed: 27.80 km/h