We are currently sitting in the non-windy area of the Brandon Public Library and are enjoying it immensely!
We have had quite the tough bike rides since Regina. The day we left Regina, we actually left at noon for a number of reasons: First, there were dark clouds that were passing but it looked like it was going to clear up after a bit. Second, Leah had to change her tube in her bike tire and while she was pumping air into the new one, IT popped so she had to change it again. We realized that was our last spare tube between the two of us, so I took my panniers off and biked into Regina to a bike store. En route, MY back tube popped. Wow, what a series of obstacles! When we looked at my actual back tire in the bike store, we were on the the last threads of the tire! So I bought a new tire and tube plus four extra spare tubes. Finally we were on our way....The winds were against us that day but we prevailed and biked 120km to Grenfell, SA.
We biked across the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border on June 24th! We biked from Grenfell, SA to Virden, MB for a total of 171km, which really didn't seem as tough as the 190 that we had biked to Regina. The winds were from the north - again, please note, not from the west! - but they were not too bad so we kept a good pace.
We had discovered at the Manitoba Welcome Centre that there were thunderstorms waiting for us for the night and then that we would wake up to easterly winds. This weather prediction proved to be true and when we checked the weather report this afternoon, the winds had in fact been 24km/hr east with gusts up to 37km/hr. This was probably one of our toughest days throughout the prairies although we only biked 75km!! We took turns leading for 5km at a time and each 5km leg seemed to be longer than the one before it so we were happy when we reached Brandon.
We're planning on staying here in Brandon for the night and then biking the 207km east to Winnipeg to the Udow's (friends of Katie's) house since the weather is predicted to be sunny with westerly winds 10km-30km/hr (the weather network) or 40-60km/hr (Environment Canada). Either prediction will be fine with us as long as the wind will, in fact, be coming from the west!
** Thinking westerly wind thoughts, until next time **
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6 comments:
Leah..sitting here with Grandma & Grandpa and they have a msg for you..."We are so excited every time we read your messages. I know we are biking with you? Hope we can come to NorthBay , so let us know.The weather was 31 today and to be 34 tomorrow. we hope the wind changes to the west.we are so proud of you and your travelling companions." Love Grandpa & grandma
I think you gotta start drafting transport trucks. Or you girls not going that fast yet?
Just heard on the radio: "From the Vanouver Island to the Alberta highlands, cross the prairies and the lakes ..." - couldn't help thinking of you - good luck with the winds!
Good Luck!!!
May the wind be at your back.........
(Glad you missed the Manitoba tornadoes!)
We'll keep following your progress.
So I was just given a cycling tip from a buddy of mine. He says that a good way to prevent from wrecking a tube while you are replacing it, is to coat the new tube in baby powder. This lubricates the rubber on rubber contact and helps prevent destroying the tubes. He actually carries his tubes in a ziplock bag that is filled with baby powder.
Ian S
Wow, it sounds like you guys are making super good time. I'm still so impressed with this whole endeavour, you have no idea. I was bitching about DRIVING to PEI over the weekend because I had to get up early and pay tolls etc. etc. but obviously I should shut up. Hope that the wind from the west endures all the way to the East coast. And I'm hoping I can meet up with you somewhere here!
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