81.7 miles, 790 ft ascent
A strategic mistake resulted in my having no down sleeping bag in which to sleep last night. Because I was on galley crew, it was 20:00 by the time all was cleaned up, and I got back to my tent. I had set the tent next to a pond. Big mistake! Although my sleeping bag had been completely dried out in the sun in the afternoon, mist generated by the pond had soaked it in the early evening. I should have put the bag in the tent, once it dried, but I was busy preparing dinner (Polish sausages in a bun with sauerkraut - Big hit with riders), serving and cleaning up. I stuffed the down sleeping bag and used a flannel sleeping bag liner instead, sleeping fully clothed in a sweat suit. I will be sure to set the tent back further from the water in coming days.
Consecutive days of long distances are possible by the cycling friendly Canadian weather. The cool weather here this time of year is ideal for riding. Most mornings are in the low 50sF when we wake, and the day warms to higher 50sF by the time we ride. By getting out early, one can rack significant mileage before the afternoon heat, which can rise to anywhere from the 60sF to the 90sF. Our highs are in the 70sF and 80sF lately. With lower humidity than at home in Tennessee, riding has been very comfortable. As a result, I am drinking far less water in the mornings, but finding locations with services and sources of water in the afternoons can be problematic. Riding into Regina I rode 25 miles in the afternoon heat after my water had run out, a tactical error. I had hoped to see gas stations on the outskirts of Regina, a major city, but because the population density in Canada is relatively low on our route, there were no gas stations outside of the city proper. Live and learn here in Canada.
Well I spoke too soon about the excellent cycling weather conditions. Hah! Today was our most difficult day weather wise on the tour so far. We cycled continually into a strong headwind that slowed everyone down, so most riders pedaled late into the afternoon, despite today's lower mileage. The intense sun with a temperature of 91F made riding into the headwind morale breaking. A strong rider just back from COVID actually hitchhiked the last 20 miles. Our two British "rider guides" were exhausted from the heat that they don't experience in the UK. I was the last to leave camp, as I had galley duty at breakfast, and the sun sapped me dry. Today's difficult conditions made me thankful for the previously excellent riding conditions which have been much more frequent. You can get an idea of the strength of the headwind by viewing the Canadian and Ukrainian Flags flying in the picture below.
We left Saskatchewan and entered Manitoba, our fourth Canadian Province and the Central Time Zone today! The image on the border sign below is the Human Rights Museum.
In 2016 there were an estimated 1.3 million persons of full or partial Ukrainian origin residing in Canada, the majority of those being Canadian born citizens. These numbers make Canada the world's third largest Ukrainian population behind Ukraine itself, and Russia. Provinces having the largest percentage of Ukrainians are prairie provinces. 14.5% of Manitobans and 13.4% of Saskatchewanians are of Ukrainian descent. Of course, that makes sense, because the climate and agriculture of the Canadian prairie provinces mimic those of Ukraine.
Yet more extreme weather coming tonight! Reported to expect 1 inch of rain in tonight's thunderstorm starting at 21:00. The rain fly porthole tear has been repaired, as you see below, and it is ready to resist the inclement weather ahead!
Apologies for the scant number of photos today. Photos opportunities were fewer on the prairie, and the headwind required iron determination to keep pedaling!
Come visit tomorrow to see the newest province on our tour, Manitoba!
Hang in there, Jim! I hope your weather improves soon.
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