Two eyes on the weather forecast and the other two on the skies caused this dynamic duo to spend much of the day trying to determine the best course of action. All ended well, however, and tonight’s post is being composed from the comfort of a chair that is near power outlets and in close proximity to running water!

In spite of a forecast of rain and thunderstorms, we set off from Benito around 10am. The initial plan was to get to Swan River and then, because of the predicted storm, find shelter in a motel. After Chinese food in Swan River, favourable winds lead us to venture away from the town with our eyes set on Cowan (with consistent glances at the clouds). 

Rewriting popular songs to serenade our experiences, new snacks and meeting a familiar face along the road, were just a few things that helped us through this 89 km day. 

Two hours scouting out the best place to set up a tent in Cowan rewarded us greatly as we discovered the door to the Cowan Community Centre was open. 

(Update: while writing this, locals came to the centre to do a bit of clean up before preparation for a future event takes place here tomorrow. They are now trying to figure out how to get the door closed and locked. The day’s mantra—the title of this post—continues and it is by God’s grace that this probable “shouldn’t” ended on a good note.)

(*insert clever line about open doors here*)

Until tomorrow! 

Gerald and Amelia

Eight months of planning culminated with feet on pedals around 12:30 this afternoon as we departed from Togo, Saskatchewan to travel across Manitoba. Ironically, the majority of our 75km day was spent in Saskatchewan, where we disregarded “road closed” signs by choosing to interpret the signs differently. This father/daughter expedition is taking place to raise money for MCC’s relief efforts in Ukraine. Our goal is to raise $5 per kilometre—an amount we recently increased due to the incredible amount of support we have already received. 

This day was made possible by the lovely Bed & Breakfast provided by Cheryl’s cousin in the Duck Mountain’s (thank you Rich and Lindy!) last night. This day was made difficult by the many hills and the need to travel against wind. And this day was made memorable by the views of prairie fields taken from great heights and moments of laughter shared between father and daughter. 

Having arrived in Benito shortly before 9pm, we missed our opportunity to investigate all the local real estate on the market, so it’s a good thing we’re content with our tent. (Although, if we spend too much time here tomorrow, Gerald might consider putting an offer in on the grocery store!) 

Until tomorrow!

Amelia and Gerald

Eight months of planning culminated with feet on pedals around 12:30 this afternoon as we departed from Togo, Saskatchewan to travel across Manitoba. Ironically, the majority of our 75km day was spent in Saskatchewan, where we disregarded “road closed” signs by choosing to interpret the signs differently. This father/daughter expedition is taking place to raise money for MCC’s relief efforts in Ukraine. Our goal is to raise $5 per kilometre—an amount we recently increased due to the incredible amount of support we have already received. 

This day was made possible by the lovely Bed & Breakfast provided by Cheryl’s cousin in the Duck Mountain’s (thank you Rich and Lindy!) last night. This day was made difficult by the many hills and the need to travel against wind. And this day was made memorable by the views of prairie fields taken from great heights and moments of laughter shared between father and daughter. 

Having arrived in Benito shortly before 9pm, we missed our opportunity to investigate all the local real estate on the market, so it’s a good thing we’re content with our tent. (Although, if we spend too much time here tomorrow, Gerald might consider putting an offer in on the grocery store!) 

Until tomorrow!

Amelia and Gerald

After fixing my back tire I finally got on the road at 10:30. Today I am traveling from McGregor to Neepawa. Nice cool temperatures and a favourable wind. Stopped for lunch at Subway.

When I did this trip last year I had to eat outside because of Covid. I cycled in 34 degree weather last year. You don’t forget that very easily. This time I could enjoy the meal inside.

Arrived at Joe and Glenda’s (Cheryl’s cousin) at 5. Total distance for the day was 92 km’s. I feel fairly good but my seat is very tender.

This trip was a way to get in shape for the planned cross Manitoba trip in August. That trip will be a fundraiser for Ukraine through MCC. More details to come.

It was a chance to do a ride into Neepawa again like I did last year for a training trip. In August I plan to tour across Manitoba with my oldest daughter Amelia.

It was an excellent day to ride as far as the temperature goes. But the NW winds were nasty and required extra energy to keep going. I was averaging between 10 to 15 km’s an hour.

Got to Portage at 5 and the plan was to have a chicken meal. So for the last hour all I could think about was that chicken. When I sat in front of that meal I was overcome with such joy. After eating snack food all day I really needed this. Some of my thoughts about this chicken included the following. You died for me so that I could be happy. Thank you chicken. As I gazed about your skin I was filled with a lust and desire one can’t describe. I just want to eat you, oh the joy.

Leaving Portage the winds were not as bad. Getting to McGregor as planned felt very possible. Until I got this feeling of the road being very bumpy. A flat tire and only 10 more km’s to go.

It has been a long time since I experienced a flat on a bike. I very quickly found the pin in the tire that caused the flat. I changed the tire but it didn’t feel right, something was not right. But I just wanted to get to McGregor before dark. After 7 km’s the tire was getting low. Pumping it didn’t help and I couldn’t ride it that way. I didn’t feel like taking everything apart again. So I walked the last 3 km’s. It was 10:30 now and getting dark. To save time I just set up the tent on the golf course. I set it up in the rough, because this was a rough day. Total distance for the day was 132 km’s.

Next morning started with light rainfall on the tent. At least that kept the golfers away. After having breakfast at the golf course restaurant I now need to deal with this tire issue.

Raising money for MCC is the public reason of cycling to Thompson. But there were private reasons for cycling also. In a year of Covid where one couldn’t do much of anything. It was easy to have felt depressed. Biking for me is a way of dealing with depression, bringing a sense of joy and peace. With that in mind I would like to share 3 highlights from my cycling journey to Thompson.

(1) Cycling with my youngest daughter Chantel for the first two days. We did 199 km’s together. That was really special to share that experience.

(2) Cycling through the wilderness in many ways is like experiencing wilderness experiences in our own life’s. Everyone at some point will have some type of wilderness experience to deal with. Not sure what’s ahead, feeling very alone and wanting it too end once your in it.

Before I began my cycling journey into the wilderness, I waited for the right conditions. Taking two full days off, first day was very smoky and there was a North wind. Next day the smoke cleared but there was still a North wind. Finally when I was ready to enter the wilderness, south winds were blowing. In life as much as possible prepare yourself for those wilderness experiences.

I found a place of refuge just when I needed it to have my lunch. A shelter from the rain, a place to eat and enjoy lunch. So it is in living life, we all need to find a place of refuge at different times.

It can get very lonely when cycling in the wilderness. But the amount of encouragement I got from those driving by was amazing. Many waved or gave honks of encouragement. We all need encouragement when we feel alone in the wilderness.

(3) Having Cheryl provide support the first two and last two days of cycling was really special. Stopping every 10 km’s to have a snack together.

Reflecting on this trip as I dream about the next one, I know there are more experiences waiting. Finally, cycling provides a sense of joy that gives me a new perspective on nature and with those you love. So until next time, let’s find ways to encourage each other. Take care.

Day started at 5:45, had breakfast at the Hotel and drove back to Pisew Falls. Started cycling shortly after 8. A light North east wind slowed me down. Of course this is followed with a drizzle and really cool temperatures. Not the way I pictured doing the last 70 km’s.

Cheryl again provided support, such a big help to keep me going.

Arrived in Thompson at 1:30 by bike. On any bike trip you have to enjoy the first and last km the most. Feelings are very different, but they are very special.

After arriving in Thompson we had to catch our 5 pm train to Churchill. So it was a quick changeover and sit on the train for 18 hours. We have just arrived at Churchill.

This cycling journey was also a fundraiser for MCC. My goal was to raise $2 per km with an estimated distance of 780 km’s. (Actual distance was 801 km’s, due to side trip on my day off) Thank you to all those who have donated to MCC. For those who still wish to you can go to my donation page, it will be open until the end of August. Contact me for the link if you wish to donate. Or you can just give me the money in person if that is possible and I can forward it to MCC.

I will do one more blog entry about this trip in the next couple of days. Talking more about my feelings as opposed to just the facts.

When planning a bicycle trip one needs to be flexible and just let things happen. My plan was to meet Cheryl at the same time I would get to Thompson by bike. This would have been on Saturday. Taking an extra day off at St. Martin Junction put everything a day late.

At the end of the cycling yesterday we wanted to find a nice place for night. We ended up driving all the way to Thompson to find a Hotel. On Sunday we planned to meet our daughter at the train station in Thompson. She was taking the train from Churchill, back to Winnipeg. It arrived shortly after 1 and left 2 pm.

From the train station we went back to the Hotel to get ready to bike. We drove 150 km’s back to the point where left the day before.

At 4 I was finally back to cycling. Having Cheryl provide van support was so very helpful. She would have a snack ready for me every 10 km’s. At 9 we arrived at Pisew Falls and ended the cycling day there. Total cycling for this day was 82 km’s.

There is only 70 km’s left to cycle to get to Thompson. Tomorrows plan is to get up early, have the awesome breakfast the Hotel provides. Drive the 70 km’s back to Pisew Falls and finish this cycling trip. Hope to cycle into Thompson by 12 noon. We will be taking the train to Churchill later in the day, it is scheduled to leave at 5. So it will be a full day on Monday.

When you travel through the wilderness, sometimes not much happens. Got on the road by 8 am

Highlights today was talking to a couple of people pulled to the side of the road looking for berries.

Lunch was good.

Best part of the day was finding a full suitcase along the side of the road. I texted Cheryl to make sure she would pick it up. Too bad it was gone by the time she got there. I was hoping for some hidden treasures.

Cheryl met me later in the afternoon. She put all my gear in the van so I could go faster

Total distance today was 176 km’s.

Not sure about tomorrow, calling for thunderstorms. At least I will have Cheryl by my side.

After sitting around for two days it was time to move on. On Wednesday it was way to smoky to cycle. On Thursday it was much better but there was a North wind that I did not wish to battle. Today there was a south wind, little smoke and cool weather that was excellent for cycling.

I did a quick side trip on Thursday to stay in shape. It was 22 km’s long.

When planning this trip I knew that leaving St. Martin Junction and trying to get to Grand Rapids would be the hardest day. I would have to carry enough fuel (water) for the entire day Cooler conditions and a wind that helped was perfect timing. I also had to cycle in the rain for a couple of hours.

A rest area that had a shelter was perfect timing for having my lunch. There was a gas station that serves hot food that was perfect timing for my supper.

I got to Grand Rapids between 7:30 and 8. I really wanted to stay in a Hotel for night. But there is very few options for staying night here. So I am in the tent for this night.

I am very tired from cycling 183 km’s today. I don’t think I cycled that many km’s in one day since I was in my 20’s.

I look forward to Cheryl meeting up with me tomorrow. She will provide van support until I get to Thompson, hopefully on Sunday sometime.