Due to poor cell service our latest post is delayed. Please check back later today.

*Disclaimer: This post was written in the evening of August 6 and is meant to be read as such. Posting was delayed due to limited internet. Thanks to Subway for the decent seating and to all of you (our wonderful readers) for your patience.*

It never fails to amaze us how generous people can be. Sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation and strangers are pulling out their wallets to support MCC’s relief efforts in the Ukraine. It is humbling and truly inspiring. 

Lugging loaded bikes around is often the start of these conversations and is also a great way to meet people. Yesterday we met a gentleman that is travelling to Vancouver on a dirt bike using back roads. Steve started in Ottawa and is hoping to get to Vancouver by October. There are so many fascinating people in this world! 

It turns out that spending an extended period of time with the same person will not only teach you all the little things that drive them crazy, but will also give you multiple inside jokes and provide further ammunition to make them laugh and smile. 

During side by side riding (when safe to do so) and in-tent conversations, Gerald and Amelia have been sharing their knowledge with one another. For example, Gerald can now understand the difference between “your” and “you’re” and Amelia can point to the direction of the wind when given a report. Small things like these are making this trip memorable and (as a bonus) educational!

We left The Narrows around 11:30am and stopped in Ericksdale for a hot meal around 4:30pm. When we were refuelled, we embraced the calm of highway 68 on our way to Poplarfield. The cars were sparse which allowed us to ride side-by-side without worry. The wind whispered, birds sang and grass waved in the limitless space. Peace was upon us. We could have very well been the only people on the planet—all alone—yet we felt far from lonely. 

The total distance covered today was 108kms, bringing us to an even (as Gerald would say) 555kms overall. (Inside joke. Sorry!) 

We are now dead tired, so we are sleeping in a cemetery west of Poplarfield in order to make all of Gerald’s dreams come true. 

There was another lesson to be learned just before we went to sleep. After we were settled in our sleeping bags, we learned that the property our tent was set up on belongs to Amelia’s friend’s family! This news brought about a feeling of connection—to the land and to those around us—as we realized how small our very large world can be. 

With this new knowledge we were really able to Rest In Peace. 

Gerald and Amelia

P.S. Good news! We have started to frequent food establishments that have fly swatters already provided!

Mosquitos threatened to massacre as we invaded their dwelling. We could not be deterred however; boldly, we drowned our skin with mosquito spray to finish the task of establishing our temporary lodging. When we settled down to sleep, our bikes were fittingly tucked in amongst the shells of sunflower seeds, sheltered by the label reading “Home.”

Neither of us slept very well last night, but we both saw diamonds when we woke up!

We left the baseball diamond by 7:45am and headed to Corrina’s on Main for breakfast. What started as a response to an innocent inquiry about our travels resulted in meeting the owner of the restaurant (Corinna herself!), having our photo taken and receiving a very generous donation.

Moments like these have been unexpected and humbling. While few donations have been accompanied with a complimentary breakfast and a call for local communities to contribute to our cause, every donation (no matter the amount) is fully appreciated and makes a difference. Thank you to everyone that has contributed! If you have not yet done so, but wish to support MCC’s efforts in the Ukraine, you can do so here: https://donate.mcccanada.ca/registry/bike-manitoba-border-border

Dauphin was certainly a city of sunshine for our short stay. The rest of our day also happened to be quite sunny and (as Gerald the weather checker banked on) windy—in just the right direction. Shortly after leaving Dauphin we turned east and found cruise control. We stopped for lunch in Ste. Rose du Lac and then continued on our way.

Pedalling with wind support came and went over the 121 km completed today. We found cruise control and lost it again, one could say…

But our efforts were not in vain! We arrived in The Narrows around 8pm, just in time to buy something to eat and watch the sunset. We are already just over half way done our journey—having complete 447 kms of our projected 890!

On another note, Amelia discovered what it means to have ants in your pants today, literally! She will be keeping an eye out for ant hills the next time she looks for a washroom. Oh, and Gerald is still not clean… 

Also accepting donations of nose plugs,

Gerald and Amelia

Gerald is a professional weather checker. It is a skill that he doesn’t flaunt, but he utilizes quite frequently—especially when bicycling across Manitoba with his daughter.

Gerald is also good at making plans eight months in advance and then changing them the day the plans are to be implemented. 

Gerald’s carefully constructed original plan was altered today in favour of a route that would not send us headlong into 20 km winds. The winds change and so must we. That is why we did not go to Manipogo beach today, but instead find ourselves in Dauphin, Manitoba. 

(The construction zone sign situated at the beginning of the route we were going to take may have also contributed to the change of plans…)

Biking brings about time to think and opportunities for honest conversations between riders. Gerald helped Amelia realize the potential that could accompany a change in her conflict management style. Reflecting on recent events also brought about a realization that everyone changes and change can be healthy and good. 

Changing our plans for today ended up being very good. 

After cycling nearly 60 km, we parked our bikes outside a Boston Pizza in Dauphin. Inside, we had a lovely meal complete with a pitcher of water (to share), a football game (for Gerald) and a fly swatter (also to share)! We discussed how comfortable we were being at Grandma and Grandpa’s last night and how privileged we felt to have witnessed their ongoing hospitality towards family (even when they show up unexpectedly). 

We then laughed over the uncertainty of tonight’s lodgings as the sun quickly set. 

Come back tomorrow to learn more about the home we found for tonight! (For legal reasons we do not wish to disclose our current location until tomorrow.)

Quote of the day: “I don’t want to be clean. I get used to the feeling and then I want it all the time.” -Gerald

Your friends that don’t like flies,

Gerald and Amelia

Watery, tasteless, warmed goo (aka dried whole egg powder) started our day. The protein rich component of our breakfast was not very palatable and as a result food became an invaluable commodity for the rest of the day. We filled up our water bottles from the taps at the community centre and didn’t realize the black flecks floating under the lids until later. These preliminary events can be used as context to further understand the appreciation felt for acts of kindness experienced later on…

We left our impromptu lodging at 9:30am (cleaning up our egg fiasco took a bit of time) bound for Camperville. Over the next two and a half hours worship music wove around us and the wind whistled at our backs. 

Around 5 km from Camperville, a grey Honda Civic slowed down beside Gerald and the couple inside started talking to him. We learned later that Cory and Laura had seen us cycling the previous day when we were near the Minitonas junction. They were heading home to Pine Creek First Nation (near Camperville). “Would you like some water?” they asked before stating, “well come to our house!”

Many things happened in the following 10 minutes. First, a white Ford Max with a familiar looking driver was seen travelling in the other direction. We were both pleasantly surprised to see Cheryl’s sister emerge after the vehicle pulled over and we offered sweaty hugs to Amelia’s two cousins. About 5 minutes later, another vehicle of family members (heading home from a recent gathering) was spotted and we waved each other to a halt in order to exchange more sweaty hugs, smiles and conversation. In the time it took for these two mini family reunions, Cory and Laura found us again, this time laden with three water bottles and inquiries as to whether we would like more. We received a total of seven bottles of water from Cory and Laura, along with two ziplock containers of fresh grapes and cut strawberries. Furthermore, Laura had every intention of buying us lunch, but the only restaurant in town was closed due to a power outage. The kindness shown to us by people we did not know was humbling and inspiring. Thank you Cory and Laura for your incredible generosity!

People powered the day—both those that we just met and those we have known for many years. Our family members had not needed to travel through Camperville, but they made a point of detouring to see us on our journey. 

The blessings of family continued this evening. We had supper at Gerald’s sister’s place in Winnipegosis (arriving there at 5:30pm) and are spending the night at Cheryl’s parent’s place. 

104km was the final odometer count of the day and both of these tired cyclists are grateful to have finally accessed a shower! 

Feeling refreshed and exceptionally blessed,

Gerald and Amelia

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.