CCCT 2012 - June 23/12 - Day 35

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - Day 35
Chaplin to Caronport, SK. Trip 65.15 kms Time 3 hrs 53 mins Max 40.5 kph
I woke up several times during the night because of the train horn blast at 2 crossings, animals fighting, highway traffic noise, etc. Neither of us heard my wrist watch alarm go off at 6:00 AM! but we were up at 6:05 just the same. We had yogurt, banana and a small carrot muffin for breakfast.  We finished packing our gear and tent after using the restaurant facilities. We stopped at the gas station convenience store for water and Gatorade before setting off for CARONPORT at 7:40 AM.

Sam and his Flame Thrower

Striped squirrel at bird feeder

Ben, Erika, Eva, Ida-Marie and Sam

At times there was no paved shoulder, other times it was quite rough. There were no facilities on the highway between Chaplin and Caronport. We did see a sign for a picnic Table at 2 KM. I said to Bev that that would be our next stop. We next saw a sign for a picnic Table with CLOSED under it. We both thought this was hilarious. How can you CLOSE a picnic table!!! Not much to see except rolling hills and the occasional duck pond. We stopped several times to give our hands and butts a break and to have snacks. 
We arrived in Caronport at Sam and Erika's at noon. I rang the door bell. There was no answer! I went around the back and found Sam catching a few ZZZs on the rear deck lounger. Erika was having a shower. We unloaded our gear and put our bikes away in the garage. We had a cold drink on the rear deck while watching a great variety of birds come to the bird feeders including some squirrels with stripes on their backs. Erika fed us lunch. A nice turkey noodle casserole with a spinach and strawberry salad. We chatted for awhile, showered and got our laundry started before going for a walk around the village. It was quite hot and sunny. The kids were playing under the sprinklers at the new water park. Sam showed us around the college where he worked as a pastor youth councilor. We returned to the house for a cold beer before Sam fired up the BBQ and grilled some very tasty hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. Erika prepared coleslaw, potato salad and the toppings for our burgers. 
Ida-Marie (Sam and Erika's daughter) came over with her 2 children Eva (6) and Ben (2). We had a lovely dinner out on the rear deck. While playing, Eva lost her front tooth, which was quite loose, in the grass. Ida, Eva and Ben were all down on their hands and knees looking for it. Luckily it was found thus avoiding a "Tooth Fairy" disaster. Erika also had some Saskatoon Berry pie with frozen yogurt for dessert. 
After dinner, we all gathered out in front of the house so I could take some "family" photos. I went off to pack my things to prepare for an early morning departure. Bev played cards before coming down to do her packing. I got her to put some "After Bite" on the bites on my back. She checked her e-mail and we were soon off to bed at 10:30 PM.
Bev and Roly

CCCT 2012 - June 22/12 - Day 34

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Friday, June 22, 2012 - Day 34
Swift Current to Chaplin, SK. Trip 93.87 kms Time 5 hrs 44 mins Max 37 kph
We were up at 6:00 AM and after a quick breakfast of yogurt, banana and a small carrot muffin we packed our gear on our bikes and set off for CARONPORT at 7:15 AM. The first 20 kms went well as it was very calm with no traffic to speak of. Only the occassional small Prairie Dog (which I was later to find out are really a species of squirrel) to break up the monotony of clear blue skies and one hill after another. By 11:00 AM the wind out of the East had picked up and this plus several tough hills and the heat all combined to slow us down. Also I was having problems with constant numbness in my hands and Bev was having some pain in her foot. We stopped several times for "butt breaks" and snacks, etc. Finally by 2:00 PM we had reached CHAPLIN, SK, (about 60 kms from Caronport) where there were some "facilities". We decided to check out the Hotel/Motel. We had a little trouble finding it as there were no signs indicating where it was located in the small village. Eventually after asking for directions several times we found it. A double room for the night was $85 (including taxes). I asked for a discount but the manager wouldn't budge. We decided to camp for the night instead. It was only $10. No showers. No nothing. We were not far from a restaurant and a gas station/convenience store. So that would have to do. We set up our tent, etc. I called my friends in Caronport and spoke to Erika to let her know where we were and that we would arrive Saturday around 12:00 noon. We tried out the Watkins Insect Repellant that I purchased at MEC before leaving Ottawa. It was highly recommended to us by Bev's friend Nancy. It really worked well. Just a small amount on exposed skin and the mosquitoes would come near but would not land on us. Amazing stuff!!! I lay down for a "siesta" while Bev walked over to the gas station to check it out. She later joined me for a short nap before getting up at 5:30 PM and walking over to the restaurant for pizza (it was $2.00 off night) and carrot cake. After dinner we went for a short walk around the camp site. There was not much to see. Earlier we had seen a fox but there was no sign of it now. We were back in our tent at 8:00 PM and off to sleep at 9:00 PM. Bev seemed to have no trouble falling asleep. I stayed up to count the number of trains, trucks, etc. that kept me awake for most of the night.
Bev and Roly 

CCCT 2012 - June21/12 - Day 33

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Day 33
Piapot to Swift Current, SK. Trip 111.72 Time 6 hrs 28 mins Max 42.6 kph
I managed to sleep through until 4:30 AM in spite of the "springy" mattress. I had to get up because of leg cramps. After a few minutes of "hopping" around they subsided and I was able to go back to bed. We got up at 7:00 AM. Bev was up first and warmed up the breakfast sandwiches of ham and eggs on a cheese bun that Glen had prepared for us the night before. They were very tasty. we were all packed and ready to go by 7:45 AM but couldn't figure out how to get out of the Guesthouse. The door to the "SALOON" was locked. The side entrance door at the bottom of the back stairs was alarmed and we were afraid to set it off. We could hear someone using a weed whacker out back. Finally I decided to ignore the alarm and opened the door. NO ALARM!!! I went around the front of the hotel, along the side and finally around the back and found our bikes leaning up against the back of the hotel. Glen was in the garage sorting things out. He was surprised I didn't know that we were supposed to leave by the side door. A small detail that they had neglected to tell us about the night before!!! They are new at this and still have a lot to learn.

Above 2 photos a Goshawk nest

Site of Goshawk nest along Hwy # 1

A nice painting in the WestWind Motel office

We loaded our gear on our bikes after Glen and I brought them around to the side entrance. We set off for SWIFT CURRENT at 7:50 AM. It was a beautiful, sunny and calm day (no tail wind). We stopped in Tompkins and Gull Lake, etc. We saw a little Prairie Dog doing back flips before scooting off into the tall weeds at the side of the highway. We stopped to take photos of a Goshawk nest which was about 20 yards from the side of the highway. Bev managed to start a cattle stampede. Not sure why they stampeded when they saw her coming on her bike??? While we were cycling we passed a bird's nesting area along the side of the highway. Suddenly a black bird (possibly a Grackle) started harassing us. She continued swooping and squawking at us for several hundred meters. Neither of us dared look up Then suddenly we heard a loud "SPLAT" between the 2 of us. We had been "bombed" but luckily he/she had missed or was it just a warning shot???
We arrived in Swift Current at 5:00 PM. We stopped at a DQ before checking in at the WestWind Motel. We walked to a nearby mall and bought some groceries at a CO-OP. Apparently you need a customer number in order to shop there but after we explained that we were just passing through on our cycle trip across Canada the cashier punched in a "guest code" and allowed us to pay for our groceries. There was a pub in the mall so we went in for a beer and the waitress brought over some "dry ribs" for snacking on.
We returned to our motel for a dinner of cold cuts, macaroni salad and mini cinnamon rolls. I checked my e-mail and FB and filled in my journal while Bev watched TV. She was very tired and off to bed by 9:30 PM. She was all packed and ready for an early morning departure.
Roly and Bev

CCCT 2012 - June 20/12 - Day 32

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - Day 32
Medicine Hat, AB, to Piapot, SK. Trip 127.73 kms Time 6 hrs 16 mins Max 50.2 kph

Find Serbio. He is happy to be in SK

The Piapot Guesthouse & Saloon

Piapot Main St. looking West

We were up at 6:00 AM and did some packing before walking across the road to an A&W for breakfast. Afterwards we finished packing and loaded our gear on our bikes before setting off for WALSH, AB, at 7:45. Walsh is the last town in Alberta before crossing over into Saskatchewan. The motel manager, a Chinese fellow, came out to collect the room key and wish us a safe journey. He said he was "envious" of our cycling trip. It was a pleasant ride all morning. A bit overcast with a nice tail wind. We stopped along the highway at 11:00 AM for a snack before arriving at the Walsh Visitor's Center at 12:10 PM. A young guy working at the V.C. said he passed us on his way into work and he was quite impressed at how quickly we managed to cycle to the V.C. He didn't have any information on SK except to tell us there was an information center at Maple Creek 40 kms down the road. Bev went over to the nearby service station and came back with 2 delicious date squares. We sat at the picnic table outside the V.C. and ate them before setting off for MAPLE CREEK.
We stopped again after another 20 kms or so for a sandwich. There was nowhere to find shelter from the wind. We arrived at the V.C. at 1:45 PM. Bev paid $2.00 each for SK pins. We were told there were several motels in Maple Creek 10 kms south on Hwy 21 or a Guesthouse/Bar in PIAPOT 24 kms further along at $45/night. We decided to go on to Piapot. The V.C. lady called ahead to let them know we were on our way.
Just as we were about to set off for Piapot a terrific downpour started. We waited for about 15 minutes until it let up. Bev was smart to put her rain gear on. I had to stop a couple kms up the road to put my rain covers on my GPS/computer and handle bar bag. It started pouring down again with a strong tail wind. I was doing 30 + kph. Bev was having trouble keeping up. The rain stopped and Bev stopped to take her jacket off after climbing a long hill. The rain started again then stopped. We turned off the hwy for Piapot. It was a bit of a "ghost town"!!! WE found what appeared to be the Piapot Guesthouse and Saloon near a railway crossing. Nicole, the manager, came out to welcome us and help us with our bags and to put our bikes in the garage for the night.
Several people arrived just as we were checking in. Eventually Nicole was able to take us up the back stairs to show us our room. But first of all we had to get past the two dogs and the partially assembled motorcycle in the "living room/sewing room". There was no TV and the washroom was across the hall. After stowing our gear in our room we went back down to the "saloon" for a cold beer before returning to our room for a pre-dinner nap. We went back down at 6:00 PM. This time I brought my Notebook along with me as I noticed there was wi-fi. I just needed the security code to get logged on. Glen, Nicole's partner, was glad to provide me with the necessary code. I was able to check my e-mail and work on my blog while waiting for dinner. We both had delicious cheeseburgers with a BBQ sauce, fried onions, yam fries and onion rings. We had a nice chat with Nicole and Glen (who was originally from Stittsville) before going off to bed at 10:00. They usually close the bar at 8:00. The mattress was very "springy" so I found it difficult to get comfortable before finally falling asleep. Thank goodness there were no trains during the night - at least none that I heard.
Bev and Roly

CCCT 2012 - June 19/12 - Day 31

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - Day 31
REST DAY
We decided to have a "Rest Day" and slept in until 8:30 AM at which time the maid came by and knocked on our door. We hadn't put out the "Do Not Disturb" sign and she didn't see our bikes outside the room so she assumed we were gone. We told her we were having a "Rest Day" because of the rain. I got up and started breakfast which was Greek yogurt, 1/2 a banana, oatmeal and hot chocolate that Bev prepared. I checked my e-mail and sent a note to Sam and Erika re arriving in Caronport in approximately 5 days. I worked on Day 20 of our blog. Sorted and packed my laundry. We had BBQ chicken sandwiches and a cookie for lunch. Worked on Day 21 of blog. Watched a movie with Cuba Gooding Jr. Had a nap from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Checked my e-mail again and received a reply from Erika re our visit. We got ready to go out for dinner. It was overcast and spitting out. We walked over to the Country Restaurant near a PetroCan and McDs. It started pouring down with thunder and lightning while we ate our dinner. Bev had salmon with a Bearnaise sauce, baked potato and veggies. I had pot roast, red potatoes and veggies. We both asked for "Senior's Portions". There was pumpkin pie a la mode for dessert. Tea was extra. We waited half an hour until the skies cleared up and the rain stopped before walking back to our motel. There was a power failure so no TV, no wi-fi, etc. Fortunately the power came back on so after half an hour so we were able to watch TV. We packed our gear for an early morning departure. Bev made some PBJs for tomorrow's lunch before going to bed at 10:00. 
Bev and Roly

CCCT 2012 - June 18/12 - Day 30

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Monday, June 18, 2012 - Day 30
Bow Island to Medicine Hat, AB. Trip 59.20 kms Time 3 hrs 10 mins Max 42.3 kph

Trying to outrun the storm

A view of the Alberta countryside

Clear skies again

I had to get up at 5:30 AM because of a cramp in my left outer shin. I shook it out and got back in bed. We got up at 7:00 and after breakfast I took my panniers off my bike and flipped it over so I could check my brakes. The rear disc was rubbing and needed some adjusting. I put my bike back on its wheels and re-loaded my panniers. We left at 8:30 AM for MEDICINE HAT. As we were crossing the loose gravel in the parking lot I found a Looney. Rather than cycle several hundred meters on the gravel road up to the highway we pushed our bikes across the ditch and up the grassy embankment. We hadn't gone very far (3-4 kms) when it started raining. We stopped to put our rain covers on our computers and handle bar bags. It was just a light shower which kept up for 25 + kms then cleared up and became sunny. There were no facilities in Seven Persons. As a matter of fact we only saw one person cutting his grass. His dog, a Saint Bernard Mix, decided to give chase. It came bounding down the highway and caught up to Bev who was yelling at me to stop as the dog kept coming after me. I stopped and so did the dog. It was quite friendly. By this time Bev had gotten the owner's attention and he ran to get on his Quad bike and came tearing out up onto the highway to rescue his dog named Lucy. He was quite concerned that she would get hit by a vehicle as his neighbours dog had recently suffered an unfortunate encounter on the highway. A bit we later we saw a coyote cross the highway. He stopped in the ditch to check us over. A trucker passed by and bliped his air brakes. The coyote shot off across the field like he had a rocket up his ass!!  It was like a scene out of the Road Runner. I guess this is what truckers do for entertainment!!! We certainly found it amusing. We stopped for a break at 10:00 AM and shared a banana and a granola bar. We stopped again at 11:00 for PBJs and arrived in Medicine Hat at 12:00 PM. There were several motels at the edge of town. While stopped at the side of the road discussing our options a guy in a city sweeper truck stopped to offer help. We decided to check in at the Sun-Dek Motel at $50 + taxes (reg $55). We had to wait 10-15 minutes while the maid finished cleaning the room. I walked over to a "Liquor Store" for some cold beers. By the time I got back our room was ready and Bev had already moved our bikes. After unloading our bikes I emptied one of my large rear panniers so Bev could go do some grocery shopping. I checked out the wi-fi and filled in my journal. While doing this I had the door open and a little mini ground hog came in the room. I told him to get lost as this room was already taken. He took off looking for another room. As he went along he checked out the cigarette butt pots. I later found out that he went into a room that the maid was cleaning and gave her quite a fright. Bev came back from getting groceries, put them away, showered and went off to start a load of laundry. I was feeling rather cold so got under the covers for a nap. I got up at 6:00 PM and showered. This helped to warm me up. We warmed up the BBQ chicken, that Bev had picked up at the grocery store, for dinner and had it with potato salad and a beer. I worked on Day 19 of my blog. I had trouble adding photos. Took 2 extra strength Tylenol and put some ICY/HOT cream on my shoulders and left knee. I did some reading while Bev watched TV until midnight.
Bev and Roly

CCCT 2012 - June 17/12 - Day 29

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Sunday, June 17, 2012 - Day 29
Lethbridge to Bow Island, AB. Trip 113.94 kms Time 4 hrs 59 mins Max 37.6
In spite of yesterday's fall I was feeling much better. We were up at 6:00 AM and went over to the "OFFICE" for our free breakfast. There were only 2 other persons in the breakfast room besides the receptionist and her partner. I think they were also the new owners. I had a toasted bagel with cream cheese and jam, OJ and yogurt. I also took a carrot muffin and a hard boiled egg for later. Bev just had yogurt and a muffin and a small OJ and a hard boiled egg for later.
Once again we had a terrific tailwind, fantastic paved shoulder and perfect weather all the way to BOW ISLAND. We stopped in TABER at a McDs for egg and bacon McMuffin for me and breakfast burritos for Bev. I had to help Bev finish 1/2 a burrito. I put some salsa on it and ended up having heart burn for several hours afterwards. We passed through several small towns on the way to Bow Island but once again there were no facilities. We eventually stopped at a closed service station to get some shade and have lunch. We arrived at the Visitor's Centre in Bow Island at 2:00 PM and asked about motels, groceries, etc. There were only two motels to chose from, a convenience store and a restaurant. Not a hell of a lot going on in Bow Island. We chose the Silver Sage Motel as it also had a bar/restaurant. We could see a storm approaching from the West  so had to make a run for it. It started raining just as we arrived at the motel while we were checking in. We just managed to get our bikes in our room (without unloading our gear) before the skies let loose. It really thundered down for 15-20 minutes. Once the storm passed Bev walked back to the VC where there was a nearby convenience store but there was not much to choose from. I was able to get a wi-fi connection in spite of the motel manager telling me there was no wi-fi available. We went over to the bar for a pint of beer and asked the bar tender to put the US Open on which she obligingly did. We were the only two customers in the bar. We returned to our room and after getting cleaned up returned to the restaurant for dinner at 6:00 PM. We had been told that the restaurant closed at 8:00 PM. Bev ordered chicken with Feta cheese spinach stuffing and a wine sauce with a Greek salad, rice and  roasted potatoes. I had a garden salad and Fish and Chips with broccoli. We both had a glass of Sawmill Creek Merlot. Very nice. For dessert we shared some apple pie with a hot rum sauce and 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. The restaurant was very busy but in spite of that we had excellent service and enjoyed our meal. We went back to our room and finished watching the US Open. It was very disappointing for Furyk who lost out to a very happy young Simpson. I was to tired to work on my blog. Also managed to get quite a sun burn on my arms and legs from being out in the sun and wind all day. Should have put some sun block on!!! Off to bed at 9:00 PM after taking my pills and putting some ICY/HOT cream on my shoulders and my left knee.
Bev and Roly