Do we really carry all this on our bikes? It was with some regret that we left our rest day headquarters at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort in beautiful historic downtown Moose Jaw. But before we checked out we managed to sneak in another visit to the steam room and hot pool. While we were soaking up the Epsom and Glauber's Salts, as well as the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, sulphate, boron, bromine, fluoride, silicon, and strontium as trace elements, we had a interesting discussion with an older lady visiting from Winnipeg. As Cam was telling her about our trip, she asked him if Ken was his son! This made Ken feel a lot better about turning 53 this week, especially since a young man working the front desk at a Revelstoke motel had offered him a Senior's discount! (We subsequently found out that the rules around Senior's discounts are quite loosy-goosy, depending on vacancy rates!)
After procrastinating as long as we could, we finally returned to our room and packed up all our stuff. A luggage cart came in handy, since our room was on the third floor. As we loaded our bikes near the hotel staff smoking area, a couple of the staff watched us and commented that we must be serious cyclists because we really looked like we knew what we were doing.
It was around 11:00AM before we finally rolled out of Moose Jaw, heading toward Regina. The sun was shining, the road was flat and the wind was light from the South. We stopped about 28 kms down the road at the small town of Belle Plaine for a late breakfast/early lunch at Chubby's Bar and Grill and Motel. These types of establishments are always interesting and part of the fun and adventure of a trip like this. As promised by a gas jockey at the Esso just outside of Moose Jaw, Cam found the burger to be outstanding!
After procrastinating as long as we could, we finally returned to our room and packed up all our stuff. A luggage cart came in handy, since our room was on the third floor. As we loaded our bikes near the hotel staff smoking area, a couple of the staff watched us and commented that we must be serious cyclists because we really looked like we knew what we were doing.
It was around 11:00AM before we finally rolled out of Moose Jaw, heading toward Regina. The sun was shining, the road was flat and the wind was light from the South. We stopped about 28 kms down the road at the small town of Belle Plaine for a late breakfast/early lunch at Chubby's Bar and Grill and Motel. These types of establishments are always interesting and part of the fun and adventure of a trip like this. As promised by a gas jockey at the Esso just outside of Moose Jaw, Cam found the burger to be outstanding!
Tribute to Ron Lancaster at Belle Plaine, Sask.
The highlight of the afternoon stretch on the road was this tribute to Ron Lancaster, the former Saskatchewan Roughrider's quarterback. We both idolized "Ronnie" when we were growing up, and this sign commemorates his passing yardage record. The distance from this sign to Mosiac stadium equals the passing yards Ron threw in his career (46,710 yards)!
Although we started the day thinking that this was going to be an easy ride, we were reminded once again that there are no easy days... As the day progressed, the wind from the south-east grew and the temperature rose reaching about 27 degrees. We were both dragging as we began to see Regina's downtown on the horizon and we definitely needed a break in spite of riding just 78 kms for the day. Please send nasty comments the next time that we say anything about an easy day!
Although we started the day thinking that this was going to be an easy ride, we were reminded once again that there are no easy days... As the day progressed, the wind from the south-east grew and the temperature rose reaching about 27 degrees. We were both dragging as we began to see Regina's downtown on the horizon and we definitely needed a break in spite of riding just 78 kms for the day. Please send nasty comments the next time that we say anything about an easy day!
Around 3:00PM we limped into a Regina McDonalds desperately in need of a cold drink. After recovering, we headed to the Wascana Lake park located near the Provincial Legislative building. This is a really beautiful area, with huge flower beds and large grass areas. We were interested to read that Wascana Lake had been turning into a bit of a slew in the late 1990's, but was restored through what they dubbed "The Big Dig" during the 2000's, one of the biggest construction projects in Saskatchewan history, and it truly is a beautiful lake and park today.
 The Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly |  The Provincial Gardens |
Cam makes a great snag - numb fingers and all... Although Ken has been carrying a Frisbee with him since we left the West coast, today was the first day that we finally had the time - and the good weather - to make use of it. Ken quickly regained his championship Frisbee form, however, Cam's numb fingers were hindering both his release and his catching. The boys will be working on improving their form over the remainder of the trip whenever they can.
From there it was a short ride through Regina's rush hour traffic (really - that's it?) to the Victoria Park Motor Inn, where as usual, we headed straight to the hot tub! Cam and Ken are looking forward to having separate beds tonight as they have shared a bed each night since the Piapot Saloon. Be assured that they have become very adept at hugging the edge of the bed and avoiding any remote chance of skin contact.
Over supper on a restaurant patio in the sun, they were talking once again about how lucky they are to have the opportunity to do this trip! Apart from the physical exertion - not to be minimized - it is truly a blessing to have a chance to take a break in our work lives and live out this dream.
Tomorrow's ride is longer so they will need to psych themselves up for that. An earlier start will help! Good night everyone!
From there it was a short ride through Regina's rush hour traffic (really - that's it?) to the Victoria Park Motor Inn, where as usual, we headed straight to the hot tub! Cam and Ken are looking forward to having separate beds tonight as they have shared a bed each night since the Piapot Saloon. Be assured that they have become very adept at hugging the edge of the bed and avoiding any remote chance of skin contact.
Over supper on a restaurant patio in the sun, they were talking once again about how lucky they are to have the opportunity to do this trip! Apart from the physical exertion - not to be minimized - it is truly a blessing to have a chance to take a break in our work lives and live out this dream.
Tomorrow's ride is longer so they will need to psych themselves up for that. An earlier start will help! Good night everyone!
Ride Details:
- Distance: 77.6 kms
- Riding Time: 4 hours, 2 minutes
- Average Speed: 19.2 kms
- Wind: Southeast
- Cumulative Distance: 1,857.6 kms
Tomorrow's Destination - Grenfell, SK - 121 kms
- Distance: 77.6 kms
- Riding Time: 4 hours, 2 minutes
- Average Speed: 19.2 kms
- Wind: Southeast
- Cumulative Distance: 1,857.6 kms
Tomorrow's Destination - Grenfell, SK - 121 kms