Stressing about gale force winds in our Homesteader Inn hotel room before we head out...
2,000 kms - one third of the way! As Ken pulled back the curtains to check the weather this morning, he saw rain falling and trees swaying in the strong East wind and thought "worst conditions ever!" Fortunately by the time we rolled up to Vicki's Cafe at the Grenfell Esso the rain had stopped. In fact we didn't get any more rain for the rest of the day, for which we were thankful. The wind, on the other hand, blew in our faces for the entire day at speeds similar to what had blown us from Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw a few days earlier. We knew that this was our penance for having been so fortunate in the western half of the province!
In spite of the strong wind, we passed the 2,000 km mark during the morning - a milestone meaning that we have completed one-third of our our journey across Canada!
In spite of the strong wind, we passed the 2,000 km mark during the morning - a milestone meaning that we have completed one-third of our our journey across Canada!
We ran into David and Kyle in Broadview As we stopped in the town of Broadview for a snack at the one quarter point of the day's ride, we were excited to run into Kyle and David, our two young rider friends from yesterday! Unfortunately, Kyle was having some severe back wheel troubles and had decided to catch the Greyhound bus to Brandon for repairs. First, however, he would have to convince the bus driver to take his un-crated bike - which he was successful in doing. David hadn't started riding yet for the day, and so we invited him to ride with us, which he did for the rest of our day. This was advantageous for both David and ourselves, as it meant a third rider to share in the rotation of breaking the wind. And for David it was much more efficient than riding on his own.
Ken chats with Marc and Adeline Interestingly, we also ran into our French friends, Marc and Adeline, as we were leaving that same rest stop. After having camped in the yard of a church in Grenfell the night before, they were feeling demoralized by the headwind and were looking for a ride East so that they could use the day as a rest day. Their load is very heavy and we hope that they found a rig large enough for all their gear that could take them somewhere restful! Perhaps we will run into them again down the road?!?
David and Ken in "drafting" formation.... The riding arrangement with David worked beautifully for the rest of the day, and we were able to average 18 kms/hour to Moosomin - better than the 17.6 kms/hour we did yesterday - even though the headwind was far stronger today. After Moosomin, David was planning to continue on to the Manitoba border, another 20 km or so before calling it a day. We were more than ready by this point to call it a day and to join a number of Cam's family who call Moosomin home for dinner and catching up. We wish David all the best as he completes his cross-Canada adventure!
Aunt Kae gives Cam a Moosomin welcome! As we entered Moosomin, Cam saw a familiar face waiting in her car by the side of the exit road. His Aunt Kae Germo had come to welcome us and lead us to our accommodation for the night at Raul and Kathy Germo's (Kathy is Cam's cousin - Kae's daughter). Waiting for us at their place were Kae's husband, Uncle Myron, Kathy and Raul and their kids Naomi (17), Shoshanna (14) and Dominic (4) who was the life of the party and very eager to show us (to our delight) the deluxe hot tub he had just come from! Bonus!!!
 Cam, Uncle Myron, Kathy & Raul enjoying an awesome dinner! |  Our good buddy - Dominic wanted to see our bikes! |  Ken getting to know Uncle Tim, Aunt Kae & Aunt Rondi |
Cam's Uncle and Aunt Tim and Rondi Hovdestad arrived soon after and we enjoyed an evening of excellent food and spirited conversation, including some laughs about the time that Cam and Jeff (Kae & Myron's son who met us at the airport in Vancouver) simultaneously fainted while visiting Uncle Tim in the ICU of an Edmonton hospital after a serious accident... Cam awoke just in time to hear a nurse yell "there's two of them!!!".
Cam with Uncle Myron, Aunt Kae, Kathy, Shoshanne, Raul and Naomi (after bedtime for Dominic)
We had a wonderful evening - it is so nice to be able to share our adventure with family. And we are so appreciative of their warm and generous hospitality. You are all our Heros of the Day!
Ride Details:
- Distance: 99.8 kms
- Riding Time: 5 hours, 34 minutes
- Average Speed: 18.0 kms/hour
- Wind: East (strong)
- Cumulative: 2,083.0
Tomorrow's Destination - Brandon, Manitoba - 140 kms
For more ride details, see Stava and for more ride pictures, see our Photo Gallery.
Ride Details:
- Distance: 99.8 kms
- Riding Time: 5 hours, 34 minutes
- Average Speed: 18.0 kms/hour
- Wind: East (strong)
- Cumulative: 2,083.0
Tomorrow's Destination - Brandon, Manitoba - 140 kms
For more ride details, see Stava and for more ride pictures, see our Photo Gallery.