Biker Gang on the Trans Canada

Tim: "hey kid, I see you've got a new hairstyle!"
Me: "What are you talking about? I just took a shower."
Tim: "That's what I mean," laughs, "It's not all greased down anymore. You've got some volume"

I should mention that because shampoo wasn't included in my efficient packing scheme, I'd used the pink soap from the hand cleaning station at the campground to wash my hair. The shower was akin to a pressure washer, removing all the grimy filth built up over the last few days. And, believe it or not, the pink soap really did the trick.

So this story kind of picks up where the last one left off. We kicked it out of Chaplin around 9:30am. The four of us procrastinated for a while, mulling over the effects of headwind brought in by the storm last night. We debated what to do over half a dozen cups of coffee at the local billiards hall, where we chatted with the locals and met crazy ol' weathered guy on a bike. Eventually as the day wore on, we realized that we'd better get moving before the blazing sun melted the skin off our bodies, kind of like that scene front that Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Total Recall. So Kevin led the way, the rest of us drafting off of him and pushing through the angry winds. It was exhilarating; riding in a pack, a gang of cycling nomads all free from the restraints of ordinary life. Definitely one of the best days so far :)


We stopped in the tiny town of Mortlach for lunch at the HollyHock Market, where we were treated to fresh moose stew and paninis. The four of us dined under the shade of an umbrellaed picnic table out back with the lovely store owners, Lois and Clayton, who brought us icy cold water and watermelon. I will say this again: the people in Saskatchwan are amazing. It was a fine lunch break, spent taking about everything under the sun, and we left refuelled and ready to rock out to Moose Jaw.

Once in Moose Jaw we found ourselves in the midst of a jubilant parade. Haha, it was pretty amazing. The local paper reported that "hundred were in attendance". We all agreed that the highlight was the mini-cars and mini-bikes. We schemed about entering ourselves in the parade, since we were a biking gang after all, but then were satisfied with free Canada flags and freezies so we just chilled out from the sidelines.

Now we're in Regina, couchsurfing with Kyla who has a nice little place on Albert Street. Tonight Dad's taking off for the homeland, while I'm headed out to the roller derby with Kyla. So we have reached the end point of our two week cycling stint. It's been a good one, to be sure. I'll miss our conversations about gastrointestinal systems and the logistics of harnessing wind power. We just said farewell to Tim this afternoon; he's looking to cover 150km before sunset.

Word on the street is that all the Trans Canada cyclists will be reuniting for Canada Day revelry in Winnipeg, which means I'm going to be pedaling my little heart out to make it out there for the shenanigans. It's going to be a week filled with 5am wake ups, lots of electrolyte tablets, and hardcore pedalling. I look forward to making new friends, experiencing new landscapes, and eating an outrageous quantity of peanut butter.