Sandi and Lewis' ride across Canada

Day 21, 22 Craik to Regina Distance: 131 km Temp: Hot This was our last ride day until our rest day, so we were all anxious to get it down so we could get on with the serious business of R and R. The button-pusher/friend in our galley crew was booking a stay in a motel in Regina, so Lewis and I jumped at the idea, thinking that we well deserved a stay indoors, on a soft bed, with a clean shower that didn’t come with winking crawly things that rappel down the wall. Luckily Tailwig decided to join us on our ride, making it a more expeditious journey than if his cousin Hedwig had been keeping us company; although it was still long enough to frustrate some (in this coming week we will be doing 903 km before our next rest day, with a daily average of 151 km whereas this week it was 138 km daily average.) Anyhow, we eventually reached Regina. If not a native of Regina, one cannot help but feel like you’re saying a naughty word every time you say it; numerous jokes have been made around camp,...

Day 20 Outlook to Craik, Saskatchewan Distance: 125km Temp: Rainy in the morning and hot afternoon Since we were on galley duty breakfast this morning we were last to leave (today being a genuine excuse for leaving late.) Due to our hammer-fest yesterday, our legs begged for mercy; we had no other choice this time but to defer. I was feeling pretty good, but Lewis had had the biscuit and was feeling somewhat meditative and wanted to ride alone. I rode with a guy who had been riding with us for quite a while in the Rockies; he is on our galley duty, and was the one with whom I had a falling out over regarding the galley duty. We had both been sulking and playing the ‘silent treatment’ game, but had hashed it our and made up this morning. Nothing like being on a trip where your physical and mental boundaries are pushed passed their known limits to bring about emotional outbursts, and resolution. I don’t think therapy would be as successful as this-but who else would subject themselves t...

Day 19 Kindersley to Outlook Distance: 154 km Temp: measured 40 degrees on the road Amazingly my legs were on deck today, and ready for action. I hauled them into my office last night (my tent) and gave them a good talking to. Some harsh words were exchanged and they threatened to call the union, but we were able to come to an amenable agreement. Luckily Lewis’ legs were also in the mood for some fun; so we hammered it for most of the day, coming into camp second! (He left way before us, and we caught all the other early riser and early leavers.) The weather was hot and dry, becoming quite oppressive at times, but the roads were generally flat and fast moving, except for most of the morning where we had our trusty sidekick the headwind, now come to be known affectionately as ‘Hedwig.’ Hedwig; our reliable companion who is at our heads more than we’d care to think about and at our tails not nearly enough. I am way more fond his Hedwig’s cousin, Tailwig, who sometimes drops by for a visi...