Jason here again. We made it to Winnipeg! Wow, what an incredibly challenging ride. It was a non stop 31 degree heat for over 6 hours of bike time. The funny thing is that we thought the day's journey almost over when we made it to Winnipeg's sign (which we of course took a picture of!) We almost forgot what an actual big city is like, as it was another 10k or so to get to the city center.
Winnipeg seems to be a real city; bigger than ottawa's downtown by a hair. It's truly a marvel that such a place exists when just outside the city limit are the endless flat fields. What a stark contrast in landscape and lifestyle.
We found a hotel in the heart of the city and are giving our weary bones a break! And although we didn't arrive in time to see the Tour de France time-trial day on the telly, a kind man from Portage de Prairie who does gentlemen's bike tours down south filled us in on all the details over Tim Horton's lunch break. Thank you! :)
Our plan is to get our clothes smelling nice and our bikes in tip top shape before we make a break for Ontario. The shoes and socks in particular are offensively bad and are in need cleansing. And my bike has almost worn down the back tread while the front tire tread remains defined. We speculate the back tire just gets more weight and even loose spin on the gravel, making it wear out much quicker. Still, our odometers say we've put in around 2800 kilometres since we landed in BC - we are pretty proud of that mileage :)
We hope to upload all the new photos soon if we can find a computer! Nerds out!
Congrats once again, my stinky friends. Crazy progress, that's a lots of kilometers on this journey. What's your plan of attack through Ontario? I hadn't really ever thought about how MUCH eastern Ontario there really is... That's some land to cross. But you're nearly in the home stretch!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how far you guys have ridden so far. It seems almost unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteAre you going through Thunder Bay? A co-worker here from TB suggests you get yourself a Persian - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_(roll). He says get one from "The Persian Man" on Central Ave. It's not far off the highway.
When you get to Sault Ste Marie, get yourself a Panzarotti (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzarotti) from Gino's Family Restaurant on Great Northern Road. It's actually right on the highway (you'll ride right past it) so it should be a convenient stop for you.
If you aren't in the mood for Pizza, get yourself a steak. Go for the 20oz sirloin. They cut those steaks fresh off the carcass at the restaurant. Seasoned with just salt and pepper - they're delicious.
BE CAREFUL on highway 17 through Ontario. It can be a dangerous road. It's often narrow and only a single lane in each direction. Also make sure you've picked out safe places to camp between TB and SSM - there's practically nothing between the two cities and it's a LONG trek. There are moose and bears roaming freely out there so setting up camp in the bush might not be the best idea.
I would suggest a boat as the fastest route. Go from Thunder bay to Toronto in no time.
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, way to go guys. Ontario is just within reach. you can probably smell it. Literally. The stench of smog and smug is probably wafting north as we speak.
Take your time in Peg city and relax. You've earned it. Kick back. Drink a couple of soda pops. Buy some new socks. I'm sure your old ones are barely hanging on by a thread.
Is there anything of note in Winnipeg? Anything fun to do?
Also what happened to Jay's phone? Did it die (battery) and you were working on a one charge this whole way? If so, impressive. If not, then what? Is it broken? Not cool.
What have you guys been listening to music on? ipods? or ur phones? if its your phones, then Jay's rides must suck a lot more these days.
Also, don't worry so much abut bears and moose. There hasn't been a single recorded incident of bear/moose attacks...today.
EDIT: Scratch that, there have been 2 bear attacks, and 7 moose attacks today.
Run Boy! They got a taste for meat now!
You know how after biking all day sometimes ur feet start to smell like carcass? Did I tell u ur hands will smell like that too if ur wearing biking gloves all day?
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