Day: May 16, 2015

Day 15 – Eagle Valley

Day 15 – Eagle Valley Campgrounds, Maple Creek, SK (May 16, 2015)

I left Medicine Hat a little before 7am and like the previous day made good time for the first hour or so. It occurred to me that perhaps at last the forecast wind direction was wrong. I started making plans to go further that Eagle Valley. Alass before too long the wind picked up.

All I can really say about the day is that the wind was the worst yet. The wind gusts were well above 30km. There were no places to stop and eat along the way. At one time I stopped for a short break and was catching up on the texts to Michelle when the wind took my bike and rolled it right over so it was upsidedown momentarily. All the contents of my handlebar bag were left on the ground.

I made Eagle Valley about 2pm, setup my tent, had a shower, did the laundry and then relaxed over a good meal with salmon and shrimp. The campground was very well organized and well maintained. I likely should have gone further today given the time but the wind takes a lot out both mentally and physically and I couldn’t beat the spot.

Calcium deposits beside a pond. There is no drainage for the water, only evaporation. 12:24 pm 2015/05/16
Ralph, and the contents of my handle bar bag on the ground after the wind flipped it over. 11:14 am 2015/05/16
Prairies. 11:55 am 2015/05/16

BikeTracking, BikeRoute

Day 14 – Medicine Hat

Day 14 – Medicine Hat, AB (May 16, 2015)

I left Brooks with almost no wind and for the first hour or so made relatively good time.  After that the wind picked up but I managed to make the most of it with a good rhythm that kept me from getting too frustrated with the lack of speed; stand-up, sit down with my hand on the bars, sit down upright with the hands on the risers, and repeat every 15 minutes or so.

I decided I’d stop at Suffield.  I think it was the only stop between Brooks and Medicine Hat so it was a no-brainer. I almost missed it. I have to remember that if there is a clump of trees with a number of buildings that’s likely the town.

I had the worst burger for years in Suffield. As I was leaving the cook who was taking a smoke break asked me how the burger was. I lied and he smirked. I can say with some surprise that it didn’t make me sick.

The wind abated as I approached Medicine Hat. I think it may have reversed. It was as if Medicine Hat sucked me in to a vortex.   In the last hour I made very good time.

I stayed at Best Western in Medicine Hat. It was more than I wanted to pay but the campground looked a bit sketchy. The receptionists were nice. Not knowing whether the bike would fit in a normal room they gave me a suite for the same price.  I don’t fully appreciate a suite but I appreciated the place to shower and sleep. I would be happy with a place to

Ralph the bike ready for a bath in the suite. 4:04 pm 2015/05/15
Some Pronghorn. They were much closer to the road when I first saw them but something spooked them. Perhaps I looked like a hunter in my orange raid coat. 11:07 am 2015/05/15
Prairies and the bike. 12:01 pm 2015/05/15
Prairies and the bike. 12:05 pm 2015/05/15

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