The 66th message from Canada: Report of stage #38

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Today Michael again experiences some interesting developments:

"I wake up at five o'clock in the morning, courtesy of some very noisy crows outside my tent. I get up to go to the bathroom and then dive back into my tent. I generally sleep well in the tent but wake up every time I want to turn around...

I can't sleep anymore because the crows are too loud. It seems as if they want to tell me something, I'm thinking. Almost immediately the thought enters my mind that it is time for me to continue this journey on my own. I have not been feeling well the last couple of days as many of you have read and I'm grateful for all your good advice. I needed some time to figure out what exactly was going on. First I thought my health was playing a role. I was even considering to go back home. Besides that, I miss my family. However, this morning it suddenly became very clear. Without going into details, I told the guys right away when they woke up that I am going to continue alone. David became angry and stopped talking to me; he put his earbuds in and for once rushed to pack up his things...

Sann seemed to be more understanding saying that he feels the same way and also wants to continue alone after Regina. That initially was my plan as well, but I realize that now is the right time. It makes for a miserable morning and in the end Sann and I bike to Hwy 1 to continue toward Regina. I am totally done with Dave and I wish him good luck and wisdom. Sann also has his doubts, and that is up to him.

Sann wants to bike with me to Regina and I am okay with that. He is a totally different person. I feel quite relieved after I've been biking for an hour. So that was it. From now on: no more companions. I'm done with that!

Now I get the sense that this is my journey again. Of course it still is a serious challenge to be biking these endless plainss, where you really don't want to have a breakdown. Nevertheless my confidence is growing. I am still wondering how it was possible that I didn't figure out right away what the problem was. It is another lesson learned...

Cycling the Prairies is a special experience. Beside the terribly boring and endless views the wind is something special here. It is almost always windy and it can change directions instantly. I had heard of that but it is really something to experience it while riding a bike. The wind can be to your right and then suddenly shift to the left and knock and you off balance.

In Indian Head we decide to have something to eat and drink. We are happy with our progress and so it's nice to take a break. We've already biked 58 km which went fast and quite well. As I walk into the restaurant I lose my daffodil, which is the emblem of the Canadian Cancer Society that I bought in St. John's. There isn't much left of it which can be expected after everything I’ve gone through. I ask for a pin when I explain what I'm doing. They look for one but can't find any. They give me a safety pin. Just as I want to pay my bill, the owner of the restaurant hands me a new daffodil. She had sent someone to the village to get one for me. What a sweet and beautiful gesture! Right away I feel that this is how it is supposed to be.

We continue on and the wind has shifted again. Of course it is against us! We keep biking and I am able to find my rhythm pretty well. At one point Sann and I both start to feel our knees. We have been biking on a light slope for quite a while. It appears flat but it isn't and combined with the wind it is pretty strenuous.

We both have to laugh when we see a crazy Canadian transporting a special cargo. It is a big steel silo that is just standing unsupported on a trailer behind his truck. It is another indication that you have to really be careful biking here. We've seen a lot of crazy things but unfortunately no pictures to show it. About 25 km before Regina we stop again to have a meal. We're both hungry. We end up in a nice little restaurant that takes us back to the 60s. The food is tops!

After we’ve eaten my knees are telling me that they've had enough. I notice a big thunderstorm coming in and just before it reaches us we arrive at the Sleep Inn in White City. A room here cost $125. First we walk out because it is way too expensive. But then we realize that it is for both of us and includes breakfast, which makes it an affordable luxury.

We decide to take the room. After I've had a good shower I write my blog and I go to bed nice and early.

Today we biked about 115 km. In the morning, I will also be saying goodbye to Sann who has been a great cycling companion. I have noticed that I'm feeling much better, apart from that fact that it’s really challenging to be doing this kind of cycling tour."

Han Schomakers,editor

Translation by Sytske van der Veen