The couple just married under a year are Deb and Carlin. They began in Vancouver as well and will be going to Halifax. They are two teachers doing it for the challenge and to raise money to promote fitness and well being. Visit their website. Remember the woman at the top of Allison submit that gave me a banana and was looking for two cyclists? Well these were the two! They had rode past the campsite that day. Turns out we've been riding almost the same route since Vancouver and probably haven't been too far apart all along.
The older gentleman I never did see this morning (he started after we left), but I understand he was to do a tour with his son who was then accepted into university and had to postpone so his father went on to do a smaller tour alone.
Anyhow we all set out at 6:30am, far earlier than I have yet to do, to a nice tailwind. I hadn't rode with anyone on this tour yet let alone anyone back home on a regular basis. Riding with group is a whole new set of challenges. These three were familiar with the concept of drafting where cyclists ride in a tight line and take turns switching to the front. This allows the leader to break any headwinds but put the most effort in while the followers try to stay close in a line relative to the direction of the oncoming wind. If you watch bike racers you'll see them do it. Geese follow the same concept with their flying v.
These three kept an amazing pace. I was certainly humbled and had to push myself to keep up but I welcomed the challenge. We had great tailwinds for most of the ride and I spent most of the time watching the rear wheel of the rider in front of me while trying my best to stay close and take advantage of the draft. The times I did glance about I saw lazy hills everywhere and farms. Nothing I hadn't become familiar with.
We stopped in Swift Current for a break and shopping. By this time we had covered 50 km and it was barely 9am. There were a lot of Amish folks shopping at the mall. The younger ones, while still donning the proper attire, had sunglasses and baseball hats on. I found that mildly amusing as I ate a luxurious bowel of cheerios with cold milk on the sidewalk outside a Bulkbarn. One Amish youth jokingly asked me if he could have some cheerios. I hope I get a chance to camp near some in Ontario (Amish, not cheerios), they are an interesting people.
We set out from here and the day is mostly a blur for me. We stopped into Herbert and visited the train museum. I believe it was here we decided to push to Moose Jaw which was another 120 km. These people are machines! Keegan stayed behind in town and later caught up with us. He had been eating relish sandwiches in the train museum. They must give him super powers or something for him to catch up to us as he did.I remember hitting the 200 km mark and my knee started complaining but I cycled along at a slower pace and made it into Moose Jaw, riding an incredible 233 km. Everyone had set a new daily record. I couldn't have done it without the motivation of being in a pack and the excellent drafting done by the three. I must admit I mostly played caboose and didn't contribute much but I did get to lead for a short way before Moose Jaw.
We found a campsite and as a group only had to pay $6.75 each. The kind lady even gave us free swim passes so tomorrow we would check out the giant water slide they have at their indoor pool. We got Subway and the lovely cashiers gave us free drinks and cookies. Myself and Keegan then saw Batman while the couple watched something else (i forget). Oh did I mention it was cheap Tuesdays so the tickets were $5. Moose Jaw rocks! What a kickass day!
