Thursday, June 11, 2015

Day 19 - Oyen to Kindersley

99.6 km - Total so far 1,609.59 kmhttp://ridewithgps.com/trips/5093420

  • We left the campsite at 6:30 this morning hoping to use the WiFi at the Information Center. On the way there we noticed that the A&W at the truck stop had WiFi so we tried there instead. We left 20 minutes later having had breakfast but no success with WiFi. Lesson learned easier to use WiFi at McDonald's than A&W.
  • With practically no traffic on Hwy 9, we got to enjoy the bird songs. We came across this huge pond that was full of many varieties of birds. It would have been nice to have a pair of binoculars to get a better look.

Large pond in Alberta just shy of Saskatchewan border

  • We took the picture below during one of our 10 minute rest stops. I rest my bike on Hélène's because I carry a water bladder in each of my front panniers and don't want to have them pressed against the ground. In a later post, we will show you all that we carry for hydration. This was not an issue in the Rockies with all the streams and fast running water but it 's critically important in the Prairies given the absence of same. We also changed our riding technique. We now ride for 90 minutes (vice 50 minutes in the Rockies) with a 10 minute break and we rotate every 4 km vice 2 km as there isn't much change in terrain or scenery.

Water stop notice the straight road and the scenery
  • We now get excited when there is a curve in the road. I think we had five on the way to Kindersley. Had it not been for the horrible cross wind it would have been a pretty boring ride.

More Alberta scenery along Hwy 9

Saskatchewan border near Alsask

  • We could not resist when on Hwy 7 in Saskatchewan we saw this "Point of Interest" sign. We stopped and found a plaque that explained the big rock you see in the picture below, the 'Buffalo Rubbing Stone'. For hundreds of years the stone was used by buffalos to remove excess winter hair and relieve the occasional itch. The prolonged effect of doing this was to actually polish the rock in many places.

Using the buffalo scratching rock...felt real good
  • We stopped for lunch in Flaxcombe at this very unassuming little place. We asked what was on the menu (we learned from our Cereal experience) we were told the only thing left was soup. We got a discount because the bowls were only 3/4 full. It was a very tasty homemade BBQ Beef soup. It was simply delicious.

Flaxcombe lunch stop an unexpected surprise
  • We came upon the two animals in the picture below resting in the field. We stopped for a picture but the cars immediately following us caused them to rise. They moved away from us about 200 meters and just stood there and staring at us. After taking the picture we pedaled away, and wouldn't you know it, they followed in parallel for a good 500 meter. Curiosity works both ways it seems. We would like to know what kind of animals they are but just don't have the time to do an Internet search...any takers?
Help us identify the critters in the picture

The Prairies are flat...not!


  • We need your help in locating a proper tire for Hélène's bicycle. We need a Schwable Marathon Plus Tire 26 in x 1.5. The replacement tire we got in Cochrane is not working out as planned. It would work fine on a city cruising bike but on a fully loaded touring bike as we just can get the pressure high enough. This greatly increases the rolling resistance and makes it more difficult for Hélène to pedal the "flat Prairie roads". You have our route through Saskatchewan so try to find us a bicycle shop that carries that tire. Continental also make touring tires and a Kenda tire for a tandem bicycle would also work. Merci beaucoup.
61.89 miles - Total so far 1,000.15 miles

11 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Meant to publish under my name :)
    Bravo déjà 1600 km, ca fait beaucoup de coup de pédale!
    Continuez votre belle aventure.
    Ginette

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  3. Found this store in Regina:
    Western Cycle Source For Sports
    1550 8th avenue
    Regina S4R 1E4
    306-522-5678
    They show exactly what you're looking for but you have to call to confirm availability.
    Bonne chance.

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  4. Dan and Helene:
    Your curious friends appear to be North American Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana). You're in the right area to see them. Both the males and females of the species have horns. The are apparently the fastest land mammel in North America, capable of running at speed up to 95 km/h. Here at HdV, we were wondering if you had seen any prairie dogs, also known as gophers? What about the magpies in BC and Alberta?
    FYI, there is now a link to your blog on the HdV intranet. There is also a link to your blog on https://thisismybike.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/every-bike-tour-is-somebodys-fault/.
    Good luck finding the tire. Stay safe and keep blogging,

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  5. H & D - my cousin and wife live in Lumsden so wondered what your estimated timing is on this town?
    Have sent a note to them that you will be passing through. Hopefully they will be home and able to connect with advice?/lunch?/warm shower?!
    Rose Lynn

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. I called Western Cycle Source For Sports in Regina that was ID'd above by Ginette. Todd their tech, said that he has two options for you: the Marathon (NOT the Plus) in 26x1.5 for $49.99 or the Bontrager H2 Hardcase also 26x1.5 $52.99. He said the Bontrager is between the Marathon and the Plus in puncture resistance and will certainly get you back to Ottawa. They have 4 of each in stock. Their hours today (Fri) and tomorrow are 9-6 and Sun from 12-5. Good luck and thanks for the excuse to shop during my lunch break!

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  8. this link gave me a big list of bike shops, I will try to find out if they have the type of tires that you want

    http://www.borealisoutdoor.com/content/bikeshop.htm

    Sylvie from work

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  9. Fresh air Regina just emailed me and they don't sell bikes, they said to contact
    "Western Cycle Source for sports. Talk to Dane or Todd."

    I have also emailed Dutch Cycle Repair and this was their answer:"I will assume they are for you atb bike. I would have to order them in for you. "

    There is also , but that tire is not on the website
    Sport Chek Victoria Square
    2223 Victoria Avenue EastVictoria Square MallRegina, (306) 565-8585
    :-(

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  10. Dan and Helene:
    Many Eastern Europeans settled in Saskatchewan. As an antidote to the tire woes, keep a lookout for family-run restaurants that serve homemade perogies.

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  11. J'ai bien ri lorsque j'ai vu Daniel ce frotter le dos sur la roche!!! Imagine le look s'il avait pu se frotter le menton et les joues alors qu'il avait encore de la barbe....il aurait ainsi pu savir si la legende disais vrai haha...encore une fois, je ne fais que regarder la quantite de baggages que vous avez et je me dit que vous avez bcp d'energie oour pedaler....les muscles d'acier que vous allez avoir à votre retour.

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