May 27 - Another uneventful day -
which is good. Mike has a bit of a cold that hopefully will not develop into anything too serious or uncomfortable.
We 'landed' tonight in Gull Lake,Saskatchewan - into our third province. 170 km in 5.52 hrs. today. Looking forward
to seeing Mike's mom and dad tomorrow when they come to Swift Current to meet us at around noon.
May 28 - We arrived in Swift Current
at about 12:15 today. A little later than expected because yes, we had a flat. It was great to be met by Mike's Mom,
Dad, Grandma and Grandpa on the outskirts,west of the city and have an escort to the Ponderosa Campground on the east side
- still on highway one. The local radio station ran some excellent coverage and did a phone interview with Mike that
was aired a couple of times today too. We were the headline news for most of the day. Johanna drove down from
North Battleford too and of course Mike was very glad to see her. Grandma and Grandpa bought us lunch then took us for
groceries for our supper. Ryan's scrapes are healing well from his spill and Mike's mom had a good look at them and
is happy they aren't infected. We only did about 60 km today but will make up for it tomorrow as we hope to be in Regina
by Sunday afternoon.
May 29 - Probably our best day yet
- after one of our worst nights. It started raining at about 10 pm last night and didn't quit til 5 am. Johanna
stayed overnight with us - thank goodness. We woke up at 1 am thinking we all forgot to wear our 'Goodnights" to bed
last night, as the 2" puddle our tent was now sitting in was starting to come into the tent and pool in the corner, where
Johanna was sleeping. Her sleeping bag was ringing wet. We loaded all of our gear into the van and Ryan and Erik
each slept on a reclined front seat and Johanna and Mike each found room in the back around the gear. Thankfully we
had somewhere dry for the night. We did an amazing 172 km today in 5 hours at an average speed of 34 kph and are in
the Prairie Oasis campground in Moose Jaw tonight. They gave us the site for 1/2 price and we got free waterslide passes,
so guess where we are off to tonight. Ryan treated us all to Chocolate milk today which a major diversion from
the 'meal plan' but was great. Mike's mom reports lots of emails that she reads to us over the phone and BIG THANK YOU's
to all the donations for the CCS that are arriving at the Kindersley address. Tonight we also got a donation of $60
American from a Michigan couple who are in the campground and are fellow distance bikers.
May 30 - We arrived in Regina at about 12;30 - only 70 km today.
On the way, Erik's back rack broke so we had to divey up his load. The vibration from good old Saskatchewan highways
was too much for it! Mike took the pot and frying pan and Ryan wore the tent as a back pack making him look like Rocketman.
We went to Mike's aunt and uncles' house - Wendy and Gordon Dolney. Wendy had phoned and arranged a bike maintainence
for us, so we took our bikes to Western Cycle, a Source for Sports store, and they did a complete tune up check up on our
bikes for free. They gave us 2 new tires and tubes, checked the bearings, trued the wheels and they helped us locate a
new rack for Erik. Wendy has been very busy and has arranged some interviews for us tomorrow, so as soon as we are done,
we will be off. I should mention that Wendy is a GREAT Aunt!
May 31 - Well, we are still in Regina after a day
of interviews. It was pretty exciting and comprehensive as we were interviewed by CTV, Global and Access Communications.
We also did an interview with the Leader Post and CJME and CKRM radio. By the time the interviews were done it was going
on 4 pm and was raining and cold, so we'll start out bright and early in the morning. Thanks to cousin Abby for the
evening out last night.
June 1 - Well it was a cold and misty morning - and misty most
of the day. We had 2 flats just outside of Regina - it's mostly from debris on the road, glass, staples etc. Mike's
sore throat is back but he feels fine - not that we are giving him any chance to complain. We stopped for lunch at a
restaurant in Indian Head as it was too wet and cold to cook and we got a piece of pie on the house. The owner is Ilona
Bannerman's brother from North Battleford, so if anyone reading this knows Ilona, make sure you pass this on. We caught
up to three retired guys biking from White Rock B.C. to Halifax and thought, oh no, they probably started when they were 19
too !! Another couple riding through the campground we are in heard about us and they stopped and donated $20.00 as
her dad had cancer. It has been so awesome to meet so many people. We are in Grenfell tonight after 133 kms and
hope to make Winnipeg after 2 big days.
June 2 -Greetings from Virden, Manitoba!
We had a pretty good day today even though we woke up to a flat - a leftover staple from yesterday's mishaps.
No other flats today though. We had another head wind today and seem to be following this weather system across the
country. Even so, we did 165 km in 6hrs and 13 min of riding. The three retired bike riders are in the same campground
with us tonight and we met a guy who is by himself, biking from Ottawa to Victoria. Mike's mom has passed on some emails
with more offers for free food and lodging and fund raising events - thanks to Ciocia Ewa - send her your twoonies!! We got
your message too, Grandma and Grandpa - we'll take more scenery pictures when there is some!
June 3 - Lots
of great media again today. We talked to CKRM in Regina this morning and 94.7 Star FM in Brandon and another radio station
in Winnipeg. Tomorrow we will be contacting the Winnipeg Sun newspaper when we hit town to arrange an interview. Tonight we
are relaxing in the games room at the Shady Oaks campground 135 km West of Winnipeg. We are, of course, watching the
Calgary Flames hockey game. Go Flames Go. We did 148 km in 5 hours and 37 min of riding time today with a wicked crosswind.
No flats though. We met a fellow in Carberry practicing for a bike road race in Regina. He was great and took
us to a grocery store in Carberry for our groceries then headed us toward the 1A for an awesome ride through the country.
June 4 - Here we are in Winnipeg
tonight at the home of Darlene and Sheldon Nagy and kids Trent and Jordon. They have graciously opened their home to
us and put us up for the night. We arrived on the west side at 3:30 and a mere 2 hours later were on the east side where
we needed to be. We were treated to supper at the Red Lobster on Portage St. courtesy of manager Brad Litzenburger.
We were treated royally while we dined on crab, lobster and shrimp. Thanks Brad. We had an interview
with the Winnipeg Sun and several radio stations too. We arrived after 165 km in 6hrs and 5min, just as the sky opened
up and it's pouring this evening. Mike's mom says she received two more donations today - Thank you to those of you
who are sending funds for the Cancer Society. We are very appreciative, as are those waiting for cures and treatments.
After days without cell phone coverage and a low battery, the boys finally checked
in Tuesday morning - here's what they had to report.....................
June 5 -
We didn't leave Winnipeg til about 1:00. We were waiting for some flags for our bikes from the Canadian Cancer Society
but decided to head off and Darlene would forward them. We spent an awesome morning playing street hockey with all the
neighborhood kids. We had alot of fun - what a great bunch of people. We started and finished the day fighting
a head wind and stopped for the night in Falcon Lake Provincial Park. We were given a free camp site and watched game
6 with Norm and his family outside their 5th-wheel. We made 139 km today in 5hrs and 3 min of riding time.
