July 14 - Day 20
Craik
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The wind roared through camp last night under a clear sky. Did get up about an hour after turning in to put some extra pegs in the ground to keep the tent more steady.
Generally a good day today. Started with a steep climb to get out of the campground but the rest of the day was good riding from the hill point of view. The winds were very favourable for the first half of the ride along Hgwy 15 east to Kenaston, the Blizzard Capital of Saskatchewan, but the second half was a bit trickier as we headed south east on the 11 and that wind became a strong 30 to 40 km/hr quartering tailwind to crosswind. The 11 started as a beautiful divided highway with 5 foot paved shoulders that changed to no paved shoulders at all at some points with a 1 to 2 inch dip into the rough gravel. With the crosswinds this was a bit precarious as I wanted to stay a good foot out on the highway to make sure I did not loose my balance and end up in the dirt. As it was, the traffic was mostly accomodating, moving over to the far lane to pass. The rearview mirror is great for keeping an eye on this and letting me know if someone was not so I could get to the shoulder mildly safely which I only had to do once. So glad this was not a headwind and hope I do not need to face that as I did get a taste of this going back into Craik for an ice cream. Could only keep up a speed of around 11km/hr against that wind, making a 120km day 11 hours in the saddle. Not something I think I could face, let alone if it were a 160km day. My tent was easy to set up in the wind but there were a few people struggling as thoses strong gusts came through camp. Fulton, a very resourceful man, found out where the library in Davidson (a town we passed through today) was so there were 3 of us that did get some internet access to check our emails. Nice to get in touch with family and see how my daughter is doing.
Saw a purple field today! Could be flax?
These are my little wind socks that I use to see which way the wind is blowing. Most grass just seems to move all over the place but the heads on this grass are very good direction indicators.
Grain elevators in Kenaston.
Tourist picture time!
Some of the group stopping for second breakfast or first lunch (the latter for me).
No Saskatoon Berry pie for Fulton, apple will have to do.
Invasion of the bikers.
Elevators in Davidson.
Dinner circle at camp (not by preference, just no picnic tables).
Picture of how our bikes are locked up for the night.
Clem, Jeff(very knowledgeable mechanic riding with our group, what a help he is), and Sean working on Sean's bike.
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