July 19 - Day 25
Minnedosa
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Started off the day with uphills into a 20 to 30km/hr headwind. Very discouraging start as I was only averaging 12kms/hr but then Cynthia and Nicole came along and invited me to join their paceline. For those that don't know, this is where you ride in close formation, one directly and close behind the one in front, the front person doing the most work breaking the wind for the ones behind. Every kilometer or so, the one in front would drop to the back and the next one would take over. This allows a person to cycle easier at a higher speed for 2/3 of the trip with a 3 person paceline. This was my first attempt and I was told I did Okay and it sure made the riding easier for these first 20 kms. At this point, we truned 90 degrees and headed directly east so the wind became a crosswind, sometimes quartering from the rear so it was not as bad anymore. About 5 minutes into this stretch, I seemed to get a burst of energy and really started to put on some speed based on my usual pace and flew along the road at over 30kms/hr for a long section, not even tiring out. My GPS even showed that this was a long shallow uphill. We stopped for a second breakfast and then continued on to Shoal Lake at which point the wind had turned to a constant tail wind. My energy did not lag and I was able to keep the fast pace all day with the help of the tailwind. We ended up at a very picturesque campground in Minnedosa and I was able to pitch my tent right on the edge of the lake with the view looking out over it. The galley crew is becoming aware of my sensitivity to peppers in the food and quite often are allowing me to grab some out of the pot before the peppers are added so I am not having to eat out as much for dinner. There were peppers in the rice sauce tonight but not mixed in with the nicely seasoned chicken so I was able to make a great ceasar chicken salad, an excellent tasting and filling dinner. All in all, a great day.
Nicole and Cynthia riding in the clear, cool early morning air.
Scenic Shot.
Second breakfast for me while the group visits with one of the locals.
That breakfast was at the Holy Cow restaurant.
View from my tent doorway this evenning.
Sean hitching a ride on the inner tube of other campers at this campground.
Another view of this site.
Earl and Dawn relaxing after the day's ride.
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