Friday, June 10 Virden, Manitoba to Brooks, Alberta. 861km.The day began sunny and bright, 18°; I expected a scorcher, so geared up lightly. The big heat never came. In fact, I had to add a layer around lunch time. No problem though, I was entirely comfortable for the rest of the day. Not a particularly exciting ride. Arrow straight, 75mph the whole way. I kept myself busy calculating the value of Pi. I'm used to riding on the 401, where traffic is so heavy, of course. Turbulent air is everywhere; you don't know where it's coming from. Not so on the Trans Canada. The turbulence from the 53' tractor trailers is enormous. It can be felt from 150' back, tossing the bike all over like a toy. Best to quickly pass. I had last filled up in Brandon, Manitoba the previous day, and was determined to stretch it to Regina. I figured if I ran out, help wouldn't be far on the TC. I rolled into Regina on fumes, and quite pleased. I also picked up an extra hour; Saskatchewan, curiously, does not use daylight savings time, so their time is the same as the mountain time zone, which is DST. Make sense? Of course, I'll have to give these hours back on the way home. The Honda dealer in Swift Current, SK. was having a demo day. The Africa Twin looked good to me, but it was booked, and I didn't have time, anyway. I know economic times are tough in Alberta, but they actually charge for road maps at the welcome centre. Two bucks! GPS is okay, I suppose, but I prefer old fashioned paper. Critter count: three deer, two of which weren't looking so good, if you know what I mean. I feel out of touch these past few days, missing important world events. Have the capybaras been found yet?
Today's tip: if you're looking for an inexpensive throttle lock, try the Go Cruise. Simple, effective, and only twenty bucks. It been invaluable crossing the prairies. As Ron Popeil would say: "Set it and forget it!". If you're too cheap to cough up the dough, you can make one out of coat hanger wire.
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Snowbird!
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