June 15 - Day 12 - Blew into Brooks

Our last look back at the Rockies from Trans Canada Hwy.

Blew into Brooks

Truth be told, the wind was trying to blow us away from Brooks.  We rode into a headwind all day today, not so bad first thing, but later on it was a challenge.  Small hills or grade changes were magnified by the headwind, and crosswind sections were no fun either, but we didn't expect a picnic out there, and a little hard work makes the day so much more satisfying.  It is a real change riding in the prairies as opposed to the mountains.  There are long flat stretches of road with nothing but fields on either side, that just go on for miles and miles.  We understand from reading other reports, that there is a lot more of this to come.

The serenity of it all does give you a chance to daydream and think about things, and today I thought about my Dad, and how we used to sit and watch the US Open every Fathers Day, usually eating dinner in front of the TV so we wouldn't miss the last few holes.  This will be the first year I can remember that I haven't watched a single shot in the tournament, not even a highlight.  An interesting change of priorities for me this year.  I also thought about all of YOU.......we will have lots of time to catch up and talk about this adventure later on.

Please have WIFI in Brooks!

We have been without WIFI at the campgrounds for the last three days, so today I walked over to the Travelodge across the street, and Farina was nice enough to offer me a seat in the breakfast room and their wifi password so I could send this out and catch up on responding to your messages.

How I start my day

RIDE STATS

You have probably noticed the ride stats postings on the blog, and whether you check them out or not, here is the scoop........we start out in the morning and usually put in a good 2 hour stint, with maybe a snack/pee break in there somewhere,  take a break after the 2 hrs, then back at it until Jon catches us in the trailer, then we restock, change clothes, do whatever needs doing, then ride another couple of hours, break for a lunch of some sort, then back on to finish the day.  We usually piss around a lot more in the afternoon, stopping for pictures and sore ass breaks, and don't always turn off the Garmin.  So stats being what they are, we are on a journey and not in a race, but when we are riding, we try to keep our cadence and speed up as much as possible without trying to race, but our overall averages for the day factor in some of the breaks and stops.......just so you know

Tomorrow we head for Medicine Hat, and are being treated to a hotel room courtesy of Gord the Great as we now call him......thanks Gord......we will love it.  Weather forecast is for rain however, but the good news is it won't be combined with near feeling temps.......could be an enjoyable day out there splashing in the puddles.  

Everyone keeps asking how I am doing physically.........actually very good so far, fingers crossed......here is the list:

- bad left arm from fall last week......now feeling much better (Tiger Balm, Advil)

- bad right arm/shoulder compensating for bad left arm.......working on it but feeling much better today (Tiger Balm, Advil)

- sore right calf..........OK so long as I wear the dorky compression socks and treat it (Tiger Balm, Advil)

- sore right knee.........wear the compression leggings and it's OK (Tiger Balm, Advil)

- sore thighs......goes with the territory (Tiger Balm, Advil)

- ass pain........goes with the territory (I can't tell you)

Hopefully I don't arrive home as a bulky thighed monster with leathery buttocks!

Thats all folks.......going to say thanks to Farina and head back to camp for some dinner and a cold Creemore........Cheers........Hugh

LYJ