I don't actually know where I hit the 2000 KM mark but it occurred somewhere between Dauphin and the Narrows so I made that my 2K point. I followed the GPS exactly and ended up doing a good 3 km down a gravelly country road that wasn't terrible but it wasn't my preferred routte. Plus, there aren't any signs telling you where to go. When I finally hit 5 then, I was happy. It is on HWY 5 that I finally start seeing the fields of wheat that the prairies are famous for. Great golden swaths across the landscape and of course, shredded wheat (Hay Rolls) everywhere.
At HWY 5 and 20, the French cyclists roll up on the opposite side minus Papa. I find out he is back taking a picture. I wish them well on their trip. I see them again coming into St. Rose Lac du Jean as I am leaving. The wind is good, the traffic is light and there's little wind. I took off for the Narrows which is a bridge of land that goes over Lake Manitoba. Before I get there, I meet Dylan from the Hwy Dept holding a sign that reads,"Slow". I tell him that I am tired of being made fun of and that I am going as fast as I can. He laughs. We get to talking and I find out he is going to become a PE teacher. He is bored out of his skull doing the sign work but he is happy its pay day. He tells me the Narrows is up ahead and after that, not too much to Eriksdale.
Its getting hot so when I finally get to the Narrows, I am happy to see beaches. I take advantage of them and enjoy a nice swim/bath. Fantastic. I will have to make this a routine in Ontario. A great way to break up the day. I am sad that after 2 hours I have not seen the French cyclists. I guess victory comes with a price.
After a great 2 hour rest, I head to Eriksdale which is about 70 km away. It is a long haul because the road doesn't waver at all and there is very little to see that I haven't seen before. I find Manitoba lets towns sneak up on you so you have no way of knowing what your progress is. The few interesting things were seeing a calf completely lost looking for the pack and me sitting in an anthill. It's funny because I did the same thing in A;berta. I was just taking a rest and then all of the sudden my legs are crawling with ants who are trying to bite me! Not just any ants either because as any kid will tell you, the red (Fire Ants) are the worst.! I shake myself off and seek some kind og shade. Another thing the road lacks is anywhere to take a rest. I finally get to Eriksdale and the town is closed but I manage to get to the library where I HACK MY WAY INTO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM!!! I can't tell you the password but it was very easy. It was nice to reconnect again. I then cooked dinner on the front lawn with a few locals passing by wondering who the homeless guy was. When it got dark, I decided that the library was too open so I headed behind the creamery/museum and set up quickly. Nice, soft grass made for a great sleep! Tomorrow a real futon in Gimli!
At HWY 5 and 20, the French cyclists roll up on the opposite side minus Papa. I find out he is back taking a picture. I wish them well on their trip. I see them again coming into St. Rose Lac du Jean as I am leaving. The wind is good, the traffic is light and there's little wind. I took off for the Narrows which is a bridge of land that goes over Lake Manitoba. Before I get there, I meet Dylan from the Hwy Dept holding a sign that reads,"Slow". I tell him that I am tired of being made fun of and that I am going as fast as I can. He laughs. We get to talking and I find out he is going to become a PE teacher. He is bored out of his skull doing the sign work but he is happy its pay day. He tells me the Narrows is up ahead and after that, not too much to Eriksdale.
Its getting hot so when I finally get to the Narrows, I am happy to see beaches. I take advantage of them and enjoy a nice swim/bath. Fantastic. I will have to make this a routine in Ontario. A great way to break up the day. I am sad that after 2 hours I have not seen the French cyclists. I guess victory comes with a price.
After a great 2 hour rest, I head to Eriksdale which is about 70 km away. It is a long haul because the road doesn't waver at all and there is very little to see that I haven't seen before. I find Manitoba lets towns sneak up on you so you have no way of knowing what your progress is. The few interesting things were seeing a calf completely lost looking for the pack and me sitting in an anthill. It's funny because I did the same thing in A;berta. I was just taking a rest and then all of the sudden my legs are crawling with ants who are trying to bite me! Not just any ants either because as any kid will tell you, the red (Fire Ants) are the worst.! I shake myself off and seek some kind og shade. Another thing the road lacks is anywhere to take a rest. I finally get to Eriksdale and the town is closed but I manage to get to the library where I HACK MY WAY INTO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM!!! I can't tell you the password but it was very easy. It was nice to reconnect again. I then cooked dinner on the front lawn with a few locals passing by wondering who the homeless guy was. When it got dark, I decided that the library was too open so I headed behind the creamery/museum and set up quickly. Nice, soft grass made for a great sleep! Tomorrow a real futon in Gimli!