Today's Trip:  187km
Total Trip:  1232km

This morning I left sunny Calgary, AB at 8am and I tried to find a bike route to get me through the dangerous Calgarian city traffic without fainting.  However after noticing there was very little traffic I realized it was Saturday.  So I dashed through downtown up Centre Street and turned right to go up the #1HWY East.  To my surprise I was out of the city within 45 minutes!  As I left the outskirts of Calgary I could still see the mountains in my bicycle mirror.  I was now entering the prairies and getting closer to home.

My biking seems to be easier now that my legs are stronger, however I now have long stretches of empty road ahead of me.  I missed the mountain scenery as it made my day go by faster.  I saw on my trip today birds and gophers.  I waved at a couple of cows and they waved back.  I smelt cattle for the length of my trip, and saw newborn foals running in the field.  The occasional Alpaca's nodded their heads at me.  

The paved shoulders are easier to ride on and traffic was polite and friendly towards us as they passed.  Before long I realized I was 30 kilometres away in a town called Strathmere.  About halfway down the road we saw a Petro Canada and I peddled really hard since there was a restaurant sign there.  However when we arrived, to my dismay the Petro Canada restaurant was closed!  I ended up sitting on a bench outside in the blazing sun with a Powerade and a chocolate chip cookie. Two motor-cyclists from Brandon were interested in the cause I was biking for so I chatted them up until they continued their way to Pincher Creek.  

Arriving at our destination in Bassano, AB at about 4.5 hours later I was exhausted and looking forward to a nice supper and rest.  I was still feeling good so my co-pilots Jenn and Dan convinced me into cycling another 48 bloody kilometres to reach our new destination of Brooks AB.  I needed a quick rest; Dan and Jenn felt it necessary to jump around and over me while I was nearing defeat.

Although I felt good during the day, the last 20 kilometres were hard and I regretted being convinced by my co-pilots!  This by far was the farthest I've ridden in a day since leaving Vancouver.   I was literally falling asleep at the wheel!  Ha-ha!  It was almost like I was driving a vehicle.

 

 
We finally pulled in to a Super 8 at Brooks, AB and as I was bent over heaving and aching we were greeted by a friendly front desk agent, Richard.  I quickly straightened up and he proceeded to welcome us and give us an excellent deal on a suite!  Thanks Richard and Super 8.  I treated myself to the hot tub at the hotel and now I am ready to sleep.

Good night!

-D’Arcy