Does anybody live in Manitoba?

I don't think I have been anywhere with so much space and so few people to fill it.  I have ridden something like 360 miles through Manitoba today and I've seen about 4 houses, 10 cars and a dozen people.  Some of this Province is really beautiful, the picture below is of the lake just outside Flin Flon at 6.30 this morning

The roads are those classic never ending roads that just flow into the distance and for hours this morning there was nobody on it except for Gary, myself and John and Marion

Andy, Tony, Dave, Jackie and Paul left a little later than us but did a stop off at Dawson Lake for a look see

Some of the roads were a bit like being on a roller coaster.  Nice new tarmac and you would come over the brow of a hill to see 4 miles in front of you into a dip and up the other side.  At one point I did actually raise my arms and scream because I just couldn't resist it.  The following shots are from Johns HeadCam of Gary and I riding

Miles and miles of it, what a brilliant day.  It was hard work though and needed a few breaks

We arrived in Russell early afternoon to find a lovely motel with very handy parking

and a nice front patio to share with the neighbours

We do have to make sure we check the bikes over at the end of the day and clean then up a little bit.  The dead dragonflies smell awful if you leave them to burn the next day

Dirt and Water

Today we rode 260 miles from Waskesiu Lake through to Flin Flon.  We are now pretty much as far North as we can go, there is a lot of Canada above us but theres not much there except for the arctic circle.  Todays ride included about 50km of dirt and gravel tracks.  The Triumphs with road tyres held out well, glad we took the routes that weren't quite as affected by the rains. 

Was very apprehensive before hand but it was quite good fun really.

The sun has shone for most of the day, the mozzies are out everywhere and the other bugs are absolutely huge.  Don't think I've ever seen quite so many dragonflies and boy do they hurt when they hit you at 60mph and make a right mess of your visor.

We stopped at a real outback place for lunch on the ride, just happened to be called Garrys .... so here is Gary at Garrys

Apart from hunting and fishing this is about the only entertainment for about 80 miles.  The bar looked really lively and the only guy at the place wanted to share his bear and moose stories (a bit like "I caught a fish and it was THIS big")

Took a picture of the moose on the wall just in case we don't get to see one with its body still attached

We got told that the road ahead was flooded, weren't really sure what to believe everyone here is interested in finding out what we are doing and then telling us the best an worst of the weather and road conditions.  It was true though, a few miles further up the road the the lake had just joined up over the road.  Highways maintenance were in situ with stop/go boards and thought it was so entertaining they went and got their camera to take photos of us going through.  I don't have a photo but am promised one from Craig which I will post tomorrow.

After getting a bit lost around Flin Flon on arrival we found the hotel (and the bar) for our daily briefing

It was time for our weekly team meal which we were all ready for

which of course ended with a joke from Dave.  Tonight we got two for the price of one - The Frog - and the promised Moth Balls.

We lost another hour today, the clocks have gone forward again.  As I am writing this there is a great thunderstorm going on outside.  Hopefully it will clear up by the morning, we have an early departure, breakfast on route to Russel, a 425 mile day.

Stop Press!!!! Leightons Photos

I had to put in an extra post to include these photos taken by Leighton.  He has a brilliant camera that allows him to take panoramic photos and these give you a real idea of what we saw across the Rockies and at Lake Louise

Meeting New Friends

Today was our first day off and it was lovely to be able to stay in bed a bit and eat breakfast slowly chatting with friends.  Gary and I then went for a walk around the lake and the village.  The little book store has this replica of Grey Owls cabin (he was a writer)..

This is the lake itself, the area is a holiday resort and there are lots of families here.  By this afternoon they were all out on push bikes and actually swimming in the lake which looked freezing

When Paul came out this morning dressed like Indiana we did think he was off on a Bear Hunt

We have been in contact with some guys from the Canadian Legion Riders, the equivalent over here of the Royal British Legion Riders of which Gary, myself and Ian are members.  Kevin and Trevor rode 3hrs or so from North Battleford to spend the afternoon with us which was brilliant and it was great to meet them and share some stories

Kevin and Trevor arriving

Checking out the Brits bikes

Many stories and experiences were shared over a good lunch

Trevor got caught out with a Jalapeno in his drink which we did think was a bit funny and had to lead to a posed photo to catch the moment

Saying goodbye to some new friends, planning to keep in touch and try and set up a proper twinning situation between the UK Riders branch and the Canadian one.  I know Kevin and Trevor are following the blog, so thanks to you both for riding all the way out here to meet us, for a great afternoon and the badges and stickers for our bikes.

Happy riding.

Trevor   you be careful with that pot on your head!!  The police will be looking out for you.





Boring? I don't think so :-)

Some might think that riding 430 miles across Saskatchewan would be boring but not me.  HUGE skies, beautiful bit of tarmac, my motorbike (running like a dream), my wonderful husband and a group of friends to share it with.  What more could a girl ask for.  You can take me out of East Anglia but you can't take East Anglia out of me. 

These photos are courtesy of Paul but I won't tell you what he was doing when he took them

Miles and miles of this in the sunshine and when we stopped for fuel this is what we saw, it came round the corner blowing its horn Casey Jones style.

sunshine all the way until about 40 miles from the end when the heavens opened and we had to find somewhere to put the waterproofs back on.  We followed a fuel tanker for about 20 miles and it was a bit like we were water skiing.

When they returned, Dave and Tony jumped in the hot tub as quickly as possible.  They wouldn't let them have a beer in the tub so eventually had to get out.

That will have to be the lot for tonight as the internet connection is particularly slow.  It is our day off tomorrow and some guys that we have been in contact with from the Canadian Legion are coming to meet us.  Weather is not predicted to be very good.

Riding Into the Badlands

Drumheller is in the Canadian Badlands.  Don't know why they call it that but it is a bit like East Anglia with attitude.  You ride miles and miles of flat countryside (the satnav shows green with a line through it) and then all of a sudden there is the most spectacular landscape.  This is dinosaur country and everything is about dinosaurs.

We have had our first day of bad weather and those that were going to go the full distance and visit the park decided to come the shorter route.  It has rained big style since leaving Banff, the wet weather gear has been well and truly tested.  We stopped in Calgary to change t shirts as the rain came in the neck and worked its way down.

Us at Calgary after a welcome cup of tea and a change of t shirt and gloves

When we got to Drumheller we took a detour to Wayne which is a ghost town a few miles out of Drumheller.  Its a good ride out across 11 wooden bridges with a pub at the end.  We were all dripping wet by then but just for Jim here is a picture of Gary with a smile on his face, even in the rain

We all went down there but our group didn't partake of food and drink.  We passed Jackie, Andy, Tony, Leighton and Dave on the way back.  They did take on rations and I am told the beer came in Jam Jars and the steak pies were very good indeed.  Perhaps we missed a trick.

We got back to the hotel and the sun started to come out, and I am now typing this sitting in the garden overlooked by the dinosaur.

Tomorrow is a long long day at 430 miles across what sounds like a real East Anglia.  Very few fuel stops and not a lot to see.  Hopefully the weather will be better than today.

Always look in your mirrors

When riding the Icefield Parkway you must always remember to look in your mirrors because quite often the incredible view in your mirrors is better than the spectacular view in front of you.  I cannot describe what I am seeing and photographs just don't do it justice.  Even the footage I have on the on-board camera is pretty boring when I look back at it.  Nothing can show the enormity of the place and the feeling of being "in it" is just awesome (and I do hate that word)

My bike (and Garys, and us) with a glacier...

and Lake Louise....

very touristy, bus loads of people but Gary managed to get this shot without anyone else in it to spoil the view

Wenlock and Mandeville have also been on tour again today

The wildlife has been out in force today.  Started with a chipmunk in the car park

and then we saw some more bears.  Yesterday we didn't manage to get a photo but today, along with loads of others who had stopped at the side of the road, we managed to get some shots.  There was a mummy bear and two little baby bears.  If you look closely you can see one peeping out from behind the grass.

and an Elk but it was hiding behind a tree so you can only see the antlers

and because the Elk wouldn't come out to show himself, we had Elk burgers and Elk pizza for tea!!

We are off to Drumheller tomorrow, into Dinosaur country.  We are a split party as some of us really want to get to Drumheller and visit the museum and Ghost Town that Barbara has found, we will be taking Route 1 and bashing out some miles on the motorway.  Others are going to follow the original planned route which is 325 miles and goes into the Dinosaur National Park.

Bears and Beers

Today, some of us saw bears.  Gary and I saw a bear on the side of the road between Clearwater and Jasper.  Tony and Dave also saw bears.  The wildlife has been out in force today, some have been stopped by deer in the road, some have seen eagles and Gary and I saw something cross the road that looked a bit like a weasel but got no idea what it was really.  The mozzies are eating us alive.

The highlight of the route today has been Mount Robson.  I suppose it is the icing on the top that makes it really stand out from the crowd.  The photos all look like someone has stood us in front of a painted backdrop.  As requested the photo is of Wenlock and Mandeville on tour as it is coming up to one year to go till the opening ceremony of London2012.

Marion waiting for the cloud to lift so she could get a shot of the whole mountain

As it was only 200 miles, we left early and the roads were really good, we arrived at our little cabin in the woods in time to get some washing done and hung on the line

then out into Jasper for a couple of drinks and a look see.  This is what I saw (just for Jim really)

and this

Its a very pretty place, although its a bit touristy.  Found a nice pub with a local nutter and had a few drinks and then back to the woods for a BBQ.  A good time was had by all, cooked by Dave and Paul after Craig and Barbara had been out food shopping. 

The meal was finished off, as is becoming custom, with a joke from Dave.  Tonight it was the mohammed joke, we were promised the moth ball joke as well but that did not materialise.  Perhaps another night.

The night was brought to an end by the mozzies, we just couldn't stand it anymore.  The very thoughtful xmas present from my husband came into use even though it did look like I had a shopping bag over my head

Party mode for Dave is obviously very easily turned off too

Tomorrow we have a trip down the icefield parkway.  Only 174 miles but lots to see.