Sunday, July 24, 2005

Sunday, July 24, 2005
Day 27 – Distance: 215.82 km
Regina to Moosomin, SK

Check out that mileage! We finally had a “perfect” biking day, for distance at least. We decided to take Hwy 1, as we wanted to get as close to Winnipeg as possible before Tuesday night. The wind was in our back, and the shoulders (mostly) were good. We couldn’t believe how far we managed to get, even by lunch time. Adele was trying to locate us, and I think turned around at some point because she didn’t think we could get as far as we did.

We did meet two other riders, who were fully loaded, and I had a chance to chat with the young man, who was riding as far as Montreal, then was heading to New York. From there he planned to head to England, and via various countries, including Iran, he planned to reach Taiwan (basically a round-the-world bike tour). He had taught English in Taiwan for 3 years previously, and I imagine he planned to do more of the same once he got back.

The other neat thing we saw as we were riding east was a series of solar-powered cars. I was sure the first one I saw was a space ship (albeit a small one); they are all very low to the ground, with a dome bubble for the driver’s head. Some had 3 wheels, others had 4; they were all accompanied by two vehicles. We found out later, at the campground, that the cars are part of a “race”, and have been developed by various universities (including U of Waterloo). They started in Texas July 17, and were ending in Calgary. Evidently the cars (not air-conditioned) can get up to 120 degrees F – not a place for me. You also wouldn’t want to be claustrophic!