Cross Canada coast to coast Day 5
June 4, 2014.
Day 5 in Manitoba.
Regina - Winnipeg
The weatherman was wrong. The forecast was way way off. Even though the distance was about 600 Km, on relatively straight highway, supposedly going at 100+ kph, it still took 10 hours.
Have you ever experienced going through a car wash machine in a convertible? Torrential rain is how I would describe it. It was 10X more water pouring over you than standing in the shower. Visibility was really an issue. I had to modify the linings and flaps of my helmet to at least not to get foggy inside the face shield. I had to find shelter quite a few times in fast food joints in some hick towns. I refueled quite a few times, just to get under the shelter of the gas stations. Towards the end, I didn't even care, because even my underwear was soaking wet, cruising at 15C.
For hours, in the prairie, I could see 50 Km in all directions. It was interesting that I could see big, dark, low hanging clouds coming over me, and pouring 1,000 litres of water over me, like in Bugs Bunny cartoons, There were lightnings. I was sure there were thunders, but I couldn't hear them because I was wearing ear plugs, plus the rain noise right on my helmet. Then I saw high grey clouds over me that would give me "normal" rain. There were some breaks in the cloud, and blue sky showed through, and I would be so ecstatic almost like paradise found. There were also big gusts of wind that made the ride very challenging. I can now appreciate how the sailors felt at sea 300 years ago. There was nowhere to hide, just hoping the storm would be blown over without being killed.
The benefit of going through 500 Km of such storm riding was that the motorcycle was washed very cleanly, and there was no mosquito to attack me. It was also nice to
know that all the blubber that I have packed into my body was really useful in such cold condition.
The final 100 Km was mercifully having clear sky with 20C - 25C. Even at that temperature, I was really cold with the wet clothing, gradually drying off like air conditioning.
Now there is a pressing need to have my dead headlight bulbs replaced. It is not because I need them to see. I need them for other cars to see me.
I arrived Winnipeg at about 6pm. Francis Fok-Wing Lee and Shari gave me a big welcome in their home. I went for a hot shower right away. Then we sat and drank. Shari is a wonderful chef. She served the biggest piece of steak that almost covers the plate and 2.5 cm thick. I could only eat half of it. More drinks and conversations followed. It was another place that I feel very much at home. I will be staying at their home for 2 nights.
Ah. Life is good.
