In 2018 I rode my bicycle across Western Canada, covering about 2300km. It's been two years and I figured I'd release my journal entries here for anyone interested in what a trip like this does to a person's sanity.
Given that they're real-life jou...
I looked on a map later last night. Saskatchewan is the trapezoid province—not Alberta. That'll be forty lashes when I get back. And forty more just because I'm an outlaw who couldn't scrape up the last ten cents for a $15 campsite in Gull Lake. And couldn't even find an office to pay in Chaplin. How will I ever find it in my heart to forgive myself?
I got a late start today, sticking around Medicine Hat for some exploration. When I did start making my way to Hwy 1, I found myself really straining to pick up speed. I thought my legs must still be tired after yesterday's feat. With the wind and heat as well, I ended up stopping in a Burger King at the edge of the city for ice water.
I eventually got going, but I was irritated. The sun on my neck, sweat on my back, burn on my tongue from tea the night before, wind pushing me toward the ditch—you name it and I was pissed at it.
But it was the ineffectiveness of my pedalling that frustrated me most. My legs hadn't felt so weak just earlier this morning, so why did they now?
I paused outside Suffield to catch my breath and rehydrate. And that's when I saw my front tire pressed flat to the pavement. Shit.
I checked to no avail for a puncture before filling it with as much air as my little hand pump could muster. But it soon deflated again, leaving me to stand with one thumb out to the road and the other up my ass.
It was only a few minutes, though, before a pickup pulled over and the friendliest guy in the world—heading home from Medicine Hat, where he was getting a recent leg injury checked—popped out. I hopped into his truck and he took me to Brooks, dropping me off right at a Canadian Tire (where even their bike expert couldn't find my puncture without throwing the tire into a tub of water). I'd figured earlier that Brooks would be my goal today, so I guess it all worked out. Neat.
Waiting for my tire fix. At least they have cold water.
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Sushi is like a bunch of little tires that you get to eat.
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"Following an accident, this damage may not be visible to the eye. Therefore, if subjected to severe blow, the helmet should be destroyed."
Whoa there, manufacturers. Destroyed? Can't I just discard it?
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