Stage 5, day 8 – just crossed the 49th parallel – the line of latitude 49 degrees north of the equator. This marks the border between Canada and America – so after 5 weeks of cycling across part of the huge country of Canada, I am back in the USA! I am also, for the first time, further south than Jersey. It’s also a new timezone (GMT-6), a real sign of heading east as well as south.
It’s also a milestone for the trip – I’ve now cycled 3000 miles since I left Deadhorse 53 days ago! Or to put it another way, 20% of the way to the bottom of South America. That destination is still a very very long way off – by but a fifth of the way there is the first meaningful proportion of the journey. I’ve also cycled up hills totalling over three times the height of Mount Everest (not an entirely valid comparison- I’m sure Everest is easier!).
For those of you following me on Strava, in closing in on being in the top 1% of cyclists in the July distance challenge – a top 100 placing by the end of the month would be cool!
The wild weather continues in this part of the world – as does my luck in avoiding it. Yesterday I passed through the town of Estevan, currently under in a State of Emergency following 13cm of rain in 2 hours the day before! Estevan also marked a change in landscape – if Saskatchewan is the Breadbasket of Canada, south of Estevan is the messy corner at the end of the garden where you dump the weeds and cuttings. Gone are huge fields and huge elevators :
Replaced by open cast coal mining for power generation:
For a place with quite so much wind, they really are missing a trick!
Finally, for those of you following my tracker, it has gone on the blink again. I’ve reported this to TrackerShop – hopefully it should be working again soon!
Keith's Big Ride 
Impressive stats and amazing riding – time is flying by. Hope you are enjoying it as much as it looks like you should be!
LikeLike
Keeping the blog up to date has been a bit frustrating with just a cheap phone and limited power and internet access. But other than that its going realy well, and I feel privileged to have this chance to ride my bike, see different places, and meet different people. One word: awesome!
LikeLike
I thank you for making me feel like such a big sloth. I am amazed and exhilarated to have met someone who has taken such a giant goal and is seeing it through. You, sir, are an inspiration.
I met you on your short stay in Minot, ND and I wish you well and good weather throughout the rest of your trip.
LikeLike
A pleasure to meet you too. I have certainally picked a giant goal – and it is very likely that i’ll not get all the way. But I’m giving it my best shot – i cant do any more than that. If i dont make it all the way, it will be for a good reason – maybe safety, maybe injury, maybe running out of time. The only way to find out is to give it a try – and have an adventure along the way! Best of luck with your goal – you’ll have tough times and setbacks, but persevere and adapt, and you’ll feel (and be) awesome!
LikeLike
Well done you xxxx
LikeLike
Thank you – and see you soon! Kxxxx
LikeLike
Many, many congrats on the first 3000 miles and 3x Everest – can hardly believe it! Your bike looks very heavily laden – and your legs have changed colour! Keep up the good work – and enjoy the ride. xxx
LikeLike
Yes, the bike weighs a ton – but that is partly because I’m carrying way more food and water than i need to. Yes, my legs are very brown – and ive got an interesting collection of tan lines!!!
LikeLike
Keith, it was wonderful meeting you tonight in Minot, ND. Thanks for sharing your story and the motivational words. You took such a big leap of faith. Thanks for living a dream!
LikeLike
It was great to chat with you – best of luck with getting back on the bike and catching up with your sister! Take it easy – lots of small steps – and you’ll get there!
LikeLike
You made it into the Jersey Evening Post Keith ! Famous at last….will miss you at the sark to jersey race this Saturday Hugs, take care and love being able to follow you…
LikeLike
Thank you for the message! I’ll be missing everyone on Saturday – and despite being 700 miles away from the nearest bit of sea, I’ll be thinking of you all, and wishing you all the best.
LikeLike