Ride on, Highway Cat !!: Gas City, Man

Day 14, Bassano RV Camp to Gas City Campground Medicine Hat
Dist, 154, est. Avg. spd. 19.8km, est. Saddle Time 8 hours ( I accidentally zero'd my cyclometer)

A long day with nothing to look at. It felt satisfying to leave Bassano without paying though. Actually, I think that they owe me money as my presence was a visual upgrade to the park. Also, I killed many mosquitos for them.
The day got pretty toasty, I got major sunburn. tsk tsk... The heat wore me out and I was looking forward to crashing soon. I had a potential anger management situation with a "Flag Girl" in a construction zone, I rode on the inside of her traffic cones for my safety. She didn't fancy that. She was the only obstacle standing between me and the road to camp. The road was clear, but she forced me to find another way. I let the little snot nose bitch have her way. Nobody wins if I let the Hulk out. "Hulk Smash !!"
Anyway... it was a nice short ride through a chunk of parkland up to the camp. A dandy facility overlooking Medicine Hat. Got settled in, pick up supplies and update my Blog and who rolls in ?...
It's SHAUN boy, and he picked up a stranger.... MIKE !!
We had a fire with some beers that night. Cool guys !!
Turns out that (Shaun) is doing back to back tours. He just finished a motorcycle tour of USA before starting this bike tour. Then he's off to Nursing school. Smart bastard. MIKE is a bit older than us, but is younger at heart. He has lots of electronic devices to enhance his experience. He is also a former 10.5 Ironmanner. (So he says) He had many wobbly pops that night) For those not in the know, 10.5 hour Ironman is very good and top of his catagory. I could only dream of such a strong finish. (Ironman is a brand name Triathlon. Many are held throughout the world, but only 1 "full length" in Canada) Iron
Very cool lads ! A highlight of my trip for sure !
I forged onward next morning, while the lads stuck around for Canucks fun at the local swill'n swine.
Good Luck Lads !!

Morning road ...

AC/DC's original logo design

A nice little oasis of snackeroni

The "Gas City". Coming from the birthplace of Greenpeace, this seems bizarre.

This is where I wanted to turn. At the end of a long hot day I am confronted with an over zealous Flagette... I pull out the "Civilized Card" and no one needs a Hospital stay or Jail time.

A calming road to camp

Nice

Entrance to the camp

HWC is thrilled

My site

HWC sunbathing

Shaun. I love your tent. Roomy !

Mike, me and Shaun. What a strange brew we are. A good mix.

And this guy want's to be a nurse

Mike is ...'The Gadget Guy !" Are you on Auto-pilot Mike ?, Mike ?...

A hot cycle, but a cool end...
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June 1, 2011...
PRAIRIE DOGS & HEADWINDS

Saskatchewan ( Province # 3)

DAY 15, Gas City Camp-Eagle Valley Camp (near Maple Creek Sask)
Dist, 88 km, 16.6 km/hr avg. Saddle Time 5:30 hr.(also 29 km extra riding not inc. in total)
I stuck this post at the tail end of Day 14 after I realized that I had never entered it. Maybe lost it ?)
Like the title says; nothing but Prairie Dogs and a headwind for 60 km. A depressing ride, but the road was sweet.
Eagle Valley is a nice campground. The office/comfort station with a lobby was elaborately decorated with a tropical flare. Extremely beautiful, but strange. Two black Persian cats were stalking the area. Cool.
I heard that 44mm of rain was on route, so after pegging down the tent, I dug out my little expensive lightweight tarp. I had the time, so what the hell.
Went into "town" for goodies. Annoying, as it was 12 km. I hammered this out and back.
In the morning on my way out, I swung by the Camp "Oasis" to use the washroom and fill my fluid canisters. I noticed that a sign saying " NO BICYCLE SHOE CLEATS ALLOWED" was hung at the entrance. I can't say I blame him as the floor was expensive tiling. My shoes, however are walkable mountain bike style. Anyway...