Ride on, Highway Cat !!: LISTEN TO THE CAT !

Day 23, Portage La Prairie - Beausejour Man. (Superior Inn)
(Est.) Dist 160 km, avg, 20km/hr, Saddle Time 8 hrs.
06 09 2011

OK....
Today will be interesting.... And turns out. It was !
I broke away from the joyful, frollicking whimsy that is the "Yellowhead Highway" and onto the # 26. My Winnipeg informant passed on this intel to me. Jason B. of Winnipeg suggested that I take the #26 to Winnipeg. It was a totally awesome ride ! Very little traffic, lots to see, including funky farm houses, cemeteries, and flood damage. Not that I'm applauding flood damage. It was quite a long solitary ride and I was getting hungry. I had packed 4 sandwiches, but couldn't stop anywhere do to the flood - born Evil BloodthirstyMonstermosquitos ! Also, There's nothing to lean the bike onto. No guardrails, trees or even a small signpost. No refuge to take a pee. even if you COULD tolerate the mosquitoes. So, you just keep riding and riding till insanity takes hold. Aarrrghh ! Evil land.
I arrived in a town called "Francois Xavier" Where a fantastic picnic area awaited my arrival. Sweet. Apparently this area has Mennonite routes. I saw a girl out jogging with an I Pod. (not very Mennonitish) Although, I here the Blacksmith works miracles.
Once the #26 reconnected with Hwy 1, I was off to civilization where lots of noise emanated.(seemed overwhelming after all the silent riding so far) From there, I found the 101. Road conditions were good except for some major construction and heavy traffic. This Perimeter Hwy takes me East around the North side of Winnipeg. Jason lives near this area. I was going to pop in, but I knew that my day was long, so I motored along. (in hindsight, I shouldve crashed on his front step) He was probably out on an Ironman training Ride anyway. Slow down Jason you're too fast.
After getting through some construction, I was on to the #59 N. I stopped at a gas station to refuel and was approached by an eager onlooker. Actually, a few people asked what I was doing, How much does my bike weigh ? Where did you..." and "How many miles"... I gave my card to the lad with honest interest . He can find info about my ride on the Blog URL printed on the top of the card. Let's call him "Jimmy" He asked good questions for a young wippersnapper. I just felt like saying "Wippersnapper" I won't say "Whippersnapper" any more.
After passing the "Bird's Hill Provincial Park",
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/popular_parks/central/birds.html
(I can't believe that I'm passing a fantastic prov. pk. to go to a private " Kids R Us Camporramma") I turned east on Hwy 44. The first 20 km or so is non bike friendly. Luckilly, its not super busy, but still stressful enough to boil my blood.
I came to the Beausejour exit. Pulling out my cell phone, I tried to call the campground to confirm it's location (on the Hwy or in town) No cell reception. Highwaycat suggested that I continue down the highway.
I decided to go into town which is around 5 km off the hwy.
Now I'm tired and angry and hungry. Realizing that I goofed, I stared back at the highway horizon line trying to muster the courage to head back out. AARRGHHJJYPHTH ! I just couldn't bring myself to add yet another 10 km to my day.
So, here I am at the "Superior Inn"
Superior Crap !! A big newish motel with nobody around, weird...