Day 54 Sandy and Lorne’s to Eastend

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We gathered in the kitchen for coffee and toast and a last chin-wag before getting on the road around 7:45. The gravel road to Consul was mainly downhill and the surface was relatively easy on the nerves to ride. It was a perfect day, cool and bright and clear all the way into Consul. Marge was pointing out the various birds and other fauna, happy that our spell of gravel was coming to an end. I have to admit, my butt was sore from the vibration from the road, and having to use back up shorts which are not as well padded as the ones I have been using, so I was fixated on a soft seat and another cup of coffee.

The sun shone on the Consul Grain silo now at the end of the rail line,

it also shone on the gas station, the motel and the diner which were all closed because it was Sunday. We had plenty of water, but snack food was in short supply after two long days, so we shared the last of the cherries, one each, and started off to Eastend 72kms away, where we decided to end our day.

The wind was blowing strongly from the north, which reduced our speed to about 10kph going north, but it was of no matter when going in our predominantly eastern direction. We had one hill of about 150m to climb then nicely rolling all the way. The area is made up of different colored clay hills,

each of which has its industrial uses, so there is still extensive mining, and there are outcrops of brilliant white everywhere. The ride into Eastend, famous for its T-Rex museum, finished with a long 6% downhill to the Riverside Motel where we camped under a tree, and were treated like returning heroes when the Owner found out we had just cycled the 501. We put up the tent, shopped and ate steak and fries followed by the famous rice pudding at Jack’s Restaurant, and then I put my head down and slept all afternoon. It was hot and very windy. Marge did a little laundry and watched the local cats

Ron getting ready to get his head down .

Our average speed tells the tale of fatigue; at 16.5kph this comes across as a difficult stage, it was not, even with the unhelpful wind. Fortunately, tomorrow will be a short day to Shaunavon. We’ll see how we feel then and maybe take another rest day.

We had a rum toddy before bed at 8:00 and were asleep before 8:05. Better than Sominex.

Average 16.5kph,

Today's climb 350m,

Today's distance 90km.

Total Distance 3790km.