So yesterday was day one. Left Regina around 8:00 am. Google maps said 13.5 hours, which I hoped was longer than necessary. Cruised along at 130 kmph for most of it. That's what the speedometer said. My gps said more like 120. There is some construction on 13 but it's pretty hard gravel and I found it gave me confidence for later. There is the odd spot too where a heavy semi had created a soft spot, but they are easy enough to skirt around without slowing as much as I would have using a four wheel vehicle. I cut off well over an hour by the time I got to Consul. That's where the gravel starts. I suck on gravel and have spent the last couple of hours combing the forum for advice. Some of it wasn't too bad and I was able to find a path relatively clear of small rocks and was able to keep it in second doing 40 - 60 kmph comfortably. Other times, the rock was all over the road and having the front fishing around in one direction while the rear went another lead to a few cardiac events. A LITTLE throttle really does straighten you out. Still put my foot down a couple of times and concluded that getting a broken leg out here would be a bad idea. 96 km of gravel all together until I hit the asphalt south of Manyberries and was able to return to 130. I say humbly that it took me four hours (though that includes a stop for lunch). The last stretch was the worst, no rock free path at all in the middle. Riding near the edge of the ditch worked best. My hats off to you folks that have the skill. With the plastic saddle bags, learning the limits by running into them is something that I want to avoid. Beautiful vistas, assuming that you appreciate unbroken prairie. Had to slow down for a couple of herds of cattle and a few texas gates. I did see the sign that said 39 km to the site of the Cypress Hills Massacre. Wish that I had the time for a visit, but another 80 km of gravel might have done me in. It was a great day and I'm glad that I traced the Red Coat Trail in this part of the world. Still got to Lethbridge after 12 hours, 1.5 hours faster than Google said.

BB: How did the ride go? I'm curious to hear. Let us know.


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