Day 15

Day 15, June 8 Maple Creek to Swift Current km 1685-1828, 143 km today

We left at 7:30 in dry cool air. The wind was strong and from the northwest making the jaunt from Maple Creek to the TCH slow being into the wind and uphill. The initial part of today's ride was really fun with the wind at our backs and not gusty. We saw lots of prairie dogs, cattle and a single antelope. They have also installed a wind farm south of the highway. About 50 km from Swift Current it started to rain, got colder, and the wind started shift toward the northeast. When the wind was directly from the north, it was very gusty and every time a truck passed, it blew us around. It wasn't the fault of the drivers because they shifted over into the left lane as they passed to help us as much as possible. We also saw some huge grain elevators today; rather than being made of wood they seem to be all concrete or steel. By the time we got to Swift Current, we were very hungry and cold; it felt great getting into the motel and having a warm bath.