Day 25 (July 27th)

Starbuck, MB to about 30km West of Kenora, ON

As I was packing my tent and loading things back onto my bicycle, Tony approached with two coffees and some cookies and we chatted about cycling and whatnot. I didn't ask, but Tony was either the owner, manager or groundskeeper of the golf course and also a cyclist. He even offered me the use of the washroom at the clubhouse. What a great start to the day.

Increasingly, almost all signage has been in both English and French, reflecting the large French speaking population in this part of the province.

There were many happy honks and friendly waves. A few angry honks and one random middle finger from a car headed in the opposite direction... But by far more friendlies than unfriendlies.

I passed through Winnipeg around mid-day, and after experimenting with some smaller roads opted on taking the TransCanada as it seemed to be the lesser of all evils.

In many places there was no paved shoulder to ride on, but drivers were giving me plenty of room.

I passed the longitudinal centre of Canada!

I lost my sunglasses at a convenience store and couldn't find them. When I went to buy a new pair, the attendant kindly offered me a pair that had been in the lost and found for some time, and I accepted. I finished my slushy and carried on.

I crossed the border into Ontario and kept pedalling until the light was out.

Route: E on Hwy 2, NE on Hwy 3, NE on Route 155, N on Route 42, N on Route 70 (Stafford St), E on Route 85 (Portage Ave), S on Donald St, E on Graham Ave, N on Main St, SE on Route 57, S on Route 30, E on Route 115, E on Hwy 15, S on Hwy 207, E on Hwy1