Today is Day #40 of The Road To Valour

On today’s ride I was joined by:

• Ehsan Ebrahimnia
• Ernie MacDonald

As we prepared to leave our little cabin at Keeshkeemaquah Campground, we were celebrating two small victories. The rain was falling, but it was far lighter than forecast. More importantly, there was virtually no wind.

For the first 22 kilometres, we flew down the highway at a pace that felt effortless. After more than a week of battling headwinds across the Prairies, it was pure joy. We couldn’t stop smiling.

We rolled into McGregor, MB, and treated ourselves to breakfast at the McGregor Hotel. Looking back, maybe we jinxed ourselves.

The moment we stepped back outside, the wind had returned. And, true to Prairie form, it was blowing straight into our faces.

But something had changed. With the finish line now so close, the headwind didn’t seem to matter as much. Our spirits were high, our legs were strong, and we settled back into a steady rhythm, knowing that every pedal stroke was bringing us one kilometre closer to the end of The Road To Valour.

The real highlight of the day for me was Karen and Nakuru’s arrival. After 2 ½ days of hard driving she made it in. The mountains and the prairies that took me a month, she did in just 2 ½ days. Quite an achievement –and so happy to see the two of them.

She will go directly to Winnipeg and meet me at the Valour Road Commemorative Plaza on Canada Day.

Portage la Prairie, MB. Just two more stops and a little over 100 kilometres to go. After nearly six weeks on the road, The Road To Valour is drawing to a close. The finish line is almost close enough to see, but it’s impossible not to look back and think about the people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard, and the reason this journey began.

That still needs to wait, Tomorrow is a ride to Stonewall, MB. Two day and just over a 100 km. The truth of what has been accomplished is just starting to sink in — it will take. a few weeks.

Riding The Road To Valour