Ride For Rand

Five years ago just before my father Randy Mercer passed away from cancer, he told me to follow my dreams and do what makes me happy. After living in and cycling around Japan and Korea, I've been planning this trip since coming back home in honour of my father. Continuing to reach for the stars, I will ride my bike across Canada, promoting local hospices and the great work they do for the dying and their families along the way. Follow me as I travel Canada from Coast to Coast. ~Kane Mercer

Sunday, 2 July 2017

Days 40 /41- Winnipeg

The previous day I had stayed with my host in Carberry Manitoba and the weather in the morning wasn't looking too good, so I had another big decision to make: should I accept a ride into Winnipeg?

I accepted the 100km ride in the end because I felt that this whole experience was about the journey, so I should keep an open mind. I had gone out of my way to seek beautiful vistas, not necessarily the fastest way to get from A to B. I even took my sweet time in British Columbia and spent my time slowly moving through the beautiful landscapes. Now, here I was, with friends who are willing to take me into Winnipeg when it was going to pouring rain outside all day, and my friend Tim from high school and his girlfriend Loree were waiting for me to stay with them. I decided it was more important to spend time with Tim and spend a good weekend rested and out of the rain; after all, who knows what will happen afterwards. Maybe I'll be stuck in the rain and this respite from the elements will be fondly remembered.

I really enjoyed my time in Winnipeg. Tim and Loree showed me around the city and I got to meet Loree's daughter Abby who is a bright young girl with a beautiful personality. We went on a boat ride in the Red River and I learned quite a bit about the history of the area. After a few days I decided I had better continue because 40 days had passed and I wasn't even halfway.

Thanks again to Angela and her family for eeverything!

Long time no see!

Supporting the ride for mental health

Event

Some finishers

Everyone finished around the same time

Delicious but expensive

My Cholesterol must be raising...

Meet Abby

Nice Day isnt it

Our view

Tim taking a picture

Of ducks

Sad moment

edit: On the boat tour

Day 39 - Grenfell to Griswold Manitoba ( Just outside of Brandon)

I woke up in Grenfell, Saskatchewan. The weather looked like it had improved quite a bit from the previous day. The wind was also still gusting to the east so all I had to do was get up, eat some breakfast and ride out the door to see my to get to Manitoba in no time at all. After rearranging my packs the owner of the motel knocked on my door and offered me some traditional Korean breakfast and I was very thankful. I really felt taken care of by the family there and if they are reading this I want to express my sincere thanks one more time.

The wind was gusting and as usual it did rain sometimes, but I was boogying down the road at 40km/hr--it was really nice. I made it to the Manitoba border in no time at all. I was having so much fun. Also I started to see trees again for the first time in a while. The landscape really started to change. Even though it was still really flat the tree line and some more features of the landscape made it really new and interesting for me to see Manitoba.

I had a host in Carberry, just east of Brandon Manitoba and my plan was to try to get as close as I could so that I wouldn't have to stay outside in the rain. When I told Angela my host, she agreed that it would be a good idea for me to stay over that night with her family even though it meant getting a ride from Brandon which is a little bit before Carberry.

I asked her to wait for me at 9 p.m. in Brandon and that around 7:30 while I was on my way there was a truck that pulled up next to me--it was them! On one hand part of me wanted to go the rest of the way to Brandon but I was also really relieved to get picked up and taken to their home so I could spend more time with them and before getting some rest.

On their farm, I met their family and spent a nice time rogether with the family, although it was short. I went to sleep rested and woke up feeling great. Thank you Angela and family for hosting me!

Yes, I did accept a ride to their home, but really, it's not like I didn't put in work on that day either. I managed to cycle 201 km before they picked me up near Griswold Manitoba.

Also dubious

Thanks for the food

A little band of blue 'cmon

Breaking up the clouds

Much better!

Layered clouds

Welcome to Manitoba!

Interesting Clouds

Cotton

My host family :)

Day 38 - Regina to Grenfell, SK

I woke up early in the morning because I wanted to get as far as I could before the weather changed and I was in the rain again.

First I was riding my bike down one of the main trails to get back onto the number 1 Highway and my cousin Amy passed me! I was super excited to see her as she drove on her way to work. For some reason, though, I was having trouble with my odometer. I'd gone around 10 km but it wasn't registering my speed or distance. I decided to deal with this problem when I got to Tim Hortons.

So I get to Tim Hortons and eat my breakfast and try to adjust my odometer but it wasn't simple problem to fix. Before I knew it I was looking up how to fix it through the instruction manual and in the process I accidentally reset my odometer. I ended up going to London Drugs to buy a new battery. Fortunately I know how far I had gone up until this point:

I had ridden 2500 kilometers. After passing the Rocky Mountains I did at least 14000 m of altitude gain. My top speed was 71.2 kilometers per hour.

The wind was really gusting and eventually the wind brought the clouds in and it became rainy. I was riding in the in the wind and the rain for what felt like hours. It was starting to get dark and I passed a very small town called Grenfell, Saskatchewan. There was a small motel and something drew me to it. I decided to go inside to see if they will give me a good price. Normally I wouldn't expect to be able to stay in a motel because my budget can't really afford it under normal circumstances, but it had been raining all night and day, and I felt like I needed a little bit of respite from the wind, cold and rain. To my surprise when I began to chat with the owner of the motel I discovered that they were a family from South Korea where I used to live teaching English. I explained my situation and his wife opened the sliding door and offered me a good price to stay the night. I will be forever thankful for their kindness. In addition to this, she offered me one of my favorite Korean dishes called ddakbokeumtang. I was really happy that I could stay the night in Grenfell Saskatchewan.

In total I cycled 140k

Dubious Weather

And so they named the town "Indian Head" for all the native people buried there

Bottomless coffee in Indian Head

Thank you!

Delicious

My room

(Next day) This was my hotel.

edit: Very Green

Day 37 - Moosejaw to Regina

I left Moosejaw in the late morning with hugs and goodbyes from my aunt and uncle. I was sad to go because I felt like I had already reached my destination, but we know the truth... Actually, I was still less than half way.

It took a little bit of coaxing, but I mustered my motivation and started on my way with a trip to Timmy's for the WiFi to ask where my cousin's house was in Regina. But while I was there, I had an interesting experience. I met a native guy who was clearly having a rough time. It didn't look like he had very much money and may have been homeless, and he asked me about my bike trip. After I told him, he started to tell me his story of how he saw his dad get shot by the police after a chase when he was a kid and how it affected him. He offered to give me his coffee because he said that he wanted to help me in some way. I couldn't accept and told him to drink his coffee, but I was really touched by the fact that he would offer me that and a toonie he found on the ground. Sometimes I have trouble when I feel like the roles are reversed. He was trying to support me, but in that moment I really wanted to help him.

Next I went to the Hub, a local meat shop and received a big bag of beef jerky as a donation from them. I was really appreciative of their help. Thanks!

I remember that the wind was gusting quite hard but fortunately this time it was gusting in the direction I was going--east. I left Moosejaw quite late but I arrived really quickly because of the weather. Two hours later I was in front of the legislative buildings in downtown Regina.
I rode my bike to my cousin GJ's and he was really kind to me. In my life I haven't had many opportunities to spend time with my cousins aunts, and uncles around Saskatchewan, but everytime I go to visit I'm always welcomed enthusiastically and with open arms. I'm very appreciative of everything they did for me.

On the road again!

I can almost smell the canola in the fields

The Regina Legislative buildings

River View

The Building

Days 30 to 36 - Rest Week in Moosejaw

I had a fabulous week in Moosejaw. Before I tell you my time there, first I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey of mine. I'm always overwhelmed by the support that I've received personally and for Victoria Hospice. I also find the encouragement and kind words that everyone is saying to be precious. Even though I can't always respond to everyone individually, these are energy boosts that keep me going. Of course, I also love cycling for cycling's sake, but having a sense of purpose really drives me forward. Without everyone support, I don't know if I would have been able to make it as far as I have, but I feel supported by everyone around me--I'm not alone!

Originally, I wanted to do something special in honor of my father and the support that I get in this journey makes me feel like I've succeeded. When I was in Moosejaw especially, I could feel how much everyone loved Randy-- it was almost as if they were channeling the love which they had for my father through their kind actions towards me and I really appreciate that. Also, after telling my story to strangers, people will spontaneously donate or just stop to tell me their own stories of personal challenges of losing others. Of course, the personal adventure of the trip is important to me, but it is a also a great opening point through which we can remember the great person who my father was and to discuss these difficult matters from a perspective of gratitude rather than loss.

I spent a nice week with family in Moosejaw. I went out with my cousins and visited my aunts and uncles. I also explored Moosejaw freely, walking around the city, getting to know more about it. I did tons of stuff but the highlight of the trip was family.

Finally I wanted to mention about the newspaper articles which were written in Moosejaw about the trip. It was nice. Thanks to auntie Wenda for setting this up.

First, I was on page 7 of the Moosejaw Express. I was also in an article in the Moosejaw Times Herald .

I had a great week and was able to rest. Time to move on to Regina!