GASP 2003

Every week or two, I would check the SCA web page to see if there was anything new. Every time the Great Annual Saskatchewan Pedal would catch my eye. I would reread the information and look at the map. I was interested in taking part but really did not feel that I had the cycling experience. I posted a message on the Saskatoon Cycling Club discussion page to see if anyone had any information about this type of event. Fortunately, Marion Perry took the time to answer some of my questions. I decided that I had to register for this event since this would probably be my last chance to try something like this before winter arrived.

Friday afternoon I made my way to Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park. I arrived much later than I had planned and was not sure where to find anyone else. With the help of the Camp Host, I met up with Marion, Don, and Velda. They had arrived a short time earlier and were still in the process of setting up camp.

Saturday morning all the participants gathered for a pre-ride meeting. This was the first chance for everyone in the group to meet. Marion, Ron, Velda and Bob from Regina. Dennis and his two sons, David and Daniel, and myself from Saskatoon. Tamela and Karen from Winnipeg (formerly of Regina). Two more riders from Moose jaw had signed up, but were unable to attend. Every rider received a map of the routes that we would follow over the next three days and the general plan for the weekend events was discussed.

The plan was to depart from camp a 9 am, and we were a little behind schedule. Just as we were preparing to depart, Tamela got the first flat of the tour. She had been putting a little air into her tires when the valve stem came off the inner tube. Within a few minutes, Tamela and Karen had this minor set back fixed and the group was ready to go.

We headed out of the campground to the highway. It was a beautiful sunny morning with virtually no wind. The route started east along Hwy 229 and then south on Hwy 9 to Yorkton. The group met at the Imperial 400 hotel in Yorkton for lunch. After lunch, the route took us northwest to Springside along Hwy 16 and then north up Hwy 47 back to the campground.

Unfortunately, Saturday night I had to visit family in Yorkton and did not get a chance to spend time around the campfire and get to know everyone else in the group and take part in the bannick experiment.

The second day found us traveling south on Hwy 47 back to Springside, then northwest to along Hwy 16 to Theodore. From Theodore we had to travel north on the 651, this was the only gravel section on the route. Luckily, by following the tire tracks we were able to stay on a hard packed surface. This portion was quite easy even for the bikes equipped with the skinnier road tires. At the end of the gravel and there was a short section of pavement into Whitesands Regional Park. This was the worst pavement of the entire tour. It was so rough; that I think everyone would have preferred to be on gravel the whole way. Whitesands has a small restaurant and lunch was ready as soon as we arrived. Thanks to Bob for warning them that we were coming. Whitesands is a scenic, quiet park and was a perfect spot to take a lunch break. The restaurant had several picnic tables outside with numerous trees to provide plenty of shade. Some relaxed while others went to explore a bit.

The route back to Good Spirit Lake was the exact reverse of the route we had used to get to Whitesands. Marion and Ron (of Regina) started first. Marion had just finished the gravel section and had entered the town of Theodore when a thorn managed to puncture her rear tire, the second flat of the tour. Ron and Marion stopped on the side of the road to take care of this minor glitch in the day’s plans. They could not have picked a nicer spot to take care of the flat. They stopped under a row of large shade trees. As each of us caught up to them this gave us a chance to take a short break and lay on the grass in the shade. I think we all were debating whether or not we could fit in a quick nap. Ron had the tire fixed a ready to go in what seemed like no time. Once again, we were on the road again.

Somewhere between Theodore and Springside, Tamela had the third and final flat when a piece of wire pierced her tire.

Sunday evening the group went for dinner at the golf course. Tamela and Karen brought their photos from the Kettle Valley Railway trip that they had done earlier in the summer with the Wascana Freewheelers.

Day three had the group traveling east on Hwy 229, and then north on Hwy 9 to Canora. The tour arrived at the Canora railway museum where we each received a free sample of the best municipal water in Canada, 4^th in the world. From here, everyone set out in the search of lunch. Several of the restaurants were closed. The locals all seemed to be eating at one of the Chinese restaurants. Half of the group had a giant feast of Chinese food, those of us looking for a slightly lighter meal settled on sandwiches. Everyone enjoyed their meal at this restaurant.

From Canora we followed Hwy 5 east to Veregin and finished the tour at the National Doukhobour Heritage Village. Here we spent our final hours touring the various buildings that had been part of the Doukhobour settlements, and looking at various artifacts and pictures.

Throughout the three days, we were fortunate enough to have wonderful weather. The days were sunny and warm but not too hot to make cycling uncomfortable. The winds were usually favorable and even when they were not they were never bad enough to lower anyone’s spirits. The routes had been well chosen, the highways that had no shoulder had very little traffic and the roads were in good shape. The highways that had heavier traffic had wider shoulders that were also in good shape. The roadways were relatively flat with some sections of rolling hills.

Our routes took us past brilliant yellow fields, bright green grasslands, and rich green-forested areas. We had crossed several creeks and passed a few ponds. Along the way, we passed a vast array of domesticated animals and wildlife. There were cows, sheep, bison, deer, squirrels, and numerous types of waterfowl and birds of prey.

Prior to signing up for GASP 2003, I had been worried about the distance and pace for one of these tours. I was concerned with the type of attitude the other riders might have had. What I found when I got to GASP 2003 was that it was just a group of people with a vast range of ages and cycling experience, but there were no egos or attitudes. It was just a group of people that just wanted to be out riding their bicycles, enjoying the sights and sounds found along the way. Each person set their own pace, riding solo or in small groups sharing stories about other rides. The sag wagon was always close at hand with a supply of water, juices, fruit, and other snacks.

Special congratulations to Daniel and David, the youngest riders of the tour. These two young men seemed to be working twice as hard to cover the same ground as the rest of us. Their determination and desire to ride the entire distance was impressive.

I would also like to thank Marion Perry for giving me the final push I needed to go out and register for this event. Had it not been for her, I would not have had three of the best days of riding I have had this season. I would not have had to opportunity to meet this group of interesting people.

To any one that has been thinking about taking part in an event similar to this or is considering getting involved in bicycle touring I would highly recommend taking part in GASP 2004, or any other similar event put on by the SCA next year. You will have an opportunity to take part in a supported tour where at any time you can hop on the sag wagon and take a break. You will meet a other riders who are only interested in the enjoyment of the ride, but are willing to help out a novice with maintenance, and pass along tips and advice that they have gained over the years. Although there were a few small hitches in the weekend plans, the whole experience was positive and very enjoyable. I look forward to riding with all those who participated in this tour again in the future.

Cam Stephen