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Althouigh it's a bit late, we have seen some flocks of geese still moving North for the Summer. Their flights back and forth from the South are absolutely incredible. They fly thousands of miles in their trademark V-formation in search of warm weather and food.
What's so special about the V-formation? It happens to be an incredibly efficient way to travel over long distances, as the geese draft off of one another in the process. The lead flyers do most of the work to break the wind, while the ones in back get a breather. You see them switch every once in a while to share the load, and if one happens to get out of formation, then he's got to work his tail off to make it back, fighting the wind alone all the way.
This is pretty much the exact same way we feel when we're fighting a headwind as we were today. The guys without trailers break wind (literally...and sometimes figuratively unfortunately) for the guys carrying the trailers so that their job is just a little bit easier. Once you find the draft, life is pretty good, but be sure to not get outside of it or you'll be fighting your way back. In a headwind, or when you're travelling at high speeds, you have to try to stay 6-12 inches behind the front man's back tire for greatest effect. If there's a crosswind, you have to move to the side to find the draft, but the effect is the same, and it results in a considerable reduction in effort.
Battling the headwind today was hard work, but not without its rewards. As we travelled 105km to Medicine Hat, we passed a whole herd of Prairie antelope. As we cycled along, four of them ran essentially beside us, allowing Brian to get some unbelievable video. We'll try and get it up soon for you to see (whenever we can get to a computer anyways).
We also got to learn a bit about the area. Alberta is known for its oil and gas, and even just off the Transcanada, there were some pumps working in the fields. Along the way, we passed a sign which gave some insight on the history of Medicine Hat. In the late 1800's, the CP Rail struck natural gas while drilling a well. Realizing the potential for power production, it drilled in several other locations with similar results. The abundance in this area gave Medicine Hat its nickname as the "Gas City," and prompted Rudyard Kipling to proclaim that it had "hell for a basement."
After a meal and some ice cream, we're now in a campground in the city along the Transcanada. Tomorrow we'll hit our second provincial border as we head into Saskatchewan (hopefully with better winds).
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2 comments:
A shame your mother wasn't with you Keith to yell out "geese". Thought I would put that in your head for the next time you hear/see them!
Loving the blog, photos and videos. We feel like we are living the moments with you!
xoxox
you know who!
"Les Boy's"
I was not sure where to write this but I figured that I would add to the latest addition of the blog. Great pictures and I was amazed at how many of them had beer and ice cream in them. Also Keith I guess you will now remember when you were in the country and your mother kept after you to put on sun screen. Nice tan. No really the pictures are great it allows us to see a fraction of what you have. The mountains are amazing; I can not wait until we hear all about it. I hope the prairies are kinder to you with the wind, but remember it is flat and nothing to stop it blowing. Keep up the pace, it sounds like other than the wind it is going well
Keep the rubber on the pavement
Your Ottawa cheering section
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