Medicine Hat to Gull Lake Saskatchewan (170.5 km)

Saskatchewan! Our third province of the trip greeted us with our very first solid tailwind. We hope this becomes a trend!  After some goading about not completing a century from Alex's father on our Bassano to Medicine Hat comment section, we decided to take up the challenge and go ten over to complete 170km today. 

Our day started late out of Medicine Hat since we thought we 'only' had 90km ahead of us.  The morning dumped gallons of rain on us and we were a soggy mess by the time we reached Walsh for lunch under a gas station awning.  

The rain eased off when we passed the provincial border but the wind continued to have our backs.  We cruised along enjoying our new found support and the spectacular views. There were many more rolling hills today on both the road and the fields, which has shortened the sightline and created an impossibly beautiful landscape.  

When we reached our intended destination for the evening, Eagle Valley Campground, we knew better than to let our emphatic 25 kmh tailwind go to waste.  After a quick check of tomorrow's weather forecast predicting afternoon thunderstorms and southerly winds, I was able to persuade Alex to ride another 54km to Tompkins and the next campground.  I think the wind had grown even stronger while we were deliberating at Eagle Valley because that was the fastest 54km we have ever rode!

We were full of adrenalin when we reached Tompkins and Alex said, "well, it's only 24km to Gull Lake..."

Me: "Let's do it!"

We kept flying toward Gull Lake and probably would have tried to push into Swift Current tonight if we hadn't of started so late this morning (this might be one of those "for the best" moments).  So now we are drying out at the Gull Lake campground after shaving 78km off tomorrow's ride. This means we will have more time to check out Swift Current and that we saved $8 by camping here instead.  Good Day!