I agree ... here on the Canadian prairies, you just never know what you are going to get in the way of weather.

The attached photo was taken May 11, 2004 in Winnipeg, outside the building where I worked at the time. And in Alberta, between Calgary and Red Deer, on August 2, 2002 there was a similar blizzard.

The July long weekend in 2004 wasn't remotely summer-like either. I did a 600K brevet that weekend, and we rode through sleet during the night.


My advice to anyone planning to cycle across Canada, or anywhere within Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba, at any point during the year, is to bring a balaclava, full-fingered gloves, and booties. You may be fortunate and not need them ... but if you do run into a blizzard in May or August, you'll be glad you have them!!