Jul 01, 2013

Winnipeg – Rest Day

Today and tomorrow no major Cycling is happening.
I have been thinking of the geographic and landscape changes over the last 1800 km since I started in Owen Sound. Although the ride seems often monotonous and changes are subtle, looking back there have been about 5 fairly distinct areas. At first we cycled the Bruce peninsula and Manitoulin Island a typical lime stone formation extending the Niagara Escarpment to the north where it ubruptly meets the La Cloche range with its steep quartzite mountains/hills. Before Espanola the Shield country starts. At times granite and gneis show large quartz intrusions reflecting dramatic changes long time ago. I followed the shield country with rivers crossing to Sault Ste Marie. Then on the other side of the border going west on the Michigan Upper Peninsula the landscape is either flat or gently rolling hills. At first there were farms with pastures, then increasingly forests. The forests seem to go on for ever, and it seems like a huge tree farm. The many logging trucks are testimony of the commercial use of this area. Then, around Minesing the Iron Range starts. The hills become steeper and higher. Here the riches lie mostly underground as iron and copper. Mining has been a major industry here and therefore the shipping industry and the railroad became crucial parts of the equation (and exploitation) . One historic marker points out that the area was largely uninhabited until the iron boom hit, while mentioning that Lake Gogebic’s name is Chippewa for Place of Diving.
The Prairies started quite unexpectedly at the end of the day west of Duluth. Suddenly everything flattened out with occasional little elevations and yesterday was a real prairie day. Long straight roads, small towns, North West winds, mirages on the horizon. For some strange reason the road looks like it’s going uphill while it’s complete flat.
Crossing the Red River at sunset was a rewarding moment.
Today was a rest day with some talks and an interview. It’s interesting, everybody knows about violence against women but we don’t really have a collective language for it. Domestic violence and woman abuse don’t really name what’s at the heart of the issue. Our collective struggles to understand our roles as men, our roles in relationships, how we act with other men, how to be gentle and caring etc
Then, unexpectedly I met the Famous Five at the Legislature of Manitoba. Seeing the statue of these assertive women was a moving moment; they achieved that women were recognized as persons in Canada by law but this is still not reflected in the lives of many women. The images on the magazines that stared at me at the supermarket afterwards told a different story.
Let’s imagine: what would these famous five women do about the objectification of women?

Famous Five

Famous Five- Winnepeg, Manitoba

8 thoughts on “Winnipeg – Rest Day

  1. Clark Schneider

    Cheering for you now in B.C. Enjoy the flat while it lasts as there seem to be a lot of hills out here! Loved the picture of the statue of the five women. Didn’t know it was there. Stay safe.

    Reply
    1. joachim ostertag

      The famous five
      I felt so touched meeting them so unexpectedly on the lawn behind the legislature. They presented so real and it was like their historic accomplishments confirmed somewhat what I’m trying to do in a small way. Their postures seem proper fitting Victorian expectations but I could sense their revolutionary thrust which also will propel me further west on this change the cycle

      Reply
  2. Sibylle Walke

    Hi Joachim ,
    I have been catching up with you. The cycling seems to be rolling on without a hitch . I have been wondering how the meeting with poeple works in the vast expanse of land. As a german used to crowds meetings at “underpopulated places”come with such intensity and meaning.
    Bringing violence against women in the forefront must be a challenge though. It occurs behind the scenes even in highly populated places.
    Thanks for the picture of the famous five sculpture. Did you know they were on the fifty dollar note until recently, when the H.rule replaced them with an ice breaker.
    All the best Sibylle

    Reply
    1. joachim ostertag

      As a German Canadian familiar with the power of oppression I subversively try to work the media talking about what matters. How about pornography talk with breakfast cereal…
      Yes I miss the famous five on the 5 dollar bills. Maybe one day they will be on the million dollar bill.

      Reply
  3. may tettero

    Hi joachim, I’m writing you from the Vancouver ferry terminal. I’m so impressed at how far you already are and hope your body is cooperating with your dream. Yes there seems to be such a gap between what we say we believe and what the media reflects back to us. Thinking of you.

    Reply
    1. joachim ostertag

      Dear May
      You are so right. But luckily my 60 year old body is following my dreams. The pain on the darker side of my physical self is nothing to the pain we try to change in this world.

      Reply
  4. Dan Purdon

    Hi Joachim, just watched the interview from CityTV in Winnipeg, excellent interview. In Ottawa with Lorraine, Dail, Kelly, Dave, Marsha and myself attending BluesFest. We are all following you on the website, what a great job you are doing. Say hi to Dennis and Dave.
    Dan

    Reply

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