North America, First and Second.

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

Tracy and Troy were at the station to give us a lift back to Tracy’s house.
Troy had tagged along as it was time for home to fly up north to work for a couple of weeks. The two week off part of his roster had come to an end.

I felt a bit emotional when we’d dropped Troy off and said our goodbyes.
This part of our travels has been fantastic. Two friends made due to a chance meeting while heading south from Guatemala in to Honduras. Two friends that became three on meeting Tracy’s wife Mary Lee on this visit to Alaska.
Friends that have offered support through the toughest of times and that have only encouraged as life moves in to another stage. Welcoming me, us, in to their homes and sharing their time and space with total kindness and generosity.
Thank you is the thing to say but doesn’t really say enough. But thank you.

After another day at Tracy’s house resting. Actually it wasn’t all rest as one of us, not me, decided it would a good idea to borrow the offered bicycles and go to the supermarket for supplies. Being downhill all the way I was in to 50% of the journey.
The sun above us made the ride/walk back not so much fun. Sarah reckons that a bag of shopping hanging from each side of the handlebars made it worse. I wouldn’t know as I was moaning about the rucksack straps cutting in.
It was worth it though as the smorgasbord of cheese purchased went down well.

This morning we packed up and rode away. Back to the two of us and our bikes.
Again I felt a bit emotional and also muddled in my thoughts.
I’m pretty sure that we’ll all meet up again somewhere at sometime. And if we don’t....Troy, Tracy and Mary Lee will always be a very Important part of my journey. Not just this one with Sarah but the big one. THE journey.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.
DavidS
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by DavidS »

Looks like Alaska did to you what it did to us.
No amount of tv can do the beauty and sheer size of the place justice.

The people were great too....we went to the museum in Valdez and ended up having a few minutes pleasant chat to the curator as he had spent a lot of time at the British Museum. When we got back to the camper I was sent out to the supermarket for supplies and as I crossed the junction to go to the shop there was a toot of a horn and the said curator was hanging out of window. 45 minutes later, still sat at a crossroads with cars weaving round him, he decided he ought to get home. Try that here, not one complaint from another driver.

Still not jealous. And still won’t go back because it will never be as good second time round.
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DavidS
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by DavidS »

While looking at the map of our little jaunt in Canada next month I thought I would look at the gap between Anchorage and Nova Scotia.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
7900km!!! Google Maps laughingly says 3 days 14 hours...oh yeah?
Rather you than me.
What is your plan?
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

From here at Glennallen the plan is to go to Tok and then up to Dawson City. After that go via Whitehorse to The Cassiar Highway to get to Stewart/Hyder. Salmon run/bears and possibly another glacier or two.

After that...Edmonton. From there it’s more of an idea than a plan but Saskatoon and eastwards. Maybe Niagara Falls?

With a few twists and turns, not going the most direct route, I reckon we may have around 6000 miles to go....give or take a couple.
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by DavidS »

I repeat. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

:lol: :lol: We’re 32,500 miles in since we started riding in Sydney in June last year....another 6000 should be OK....all being well.
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by DavidS »

32,000 meandering seems ‘fine’ but, some reason, trekking across Canada seems more of an effort than a trip.
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

We wanted to ride over the Tompson Pass and in to Valdez but decided that it looked a bit to far for one days ride and also that the available accommodation wasn’t up to much.
So a plan was hatched to have a shorter day to stay at a lodge at Lake Louise.
It was another good day. Nice warm temperatures, cracking scenery, a glacier to stop and look at and plenty of time to do it.
When the rain arrived in the afternoon it was still OK. When it only lasted for 40 minutes or so it was even better.
The lodge was off of the main highway. 16 miles down a less maintained road. Tarmac for all but the last 3 or 4 miles but the frost heaves. We’ve done a fair few miles in Alaska and haven’t seen frost heaves as bad as those. At times is was like riding whoops in a motor cross track!
Slowing down would have probably helped....
Checking in to the accommodation highlighted my error. Yes it was the right place, no, we weren’t expecting a cabin without running water.
Luckily the nice young lady swapped us in to the last proper room they had available in the main building.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.
OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.

Post by OnHellas »

Another day, another glacier.
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