Excerpt from the Alaskan Cycle Tour:
June 30th
Today was mixed in all aspects. We awake early this morning and were surprised to find out that there was no wind. So we set out to take early hoping to take advantage of the wind. I probably started the day off on the wrong foot though. I found myself quickly becoming quite mad at Steven .
First he sent me on a bit a fools errand in search of a outhouse that he promised existed. Heres how the conversation went, "So were is it [outhouse]?" said I, " Just Under the Bridge" said Steven, "Just under the Bridge?" asked I once more, "Under the Bridge" repeated Steven, "First Bridge or Second?" asked I, "Under the Bridge" said Steven once more. It would seem the directions couldn't be clearer but during my past walk the night before I saw no outhouse under the bridges and no outhouses had appeared over night. After searching in desperation I did the desperate wobble into the bush with no TP nor a shovel to hide the evidence (and there were no good leaves either). After further interrogating , Steven revealed that the outhouse was actually a ways past both bridges in fact so far out that it was well out of sight. As I was noticeably angered by this, Steven promised to better communicate with me in the future if it were to occur again.
Next we had an argument about how to best start the ride. Our camp was positioned at the base of the valley on the left side of the divided highway in such a manner that it was a little more awkward to back on our side. We had two options. I shall draw it out. [Use you imagination. Im not drawing it again].
So admittedly, probably the biggest problem with Stevens route was that it wasn't mine. I am still kinda suffering from this "This my trip and your along for the ride" mentality that probably isn't very constructive. But also I didn't think it was safe and told Steven I was uncomfortable with it. So I was angry when he just left without me anyways. I was also angered when he didn't wait for me on the other side of the bridge. Now I didn't like his route for a few reasons, it went against the flow of traffic, there was a sharp curve on the road, on his side at the end of the bridge that reduced our visibility, there were ofcourse lots of semis and they were coming down a step slope (steep enough to have emergency pull off ramps and chaining stations). Stevens route did have the advantage of being 2 min quicker since he didn't need to go up a hill to get to the other side of the highway. (I think he felt rather smug getting to the other side first). In his defense he did not get hit by anything.
My anger was short lived however, replaced by concern as Stevens legs later buckled beneath him and gave up. A mere 18km away from GP Steven decided that peddling was too painful. His knees get the best of him and he refused to go further. So with his mind set I waited with him as he tried to hitchhike the rest of the way to the hospital. I rode the rest of the way alone. And good on Steven for getting off when he did because after he left I faced winds the likes I have never ridden against before. With so few trees near GP the wind was allowed to howl. I was reduced, at times, to walking my bike forward until the wind calmed sufficiently to let me cycle forward again. The last 18km took me more than 3 hours to complete.
Once in GP, things got better. I went to a buffet, I explored town, I met lots of friendly people who invited me out to a music festival at Wakispi park and I went to Wakispi park and watched/listened to local bands and ate free pizza. I also got some great bubble tea at a manga/anime store from a very friendly guy who helped me also find a campsite that actually let you use tents! Oh and the band "Hey Ocean" will be here tomorrow. (I saw them play the night before my US FE exam). I don't know if Ill have time to see them though. Tomorrow we will move to a campsite several kilometers west of town because Stevens wants a more affordable location. He will then rest. Then we will make a test ride out to Dawson. After seeing a Doc Steven thinks he can still do the trip, but I have my doubts he can be quite cocky. I'll give him time to rest and watch him more carefully. If I think he cant do it then I'll have to cancel the trip. If I do cancel the trip, I think I'll greyhound it the rest of the way up to Whitehorse then ride down to Skegway on my own. Heres hoping it doesn't come to that.
June 30th
Today was mixed in all aspects. We awake early this morning and were surprised to find out that there was no wind. So we set out to take early hoping to take advantage of the wind. I probably started the day off on the wrong foot though. I found myself quickly becoming quite mad at Steven .
First he sent me on a bit a fools errand in search of a outhouse that he promised existed. Heres how the conversation went, "So were is it [outhouse]?" said I, " Just Under the Bridge" said Steven, "Just under the Bridge?" asked I once more, "Under the Bridge" repeated Steven, "First Bridge or Second?" asked I, "Under the Bridge" said Steven once more. It would seem the directions couldn't be clearer but during my past walk the night before I saw no outhouse under the bridges and no outhouses had appeared over night. After searching in desperation I did the desperate wobble into the bush with no TP nor a shovel to hide the evidence (and there were no good leaves either). After further interrogating , Steven revealed that the outhouse was actually a ways past both bridges in fact so far out that it was well out of sight. As I was noticeably angered by this, Steven promised to better communicate with me in the future if it were to occur again.
Next we had an argument about how to best start the ride. Our camp was positioned at the base of the valley on the left side of the divided highway in such a manner that it was a little more awkward to back on our side. We had two options. I shall draw it out. [Use you imagination. Im not drawing it again].
So admittedly, probably the biggest problem with Stevens route was that it wasn't mine. I am still kinda suffering from this "This my trip and your along for the ride" mentality that probably isn't very constructive. But also I didn't think it was safe and told Steven I was uncomfortable with it. So I was angry when he just left without me anyways. I was also angered when he didn't wait for me on the other side of the bridge. Now I didn't like his route for a few reasons, it went against the flow of traffic, there was a sharp curve on the road, on his side at the end of the bridge that reduced our visibility, there were ofcourse lots of semis and they were coming down a step slope (steep enough to have emergency pull off ramps and chaining stations). Stevens route did have the advantage of being 2 min quicker since he didn't need to go up a hill to get to the other side of the highway. (I think he felt rather smug getting to the other side first). In his defense he did not get hit by anything.
My anger was short lived however, replaced by concern as Stevens legs later buckled beneath him and gave up. A mere 18km away from GP Steven decided that peddling was too painful. His knees get the best of him and he refused to go further. So with his mind set I waited with him as he tried to hitchhike the rest of the way to the hospital. I rode the rest of the way alone. And good on Steven for getting off when he did because after he left I faced winds the likes I have never ridden against before. With so few trees near GP the wind was allowed to howl. I was reduced, at times, to walking my bike forward until the wind calmed sufficiently to let me cycle forward again. The last 18km took me more than 3 hours to complete.
Once in GP, things got better. I went to a buffet, I explored town, I met lots of friendly people who invited me out to a music festival at Wakispi park and I went to Wakispi park and watched/listened to local bands and ate free pizza. I also got some great bubble tea at a manga/anime store from a very friendly guy who helped me also find a campsite that actually let you use tents! Oh and the band "Hey Ocean" will be here tomorrow. (I saw them play the night before my US FE exam). I don't know if Ill have time to see them though. Tomorrow we will move to a campsite several kilometers west of town because Stevens wants a more affordable location. He will then rest. Then we will make a test ride out to Dawson. After seeing a Doc Steven thinks he can still do the trip, but I have my doubts he can be quite cocky. I'll give him time to rest and watch him more carefully. If I think he cant do it then I'll have to cancel the trip. If I do cancel the trip, I think I'll greyhound it the rest of the way up to Whitehorse then ride down to Skegway on my own. Heres hoping it doesn't come to that.
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
ilex:
Barely, no. I havnt logged in since september geee.
rouse:
love love your pictures!