My Adventure Story
Day 20 - July 11
From Tok, Alaska - to near Whitehorse, Yukon, CANADA
Long ride and road was mostly good, despite being tentative as some riders said the road was pretty choppy. Guess it depends what type of bike you are on. Stayed at a campsite with a Hot Spring pool. Nice, but campsite was pretty basic - about 25km from Whitehorse
Day 21 - July 12
Rode to Whitehorse - Finally had Timmies again after a long break! Was going to head to Skagway, Alaska as I'd heard it's a nice ride. Was planning on staying overnight there and take a fast ferry from Skagway to Juneau, Alaska which returns to Skagway the same day. Ride down was nice, but found out that the ferrry was down for servicing. Back to Whitehorse then. Camped out at the same campsite I stayed at going into Alaska. Nice campsite, always full of people from all parts and good advice. Basically got a big chunk of my itinerary at this campsite!
Day 22 - July 13
Plan was to start heading down south, which meant riding to Watson Lake and turning south to the Cassiar highway into BC. Rear tire didn't look too good, but thought I could make it to the US before changing them. Bad idea.
After more than 4 hours getting to the junction of the Cassiar highway, found a bald spot on the tire with fibres already showing through. Had silly thoughts of continuing, but that didn't last long and eventually nursed the bike back to Whitehorse. Got in at about 10PM. Over 850km in a single day and didn't end up getting anywhere!
Day 23 - July 14
Off first thing in the morning and luckily got a cheapo rear tire from the Yamaha dealer. They were busy in their service department so had to take it down to the Honda dealer. Finally got it done by 11:30AM after being stuck behind 4 riders from Alberta/Sask riding in a group. Bolted out on the road to make some time. Down to Watson Lake (again). Made good time, but was exhausted heading down the Cassiar. Wasn't sure how far I'd get to before I would camp. About 100km before Dease Lake, crossed a black bear with a cub crossing the road. Had to brake hard to stay a good distance away. Mama bear looked at me but just continued crossing and off they went. A bit later, found a nice campsite about 75km from Dease Lake. Owner was super nice and met a group of bikers from the Czech Republic.
Day 24 - July 15
Off to Stewart, BC. Nice drive down and the road was very good, after passing some construction areas. Got into Stewart and asked the Visitor centre what to see. Salmon glacier and a bear viewing area are both across the border in Hyder, Alaska. So up I went. Was an excellent ride up to Salmon Glacier. Went to camp back in Stewart and bumped into a group from the Czech Republic again. Wasn't expecting them, but apparently they had an accident and one of the riders hit a bicyclist on the road. Hopefully she (the cyclist) will be OK.
Day 25 - July 16
Off to Prince George, although this would be ambitious as it'd be a long day. As I hit the first fuel stop, at over 230km away (the longest I'd gone without fuel on this entire trip). After a quick lunch, was feeling tired and changed plans. I'd go to Prince Rupert and try to get the ferry to Vancouver Island. Need a break. Get into Prince Rupert and find out the ferry is full, but can go stand by so put my name on the wait list. Was raining in the city, first time in a while I'd seen rain (well, for any period of time anyways). Was not looking forward to camping. Luckily there was a tourist board at the ferry terminal so called a few hotels from there on the free phone and found a decent hostel for cheap. Turned out to be a really nice and clean place. Met up with a guy from the UK travelling the world in a year and a lady from the UK cycling the world over two years! Incredible people you bump into. Bothh of them had just arrived on a cargo ship from Japan!
Day 26 - July 17
Rest day. Really needed this. First night in a bed yesterday was excellent! Walked around Prince Rupert. Small but friendly city. Got a hair cut too! Unfortunately weather was raining off and on and cloudy.
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