Muttsta Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 As many of you do not know, this summer I will be biking from Alaska to Panama, a distance of well over 12,000 kilometers. The primary reason I am doing it is to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, others reason include that I may possibly crazy and that I think it sounds really damn cool. I am currently in Alaska, about 130 miles away from Anchorage. I will be keeping you guys updated with cool stories and well as great pictures from my trip. You can also check out my website at www.CyclingForACause.com, where I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 (edited) Day 1 - A Day Riddled With Mishaps - 126.19 km The day begins simply enough. Last night I took a cab to a friends house in Anchorage (who I actually just met thanks to CouchSurfing). I am still not sure how I ended up paying $25 to drive a distance of about 3 miles... No matter. Meghan and her house guests were great people, as pretty much all couch surfers are! I awake and finish assembling what is left of my bicycle, then disaster strikes. Well, not really, but it was not exactly the best thing that could have happened. In preparing my bicycle for the plane I had to turn the handlebars, remove the front wheel, as well as unscrew both pedals. The handlebar and wheel were trivial, as was one pedal. When I got to the other I realized that the thread was stripped and I could not screw the pedal in! Needless to say, what this meant was that I had to pay a visit to the nearest bicycle shop, which happened to be about four miles away. Let me tell you, riding four miles with one pedal and a bike loaded with gear is NOT fun. I sincerely hope it never happens to you. But wait, that's not all! On the way to the bike shop, my handlebar bag mounts begin to loosen and fall on my wheel. I miraculously arrive at the bike shop which at the time seemed like an oasis. I was luckily saved by a skilled mechanic with both problems. Now in good spirits, I grab a quick lunch as well as a few supplies then hit the road! Today I manage to make it all the way to Chickaloon Alaska. Had a minor fall due to a small shoulder with a tight drop off, luckily wasn't going too fast. Magnificent views, although otherwise a fairly uneventful ride. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing... FOR PICTURES BE SURE TO VISIT MY WEBSITE Day 2 - Hills, Wind, and Freezing Cold - 90.18 km Today it was absolutely freezing, I'm not sure how much more plainly to word it. I guess I am heading into higher elevations as I now see snow much more often, especially along the road way. The views are much nicer here, but I guess the cost is my comfort (my fingers are still thawing out). Eventually I ended up wearing not only all my regular cold gear, but as well put on my rain jacket, which conveniently doubles as a wind jacket. The cold would have been good enough, but no. Today's road was filled with a never ending series of ups and downs. The stretches of down are great, expect for two facts. The first being that going 55 km/h downhill makes you even colder, the second being that eventually you have to climb back up. All in all it was a fairly painful day. Oh, I also forgot to mention that I'm sore all over. I figure that eventually I'll just grow used to it. Oh, also saw Alpacas/Lamas today (I can never tell the difference). I figure that's kind of cool since they seemed very out of place. Edited May 5, 2007 by Muttsta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 Good luck to you! I'll bet it's going to be an incredible adventure Wishing you all success - and no rain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMK000 Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 Good luck and smooth riding. It's a noble cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Day 3 - A Day Full Of Surprises - 94.05 km Today was a day that was quite simply full of surprises. In the morning when I woke up, I was kind of cold. I look outside, blink a few times, then shake my head in disbelief. It seems that over night I was snowed in! There were about 2 or 3 inches of snow surrounding my tent. After seeing this, I decided to go to sleep for another few hours, hoping that it would warm up. Luckily it did, so then I went to breakfast. When I asked the locals about this snowfall in May, they laughed at me and told me they get snow all the way into June! But wait, it gets better! In the morning I suited up in all my rain gear expecting the worst. For the next two hours I didn't see a flake of snow or drop of rain. After those two hours I was pretty hot and decided to take that rain gear off. As my luck would have it, about five minutes later it began to start raining, meaning I had to rush to get all that stuff back on again! For the next while I was absolutely drenched (luckily only my rain gear and not me!) and freezing cold. In the middle of what seemed to be nothingness I saw a godsend, it was a liquor store. I of course hurried inside where it was warm. Now this is where it gets really interesting. As I'm not 21 I of course can't buy alcohol in the United States, so I grab some junk food and head to the counter. The guy asks me for ID. I respond with a blank look and say "Huh? I'm just buying chips?" According to some new Alaskan law you have to be 21 to buy ANYTHING in a liquor store. Needless to say, I was denied buying a bag of chips. I never thought that would happen, unless it was my mom who would be the one saying no. Anyway, I am currently in some town called Glenallen, Alaska. I think that I'm probably going to camp out here tonight since there is nothing for the next 120 miles. I talked to a trapper today who cautioned me against black bears. He said at this time of year they are especially dangerous, and if you meet one, you can basically kiss your behind goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulm Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Not sure of your route, but I'm thinking you will head south and eventually get to Abbottsford, BC, where you will cross into the US and continue south. If that's correct, we are about 30 kilometers before the turnoff and would love to say hello. We can offer you a free night's stay in our best hotel, grub and grog included, of course Will keep track of your progress. Helluva journey...good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Will be sure to let you know if I pass through there! Day 4 - Better weather and less hills - 127.10 km Yesterday evening I decided to camp out behind a post office right in the middle of town. I figured no one would really mind since it was already late Saturday, and well, post offices are always closed on Sundays. I guess I was right since I didn't get a knock from an officer at night. When I awoke I was once again cold. The last night it rained, and in the morning the left over droplets froze on my tent. Check my pictures to see the aftermath. The weather up here is pretty crazy. In the morning you're absolutely freezing because the temperature drops below 0 degrees at night, but at midday you have to start taking off layers because you feel as if the sun is roasting you. Then once again you have to dress up in all your rain gear because you'll either get a few sprinkles or because it's so windy that it makes you cold again. Today overall was a much better day, I only got about ten minutes of light rain. The road also had fewer hills than the day before, which was a real relief. From what the locals tell me though, the next two or three days down into Canada should be tough. I also happened to cross paths with the strangest character today. He calls himself "Al Tokey". He says that he originally comes from Toronto, but that now he's been living in Alaska for over thirty years. He rides his bike from town to town, but the locals all know him so they give him lifts occasionally. He said that up here he actually mines for gold. Another thing I found absolutely crazy is that he wears eleven pairs of pants and seventeen shirts! I kid you not; check out my pictures if you must see it for your own eyes. He really does need them since he rides his bike in the winter as well. Even I'm not that crazy! He told me that back in 2002 he made the front page of the Anchorage news, being nicknamed the "Lance Armstrong of the North". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Day 5 - Rain, rain, go away! - 101.54 km When I woke up today it started to rain, it pretty much stayed that way throughout the day, occasionally with some pauses. Definitely not the greatest weather to be biking in let me tell you! Was otherwise a fairly uneventful day until I settled down for the night at a campground here in Tok, Alaska. Let me tell you, tonight I feel as if I'm in the lap of luxury! The campground where I'm staying has showers, laundry, as well as wireless internet. I haven't felt so clean in days! Now here's the best part, I'm the only one here! It's not tourist season yet, so there is no one up here. In about three weeks time it should be completely full however. The owners here at 'SourDough Campground' are very friendly people. They even made me burgers fresh off the BBQ! I found out from them that in the winter temperatures here have reached -70 degrees Fahrenheit, and that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Hell of a journey. When I was in college a friend and I rode our motorcycles from Illinois to Denver Colorada non-stop. Rained all the way across Missouri every step of the way. Dried out half way cross Kansas - kept going till we had to stop and get a cat nap at a road side park. Got back on the moto's and kept going to Denver. 18 hours on the road and I could barely feel my butt. Stopped at an all you can eat chicken place and I think we ate every last piece of chicken in the place. Your journey puts that trip to shame. Will you actually step into South America at the end? Also, be very careful through Cental America as there are bandits on the roads. Usil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 This is really something special, Godspeed to you Muttsta and thank you for letting us share this amazing journey with you. Can someone bring up a map and track Muttsta's travels? Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Day 6 - Back Home, Yet Not - 149.76 km Last evening in Tok someone told me there was no way I was going to make it to the border tomorrow, so I just had to prove them wrong. As I type this I am sitting in my tent on the Alaska-Yukon border, well, I'm about 15 feet away from the actual dividing line... on the Canadian side of course! That also means I'm actually in another time zone. I haven't passed through customs yet, and it's not because I smuggled myself across on the bottom of a truck. The US customs is about a half mile past the border on the US side, whereas the Canadian customs is about 20 miles away from here! All in all the road from Tok to here was quite dull, and well, there wasn't much on it. I counted three gas stations and a handful of houses from time to time. The road condition was pretty bad in some parts. When I told the locals that they laughed at me and said the worst is yet to come in Yukon. I just can't wait to find out... (note my enthusiasm) The weather once again did not fail to disappoint. Today I got both hailed on and rained on. I must say that the hail wasn't the most pleasant feeling, especially when it hits your face when your going 30 kph, actually, it kind of stings. But me being the sadistic cyclist that I am, I did not stop and kept riding right through it. After all, minutes are miles! CHECK MY WEBSITE FOR PICTURES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreeman420 Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Very noble cause. I have several friends who have or had cancer. A couple that didn't make it, two that beat it, and one fighting. You can count on me for a little donation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Wow, what kind of tires are on that bike in the last picture? And why the insolated wrap around the center of the bike? Usil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Forget the bike. Who could that strange-looking guy standing next to it be? He looks like a cross between a brown bear and a licorice popcicle! Do you think he actually means to ride the thing? Alaska is really full of some freaky dudes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Wow, what kind of tires are on that bike in the last picture? And why the insolated wrap around the center of the bike? Usil those tyres look really impressive on a bike... Forget the bike. Who could that strange-looking guy standing next to it be? He looks like a cross between a brown bear and a licorice popcicle! Do you think he actually means to ride the thing? Alaska is really full of some freaky dudes.... you really have a great sense of humor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 (edited) As many of you do not know, this summer I will be biking from Alaska to Panama, a distance of well over 12,000 kilometers. The primary reason I am doing it is to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, others reason include that I may possibly crazy and that I think it sounds really damn cool. I am currently in Alaska, about 130 miles away from Anchorage. I will be keeping you guys updated with cool stories and well as great pictures from my trip. You can also check out my website at www.CyclingForACause.com, where I'll be posting even more photos. If you're feeling extra generous you can even donate something Either way, I'd appreciate it if you let your co-workers/friends/family know about this so I can spread the word. Thanks guys, and wish me luck! Btw, if anyone lives along the route I plan to take, let me know, I'll drop by!) you are doing really a great thing... ...but you haven't posted the info what kind of watch you are weairng...maybe some chrono rep? good luck with your trip! Edited May 10, 2007 by dadog13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cucumber_Jones Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Are you heading through Vancouver?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Day 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 Day 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Day 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Day 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Keep on truckin', amigo... By the way, where do you find the Internet connection to post these stories? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Day 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttsta Posted May 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Keep on truckin', amigo... By the way, where do you find the Internet connection to post these stories? A trusty little tool called a WiFi finder my friend I got one with a cool LCD screen that tells me if the network is encrypted, how strong the signal is, etc Best damn $60 I've ever spent Combined with my small laptop, a deadly combination Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Muttsta we are riding this trip every mile of the way with you, a great adventure, a worthy cause and your superb narative is keeping us all spell bound. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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