ALASKA!!!
Big thanks to my friend Dean, who helped me find my way in Anchorage. He was kind enough to let me crash at his and ferry me around town picking up all the stuff that this tour would need. First off, a new bicycle was in order, since my old one was pretty much rusted solid from spending too much time in the Caribbean. Looking back, I probably should have sunk her on the Haliburton - a local wreck - but she had way too much sentimental value.
Dean and I spent a very nice Saturday at a Meet-N-Greet in Wasilla watching the boys break their toys.
I won a kneeling pad in the raffle..... Dean wanted to put that straight to use! :-)
A shot of Eric testing his rig!
My new bike - sportin some luv for my Honduran dive shop!
Anywho, managed to get all my chickens in order and set off on June 18th for the Kenai Peninsula!
KENAI PENINSULA
Set off south from Anchorage south along the Cook Inlet - this particular section is called Turnagain Arm. When Cook first came in here - he though it might have been some sort of passage between islands, but had to turn around when he discovered it was a dead end. I had arrived just in time to watch the Bore come thru - it wasn't by any means a large one - but still impressive to watch this wave come steadily along.
After spending the Summer Solstice riding hard - it was great to relax next to Skilak Lake with a PBR donated by the summer soltice party skiers that I met at Turnagain Pass.
The end of the road at Homer.
Spent the weekend relaxing on the spit with Dean and a few friends.
(Thanks Jess and Eric for the work / sponsorship opportunity)
Homer is the place that boats go to retire!
Got a ride back to the junction and rode down to Exit Glacier. Felt so good to be back in the mountains..... I thought I'd never say this - but I MISSED THE SNOW!!!
Met up with Dustin, a Divemaster from Honduras, in Seward. He's a boat captain at Miller's Landing and managed to sneak me onto a boat ride to Kenai Fjords National Park. If you find yourself in my opinion the most amazing little town on the Kenai - check these guys out - they are a friendly family owned business that will take you out Halibut fishing, on a guided kayak tours or ferry you out to the Fjords Park. Thanks heaps for putting me up and showing me around.
Keep Jiggin Kid!
Playing 'King of the Mountain'
Orcas!!!!
Tidal Glacier
BACK TO ANCHORAGE AND NORTH
Made my way back to Anchorage and spent some more time chillin with Dean. I do miss waking up to your coffee! Managed to see a little skin at a Birthday Strip Show Fundraiser - something I would have never dreamed of to raise money - but it worked. Have to say that the little person got all my donations... never would I ever!
Anywho, finally left the comfort of Deans amazing place after a few days needed rest and headed out north. Per my usual, I decided on taking the long way north and headed instead east to Glenallen then north to Paxson, then along the scenic Denali Parks Highway.
My favorite road sign ever!!!!
View of the Bear Glacier from the Glenn Highway.
Found myself a 4th of July Flag on the side of the road - I love road swag. So far I've added to my collection: 2 bungies, sunglass case, flag and a much needed hair tie as the dreads are starting to form.
Who doesn't luv patriotic sheep?
FLIGHTSEEING
Thru Dean, I randomly met up with Jamie - a friend from the ICE - that just made her way back home to Alaska after a long season down south. She lives and works at Denali Air - a locally owned flightseeing operator that offers spectacular tours around Denali Mountain and thru the park. They also offer pretty sweet glacier landing trips - that's my plug - if you are ever in the area - I suggest you check them out! Jamie managed to sneak me on a flight - it was a clear day - which is very rare in this area. Thanks again for the flight and letting me crash in your cozy cabin. Sorry my socks stink!
The Captain and I after the flight.
Denali!!!!
So.... Mount McKinley is the federally recognized name for this 20,320 foot peak - which was named after the at the time Presidential Candidate; however, Denali - the indigenous name, is Alaska's State name for this amazing peak. The word "Denali" means "the high one" in the native Athabaskan language and refers to the mountain itself. Measured base to peak it is the TALLEST peak in the world - having ~ 18,000 feet in gain!!!
Jamie chillin and watching the evening colors from her runway.
PARKS ROAD
This wicked mostly dirt road stretches 90 miles into the northern section of the vast park. After spending a good portion of the day at the back-country visitor center watching bear videos, getting a safety chat and obtaining my bear proof container - I finally received my permit that allowed me to bicycle the length of the road and camp at least half a mile off its side. The road is closed to vehicle traffic after mile 15 and is only accessible via the park shuttle bus system. I could not imagine how busy the road must have been before the system was in place and for this I was so gracious. The weather was of typical Alaskan mountain style and good range from rain rain rain rain to partly rainy to just cloudy. I was lucky that a few times the skies did open up and I was afforded a very rare glimpse of Denali.
Some of the many braided glacial rivers that flow fast and steady from Denali.
The interesting colors at Polychrome Pass.
Chillin with a sleepy griz!
Great view of Denali from Snowy Dome Pass. Most of the park road lies above the low tree line of 2500 ft; therefore, most of my riding was across exposed tundra - which offered sweeping views.
Spent a night on the McKinley Bar down by the river. Unfortunately, no drinks were served.
The sweeping tundra on the climb back from Wonder Lake.
My bike and its arch nemesis: THE GRADER!!! Nothing makes my handle bars squeak and my rack shake more than the sight of a grader on the road. For all those cyclists out there reading this, you know what I mean! It pains me to watch that nicely hard packed and in truth perhaps corrugated road turn into a rocky loose miserable mess to ride. Those guys must have been busy because on my ride out I encountered only a few miles of newly 'improved' road; however, they managed to complete most of it by the time I road out.... I blame my broken rack on this evil evil evil piece of machinery!!! I was seriously thinking about pulling a George Hayduke, but figured sabotage was not my MO - no matter how frustrated I happened to be.
Well.... now that I got all my venting out - the road is actually quite spectacular and I would highly recommend it to anyone with wide tires. Over colored and varied passes, across alpine tundra and frigid glacier rivers - witnessing countless grizzlies, caribou, moose, foxes and birds, and staring at the most amazing peak I have ever seen - I highly recommend this trip to anyone with a rain coat. Plus at the end or beginning - you can check out the parks working dog sled team. May I suggest at the end - I think the dogs got a kick out of my varied composition of smells.
Here are this years new pups. The Park still uses traditional dog sled teams to support winter ranger stations and science throughout the back country by hauling in supplies. These well behaved cuties definitely earn their room and board!
WHAT'S NEXT?
After spending some amazing time in Denali I am heading north towards Fairbanks. I am not sure where I will go yet, but have hopes of riding the Dalton Highway up to Deadhorse and the Arctic Ocean. Either way I hope to swing back around and actually go south towards my 'desired destination' of the Lower 48. Who knows what will happen next, eh?
RECAP: So far I've ridden 1200 miles, had 1 flat tire (knock on wood), a broken bike rack, seen 4 moose - almost witnessed a moose-truck merger, 7 grizzley bears, 4 black bears - one darting in front of my bicycle whom I do have to admit seemed more scared than me; 3 orcas, countless sea otters, so much jiggin i thought there might have been a square dance and one salty dawg. At least that's all I can remember.
Check out my ride so far HERE because I am too retarded and honestly lazy to get the google maps image to display.
Hot diggity Dog.
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