Back on the bike, heading SW to Tok, Alaska…raining!

Seward Glacier Cruise - ITS A HUMPBACK WHALE!

Courtesy of www.SladeRide.com…

(Gallery at bottom of post)

With my legs somewhat rested, bike (Charles) stored in Fairbanks (thanks John) I set off in the middle of June for a 2 week driving tour of Southern Alaska a friend from Liverpool / New Jersey, Lee.  A CAR! NO PEDALLING!

To give you an idea of the sheer vastness that is Alaska, we cover 2000 miles…and only see maybe an eighth of the country!  But it was a great 2 weeks (thanks Lee) and needed after the previous 2 of hard cycling.

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Back in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA after 2 planned weeks off bicycle (Charles)…

On ’sidetrip’. In Valdez, Alaska, kayaking round icebergs…

Btw reason 4 Galbraith detour was to see lake, get out of wind n have drop toilet!

Last Blog post (www.SladeRide.com) updated with video…ooh, spangly! Approx half-way down post. Back to Fairbanks on 26th 2 get Charles..

Bllog post up with pics! Fyi have had noooo internet access for 2 wks hence lack of action on site from me Fly to Anchorage 2morrow

Ooh look at 'im with 'is arty stuff - who does 'e think 'e is? David bleedin' Bailey?!

Courtesy of www.SladeRide.com…

(Video approx half way down & Gallery at bottom of post)

So, the 27^th of May 2009, a hotel room in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, USA on the Arctic Ocean Coast, 250 miles INSIDE the Arctic Circle, 240 miles south by mostly dirt road to the next Service Station (Coldfoot) and potential re-supply. Between here and there is the ‘North Slope’ of Arctic tundra, the 4,700 foot Atigun Pass, snow-bound and avalanche prone. Oh, and some bears. And after those 240 miles services are sporadic for the next 260. And I’m GOING TO DO IT BY BICYCLE! Alone. WHAT!?

The bike, Charles, is in a box and needs to be rebuilt by me in the hotel room. I’ll need to wild camp on the tundra / mountains / valleys, carry 2 weeks worth of food. At this time of year (spring) temperatures can still go below -10c. And then there are the infamous arctic winds.

If there is such a thing as being ‘out of ones comfort zone’ then I know for an absolute fact that I’m out of it about 10 times over. I think the phrase is ‘I’m bricking it’. I can’t remember when I was last so, well, scared.

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Made it In Fairbanks 510 miles later, 13 days. Hills hills hills hills hills! Will post more at http://www.SladeRide.com soon. Need sleep!

…legs tired; Charles great; thx all 4 support, massively appreciated; back in saddle now; 55 miles 2 Fairbanks. Will post more in day-ish