The Wild Yukon

I didn’t write a blog post yesterday, mainly because I was too cold to think much less type.  I plugged over 100 miles on Thursday and made it from Beaver Creek to Burwash Landing. We awoke the next morning to guess what high 30’s low 40’s and lots of rain.  We tried to wait it out, so we headed to the museum in Burwash which was pretty cool but small so we weren’t able to spend much time there.  After awhile the rain let up a bit and I got on the bike.  I actually felt surprisingly good considering the amount of miles and terrain that I had covered the previous day.  Then about twenty minutes into the ride the rain started up again, it sounded like a freshly poured bowl of Rice Crispies snapping and popping off of my jacket, I was instantly cold… really cold. Yes, I know that seems to be a common theme of this trip so far.   I can deal with cold temps, I actually prefer to ride in cold weather, but the cold rain is something all together different.  I tried to gut through it, but after two hours into a head wind and pouring rain, I was numb from head to toe.  I had a permanent brain freeze from the cold rain and wind on my head.  As we were about to pass the last RV park for the next 70 miles, I decided to call it and opted for the hot shower that I knew was waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. 

After getting only about 26 miles yesterday, before I called it quits due to weather, I awoke a cold but beautiful morning.  It started out in the high 30’s and warmed up to 65 or so as the day went on. This is what I imagined the weather would be like on this trip, but hey if you don’t have to deal with the nasty stuff you don’t appreciate the good weather as much.

 There was a pretty stiff head wind all morning but I really didn’t mind, it died down after I got around Kluane Lake. 

I stopped to talk with Azure at the bottom of the first climb of the day.  Little did I know what lay ahead of me. 

It was bound to happen sooner or later.   I have been riding past Grizzly scat the size of small infants for the last three days.  As I crested the top of the hill, a very large Grizzly was walking in my general direction.  He wasn’t coming after me, just headed that way when I appeared over the hill.  He stopped, I stopped, my balls suddenly jumped to my throat.  A wild Griz at 25 yards is way too close for comfort in my book.  I stood there debating the best course of action.  The bear raised his head and sniffed at the air took one step in my direction.  I slowly turned the bike around trying not to make any sudden movements, all the while keeping my eyes on the bear, trying to avoid direct eye contact.  Slowly at first I rolled away, he turned towards the woods at which point I took off down the hill I had just come up. 

Azure was a bit confused at my arrival.  “Didn’t you just ride up that hill, what the hell are you doing?”  “I decided I wanted black cherry gel, not vanilla so I came back” “what are you serious?” “No, there was a big ass grizzly at the top of the hill so I am going to give him some time to get to where ever it is he is going” 

It is a surreal experience to be so close to something that could kill you with so little effort.  This animal has spent thousands of years of evolution becoming the apex predator that it is, and me, well, I’m used to picking my food out of a case in the grocery store.  I have been staring at the computer screen for quite some time, how can I most accurately describe this encounter.  I have come to the conclusion that I can’t.  It was scary, exciting, humbling, and all around pretty (insert your favorite expletive) sweet!  That being said it isn’t necessarily something that I want a repeat of.  Although, the deeper I get into the Yukon and Northern B.C. I am sure there will be more encounters.  Let’s just hope that they all end as well as this one did.

That was pretty much it today, mostly just road through some of the prettiest country in the world.  It is beautiful up here, and yes that is an understatement. 

(that little yellow dot in the distance is me)

 

Yesterday’s Stats

26.5 miles

13.7mph average speed

26mph max speed

1:55:11 ride time

Today’s Stats

70 miles

14.8mph average speed

37mph max speed

4:43:48 ride time

Comments

[Jill Garman]

Glad you didn't die! Great pics!