Today was a test of patience, nerve, perseverance and total fatigue.
I started at 7: 20 am and finished at 7:30 pm .
The road was mostly gravel with a few joyful sections of pavement. It rained a lot so the gravel was usually very slippery and required me to travel for hours at 20 Kph, but always moving forward. There were many times when I wondered what I was doing, and why am I doing this, then the road would improve, or the beauty would confirm why I do these rides.
I rode for 190 Km to Coldfoot where I had a fantastic breakfast, filled up with gas, then continued north for Deadhorse, Alaska. It is 400 Km to the next gas station.
The highlight of the day was climbing Atigun Pass that climbs to over 4000 feet. I took a couple of pictures that I have attached. I will try for more tomorrow as I need to return on the same route. As I climbed this pass, the temperature dropped drastically, snow was on the side of the road, it was snowing, but it was overwhelming intensity as it is so large, and it makes us little humans seem so small and insignificant.
I saw a huge male caribou way off in the grassy area. It is a zoom shot with cropping, and it is quite clear .
Today there were many large trucks on the road and I found that if I pulled over to the edge of the road and stopped every truck slowed down when passing me in either direction. They are very courteous.
After the pass the road levels out onto the plains that continue all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
Today was a day to ride long and hard so I didn't take many pictures. I hope it is sunny tomorrow upon my return as I'd like to share this extraordinary beauty with you.
I am at the Prudhoe Bay Hotel in Deadhorse Alaska which is all prefab buildings, but very well done. It is $125 per night but includes all you can eat. The dinner choices were excellent and breakfast starts at 5:00 am for the many oil workers who live here
Distance travelled: 363 Miles 580 Km