Yukon Ho!

June 9, 2006

July 4, 2006 on 10:34 am | In Uncategorized |

Biking time: 10:30AM to 2:30PM
End: 50′35.306N, 127′05.350W, 4M
Distance: 58.1KM
We took our time getting going this morning because we knew we had less distance to cover than yesterday. Plus, we didn’t have any van-sorting to deal with, so despite our laziness we still managed to set off at 10:30. Destination: Port McNeill. Much of today’s ride was still a cash-in on the climbing we did on day one. There were no major grinds, just some rolling hills (big enough to slow us down to a walking pace, but small enough that you wouldn’t even notice them in a car). About a third of the way there, we stopped for lunch at an abandoned gas station at the South end of Nimpkish Lake. Everything was boarded up but we were able to enjoy their overgrown picnic area for a few minutes. During the afternoon ride, my left knee started hurting a bit, underlining the need to lighten the load a little. We arrived nice and early in Port McNiell, and decided we’d try to find a free lawn to camp on rather than pushing further. With only 40 km or so to Port Hardy, we could afford to take it easy. Our first stop was an early dinner at Subway. I thought we’d seen the end of the restaurant chains when we left Campbell River (in the van), but I guess they’ve got their hooks into even the smallest towns now.

After pouring the food down and filling the water bottles up, we dragged the bikes two stores over and hit up a small coffee shop. It was a good thing we decided to do that instead of drinking Subway coffee because the shop was really amazing. Called “The Trading Post” and run by a full on cowboy, the place doubled as a music store (selling over 300 guitars in two years) and we were serenaded by a couple of acoustic guitarists with the owner accompanying them on the wooden spoons. After talking to the owner about his trip to Tombstone Arizona and signing their guest book (a surfboard), we continued on our quest to find the visitor’s centre. And we did. In fact, we found it full of useless information as always. However we also found that it had a covered wraparound porch, so we planned to wait for it to close and then sleep there for free. What we hadn’t counted on were the infrared cameras covering the entire perimiter of the building. Jerks! So we set out to find another free spot, hoping to set the tent up behind the guides/scouts hall across the lane. As we snooped around out back, a door opened and a guy and his son came out and talked to us. We pretended to be stupid lost travellers, and talked about our trip with them for a bit. Turned out Burt and his son were going to be heading out to a guides camp in a few minutes. Little did they know we planned to come back in an hour and take over their lawn. As we turned to leave, Burt called us back to ask where we were staying. Then he hit us with an offer to use their yard, AND their firepit AND their firewood. Bam! After getting a few supplies (and wine of course), we went back and set up… campfire and all. Then Burt came back on the scene (apparently they’d forgotten to bring some essentials back to camp… namely an easel). He had no problems with our wining and dining by the fire, and on top of it all he left the door unlocked so we could use the bathrooms and showers in the morning. Thanks Burt! Hopefully we can score a lot more free lawnspace and hot water generosity.

Click here for today’s pictures