“Far away is far away only if you don’t go there.” O Povo Fortaleza, Brazil
Welcome to dispatch four of our Alaska ride. And now we are four riders and Gpskevin on a support vehicle starting out from Prince George, Canada together. Three riders on Kawasaki Versys and one on a KTM 690. Two riders are named Roberto, one is Federico or as we are now referring to him as Freddy. Three riders started their journey in Mexico City approximately thirteen years ago. I wish I could do this story justice but, I don’t either have the time or the words.
Let’s just say that all are finally glad to have made it this far from home and I am happy and privileged to join them on their journey to the last frontier.
Today was our final prep day before our departure at 0700 tomorrow. We ride about a 300 mile day before our next hotel stay. Today we woke to a light rain, about 25 degrees of celsius equals 77 degrees. A welcome surprise to locals who say, we’ve been experiencing unusually warm weather.
Familiar faces are important to anyone. it was with welcoming smiles all around that everyone met. A cold brew and food in an outdoor setting gave us a chance to learn a little more about each other.
We learned about each other in an usual way like; what do you do for a living but, tell us what you want us to know about yourself.
That was basically Kevin’s approach. I like it and it goes to remind me that I and others need to work harder at being better listeners.
We laughed, we compared riding notes on past mishaps and misfortunes. I can really go into details here but, it’s late and some efforts.
Familiar faces are important to anyone. Welcoming smiles, big hugs and the opportunity to talk about our adventures.
Everyone was busy doing what they think they should have or need for this long journey. Roberto 1 installed his new gps while I purchased heavy duty Canadian built bungees for my added back support bag.
I also installed highway pegs to stretch my legs around. My overheating problems are solved. Kevin made an observation that I don’t have a front fender. He believes it’s a critical part for Alaska roads so, I went on line and ordered one that will beat me to Anchorage.
As Roberto 1 and two, Freddy and Gpskevin and I looked around for logs for a campfire to keep the bears and wolves at bay; we began to talk about what it would be like to buy some land nearby in Alaska. I said I’ve never built a log cabin. Freddy said I think I heard something nearby!
And then we talked about everything and anything at all as to what it would take to live in the wilderness; like for example shooting a moose or other wild animals to survive, curing its meat for the winter, plucking blueberries from the mountainsides, and maybe later on even buying a team of sled dogs to run around the countryside; just like we do on our motorcycles.
It was exhausting work to think about doing something like that at our age so, and Freddy said I don’t like bears or those near dozen beady eyes now looking back at us. So with that we quickly realized that we are city folks and much older, wiser and trappers or hunters we are not.
So, we abandoned that idea while gaining a newfound respect for people who ride motorcycles to Alaska. And that’s just what we intend to do.
The engineer in our group said something like; well why don’t you apply the same sort of logic to your ride to Alaska? Now why would we ever do such a thing Roberto 2 said. It took us thirteen years to get here and we’re going to savor every moment.
Some people ride like they’re wearing blinkers but, on this ride we are making it a point to be on the lookout for anything like for example moose, elk, bears, deer or other wild animals that might hurt us
End
Trawlercat Chronicles 