|   p.m. ride brought tears to my eyes | AK Ken
Jun 16, 2002 5:28 AM | | but this time it was from the sweat and bug dope running into them instead of the temp making them water.
We have a guest who has escaped smoky CO and we went for a ride that begins by crossing the Nenana River on the railroad trestle at a place called "Ferry", where there used to be a ferry operation to get miners and their equipment across the river.
Then the 9 mile climb begins. Note the orange cap on the bug repellent located in the quickdraw position.
The initial climb is on an old mining road that accesses many more miles of road/track/trails. The only other traffic we saw were half a dozen people on 4 wheelers. In this photo it would appear that I'm getting badly chicked. Actually, I just stopped to tie my shoe. Really.
We found a snack spot near treeline with enough breeze to keep the bugs at bay.
The view from the lunch stop included the demure Denali wearing a chic cloud beret.
It was all downhill from here. I doubt if I pedalled 200 revolutions in the 9 miles back to the river. We went to the beach to stick our toes in water bound for the Bering Sea. Good thing, because if we hadn't we'd have been on the catwalk when the train came along--an altogether disorienting experience, with the water moving one way, the train the other, and your bike a third.
Our guest seemed to enjoy herself. I'd ask her, but I'd hate to interrupt the snoring coming from her general direction.
Ken |
| Nice pics, Ken.... | fireboy
Jun 16, 2002 6:15 AM | | ...you live in a beautiful area!!!
Do my eyes deceive me or are those BMX bars on your Ellsworth???
...might just be a fig newton of my imagination...
terry |
| No fig newton | AK Ken
Jun 16, 2002 6:24 AM | | and in case there's a followup question, I will volunteer more info:
Being an old and decrepit guy, with one elbow that will only extend 130 degrees instead of the customary 180, I must sit very upright on the bike. Even 40 degree stems and 2 inch riser bars aren't quite enough sometimes, so the bikes I spend big blocks of time on get the bmx treatment.
Ken |
| aahh....just wondered....andjusttoletyouknow... | fireboy
Jun 16, 2002 6:29 AM | | ...this damn work computer SUCKS...friggin double post...
hee hee...
terry |
| Nice pics, Ken.... | fireboy
Jun 16, 2002 6:27 AM | | ...you live in a beautiful area!!!
Do my eyes deceive me or are those BMX bars on your Ellsworth???
...might just be a fig newton of my imagination...
terry |
| Hey FB............... | Mike T.
Jun 16, 2002 7:20 AM | | .....how's things with you, if ya know what I mean? Long-time no-hear from. Drop me a line if that please ya. :o)
The Cap (on vacation) Mike T. |
| cappy mike!! | fireboy
Jun 16, 2002 8:58 AM | | ..things are good...and I will drop you a line soon!!
terry
(wishing he was on vacation too) |
| try this, Ken | JimC
Jun 16, 2002 8:20 AM | | great pix BTW.
I lived in Northern Ontario for years, bugs I know well. Try this sticker on yer helmet; the bugs will see it and fly away elsewhere, leaving you to a bug-free ride! Jim ^:o\ |
| Tanks, man, why didn't I think of that? | AK Ken
Jun 16, 2002 9:28 AM | | Or maybe I'll just have it tattooed on my chest, next to the "For Official Use Only" one with the Park Service arrowhead that I had installed when i was a young Park Stranger.
Howzyerarm?
Ken |
| M'arm's getting better | JimC
Jun 16, 2002 6:32 PM | | rode up the dang Mountain today with Crag H - moderator here at large, and then tried some trail also UP. It hurt, so I reluctantly turned the bike around and coasted down. :(
It's gonna be a while, but no pain to ride around town and look at the boo, er, scenery.
Hope yours is better, Jim |
| Above the three line... | Biking Viking
Jun 16, 2002 9:09 AM | | From my experience from a similar latitude, it doesn't take a whole lot of elevation to achieve that.
Great post.
BV |
| Above the "three" line is just about right, | AK Ken
Jun 16, 2002 9:36 AM | | as timberline here is somewhere very near 3,000 feet elevation.
I'm reading a book right now called "Rowing to Latitude" by Jill Fredston. She and her spousal unit spend the summer rowing small boats around northern coasts, and on page 217 she writes:
"Alaska could learn much from Norway about building good habitat for people, communities where the buildings fit their surroundings and exude charm, where there is a social and economic center, where it is possible to get to the store by bike or by foot or by boat as well as by car."
Ken |
| Doh - why did I throw that 'h' in there? | Biking Viking
Jun 16, 2002 9:53 AM | | During my service in the Norwegian Army, I was stationed well north of the Arctic Circle for six months. Up there the "three" line is more like 300ft.
Yeah - the exact reasons you mention is one of many things that will eventually pull us back. There are lots of excellent reasons for a permanent settlement in CA - but not enough.
BV |
| I'm crying right now. Great work. Wish I was there.... [nm] | Gadfly
Jun 16, 2002 11:16 AM | | nm |
| Great shots, Ken! | radair
Jun 16, 2002 5:08 PM | | I always enjoy looking at the AK perspective. Looks like you're having better weather than us - we've had about 5" of rain in the past week. I still was able get out for an excellent early morning tour today.
After doing trail work this afternoon I came home to not one, not two, but three(!) tasty Maine lobstahs. Oh, and an apple pie! Life is good! |
| A hat trick on lobstah?? | AK Ken
Jun 16, 2002 7:42 PM | | Good for you! Happy Dad's Day, eh?
Mmmmmm, apple pie too.
Too hot here today, 74 degrees right now. I've got the fan on high.
Ken |
| Ken, Thanks for the ride pics and Reports..... | Battman42
Jun 16, 2002 8:24 PM | | I read the other post and as I drove home in the morning I kept thinking about that German auto left by your house. It looked more runable than the one's that get left near my house...
Been waiting for a collectable to be left...
They need to be more durable to be left so far from the lower 48 I guess.
Tim(planning an afternoon ride tomorrow post sleep) |
| Great as always but is it a MTB ride if it doesn't rain? | Rev Bubba
Jun 17, 2002 10:45 AM | | After three wet days, I'm beginning to think it just doesn't count if its dry, or in your case, lacks snow. |
| Yeah, what YOU said. Any ride above freezing is a bonus! NM | AK Ken
Jun 17, 2002 7:22 PM | | |
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