|   5 hours with 5 Alaskan females | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 12:52 AM | | who had a total of 16 legs. The two legged ones laughed at my wardrobe for this ride.
We're going to ride over the intermediate ridge toward the peak in the center.
After a few minutes on the trail they laughed less at my choice of footwear.
There was some climbing while standing. Roughly as steep as it looks.
Some climbing while seated.
Finally topped out, looking north.
Looking south into the Jack River.
Descended to river, cooled off the hot dogs.
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Then all we had to do was reverse it. Can make out the trail angling upward from left to right above the cottonwooods.
Ken |
| Beautiful... | skogan
Jul 14, 2002 5:34 AM | | That's what I remembered about my visit to Alaska, massive scenery that seemed to go on forever. I really must get back up there sometime...
Oh, loved the sh!t kickers! |
| Speaking of scat kickers, we saw one pile-o-poo | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 5:53 AM | | left by a griz. Seems like you always find those things in places where the brush is close and tall; the pile was near where this pic was taken.
I didn't photograph the actual deposit, as it wasn't very pretty like it is during the fall. When the bears get into the berries their scat piles look like large overflowing pies without the crust.
Ken |
| Are you limited to 50lb lift with or without.... | Battman42
Jul 14, 2002 7:43 AM | | those boots....
Nice pics..... that low trail looks like it slows you down just enough so the flys can eat you...
Tim |
| Save weight cause there are no cleats | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:13 AM | | For the most part there was enough breeze to keep the bugs (skeeters, no flies) down. However, the bug repellent (and the bear "repellent") are kept within quickdraw reach in the handlebar bag.
FYI, Vioxx is a mahvelous anti inflammatory, if appropriate for your situation.
Ken |
| The Doc and I discussed Vioxxx..... | Battman42
Jul 14, 2002 11:35 AM | | As I have good results with IBu. she said to take that and the Muscle relaxers...
Was gonna' ask about cleats on yr boots... I use those when we get real snow.... about three times per year...
Tim |
| We just use flats | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:46 AM | | Some people have experimented mounting cleats in winter boots, but they make a real heat sink, or more accurately a cold sink, I guess. Some folks use some big toe strap deals, but we just use flat pedals year round.
I wore those boots not only to stay drier, but low shoes tend to get sucked right off your foot in the bogs. Very inconvenient.
Really enjoyed your "then and now" photos. I used to have abs, too, but it was way back when I had hair. I miss them both!
Ken |
| My "Abs" are still there just well padded..... | Battman42
Jul 14, 2002 11:51 AM | | I wear a "Gallegher"hair Doo.... don't know if you remember him.
He used to teach grammer and sell the sledge-a-matic.
I meant the boots... I'm too much of a Dinosaur for cleats of any kind. Toe clips and Dot gloves have become my trademark.
Tim |
| Nice.............. | Mike T.
Jul 14, 2002 8:10 AM | | ....L.L. Beans!! I've been (is that a pun?) on a few rides myself where those boots would have made the ride more pleasant. So my lycra and Sidi racing shoes aren't gonna cut it if I come up there eh?
Oh yeah, nice pics too - as usual. |
| Hey Ken | Bordershy
Jul 14, 2002 8:58 AM | | Hows the deaf dog doin?Any "Tube" incidences? |
| No "big bang" incidents yesterday, but there was one close call | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:31 AM | | with a porcupine. As luck would have it, all 3 dogs were behind Clare when she saw porky running (well, waddling quickly) right down the trail. She dumped her bike sideways between the bushes and got all 3 stopped while I blazed ahead and herded pork up the hillside. Dogs didn't see it, but it was hard to get them past that spot cause the nose knows!
Ken |
| Take your lycra and Sidis and stick 'em | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:26 AM | | inside your turnouts and bunker boots (if that's what you Canadians call your firefighting gear) and you should be prepared for anything the Alaskan summer can throw at you.
We turned around yesterday where the first river crossing became necessary. This generated a plan to return with camping gear in BOB trailers, and launch a second day assault upriver to the headwaters at Caribou Lakes to harvest some lake trout, aka mackinaw to you, perhaps. If you check your map, the Jack River crosses the Parks Hwy at the Cantwell south "city limit".
You can't see them in this photo, but Soule Creek is entering the Jack from the left just behind the prominent ridge midway, and Caribou Lakes are at the base of the far mountains on the right.
Ken
ps really good bug dope will melt lycra directly into your hide. |
| Hey Ken #2... | Laura
Jul 14, 2002 11:14 AM | | What's the weather like up there this time of year? I see some dressed like it's 80, and others like it's 50 in your pics.
-Laura in Mich., where there's a heat wave of heat (90F) and humidity. |
| Hi Laura. Temp when we returned home showed 66 degrees | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:39 AM | | and there had been a light breeze all day, or else the bugs could have been fierce. I occasionally got one behind my glasses, up my nose, inhaled, et cetera, even with the wind.
Difference in layering is due to bug tolerance rather than temp. Dana and I wore shorts and bug dope, but Clare prefers to use fabric between her and the probing probosci of the Alaskan state bird. She also tends to be fairly cold blooded (sleeps in jammies with feet in 'em) but even she shed her long sleeves after a couple of the uphills.
Ken |
| Fantastic.... | mugg
Jul 14, 2002 11:44 AM | | Awesome mountain views! How's the mosquitoes this time of the year?
Great post! |
| Mosquitoes are GREAT as a portable protein source | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 11:54 AM | | and can save significantly on the food one must carry on long trips. If you're not using them for grub, then they're a powerful nuisance. Even if you're all doped up and they're not BITING you, they still swarm around nearby, and just the whine can keep one awake.
On another ride last week it was hot and calm, and I inhaled more than one when I'd lapse into gasping on the climbs. Proper technique is to breathe through open mouth, but keep teeth tightly clenched.
Thanks for the kind words; coming from you they're much appreciated. For some reason I can't get all your photos loaded in one shot, but your posts are one of the few that I'll go back as many times as it takes to get the full story. Really enjoyed your WV adventure.
Ken |
| Truly awesome! | Jed
Jul 14, 2002 5:44 PM | | |
| Thanks, and by the way, it's customary to add | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 7:02 PM | | (nm) or No Message or something similar to the topic line if you do not have anything else entered into text.
This keeps those of us with slow connections from spending extra time clicking onto a message that isn't there.
Thanks.
Ken |
| What part of Arkansas is that? | Finch Platte
Jul 14, 2002 8:13 PM | | ;0)
Nice backyard you've got there- awesome pics- I especially like the one of the dude w/ the ponytail peeing on the bike while you're trying to work on it.
fp |
| Glad the shark didn't get you | AK Ken
Jul 14, 2002 8:24 PM | | And like the bumper sticker says: ALASKA GIRLS KICK ASS
I made the mistake of calling the one in the shorts "girl" and was summarily informed that she were a WOMAN, thank you very much. so if she wants to pee standing up,it's okay with me!
What's the latest on the broken bike saga?
Peace on you, bro.
Ken |
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