Prince Rupert to Prince George – Home Again!
The road from Prince Rupert to Prince George is yet another spectacular motorcycle riding experience. At least if the your bike was running smoothly. Mine? Even pulling off to refuel demands more attention to keeping the engine running which leaves equal less attention to keeping your eye on safety. Perhaps I’m exagerating a bit, but the fear of that bike stalling in the middle of a turn with the load I’m carrying consumes me as I roll into a a small town riddled with lower speedlimits, stop signs and red lights. Constantly having to keep the throttle cranked up to 2500 rpms to keep Doc from stalling.
More anger for that damn Anchorage dealer.
But the road winds along this river with 100 foot waterfalls splashing scenicly to the road side. Chilly and battling the on and off of rainfall I cast my eyes up sheer cliffs of rock to spot the source of these waterfalls. Lush green vegetation and tall trees add to the scenic beatuy.
Rounding a corner at a nice steady 50 mph I spot a black blob on the side of the road ahead of me, slowing as I approach I see its a huge grissly bear nearly twice the size of my bike. Our eyes lock as I creep past him and though I don’t stop I slow watching his movements in my rear view as he watch mine. Not a car in sight. Just me and this grizzly. I contemplate a quick u-turn to just to gaze at this massive creature once more, then my bike stalled.
More anger for the damn Anchorage motorcycle dealer.
I could see the Grizzly in my rear view. Perhaps the silence the consumed the small area we shared caught his curiosity. But for me it was shear panic. Not that I had food nor was there any reason he’d attack me. But I was simply scared and without the safety net of throttle and drivetrain, I was caught. It took a few moments to start that damn bike. But seconds that seemed like minutes I bid my grizzly good bye and cruised onto Prince George.
Arriving in Prince George this time I felt a sense of familiarity – and old friend. After nearly three weeks and 4,000 miles I was back. I settled into a small motel as the rain pelted by helmet and gear. Wondering if the storm would pass overnight, I unloaded the bike and wandered into town to have dinner at the Waddling Duck. Here I met three local couples. Though not sporting motorcycles they are avid riders and readers of the ADVrider website.
“You know Glenn Heggsted?” he asked me when I walked in. It was a question I hadn’t expected. There were no bikes parked in front and everyone at the table were attired in “civillian clothes”. We’ve been following his journey. Now they would be following mine.
A nice meal, live sultry jazz and a cold beer. Prince George, my friend.
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Stats:
Prince Rupert, BC to Prince George, BC 8-20-05
Moving Average: 59.6 mph
Maximum Speed: 85.1 mph
Moving Time: 7:35:19
Total Miles: 452.4
Have enjoyed traveling along with you – just happened upon your site a few nights ago. It is October 1st. What has happened? It is cold in Seattle, hope you are someplace warm. Though you do find out who you really are when you are REALLY REALLY cold on a bike….
Kathy, thanks for the note. Lots has happened since October 1st. And soon the journals will be up to date, so hang in there and I’ll be to date… but a hint? Yes. Warm weather. Almost excruciatingly hot…
thanks for tuning in. it only gets better and more adventurous.
Allan my man.. looks like your a veteran of the off road by now. Of course, an expert by the time we get to catch up with your adventure up to October. Been enjoying your writing and are always looking forward to your next one.
Allan my man.. looks like your a veteran of the off road by now. Of course, an expert by the time we get to catch up with your adventure up to October. Been enjoying your writing and are always looking forward to your next one.
Righ on James – I don’t know if I’ll ever be as good as a rider as you but this trip is certainly sharpening my skills! thanks for dropping in!