Day 18. Stony Plain - Post trip summary

There is a little feeling of emptiness now, like something has been taken from us. For two weeks, we have had bikes pretty much on our minds all of the time. Even when we took a days rest to see somewhere or do something, we were always glad to get back on the bikes and get moving. We saw some wonderful places, met some great folks and had to cope with some pretty testing experiences. All of this made the trip a true adventure. From the troubles with both bikes, to the ride from Watson Lake to Fort Nelson, nothing really spoiled the adventure.

We learned a lot from this trip. Firstly that we have to do this again - we both wish that could be now! However, back in the land of reality, work beckons as a means to take this sort of adventure. The maps have already been out, and fingers tracing possible routes back into the Yukon and Alaska. Roads like the Dempster Highway, Top of the World Highway all have a meaning now. We've read about these roads and spoken to people who have tackled them. I'd love to ride the Dempster Highway, the most northern highway in the country, running from Dawson City in the Yukon, to Inuvik in the North West Territories. One of the last true adventures left in North America, who knows - one day.

We learned a lot about preparation, or lack of it. We said before we left we must get to know our bikes better. So when we were sat at the side of the road with 'Sydders', we didn't even know how to check the oil level. No real problem really, out came the owners manual and we had the job done - however!!!! I watched a couple of Honda riders remove front and back wheels from their bikes in quick time to get new tyres. I knew the principal, but have never attempted it. Not that I needed to on this trip, but who knows in future! My aim this coming winter - get to know the workings of my bike a hell of a lot better and practice taking wheels on and off, changing light bulbs etc.

Another item which requires better planning was clothing. We have made a few trips on bikes in the past to reunions - the CCR - which are held annually at a different location each year. These trips generally consist of a day or two's ride to the event, a couple of local rides out then return home. Up to now always in the US, up to now, generally warm. The Yukon and Alaska in June presents a whole new set of problems if you are on a touring trip. We both took too many cotton T's - useless for wet or cold weather - and not enough 'wicking' underwear. Neither were our gloves capable of keeping hands warm and dry in extreme conditions. What feels right on a days ride out in a shower, is pretty bloody useless in a torrential days rain, up a mountain in British Columbia. Our bike suits though Gortex lined, needed assistance in extreme conditions. A quality rain suit was what was actually needed. We do have a lot of very good 'kit', we just need more of it. For Wendy, a heated under jacket is an absolute must, so we have a new shopping list that is growing!

Finally, better planning and appreciation of what we were actually trying to achieve. This was to be a biking trip, the emphasis on riding. When we sat back and analysed the trip, we had spent a lot of time off the bikes! Wendy had mentioned several times about riding north to Dawson City, but our schedule (hotel bookings etc) didn't allow for it. However, we spent over 2 days in Prince Rupert, 2 days on a ferry, then another 2 days in Skagway........... Six days of no riding! Poor planning. We should have and could have ridden more and seen more, including Dawson City and possibly the Top of The World Highway. What a tale that would have been!

For all the lessons, good and bad, we had a wonderful trip. I hope those of you who logged into the Blog have enjoyed reading my 'scribbles', as much as I've enjoyed writing them. I still have to finish the last couple of days and add photo's. Then I have to down load photo's onto the Blog 'slide show'. So don't turn your back on this blog just yet, still a little more to read and look at. So, thank you for joining us, I hope next time we venture out, we'll have your company once again. I'm considering helmet and bike video camera's next time, so a little less reading and more watching/listening.

With the trip behind us and reality setting in, I thought my last blog photo should emphasize just that. How much more back to normal can you get than cutting the grass? I swapped my riding ger for jeans and T shirt, swapped my Beemer for my lawn tractor, and set out to cut the grass. Well after all the rain it was more like a 'Savannah'......

For the last time then, nite nite from Wendy & I, and for all the bikers out there on their own adventures big and small - keep the black stuff down.