| August 4, 2007 - 2 Chicks, 2 Wheels - Gravel, Grizzlies, & Glaciers! (Dease Lake, BC to Hyder, AK) - Part 1 |
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The stop allowed me the opportunity to tell her once again how utter flattering she looks in motorcycle
gear. Kobi is an “ATGATT” (All The Gear All The Time) rider like me but she simply hates “all this
stuff that makes me look like a Hobo!” She said she doesn't understand why Victoria's Secret can't
make motorcycle gear.
The Hobo and I got back on the bike and quickly came across two areas that looked like this:
...but then we were greeted with a grand surprise:
YIPPEE!!!
Our plan was to stay in Hyder, Alaska tonight. Yes, we were heading back into Alaska. In the
past two days we've gone from Alaska (Tok, AK) into the Yukon Territory (Haines Junction, YT), thru
British Columbia (BC), back into AK (at Haines), thru YT again (Watson Lake), down to BC (Dease Lake) and
now towards AK (Hyder). If you are geographically challenged then here's a bit of help:
In the map above you'll see a pushpin icon about halfway between the #3 and #4... that's approximately
the location of the washout. I was somewhat anxious about this area since I couldn't get any first
hand information from someone who had been on the road. The folks we had met over the past few days
while we were en route to the Cassiar had all said they were not chancing the conditions and we going to
take the Alaska Highway instead. Part of me was glad to know we'd likely have the road to ourselves
and the other part was a bit anxious since sometimes having a bunch of land yacht RVs ahead of you to pack
down the road is a good thing.
The Cassiar Highway use to be an all gravel route but over the years pavement (or what they call pavement)
has slowly replaced much of the stones. There are still two long segments of gravel to enjoy or despise
(depending on your mode of travel and preference I reckon). The most of the “paved” section is called
“sealcoating” according to the most informative lady piloting the Pilot Car...
...who explained “we grade the surface, put down a layer of tar, then put crush (gravel) on top of it.” Our
impromptu schooling in the middle of the road was interrupted by her radio squawking and alerting us to continue
forward so I didn't get to ask further questions, namely surrounding the need to heavily douse the road with water
making for at least one anxious motorcycle passenger and certainly some challenging conditions. Nonetheless,
here's what she was explaining:
Off we go:
The next section of dirt and gravel was so mucky that Kobi had to put the camera away after taking a few photo
at the beginning and so she could hang on with both hands. I can only describe it as soupy slop and
personally I would not have attempted to traverse it on a bike that wasn't a dual-sport. These are photos
from the good sections of the mess:
After making it through the area of construction and repair we stopped at the next available pullout so
we could regroup. A rider on a dual sport bike with knobby tires who had been riding behind me
through the soupy slop also stopped. He came over to me and shook my hand, saying “I just wanted
to tell you that you are an excellent rider... I'm not saying it because you're a girl or anything... you
can just flat out ride... that road was horrible and the way you handled that big bike with a passenger
and luggage was simply impressive.”
Back to the pavement:
Our Canuck friend in Phoenix will love seeing this guy we passed: (Lynette, will the HOA allow this in
the front yard?
An unmarked gravel section, though it was brief...
...followed by the smoothest pavement I've seen in BC!
More bears roadside! Kobi's got a good eye and a quick reflex to get these type shots:
And a fellow rider:
At least we're going in the right direction!
The road to Hyder from the Cassiar is about 30 miles and quite scenic:
A few miles from Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK (they are essentially on the same street and are one
community), we came across yet another bear on the side of the road:
One of the 18 glaciers around Stewart, BC/Hyder, AK that happens to be very close to the road:
Continuing on towards Hyder:
In the photo above there is an American flag. Just to the right of the flag and on the same
building we saw a sign that shocked both of us:
A sign outside our hotel, the SeaAlaska Inn:
If one thinks we arrived Hyder and then called it a day, well, you're in for a surprise. This
day was by far the most epic day of the “2 Chicks, 2 Wheels” journey, so much so that Grand Webmaster
says it's best to split the day into two web pages given the plethora of photos. So, to continue
on with us for the remainder of today go to the next page by clicking the link below ...
AGirl
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The Stewart-Cassiar Highway (also known as BC-37) had a few issues this past week, namely a section
of the road washed out. Thankfully, friends kept me posted on the conditions which enabled the
“2 Chicks, 2 Wheels” to keep rolling in the direction of the Cassiar rather than prematurely
implement a Plan B. The road reopened over the last few days but only from 11am-2pm and with
alternating traffic (meaning delays). Since we didn't know what to expect, we decided to get
an early start. We packed the bike at 7am and did so in bright and upper 50's conditions...simply
glorious weather!
Kobi hadn't considered the morning wind chill factor before departure so a few minutes into the ride we
stopped so she could add another layer:
I was humbled and, in all honesty, completely shocked – perhaps because I don't consider myself a good
or bad rider... I just ride. I've never had anyone say such about my non-pavement riding and I
certainly don't see myself as having special off-road skills. In fact, I don't have that much
experience in off-road conditions. Well, ok, at least on a motorcycle I don't; I have more experience
in a mountain bike saddle than I do in a motorcycle saddle (yeah, I know, probably surprising given my
motorcycle mileage) and the two do share some commonalities. Nonetheless, his compliment was
confidence inspiring, especially after I heard his experiences.
)
Hey, we made it!:
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