Another day of climbing...

We've been cranking uphill for most of the day, and the thighs are feeling it..!

Luckily, most of the ascents were well graded, with just a few real burners, plus a few roller-coaster sections where a mad pedal downhill would get you a good third of the way up the next uphill... Repeat that about 5 times in a row though, and you're feeling pretty pooped!

We started the day leaving Delta Junction under overcast and smokey skies, with a heavy low cloud and wildfire smoke making it a fair bit cooler than previous days. The clouds held off piddling on us for an hour or so, but just after 2nd breakfast (and the required 15-mile ass-break) the rain began to drum down... Light at first, it soon turned to a solid downpour that made us pull off the highway and seek the shelter of some pine trees.



It was here that Will adopted a new super-hero identity... The Green Helmet... It's hasn't made his riding any easier, but he just looks more stylish doing it... Hahaha.




Most of the riding was along loooooong empty roads, surrounded by pines, and for once we had a gentle tailwind to assist us too.

The time honored tradition of the "chucking of the rock" was also observed today as we crossed a decent sized bridge over a very muddy river.

And now, after 85 miles (136 kms) of riding, and just over 6 hours of "ass time" as we've taken to calling the time spent in the saddle pedaling, we are at a surprise-find, Cathedral Creek B&B and Campground, where we have each enjoyed a scorchingly hot and good shower and the benefit of solid Wifi. Hence this posting!















Tomorrow, we push on 25 miles towards Tok (pronounced 'Toke', not 'Tock') where we'll probably grab some hot brekky before making the push for the border... Another 80 miles further.

Whether we'll make it into Canada tomorrow evening, or camp one last night in Alaska will depend on the terrain, the wind, the weather, and how saddle sore out butts get!
(Plus how strong the alluring smell of Canadian Bacon is in our noses...)

For now,

RWK

OUT!



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Location:Alaska Hwy,Tok,United States