Cycling For A Cause - Alaska to Panama by Bike

[ravana]

Good going man!

So what is denatured alcohol called up there?

 

[ViviTheMage]

haha, yeah what do they call it up there?

 

[thejnaitor]

My vote is for "deflowered alcohol"

 

[Muttsta]

The few names he gave me to ask if I need some are: methyl alcohol, shellac thinner, gas line anitfreeze
I mean, it's only pure alcohol with something added to it to kill you if you drink it

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Muttsta
The few names he gave me to ask if I need some are: methyl alcohol, shellac thinner, gas line anitfreeze
I mean, it's only pure alcohol with something added to it to kill you if you drink it

Well, ethyl alcohol usually comes denatured because the non-denatured stuff will get you nice and drunk. Methyl alcohol will kill you whether it's denatured or not.

 

[vailr]

Is your stove able to use "White Gasoline"? Camping stores usually have Coleman brand.

 

[grohl]

yeah, I'm curious what kind of stove you have and what kind you bought.

any of the "multi-fuel" stoves will run on Coleman gas. It burns clean and you can find it everywhere, esp RV parks.

but as you figured out, it does not burn rubbing alcohol

 

[Muttsta]

Originally posted by: grohl
yeah, I'm curious what kind of stove you have and what kind you bought.

any of the "multi-fuel" stoves will run on Coleman gas. It burns clean and you can find it everywhere, esp RV parks.

but as you figured out, it does not burn rubbing alcohol

I use a custom made, ultralight alcohol stove, typically designed for backpacking
Heres the link to what I have
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin...ckinglight/white_box_stove_review.html

 

[Muttsta]

Day 22 ? Smooth Sailing ? 163.77 km
I stayed up quite late last night. It was not because I could not sleep, but rather I had to watch the season finale of ABC?s show ?Lost?. Absolutely brilliant finale, I won?t ruin it for you if you haven?t seen it yet, but it was simply awesome. If you don?t watch Lost, you really should!

Being as I got a mere five and a half hours of sleep, I figured today would be a rough today where I wouldn?t be able to cover much distance. Luckily that proved to be quite wrong. A great breakfast combined with an early start, great weather, and smooth roads turned out to be quite the good combination, an absolutely great day for cycling.

Although I covered quite a bit of road today, the day was actually quite uneventful. The highlight of my day was seeing five bears at once, a large black bear along with its four cubs. I remember that someone recently told me that if I come across eight bears at once, I?m better off just spraying myself with the bear spray and hoping for the best. I decided that really wasn?t necessary in this case, luckily!

The only other highlight of my trip was buying some souvenir at an antique store, which of course I talked the price down for. May I point out that I have not yet once paid full price for any lodging/camping or souvenirs on this trip. It may not seem like your saving much, but it really does add up! What can I say, I?m quite the economist!

Remember to check out my website for photos. If you?re feeling extra generous you can also make a donation, just as every kilometer counts so does every dollar!

 

[Muttsta]

Day 23 ? The Day of Champions ? 141.23 km
Yesterday it was late when I got to my campground, so I didn?t think too much of its location. When I awoke in the morning I finally looked around and saw that I was next to a major highway on one side and a railway on the other side. Luckily I?m a very sound sleeper, otherwise it would have been a rough night!

In the town of Vanderhoof I met up with a reporter who conducted an interview with me regarding my trip. I would say things went fairly well, at least I hope so! Vanderhoof is quite a small town, but very neat. Then again, any town with a Tim Hortons is great in my books! I of course stopped by there to get myself a toasted bagel with cream cheese as well as an Iced Cappuccino for brunch.

Quite a ways past Vanderhoof I stopped at a gas station where they were also selling some food. I decided that I would have the lunch of champions. Any meal of champions simply involves adding as many things to it as possible. Thus, I ordered myself potato wedges with gravy, to which I added ketchup, mustard, relish, and mayonnaise. As disgusting as it may look and sound, it was actually pretty good. Sure, each forkful may have tasted different, but it was probably nutritious and definitely filling.

Following my lunch of champions I slowly made my way to the city of Prince George. A fairly decent sized city of about 80,000 people, as a hunger stricken cyclist you can find anything you need here. I managed to locate my cell phone provider, who told me as long as I don?t use my GPS function I need not worry about my error message. I also stopped at a Future Shop at which I bought a new case for my iPod, as my old one was inadequate to say the least. It was quite pricy at $34.95, but necessary none the less.

From here I made my way to the downtown area of Prince George. I took a few pictures of buildings and other things that I found to be pretty neat. All in all it?s a fairly nice city. The only thing that surprised me was that the downtown area was practically dead even though it was a Friday. I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner which proved to have most excellent food. At least I think so, however when your hungry everything tastes good! Although I must admit that it was quite strange being the only person in the restaurant. Keep in mind that it is 8 PM on a Friday night. Where I?m from all the restaurants are packed at this hour. In the time I was at this restaurant no one else came to eat there. Two people did drop by in order to pick up orders they made over the phone, but that was it.

I am currently surfing someone?s couch here in Prince George. If you?ve never tried couch surfing, you really should. It?s a great way to not only travel cheaply, but to also meet some great people.

 

[Flammable]

go go go!

 

[thejnaitor]

Nice to read your updates. Good thing the bears didn't get you! hehe

 

[Muttsta]

Day 24 ? So Much To Do, So Little Time - 117.24 km
Today in the morning I woke up refreshed and full of energy after getting a good night?s sleep on a real bed. My hosts made me a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and bison sausage. I must say, it was quite good!

My first order of business for the day was shipping off a package home since it was quite a pain to carry around, I mean, it was literally the size of a pizza box! Luckily I managed to find a post office that was open early on a Saturday. Soon afterwards I had an appointment to meet a reporter from the Prince George Citizen at the place where most business is done in Canada, Tim Hortons of course! I tell you, that place is a gift from the gods sent down to us Canadians. Afterwards I headed out of Prince George, but not before buying some superglue. I cracked my sunglasses yesterday and had to fix them. I tell you, there isn?t much superglue, tape, and zip-ties can?t fix.

The road to Quesnel was quite dull. There really wasn?t anything interesting along the way. Unfortunately I got rained on quite hard before reaching Quesnel. I did put on my rain jacket, but simply didn?t feel like putting on my rain pants or shoe covers. A big mistake I tell you. My shoes and socks are still wet. I am definitely never doing that again!

Since I made it to Quesnel early, I managed to catch the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie playing at a theatre. I thought it was pretty good, but I didn?t realize it was that long! I am currently staying at a campground on the outskirts of Quesnel. In the morning I?m supposed to meet a reporter from the newspaper here, and then I hit the road once again. So much to do, so little time!

Remember that I post pictures on my website, be sure to check them out!

 

[ViviTheMage]

weird...I havent really heard of Tim Horton's...glad he is helping you along .

I am pumped you got to see Pirates 3!!! it was awesome imo!!

 

[NoShangriLa]

Are you going to try for 100 Miles House & bypass William Lake?

Following the Fraser river will make the time pass by quickly.

[add]

Be careful if you are taking the 99 because the highway have lots of hills and a bit narrow with crazy drivers out there. The #1 is slightly out of the way with poor scenery from Clinton to Spences Bridge (Cache Creek is known as Vancouver garbage dump), but it is pretty much a down hill ride. from Hope into Vancouver.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Muttsta
Day 24 ? So Much To Do, So Little Time - 117.24 km
Today in the morning I woke up refreshed and full of energy after getting a good night?s sleep on a real bed. My hosts made me a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and bison sausage. I must say, it was quite good!

My first order of business for the day was shipping off a package home since it was quite a pain to carry around, I mean, it was literally the size of a pizza box! Luckily I managed to find a post office that was open early on a Saturday. Soon afterwards I had an appointment to meet a reporter from the Prince George Citizen at the place where most business is done in Canada, Tim Hortons of course! I tell you, that place is a gift from the gods sent down to us Canadians. Afterwards I headed out of Prince George, but not before buying some superglue. I cracked my sunglasses yesterday and had to fix them. I tell you, there isn?t much superglue, tape, and zip-ties can?t fix.

The road to Quesnel was quite dull. There really wasn?t anything interesting along the way. Unfortunately I got rained on quite hard before reaching Quesnel. I did put on my rain jacket, but simply didn?t feel like putting on my rain pants or shoe covers. A big mistake I tell you. My shoes and socks are still wet. I am definitely never doing that again!

Since I made it to Quesnel early, I managed to catch the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie playing at a theatre. I thought it was pretty good, but I didn?t realize it was that long! I am currently staying at a campground on the outskirts of Quesnel. In the morning I?m supposed to meet a reporter from the newspaper here, and then I hit the road once again. So much to do, so little time!

How do you shower and do laundry? Do most of the places you stop at have public showers and laundromats?

 

[Muttsta]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
How do you shower and do laundry? Do most of the places you stop at have public showers and laundromats?

When I camp at a campground and not just somewhere out in the woods they always have showers and laundry available
These vital ammenities are also available to me when CouchSurfing

I have two changes of clothes, and I generally do laundry once a week
I know, not totally hygenical, but it works!

Unfortunatley when I was on the Cassiar highway there wasn't much along the way, so I went quite a long time without a shower, I won't say how long to scare any of you

 

[NoShangriLa]

Originally posted by: Muttsta

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
How do you shower and do laundry? Do most of the places you stop at have public showers and laundromats?

When I camp at a campground and not just somewhere out in the woods they always have showers and laundry available
These vital ammenities are also available to me when CouchSurfing

I have two changes of clothes, and I generally do laundry once a week
I know, not totally hygenical, but it works!

Unfortunatley when I was on the Cassiar highway there wasn't much along the way, so I went quite a long time without a shower, I won't say how long to scare any of you

LOL!

No worries, my best friend went with out a shower or change of cloth for 34 days on my first tree planting contract at Dease Lake.

 

[doze]

What an awesome thread, bookmarked for later.

Do you have any spots where you can pick up mail or packages along the way? If you need or want anything maybe ATOT'ers can help out by sending you a care package.

 

[Googer]

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: doze
What an awesome thread, bookmarked for later.

Do you have any spots where you can pick up mail or packages along the way? If you need or want anything maybe ATOT'ers can help out by sending you a care package.

great idea!

 

[Muttsta]

Day 25 ? Food Overload ? 132.42 km
Have you ever heard anyone say that it?s nearly impossible to drink a gallon of milk in an hour without throwing up? Well, I decided to put this myth to the test today. In the morning I bought a gallon of milk along with my favorite add to everything food, bread. Supposedly in some places heavy drinkers eat bread before a good night of partying as it absorbs some of the alcohol and lets them drink more, I thought that this same principle might work for milk.

Let me just say that doing this was a very bad idea. The first two liters went down without a problem; I actually managed to drink them in under ten minutes. It all went downhill after that point. The next liter was real rough. What made it even worse was that I was sitting on a park bench outside, and the sun was making my milk warm. Needless to say, after three quarters of a gallon I felt that should I take another sip of milk, all that I had drank would spontaneously and suddenly erupt out from within the deepest and darkest bowels of my stomach. That, and the fact that I actually planned on biking that day made me call it quits. Alas, a failure, but I did manage to finish the whole loaf of bread without a hitch. I plan on attempting this daring feat again sometime, but next time I will utilize chocolate milk and keep my milk refrigerated to keep it cold!

After recovering from my milk drinking spectacle I hit the road. Although the roads here are in southern British Columbia are both flatter and in better condition than in northern British Columbia, the landscape is nowhere as scenic. The only upside is that with the presence of civilization there are neat places to stop along the way.

My first stop was at a country restaurant where I tried something called bumbleberry pie, heated with vanilla ice cream on the side of course. That?s the only way to eat any slice of pie after all! This pie is basically a combination of a bunch of different berries. I can honestly say it was the absolute best piece of pie I have ever had the pleasure of digesting. To make things even better, the owners of the restaurant were so intrigued with my trip that I ended up getting it for free. It doesn?t get much better than that!

Further along down the road was a gift shop where they also sold fudge. I had never really tried fudge much before and decided now would be an excellent time to do so. As luck would have it, they gladly provided me with free samples to taste the various kinds of fudge. I think that I sampled nearly every flavor they had, and they were all so good! My favorite flavor ended up being mint chocolate, of which I purchased a small piece of for the road. Fudge is a winner in my books, although I don?t dare wonder how many calories it contains! And to think, my mom worries about me being malnourished!

One strange thing that I have noticed about British Columbia is that most people here give distances in terms of miles and not kilometers. I mean, we use the metric system in Canada! When I asked a few people in a restaurant how far it is to the next town they all gave me distances in miles. Most of the signs for gift shops and such are also provided in miles. It seems that our friendly neighbors to the south have infected our western Canadians with their confusing system of measurement!

 

[Muttsta]

Originally posted by: doze
What an awesome thread, bookmarked for later.

Do you have any spots where you can pick up mail or packages along the way? If you need or want anything maybe ATOT'ers can help out by sending you a care package.

I get my parents to send me care packages to post offices along the way, I just ask them to write "Please hold for cyclist Michal Brichacek"

 

[EagleKeeper]

Have you attempted to use the lakes/streams for a quick refreshing dip to help get road grime off of you?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Muttsta

Originally posted by: doze
What an awesome thread, bookmarked for later.

Do you have any spots where you can pick up mail or packages along the way? If you need or want anything maybe ATOT'ers can help out by sending you a care package.

I get my parents to send me care packages to post offices along the way, I just ask them to write "Please hold for cyclist Michal Brichacek"

So you have definite stops planned or just check in and keep on rolling.

Anyway, that you can provide your admirers, advance towns about a week in advance that you expect to be going through.