What a day! Just 80km, but such a strong headwind (Force 3-4 gusting 5) that each km was a grind. There was a close encounter of the moose kind, however. I was head down, pedaling away and just round the corner these two were waiting. They didn’t want to budge until a car went by. A bit of a stand-off. I didn’t try the horn. They seemed a little leary; might have even had a blade somewhere. So I thought, don’t make matters worse with a honk.
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I’m in Dease Lake which is, as I’ve mentioned before, the biggest town on the Cassiar. Don’t tell anyone, but it’s not that big. I’m writing this in Rumors cafe which also doubles as the laundromat, triples as a store, and quadruples as the post office. Some might say greedy, but they know how to maximize the use of a building in these parts.
Anytime I stop to either camp, or buy something, the people I meet tend to ask the same questions, and if I deviate from the usual response and try and be ‘funny’ then the whole conversation crashes to a halt whilst they a) try and understand me, b) figure out if what I said was funny or c) both. So now I’m starting to pretty much read from a script. ‘Yes, that’s my bike, yes it’s pretty tough going. I’ve come from Anchorage. I’m hoping to get to South America. I probably won’t make it tonight.’ (wait for laugh – nothing). ‘It’ll probably take about 12 months. Yes, all the gears are in the hub like a Sturmey Archer…’ (to be fair, I don’t think the Sturmey Archer has travelled much outside of UK but I keep mentioning it just in case I meet a Sturmey Archer engineer and we can have a long and interesting conversation about hub gears). So that’s what my conversations have become. That is why you MUST send me comments! You are my only hope of a decent conversation. Even if they have the frequency of a postal chess game, it’s better than, ‘Wow, that’s a long way’, for the umpteenth time.
The forecast is for more strong headwinds for the next seven days which has forced me to reconsider my daily mileage and consequently how long it’s going to take me to ‘do’ the Cassiar. I think it’s going to take me about ten days at this rate. The time’s not the issue, it’s having to lug about all the food I need. I’m stocking up on Pot Noodles, Snickers (Marathons, Bin), and pepperamis. Not the most appetizing breakfast! If I’m lucky, there will be food stops along the way that aren’t on the map, but that hasn’t been the case so far. The weight loss program starts now! I wonder when the next bus to Prince Rupert leaves…!
And now the Beard Cam…
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Love
Pete
Hi Pete! You crazy dude….just read the whole diary before the monday morning meeting (oh how you are missing those!). You are doing great mate – keep going and watch out for those moose! Will log in more… keep the diary coming – sounds bloody brilliant.
With love from the crew in bay 3,
JB
Hi Uncle Pete this is Helen. You are a really unique Uncle if you want to do this type of stuff.
Oh by the way the beard is getting really creepy.
All uncles are unique, Helen, but thank you for pointing this silly one out for a special mention!
I agree on the beard, as soon as I’m done it’s coming off. Maybe before.
Love
Pete
NOT before!!
You will be pleased to know that interweb access is as intermittent on the District Line as it is on your highway, so this may not post until you’re in Mexico ( you do go to Mexico, right? My geography was always pants). Anyhow, was pleased to read three blogs in a row this morning as I was starting to miss it. This is probably the only thing I’ve ever missed about you but we need to start somewhere.
I’m struggling to understand whether knife wielding moose are more of a threat than dysfunctional bears. Hopefully someone will enlighten me.
I find the beard distinguished although I can see moving into creepy if you don’t keep an eye on it.
Nicole xx
Hi, Peter! We have just caught up with the news of your amazing venture so this is a very late God Speed message from all the Vowles clan. However, since you are now on Day18 or so we are having to catch up quick. Never fear, we will, and be right behind you.
Your latest postings have answered several questions which your inquisitive aunt wanted to ask, such as what are you eating, drinking (I’ve taken the jam sandwiches on board and perhaps even suggest honey ones if the bears have retreated?). Another question was about the human beings you might be encountering but you have answered that a bit too. I guess that irony is not too well understood outside these shores, but keep trying! And about the traffic which passes you – does anyone stop (or even honk?) apart from the bikers? In short, what seems to us to be amazing from this distance might indeed seem the norm on the Cassia Highway? Answers on a blog, please.
And keep the photos coming – I thought that the latest was indeed like Dad.
Love from Ba, Des and all the Vowles clan
Hi Ba
Glad you’re on board!
I hear you’ve moved to Oxford. Congratulations! I hope you’re settling in well and are getting back to some level of normality after the move.
Some people honk, but most don’t. It’s funny how most of the people up here react when you tell them how far you’re traveling. Most of them are admiring, but understanding. In contrast, back in london the reaction was of general amazement and incredulity. I think the vast distances and general environmental hostility up here breeds a hardier and more self-reliant soul and so someone setting off for a long trip on a bike is just an adventure to be accepted and admired.
Love to all the family
Pete
So, the two Mooses, are you sure they weren’t hanging around waiting for ‘business’??
I have come up with the killer idea that will be sure to make me my millions (zimbabwe dollars probably however), bringing together the coffee/sandwich bar thing with cycling. A cycling cafe with workshop, if I’m honest it’s a shameless rip offof some one the ones I’ve seen popping up in east london but will be in Bristol, any name suggestions? So less Shoreditch, skinny jean and silly facial hair but more funny accent, stencil based graphetti and student. What do you think? I think your pics and blog print outs will just go fine and dandy scatttered round the place. Could also be a good outlet for your novel you should release ‘The Bear Honker’, when good honks turn bad.
Just an idea anyway, still a few grand off being able to set that up, in the meantime I’m a slave to the OCD, black roll neck, silly glasses brigate (aka Architects)
Beard cam is coming on nicely, impressive coverage, if i try to grow any facial hair I end up looking like somebody that could be used in a charity appeal, the ‘freak charity’
Enjoy the pot noodle Pete
Cycle safe!
Paul
Sounds like a cracking idea. I’ve had a similar thought for NZ. Bikes, bread, cupcakes, it’s the future.
Nice ‘tache mate.
Thinking of buying a Harley then?
Not necessarily a Harley, but something motorized would definitely be a good idea!
wow what a long way – nice to be original, don’t you think? – Giddy Aunt
Just a follow up to a short note which the computer keeps saying is awaiting moderation – what does an immoderate aunt do?
Anyway, I’m enjoying the comments on your itinerary and the style thereof. As usual, what I like best is being an armchair traveller. Thanks too for the photos.
Best wishes from me and any other Dunns who have not yet bothered to comment
Love, Giddy Aunt
Moose on right (moose number 2) – ‘Does my bum look big in this?’.
Moose number 1 – ‘Darling, right now I’m more worried about the lasso around my leg!’
Moose 2 – ‘Did you just hear a honking noise?
Moose 1 – ‘Yeh, and that beard looks creepy’
Definately got the Beefy Botham look about you now, Pete. You need to get a couple of elephants for the journey.
And I thought all the World’s Harley warriors (aka ‘accountants’) just rode past my house at the weekend….
Keep safe Honky Tonks,
Steve
Guess what? You just missed the annual Dease Lake Trout Derby (in June), which apparently ” attracts fishing enthusiasts from all over the globe”. Now there´s a scary thought.
I´m fascinated by what you can find on the Internet about these places. The last post by the only Dease Lake blogger was in 2007, and that was by special request from his faithful readers, he had actually left the place.
We´re off tomorrow to New York, Niagara, Lake Ontario and New England, and as I only have 2 weeks off we´ll be using motorized transport. So next Tuesday (12th) we´ll be in the same country (Toronto), and only a few thousand kilometres apart. Still no Marathon bars though.
Will try to keep up with your blog while travellling. Mind out for the bears! My colleague Marc, from Ottawa, says It´s the black ones you need to watch.
love Bin
Seeing your two mooses it’s just occurred to me – what’s the plural for Moose? It feels like it should be mice but that’s already taken – may be a Mosse (rhymes with posse) or can moose be plural too?! I know you’re an expert in the plural/group of animals so will wait to hear…ahh so much they didn’t teach us in the outback.
Re the Harley Davidson dudes, if you get a chance try to see one in it’s second natural habitat – a sawdust-all-over-the-floor-mullet-filled bar. Seeing one dance is a sight you won’t believe unless you behold it with your own eyes. To me it looked kind of like a gorilla rapping slowly wearing a bandana…
Keep the posts coming!
Tash
It all depends on how many there are and what sex they are.
So, one moose
Two or more male moosas
Two or more female moosesses
Two or more mixed moosus
Hope that clarifies things.
Pete