Mile 0, for the Second time

It was a cold, overcast day on August 5th, 2011 when I arrived in Dawson Creek, Canada and had my photo taken at Mile 0 of the Alaskan Highway. 192 days, 42,060 kilometers later on another cold and overcast day I would take a similar photo at Mile 0 of the Pan American Highway in Quellon, Chile.

After Dawson Creek I would ride north to Prudhoe Bay Alaska, reaching a major milestone in my journey and then turn my bike south, I have not rode north since. Now in Quellon I will take a ferry south, back to the mainland and head to Ushuaia Argentina, the most southern city in the world, where I will then ride north for the first time in months.

Neither of these two “Mile 0” markers represented either the beginning or the end of my adventure. The beginning of the adventure is clear, it occurred while standing on the temples of Angkor Watt, Cambodia in January 2010. I made a promise to myself to make a significant motorcycle adventure and to do it soon. The end of the adventure is another story. One day soon I will have to return to work (unless I win the lottery), but that does that not mean the adventure ends. “Adventure is not outside man; it is within.” George Eliot I have decided to live everyday as an adventure, no matter what I am doing. The adventure ends the day the death certificate is issued.

Today another motorcycle adventure began the planning stage. My good friend committed to make a trip with me in 3 years’ time.  Destination to be determined, throw a dart at the globe, pick a country from a hat, we will do whatever works. Three years seems too far away to begin planning, but I think he needs at least 2 years to build the courage to tell his wife.  Just remember my friend – being brave means being the only one who knows you are afraid.

I will spend the day tomorrow preparing for the difficult ride to Ushuaia. I will cross the interior of Argentina, over mountains, gravel roads and experience remoteness for the first time in a while. I need to figure out how to strap on the extra gas cans on to my bike, buy some food and hopefully long underwear. I have watched every episode of Survivorman at least twice, read all of his books and from that have learned not to go into this type of situation unprepared.

Links

Survivorman http://lesstroud.ca/survivorman/home.php the coolest program to ever get on television. I had the pleasure of meeting Les Stroud before I took my adventure, he is an inspiration. Thanks Les for the advice on my first aid kit.

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3 Responses to Mile 0, for the Second time

  1. Pete Chester says:

    Hi Greg. In your search for adventure you have definitely reached some milestones. Soon there will be another, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the farthest south you can travel on regular highways any place in the World. I agree with you that adventure in ones life need not end. As long as a person is out there living life with some enthusiasm and curiosity there will be adventures. Adventure does pretty much cease to exist for those that lock themselves away in some overly secure protective bubble though. You are not one of those people, you are out there experiencing life & from what you have just written you plan to keep seeking new adventures.

    Enjoy the next stage of the trip. Be careful with the Patagonian winds, they can be fierce. I had a few extremely windy days in southern Argentina, one was very bad. I came on a tractor trailer rig, with double trailers, that was blown over. With the wind at my side I would be leaned over about 45 deg. & the gusts would cause my front tire to slide a little on the road. I don’t know what the actual wind speed was, but it felt like 100 MPH. If it is at your back though, it really zips you along! I ended up spending the day in a motel to get out of it.

    Have fun. Pete

    PS: I’m going to have to pick your brain about Alaska to prep for my trip this summer.

  2. Raven says:

    Greg – Did you miss getting a photo at Mile 0 Trans Canada Highway ….St. John’s. If so, you have to come back and do so…… BTW I am enjoying your blog my friend.

  3. Greg says:

    Yes I did miss that photo. Have one at the cape spear sign though

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