Life lessons after Leg 3 of a 10,000 kilometre bicycle trip

August 2003, I began the 3rd leg of a bike ride in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. Two years after starting in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. A little under 5000 km done, and that much ahead. Things go different than planned.

In 2001, shiny bike and 800 km of gravel in my face, I was woefully unprepared; but keen, stubborn, & ready for adventure.

I had a 10,000 km route planned, reaching Los Angeles in 6 months. I'd raise money and give talks along the way. Simple...

I ran into bike issues about 650 km along the Dempster Hwy. It's an 800 km gravel highway between Inuvik and Dawson City, Yukon. A stunning and special place. Challenging to bike.

Two weeks into my trip, I was stopped in my tracks. Rear tire busted, a sore knee, and few funds. I started raising funds going door to door and found a helpful bike mechanic in Dawson City.

He laughed at my shitty set up and got me properly set up for roads ahead.

After 10 days, I was back on the road: Alaska-bound. $1000 raised. A public talk done. A Canadian Geographic story about the ride in the works.

By September, fall and winter were catching up. I stopped Sept. 9, 2001. The world was different 3 days later.

In April 2002, back on the road starting in LA riding north. I stopped in Victoria, BC and went back to an industry I'ld left 4 years previous: treeplanting.

I planned to hit the road in the fall of 2002 to complete the ride. Then, I changed my mind. I spent the winter working with at-risk youth.

In spring 2003, I returned treeplanting. I planned to finish the ride in the summer.

Early August 2003, I returned to Dawson City, YT planning to connect Leg 1 (NWT, YT, AK) with Leg 2 (CA, OR, WA, BC).

I learned a lot over the 2 legs. For Leg 3, I packed light. Just a tent fly, a hammock, and a bug net. No bike trailer. I rode bigger distances, and pushed to finish. I was keen to be done.

In early Oct, after jaunts to Haida Gwaii, and up Vancouver Island, I rode from Nanaimo to Victoria, BC. It poured rain. Sheets of it. Southeast winds stiff in my face.

I laughed descending the Malahat into Victoria (a steep hill on the highway). A fitting end to a stormy and choppy trip. Some family and friends met me at Mile 0 in Beacon Hill Park. A bottle of champagne on hand.

I was about 200 km short of 10,000. I've often pondered a return to the Dempster to ride those 120 km or so that I missed after hitching a ride to Dawson City.

I kept detailed journals on the road. I've sat down a few times to put these into shareable form. Even attended a writing program at the Banff Centre (in Alberta Rockies) a few years back.

Maybe it's time, as 20 yrs later, I still draw on things I learned on and off the road.

A few lessons:

• "Shoulding" all over people is generally not helpful. (I experienced a lot of peoples ‘shoulds’.

• Remember to live your life, not one other's think you ‘should’.

• 'You do you' is a critical skill to hone.

• Be choosy about who's opinion you give two shits about.

• Best laid plans, are the best ones to change.

• When in doubt: Do. Start. Shift as needed.

• Som days are best taken corner by corner, hill by hill.

We have one Life. Live it with some adventure.