The Americas 2013

Today was a day spent at rest exploring Banff and walking around some of the trails. We are staying at the Fairmont Banff springs which is a 120 year old scottish Barronial castle built in the forests of Banff and is incredible to say the least!!

Jax and I have agreed to split for 2 weeks because the roads in northern Canada and Alaska are going to get evermore challenging, partly because there are some that are famous (or infamous dependant on your views) and I am determined to ride them because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and because the daily mileage is about to get long because this is such a vast country to traverse! Jax is getting tired of the riding everyday because she sits at the back and her view is limited to the back of my helmet or to the right and left of her which is becoming monotonous and tiring! As a result, she will be staying in Banff for a few more days and then heading to Anchorage on Friday where she will hang out and wait for me to get there after completing these various crazy roads!!

The highways that I want to ride in British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska are as follows:

The Stewart Cassiar highway which runs through the Canadian rockies from New Hazelton to the Yukon and is partially paved and partially gravel. It also runs through some of the most beautiful part of British Columbia as well as the ghost town of Cassiar which will be pretty cool to see. Difficulty: Moderate according to the reports.

The Klondike highway which runs through the Yukon between Whitehorse and Dawson City is completely paved. Difficulty: Easy but isolated according to the reports.

The Dempster highway is a one way road that runs from Dawson city up to Inuvik in the Arctic circle through the Yukon and is entirely gravel. Difficulty: One of the most Difficult according to the reports.

The Top of the World highway which runs from Dawson City, crosses the Canadian, Alaskan border and continues to the town of Chicken and ends in Tok. It is entirely gravel although the Canadian part of it is well maintained, the US side, less so. Difficulty: Moderate to difficult according to the reports.

The Alaska highway which runs through British Columbia and the Yukon up into Alaska is completely paved. Difficulty: Easy according to the reports.

The Dalton highway is a one way road which runs from Coldfoot to Prudhoe Bay (the northernmost point accessible by road in the Americas) in Alaska and is entirely gravel. Difficulty: One of the most Difficult according to the reports.

I am leaving Banff tomorrow and will have to ride for 2 long days before getting to the south end of the Stewart Cassiar. Stay tuned because the riding is about to become real interesting!!!