Day 1 - What do you mean, no shorts, no ride?

STATS	DAY	MILES	CLIMBING	CALORIES
DAY	1	0.00	0	0
TOTALS		0.00	0	0

Today was the day Mike and I met up with Tom, our tour director, and Joe, the third rider.  Having woken up at 2AM, then again at 4AM,  I had 4 hours to kill before I had to do anything.  The sun sets late and rises early, so I went for a walk around the "near the airport hotel neighborhood" and was struck by an omonious sign.  All the cars had something stuck to their front sides:

 

What's all those polka dots doing on the cars?

Wait, those aren't polka dots, those are smushed mosquitoes! This does not bode well for spending 3+ weeks outside...

I tried to put it behind me and made my way back for a hotel continental breakfast that can best be described as %^&%%$#$% &&*^%$!!!!  Yes, it was that good.

Finally, 8AM arrived and we met Tom and Joe and loaded up the van.

I call shotgun!!!   (and I did :-))

We settled in a started the drive to Dawson City BC.  The terrain here is relatively flat with farm field and wood pulp stands.  Very scenic, but very consistent.  To pass the time, we did partake in a bit of team building:

The roads here are very straight, we played the game "guess how far to the next turn"  But no one even came close because we continually got mixed up between miles and kilometers.  I'll let you take stab at it and see how welll you do:

 I say it's 47km, no miles, no wait, how many miles to the kilometer?

The drive continued up this highway, down that one.  It didn't look too far on the map.  As we drove, the team building continued:

Fianlly, after 400 miles (?km) we arrive at Dawson Creek.

Slow down, I want to get the picture!

We get to the campground with a plan:
1 - Set up camp
2 - Set up bikes
3 - Go for a ride.

 Let's see, tab A goes in Slot B....

As we were finishing #2 and in eager anticipation of a ride, Tom said:  "We have the local press and tourism board stopping by to talk to us, I think a council man is coming and maybe the press."  Oh boy, I get to meet the local dignataries, what an honor.  I quickly finish assembling my bike and go to get changed into my riding togs.  I get my shoes, my jersey, but my shorts were not in my pack.  No problem, I packed some cycling clothes in a stuff sack.  Not there.  How about my backpack?, nope.  Now I panic, I packed everything I needed (except a hatchet) and I FORGOT TO PACK MY RIDING SHORTS!!!!  This is not good.  Regular pants or tighty-whiteys won't do it.  Is there a bike store in town? no.  What am I going to do???

It has been said that no matter how much you know man, you really don't know him that well until you wear his riding shorts.  Mike came to rescue with a spare pair of shorts.  Now, those of you that wear shorts immediately know of the unspeakable truth.  For the rest of you, you wear these shorts camando style.  Mike weighs less than I do.  All I can say is these shorts are like a cheap hotel - no ball room.

The local dignitaries arrived and couldn't have been nicer.  I must say that everyone I have met since I arrived in Canada has been very nice and welcoming.  Truly nice folks.  We chit chatted with the councilman who's first question to us was "Now tell me why anyone would want to do this?"  I am very bad with names, but we also met a summer intern studying tourism development who is a new avid cyclist and had lots of questions for us as well.  We had our picture taken with the councilman presenting us commemorative pins for the town, and we were interviewed by the local paper and should they decide to run the story in week, we will be famous! (I hope they do).


At this point, there was big storm approaching, so we (wisely) decided to lock up the bikes, and go to dinner.

So I didn't get to ride today (but it would have been only for 5-10 miles) and there is nice bike shop about 45 miles up the road that we will pass tomorrow.  Hopefully, they will have my size.


Tee shirt contest:  Good guesses everyone, but no one has guessed it yet. Keep trying**.  A special shout out to my sister Cheryl for guessing 2 items not shown in the photo (she was always the contrarian of the family).

** Be sure and join my facebook group "Brad's Alcan Adventure" if you are not already a member.  For details click this: Facebook group instructions

Tale of the Tape

I hoped to have a Garmin route to share today, but alas, it was not to be.  Here is taste of the dinner we had instead

Miles: 0, Climbing: 0 (except into the van), Calories:I'm afraid to consider

Tomorrow - Day 2.....