Human-powered remote overland travel is my favorite way to experience the world. There is not a moment that passes that I don’t crave those big athletic pushes, the ones where you fully and truly immerse yourself in the wilderness. Your mission day after day is distance, safety, and survival. For moving on foot or skis, this type of adventure is why I live in Alaska. It was only a matter of time before I discovered that this type of adventure could also be had on a bike. I've never considered doing this type of riding solo until August 2020... I was in the best shape of my life after riding and racing bikes all year, but I was unable to secure a partner for a route that my heart and head were set on.
My intention was to traverse the state of AK using the Dalton and Parks Highways to move from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Alaska. I settled for a solo effort but was apprehensive about servicing my bike through the calcium chloride mud that is notorious in the North Slope section of the route.