Mountains ahead from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken stumbles on a topographic map of Alaska and North America. Noticing there’s quite a few mountains ahead…
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Mountains ahead
September 17th, 2011Interview with Justin
September 16th, 2011It was meant to be an interview but ended up being rather more of a chat. Good couple of hours. Justin was a journalist with Alaskan outdoors magazine Coast. It’d chanced on a recent copy at the airport when I’d returned there to clear my bicycle for release with Customs. A well-written publication, lots of interesting articles, I’d been particularly looking forward to our meeting. Another event arranged by John, the Bent Prop Inn Hostel’s inexhaustible manager.
There were copious notes. Page after page. Keen, Justin explained, to have plenty of quotes. Photos we would do a little later. We’d often wander a little, sharing anecdotes, before struggling to recall where we’d left off. Sometimes it was just advice, suggestions. Thoughts exchanged on the possibility of writing a book. Firm agreement that if it was ever to be successful, it needed to offer something different to the plethora of other travelogues. I alluded a little to an idea I had, but not the details. Early days.
Introducing Reggie
September 16th, 2011Introducing Reggie from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Reggie, handyman at Anchorage’s Bent Prop Inn Hostel, shares some candid thoughts…
Mayoral welcome
September 15th, 2011Dan Sullivan, the city’s Mayor, was out of town. Not back before I’d be riding out of Anchorage. So Darrell Hess, his representative and something of a cyclist himself, had been dispatched to welcome me. I explained I was delighted to be in Alaska, eager to crack my fourth continent, and quite astounded at the generosity and hospitality of those I’d met. Careful to really emphasize this last point, for it couldn’t possibly be overstated.
There was a thoughtful gift from the city, a small metal broach attached to the Mayor’s business card. A practical, considerate present, something I could carry with me. I thanked Darrell, added once more how much I’d been taken aback by the welcome, before we headed out into the rain. A nearby lock-up to introduce him to my trusty steed.
Litigious society
September 15th, 2011Car drivers, explained Kevin, would normally give you plenty of room on the road. If he’d said that this was because most were just considerate, I’d have bought it. But he didn’t. This, he quickly added, was a litigious society. People fearful of being sued. I’d been introduced to him in the lobby of the Bent Prop Inn in Anchorage. A fellow cyclist, he’d returned to the city after a spell on the road in the Lower 48. Spending a little time in the hostel whilst he found himself more permanent lodgings.
For my part, I assured him I’d some pretty hefty insurance. Covered for personal liability in the event of accident or collision. Explaining I didn’t want to end up bankrupt, even if the hike in premiums for putting a foot down in North America was a bit eye-watering.
Dave at Downtown
September 14th, 2011Dave at Downtown from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Like John the manager, Dave had started out at the Bent Prop Inn Hostel as a guest. Thoughtful and unassuming, his was a calming presence. Years running a homeless shelter, he’d also had his own blues and jazz show on local radio, and spoke German fluently.
Dancing bears
September 14th, 2011Quite what they thought the hulla hoops would achieve I never did quite grasp. Other than to imagine the rather remote possibility of the bears being deterred by the necessity of treading gingerly through them. On tip-toe.
I’d met with a group of teenagers from Wales, spending a night in the Bent Prop Inn Hostel before returning once more to the wilds of Alaska. One of their tents being hastily repaired with duct tape. Ripped by a bear eager to take a candy bar inadvertently left behind, the occupants fortunately elsewhere.
The hoops, and a couple of kayaks, had been placed around the damaged tent to deter further foraging. Ineffective this might have been, but at least it suggested spirits had not been dampened. Rather, the story seemed to get further embellished with every telling. Surely it must have been a family of bears, I hinted.
Bent Prop Inn
September 13th, 2011Bent Prop Inn from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
His first hostel stop in the US, Ken explores Anchorage’s Bent Prop Inn. Curiously drawn to the on-tap strong coffee…
Downtown Anchorage
September 13th, 2011Downtown Anchorage from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken heads for Downtown Anchorage, off to enjoy some hospitality with John, convivial manager of the Bent Prop Inn Hostel. No snow or permafrost here. Just damp.
Heading for Terra del Fuego
September 12th, 2011Heading for Terra del Fuego from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Fellow cyclist Amelia completes final preparations before heading off. Bound for Terra del Fuego, at the tip of South America. So, quite a way to pedal…
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