Across Continents

Ken's Blog

Litigious society

September 15th, 2011

Car 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.

obpostlogo

Share

Dave at Downtown

September 14th, 2011

Dave 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.

obpostlogo

Share

Dancing bears

September 14th, 2011

Quite 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.

obpostlogo

Share

Bent Prop Inn

September 13th, 2011

Bent 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…

obpostlogo

Share

Downtown Anchorage

September 13th, 2011

Downtown 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.

obpostlogo

Share

Heading for Terra del Fuego

September 12th, 2011

Heading 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…

obpostlogo

Share

Lucky charms

September 12th, 2011

Lucky charms from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Lucky cycling charm – a very thoughtful gift from host Linda to fellow rider Amelia. About to set off for Terra del Fuego, at the tip of South America.

obpostlogo

Share

Alaska… a few facts

September 11th, 2011

A few facts about Alaska… some quite surprising…

It’s BIG – about one fifth of the rest of the US

But with a small population – just 600,000 people, half of whom live in Anchorage

Which isn’t the Capital – that’s Juneau. Despite electing Sarah Palin as Governor, Alaskans are clearly a shrewd bunch, choosing to put their politicians on an island. One you can’t actually drive to directly from Anchorage, instead having to travel through Canada.

Alaska is also the northern-most, western-most and eastern-most State. And has over 100,000 glaciers.

The State bird is the willow ptarmigan. Although you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s the mosquito…

Barrow, in the far north of Alaska, doesn’t see the sun – at all – for almost three months of the year. 18 November – 24 January. And, between 10 May and 2 August, it never sets.

Alaska’s State flag was the result of a school art project. Eight gold stars.

obpostlogo

Share

Getting back on the road

September 11th, 2011

Getting back on the road from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Sufficiently recovered after the long haul from Australia, Ken reassembles his trusty steed

obpostlogo

Share

Something borrowed

September 10th, 2011

If I’d have known I’d have flown to the US, couple of nights in the Waldorf Astoria, spot of shopping, and then back home. Same again some years later to return everything. And still be in pocket. At first I thought I’d misunderstood, firmly adhering to the view that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Except in this case.

Charles was keen to get me to sign up. Gave me a slip of paper to hand to the cashier. I assured him I was sold on the idea, others having already convinced me of the merits of joining REI, a cooperative chain of outdoor shops. Twenty bucks for life gets you an annual dividend of around ten percent on every purchase you make.

But, much more importantly, and with just a few exceptions, you can return used kit, even years later, and get a full refund, no questions asked. Struck me as an unusual business model, but REI’s been around for a while so suppose it must work.

obpostlogo

Share
Terms & Conditions of Use | Copyright © 2009-2025 Ken Roberts