Saturday  July 6       Cycling Day 2

 Tsilgehtchic ( NT) to Fort McPherson (NT)

Distance:  (Km) 70

Time:  4:15

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 16.5

Ascent:  (m). 388

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 111

Cumulative Distance:   (km) 349

Cumulative Ascent :  (m) 2104

Punctures so far : 0

We had rain during the night as forecast but all had cleared up before the first of us started stirring around 6 am. So we could pack up the tent a in peace with only the fly sheets wet.To get back to the Dempster Highway we had to take the ferry again across the Arctic Red River description arising out of the fact that there are large deposits of iron upstream. Tsilgehtchic is a Gwichen word that means ‘the mouth of the iron river’.

We all cycled the short distance to the bank of the river to catch the first ferry at 8:45. Unusual for such a large group of cyclists to be on board.The bright morning sunshine promised a favourable day ahead and for the first couple of hours the wind was going our way. After that all went calm.

Landing just involves the ramp being lowered and jammed into the gravel bank.All off and away. In that first km we faced into a 9% gradient corresponding to that hill we came down yesterday evening into Tsilgehtchic. However, the kind tailwind helped all.

The speedsters took off and soon the peloton was spread out. My position tends to be in the second half but not at the back.Again today we had those long straight stretches but not as heartbreaking as yesterday. Flat today meant flat not like yesterday.

There were a few sharp hills but never longer than 500 except that the surface made them feel longer.Again very little traffic on the Dempster - no trucks hauling gravel for road maintenance. Small lakes by the side of the road looked so calm and peaceful. But at one of them what looked like seagulls (Long Tailed Jaegers) took exception to our presence near their nest and repeatedly bombed down on us - but not as aggressive or as close as those magpies in Australia.

Lunch stop was at 56km just before Fort Macpherson. I dropped into town ( with its two stores) to source materials to clean the bike. Fort Macpherson was established around 1840 as a fur trading centre.As this point it has a small airport and to see a building by the side of the road is a novelty at this stage.

Our campsite was 11 km further on in the Nitainlii Territorial Campground. I had arrived much earlier than previous days and so had a chance to relax before dinner. Showers will be turned on from 5pm to 9 pm and I could do with one.

A nice easy recovery day today but I’m led to believe that tomorrow will have plenty of Ascent.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.