Sunday  July 7       Cycling Day 4

  Fort McPherson (NT) to Rock River (Y)

Distance:  (Km) 97

Time:  7:03

Average Speed: (Km/ hr) 13.55

Ascent:  (m). 1760

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 103

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 446

Cumulative Ascent :  (m). 3864

Punctures so far : 0

Calm night , no rain and easy to pack up. But the mosquitoes were ravenous and busy. Not just at that campground but everywhere. Almost everyone wears a headset and some have a full suit of netting to keep them at bay. But it’s impossible, they find the smallest opening to bare flesh and even succeed in piercing tight cycle clothing. While climbing, if speed drops below 10 km/hr they attack.Again this morning it was down the short distance to the free ferry across the Peel River but had to wait for the first crossing at 9:15. It was just ourselves and a few motorcycles on board this cable ferry. We’ve met quite a few motorcyclists in twos and threes undertaking this iconic Dempster Highway drive on super machines (BMW T1200)

Off at the far side and soon the group strung out for this day of climbing. 

We knew that there would be almost 2000 m of climbing ahead. The first mountains of this trip appeared far ahead on the horizon. That’s our first sighting of the Richardson Ranges, a favored breeding site during the long Arctic summer for so many birds from Asia, the Rockies and our diving Long Tailed Jaegers from yesterday are here all the way from South America.

Plenty of up and down all day , some with 10 to 12% gradient (easing out to 7% and appreciated) with one major just before lunch at 58 km. 

A lovely descent through a  picturesque canyon with some spectacular rock foldings which I didn’t capture.

The road today was in great condition, smooth and hard-packed for the most part and just a few short sections where cycling on loose gravel was unavoidable. And little or no traffic to contend with.Shortly after lunch the next major climb of 12km appeared far off in the distance up to the saddle of the pass at 1000 metres. Gradient varied but averaged out at 7% overall. It took more than an hour and a half to reach that crest in the distance. And the best part was kept till the end. Walker and I arrived there together, took a deep breath and tackled the beast. Great feeling to finally push over the top.

This pass marks the border between Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory. So goodbye to Northwest and hello Yukon. It also brings us into a new timezone. Now we’re 8 hours behind Ireland. Yukon is eight times the size of Ireland with just a population of 40,000 and they have a reputation of being fond of the outdoors and great meat- eaters. We’ll be in the Yukon for another 15 days.

Another 18 km, mostly gloriously downhill led to the Rock River Campground by the side of the Dempster. It’s located ‘deep in Canadian woods’ and local mosquitoes are every bit as active as those this morning. The net is on with wrists and ankles well sprayed. 

We’re still above the Arctic Circle but cross it tomorrow with more climbing.

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