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TL; DR: Get’er done.
Ryan’s ride (all times in AKST):
*Arrived at Topkok (905) @ 10:47p, departed @7:28a
*Arrived at Safety Roadhouse (927.6) @11:40a, departed @12:40p
*22 fast miles (nice plowed road into town for last 12 miles!) to the FINISH!!
Torn between where to spend the night when leaving White Mtn, Ryan arrived at Topkok and sent a message, “I was gonna head to the other cabin, but this one is pretty nice.” It checked all the boxes: 1) save a few minutes with some very “happy” snowmobilers, head the place all to himself, 2) it was close enough to still finish in the daylight, and 3) had plenty of wood for a good fire. Let’s hope it was also because of the reading material ;-) I found out this morning that we’re apparently members of the Nome Kennel Club who stocks the cabin, so Ryan felt like he should stay in “his own cabin” haha.
Dear friend Carol sleuthed for us, confirming the Roadhouse would be serving food 10a-10p, so Ryan didn’t have to kill much time drinking coffee in his sleeping back. He zipped over to Safety for a burger, beer, and a shot, reporting he was “drinking alone” despite five others there ha!
There’s a great plowed road for 12 of the last 22 miles into Nome this year, so it should be a quick pedal to the beautiful burl arch!
Pictures are of his time with Frank (reindeer stir fry and stew!), inside of Old Woman, blood moon. Video is Topkok last year.
What Say You Ryan?
Day 20: Favorite shelter cabin….
Tripod Flats (656)
**Old Woman (672) - It’s quintessential Alaska with so much history (Susan Butcher)
Topkok (905)
Safety Roadhouse (927)
Day 21: When I say Nome, you say….
“I just really think about getting a pizza”
“That was easy”
“Anyone want to buy a bike?”
“Each year it should get easier. Each year it does not.”
Mark W: It year it should get easier.
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