With a full water bottle and an exhausted body, I cruised around the small fishing community in search of a spot to camp. Each time I'd stop, the mosquitoes would swarm around me biting my exposed temples in the helmet and wrists between glove and jacket. Not cool man! Behind a closed sawmill, a collection of rusting pickup trucks sat with unlocked doors. I found the nicest one, a 95 Dodge 1500 and spread out my sleeping bag on the bench seat. Sitting there without my helmet or bug net on, I realized this was the first time all day that I could be in peace without the buzzing. Sleep came fast but the discomfort of bent knees on my hips and nerves would have made a hammock much more comfortable for the night. Who cares, tearing down camp in the AM was quick and easy!
Cresting a rise, the Alexis River Valley spread out beyond toward the sea. I had finally covered the longest uninterrupted section of serviceless road in Canada with some fuel to spare. Keeping speeds under 30 because of a worsening mechanical issue with my belt lent me 118mpg! Other than a bicycle, that is likely a record for this road, not that anyone would care or is checking. First thing I do is fuel the bike before myself. Always. The water from taps here isn't drinkable so the gas station attendant gave me her pitcher to fill my Nalgene bottle. Usually I just collect water from rocks or streams and boil it for coffee oatmeal and soups (my main diet these days).
With a full water bottle and an exhausted body, I cruised around the small fishing community in search of a spot to camp. Each time I'd stop, the mosquitoes would swarm around me biting my exposed temples in the helmet and wrists between glove and jacket. Not cool man! Behind a closed sawmill, a collection of rusting pickup trucks sat with unlocked doors. I found the nicest one, a 95 Dodge 1500 and spread out my sleeping bag on the bench seat. Sitting there without my helmet or bug net on, I realized this was the first time all day that I could be in peace without the buzzing. Sleep came fast but the discomfort of bent knees on my hips and nerves would have made a hammock much more comfortable for the night. Who cares, tearing down camp in the AM was quick and easy!
2 Comments
Tracy
7/4/2015 03:29:01 am
WOW Mike ..
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Mike Saunders
7/4/2015 03:34:36 am
Thanks Tracy. I am so behind but slowly updating now. The scooter is 250 mi away from me now in a garage while I wait for parts in Newfoundland.
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Mike SaundersIn May 2014 I quit my job to ride a Honda Ruckus over 69'000 mi and counting. Wild camping most nights and cooking most of my own meals, I keep the costs low and the landscape changing. Archives
April 2018
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