Post #1 - Kick-off

John soaking up the Colorado Mountains

It’s tough to identify a starting point for this endeavor, as I have dreamed and researched a trip to Alaska for several years. But sitting around my family on a cold winter evening over the holidays, I was reflecting on the previous year and plans for the coming year. Soon to turn 48 years old, I decided it was time. On December 31, 2015 I put the proverbial stake in the ground with a social media, public statement.

When Audra speaks, John listens

In the following weeks, I began to research and maps were scrutinized. Two months later, the original plan came together for me to ride from Colorado Springs to the Arctic Ocean and back to Colorado. Then I began to loose control…… Over a glass of wine on a Saturday night in March, Audra said, “I have studied your route and it is certainly the most epic adventure you have ever done, and I have decided I am going to ride the whole thing with you.” After I picked my jaw up, off the floor, I then gave her over two dozen reasons why that was a horrible idea, so that she understood the gravity of the commitment. After two weeks of conversations, I relented and embraced with excitement that my wife was 100% solid. I knew I would miss her terribly and the experience would be incomplete if I solo'd for the full 20+ days. BUT....there was one firm condition that she demanded. There had to be a roof over our head and a hot shower every evening. No tent camping on this adventure, but an easy sell for her, as I was thrilled she was coming with me. Yes, I was truly thrilled.