Whitefish Campground is set right against Whitefish Lake, in idealic surroundings, equipped with bear boxes, charging points, covered tables, etc. & is only $10 / night, it is also right next to the main train line & freight runs 24×7. Surprisingly, yesterday’s exhausting ride enabled some sleep to be had. Gorka went for breakfast at the Swift Creak Cafe where we swapped blogs & parted. For me, today was the Whitefish Bike Retreat – 7 miles out of town. To me, this place has become my Mecca. It can’t disappoint!
Arrived at the entrance to the retreat around 2pm as a pickup drew along side me- it was Cricket, shouting out- YOU MADE IT! It was great to see a familiar face in surroundings so different than the remote Tobermory Cabin. Allowing an hour for a beer & a shower, she would join me for the long awaited kit review.
Phase 1: Equipment
Item by item, Cricket went through absolutely everything – including my dirty washing & underwear. Each removed item was discussed, analysed, assessed for suitability & duplication/multi-use before placing it on the keep or discard pile. Partway through this exercise, David Sorrentino, (another formidable packer) joined the exercise, & was more ruthless than Cricket. Finally, 2.5 hrs later – phase one was complete!! 17lb’s of kit was set aside to be shipped back including-spare riding tops, camera (+batteries, mains charger), cooking stove, fuel, bulky trail meals, heavy tool kits, bulky first aid kits, water filter, spare straps, rucksack, etc. – All gone!!!
Absolute essential keeps: duck-tape, inner tube, water purification (iodine or bleach), food & warmth, anti-friction ( ideally Astroglide!). Regarding my first aid kit, David (ex military) declared that there was absolutely nothing that was going to save my life – a tourniquet from a sock/inner-tube plus duck-tape will always be my best option.
Cricket, David & Me with the Discarded Kit
Phase 2 : Packing
Chosen way – camping equipment in seat pack, clothes in bar bag & food in frame bag.
My Blackburn frame had been heavy unreliable-unable to handle serious off road riding – so was ditched & replaced with Oveja Negra harness. Simple & robust.
David & I sat talking bikes, packing & trail food till late evening before hitting the “sack” totally exhausted.
David has an inspirational story. His spine was so badly damaged in active service that he should not be even walking! He was retired from the military but failed to receive the compensation he deserved for 2 years. Instead of hanging on, he convalesced himself, got himself a bike for the first time in his life & today, he has just completed a 5,500 mile off-road ride He is one of the most driven people you could ever meet & a great guy to boot!
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 