Sisters resident completes bike adventure

Irv Weston, a 76-year-old retired physician from Sisters, recently rode the Alaska Highway for 1,400 miles on a bicycle.

Weston is no stranger to long-distance quests; he is an ultra-marathoner who has run numerous 100-milers over his lifetime.

He started his bicycle trek at Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on June 12 and rode for 22 days, ending at Delta Junction in Alaska, at mile marker 1,422. The highway was built in 1942 during World War II for military use.

The doctor's venture grew from a desire to see Alaska and experience the mystic lure of the great Northwest. He was not disappointed.

A group of five riders were supported by a bike touring company that carried luggage, tents, equipment and food. The group tented 60 percent of the time, with the remainder of their stops in motels.

Before the trip began Weston's ride was almost derailed by his airline that lost all of his equipment. The bike made it eventually to Dawson Creek, and after numerous calls for assistance to the airlines his luggage showed up 10 days later in Sisters.

He purchased or borrowed last minute clothing and supplies wherever he could find them. His wife eventually sent him requested items from the "found" luggage, and it arrived in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory for the last one-third of his ride.

Much of the trip was smooth riding - but not all of it.

"The Alaska Highway is strikingly good for the most part," Weston said, "but there are stretches of reconstruction and resurfacing. This was an existential experience, 'nature in the raw.' The massiveness of the area, the evidence of natures' forces, the big rivers, the numerous beautiful mountains and wild life were impressive."

Weston saw moose, black bear, grizzly bear, Dall ram, mountain goats, caribou, buffalo and eagles along the roadway.

"Given what I had been told about bears, I was startled one day riding with my head down watching the road when 40 yards from me I saw a black bear, who apparently saw me first, scrambling away from the road," Weston recalled.

"There was an instant adrenaline rush, but luckily, she was going away from me!"

The weather created some diversity; it rained 70 percent of the time. Weston said tenting in the rain was less than fun. Mosquitoes were plentiful, especially along the rivers.

Back in Sisters, 20 pounds lighter, Weston said: "As memories of my discomforts fade, this was an extremely gratifying and enjoyable experience. It certainly gets one ready for Cycle Oregon coming in September."