Distance: 69.2 miles
Avg speed: 13.6 mph
Max speed: 30.9 mph
Ascent: 2328 ft
Saddle time: 05:05

I awoke around 7:30 to what felt like a the middle of a Chicago winter. The forecast was for the upper 30s and I’d say they nailed it. I grabbed my clothes for the day and stuffed them in my sleeping bag so that my body heat would warm them to a point that would make putting them on bearable. I eventually got dressed and tore camp down. My plan for the morning was to pack up the bike and head over to the Henana Chevron for breakfast around 9AM. A Chevron gas station you ask? This wasn’t your normal Chevron… The camp host explained the night before that this was the place to go in town for breakfast at they have a small diner inside. How could I pass up such an opportunity?

The Chevron interior looked normal with the exception of a walk up diner and a set of folding tables to eat at. I perused their menu and basically settled in 3 slices of toast plain and extra crispy potatoes. They were trying to push butter and eggs and I knew they would look at me funny if I said I was vegan so I politely said no thanks. Just plain toasted and extra crispy hash browns. She winked at me and said you got em!

People started rolling in from town and from the occasional passing tour buss. The locals were all chatty with the staff and you could obvious tell the locals from casual passerby. Anyhow, my food came up and while a little dry it was indeed tasty and the potatoes were extra crispy. Just as I ordered!

Before leaving I bought a Gatorade, a package of nutter butters and two hostess pies (Apple and cherry) for roadside snacks. I pushed off and continued South down Parks Highway.

Yesterday, about 10 miles out of Henana, I saw a ’28 miles to the next rest area. That would place the rest area about 18 miles south of Henana. I planned on heading there for my first real snack break. Right on cue at mile 18 I saw another sign that said next rest area will be in 28 miles. I was a bit shocked and wondered what the hell happened? There should be a rest area here! As I rounded a bend it appeared!

The tour buses were lined up at the rest area and a woman approached me and said to just make out Denali mountain today! So, she pointed and sure enough, if in the distance, you can see the snow capped outline. Check out the photo below. Very thoughtful of her to go out of her way to show me. Had she not I would have surely missed it.

About 5 minutes later a gentleman approached me. He’s from California and visiting Denali for a second time. He mentioned how beautiful it was. Nice guy!

Just a random photo whilst in the road…

At some point I decided to pull over for a short break at a nice pull out off the road. Stopping in the shoulder is always sketchy especially when massive semis come zooming by! I finished up and started to head out and was having trouble clipping in my right boot into the pedal. It just wasn’t happening. So, I pulled over on the sketchy shoulder to discover one of the screws holding the clip thingy had fallen out causing the clip thingy to move around. Now, I should have checked this earlier as I noticed that I was having the opposite problem… Unclipping was difficult. So, who knows if they were related? Anyhow, I remember putting some spare clip screws in my trusty plastic screw bin for my 2015 tour. Fortunately, I had one spare! I fixed the clip and then tighten all screws soon both shoes. I was back on the road in 5 minutes! Shoes clip and unclip like vegan butter! 🙂

I went a bit beyond my half point before stopping at a cozy rest area flanked by trees. This was more of what I’m used to and they even had a nice park bench where I decided to park my ass for some left over pizza!

Below are some random shots throughout today’s ride. I’m still in automotive shock after seeing that hideous Subaru…

I new I was getting close when I approached all the touristy shops and resorts. The park entrance must be just after this I thought!

Well, it sure was!

I made it to Riley Creek campground registration which shares a space with the mercantile. It is very nice inside and has a massively stock cooler of various beers… Hmm.

I was a bit nervous about the 3 remote campsites that I couldn’t register online (in person only). As luck would have it I was able to secure all 3! Awesome! I’ll have to collect water from nearby streams and filter it but that’s part of the experience!

All in all today went rather well. I stopped when it seemed right and the legs and lungs perform very well. In fact, I feel great sitting her writing this! Looking forward to what lies ahead.

The next two days will be spent checking out the visitor center, viewing some content at the ampli-theater and hitting some trails! As for the rest of the night…I did say that cooler was well stocked…

Stay thirsty my friends! 🍻