More on Going Forward

When the Michigan to Alaska (MichCanSka) plans were first announced on this blog, I incorrectly stated that the trip ran from Michigan through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and into Idaho before turning north to cross the border into Canada. The correct route never goes west of North Dakota before turning north from Belcourt, North Dakota and crossing into Manitoba, Canada.

From there it's a short 28 miles (by highway) before entering Canada and proceeding for another 175 miles (again, that's highway miles) to Russell, Manitoba. Other stops planned stops are Big River, Saskatchewan; Cold Lake, Alberta; Muncho Lake, British Columbia; Whitehorse and Dawson, Yukon Territory; and the final leg from Dawson to Tok, Alaska.

For me, there are some serious questions about the route of travel; namely, where are all of the other stops along the route? My map quest route encompasses more than 2400 miles with only two of the announced stops being less than 200 miles. All of the rest of the stops represent distances from 330 to over 440 miles (and one - from Cold Lake, Alberta to Muncho, British Columbia - is a journey of more than 940 miles!)

It is my understanding, that most days, the riders will travel fewer than 250 miles, with the average for the 20 day on the trail being 190 miles per day; so where all of the rest of the stops?

Understand that I am not in any way questioning the planning for trip. I have complete confidence in Bill Bradfield and the others who worked for over two years to plan and organize this trip - for sure, they know what they are doing. Nonetheless, I have clearly failed to ask for more information about the complete route of travel and all of the other stopping points along the route.

Departure day is still, nearly, two weeks away and I will report back to you just as soon as I am able to fill in the gaps between the known stopping points.