With a dream of riding his bike on a semi-loop tour from northern Montana, through Alaska, and on to northern Michigan, 29-year-old Pete Siudara set out on March 20 from Whitefish, Mont. Adventure, great opportunities for photography and fodder for writing were the attractants.
On April 11, the athletic and experienced biker cycled through 100 Mile House, after spending the night at the Bridge Lake area home of Lydia deGroot. Her home is part of a network of accommodations for touring cyclists.
Attached to his bike, Siudara had everything he needed for the trip, or so he thought. It recently became evident to him while passing through Vanderhoof, that he didn't have the fitness level required to make the long journey. He'd developed a strained Achilles' heel, and he would have to change his lofty plan.
According to his website, www.pedalinpete.org, he has changed course, and will now be travelling by boat from Prince Rupert to Alaska, and pedalling along an easier route from there.
Siudara had previously cycled a 10,000-kilometre route from Michigan to the Pacific Ocean, and back again.