| Location: | Delta Junction |
| Mileage: | 1,500 |
There is no knowing when the Dalton will strike. The Brazilian rider, who we all met in PB, left the day before us and never made it to Coldfoot. He was air lifted out after coming off the road and going into a ditch. He may be paralysed. We are all hoping that he pulls through. This horrific news did not reach the ears of our group that evening, who seemed nervous enough at the return leg southwards the next day.
On our day leaving PB, most were up and ready to go well before the official start time, and some didn't even get any sleep. They needn't have worried as the conditions returning back to Coldfoot were better than ever. But we all had to pass the twisted and battered Harley Davidson which remained in the ditch where it had dumped its rider the day before, a grim reminder not to take the road lightly.
At Coldfoot, the mood was considerably better than it had been that morning, helped on by Chris buying everyone a cold beer. His wife, Danielle, had completed the days ride without a hitch, when she had been considering not riding that day, fearful that she had used up all her luck. Luckily Kevin is a good "bully" and rode with her the whole way down to Coldfoot.
From Coldfoot to Delta Junction, the group splits; Julia gets the first punture of the trip in her rear wheel; Nick heads off to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital to get his wrist checked out for good measure (it costs him $780!); Andy heads to Fred Meyer to buy books to read; many take their bikes to the car wash to spray off the dirt from the Dalton or to find food. Delta Junction consists of a main street and not a lot else - your typical one horse town. But from now until Prince George, it's just small towns each night and thankfully that means very little traffic.
We are all ready and raring to cross our first border into Canada. Week One is already over and our second country awaits.
