'The North has the most adventure': German cyclist completes epic 9,000 km journey
'I have enough time, I can do it,' says Klaus Ullrich of 53-day journey from Atlanta to Yellowknife
With the Northwest Territories camping season in full swing, travellers often make their way north from far-flung areas — but very few travel 53 days, and more than 9,000 kilometres, on a bicycle to do it.
However, for Klaus Ullrich, cycling to Canada's North was simply the only way to go.
"I've made some bike trips in earlier times," he said. "And I think it's the best if I go from south to north. The North has the most adventure."
Ullrich, who designs communications equipment for police in his home country of Germany, flew from his home in Cologne to Atlanta, Georgia, where he began his trip on May 9. First, he headed through the southern United States, going as far as California before pivoting north.
"In Texas area, it was very rainy. Not a good time."
On his trip, he carried only the essentials: a tent, a sleeping bag, tools to repair his bicycle, documentation, maps, a cooking set, and a credit card.
"Most times, if I find a campsite, I go to a campsite," he said. "But in some areas, you have no campsites, and I sleep in the brush.
"I eat bread and noodles. And sometimes, if I come to a town, I go to a cafe and enjoy a country breakfast, with bacon and eggs and coffee. No special foods."
'Here, I will finish this trip'
Covering about 200 kilometres a day on average — "some more, some less... it's dependent on the weather conditions, and if I get heavy in headwinds" — Ullrich wound his way through the Pacific Northwest, visiting a friend in Washington state before crossing the border into British Columbia.
After dealing with a number of difficulties due to rain, Ullrich cycled along Highway 22 until he hit the town of High Level, where he hoped to pick up supplies. However, a freak storm meant flooded streets and a lack of power, meaning that he had to wait out the weather before moving on to the Northwest Territories.
Ullrich finally made his way to Yellowknife on July 1 — Canada Day — reaching the end of his journey. He began pedalling to nearby Madeline Lake, where he ran into what he calls a "party group.
"I partied with a Canadian," he said, laughing.
Though his trip may seem strange to observers, Ullrich, who flew back to Cologne on Wednesday, says it was a simple motivation that drove his journey north: why not?
"I can make a lot of space by bicycle," he said. "And I have enough time, I can do it. I like the changing obstacles, and the scenery of all the country.
"I am 9,500 kilometres now on the road. And here, I will finish this trip."
with files from Pat Kane