Cycling the Dempster Highway in Canada
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- In June 2019, I cycled the Dempster Highway as a part of my bicycle trip from Ushuaia, Argentina to Alaska. It is the only road in Canada that takes you past the Arctic Circle. It is a 900 km unpaved road in Yukon and Northwest Territories crossing the tree line on to tundra and ending up at the Arctic Ocean in Tuktoyaktuk.
The Dempster Highway passes through one of the world's last wildest places. As I cycle the Dempster, I feel as if humanity has disappeared from the face of the earth. The biggest stop for the first five hundred kilometers, Eagle Plains, has a population of only nine. For several hundreds of kilometers, a gravel road is the only sign of human intervention in the land, mainly inhabited by bears, caribous, foxes, and other wild animals.
It is the land of the midnight sun. Further up beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't set for a month. At midnight, as you face north you see a giant ball of fire bounce off the horizon like a basketball. It is nature's playground, after all. Here when the wind blows, the earth moves in waves like the mane of a wild horse.
Then there is delicate permafrost. The ground underneath is permanently frozen as it has been for thousands of years. Trees cannot grow tall here as the roots cannot penetrate deep enough because of the frozen soil. A thick layer of gravel makes up the foundation of the Dempster Highway to prevent the underlying permafrost from melting. On rolling hills, the road turns left and right, up and down as if it is drunk or has no goal. Perhaps, it is trying to fool me, luring me to a destination that doesn't exist. Despite all doubts and setbacks, I keep going north with the hope that this road will eventually bring me to a place I need to be.
Cycling the Dempster Highway, I become the road-quiet but full of reflections, wild yet at risk, free but connected to nature, and lost but ambitious.
On the Dempster Highway, the sky breathes deep and blue. If there is a paradise in this universe, its window opens here. The light is so pure that it washes over your eyes. When dark apocalyptic clouds cover the sky, a warm glow of ethereal light remains at the horizon as the last ray of hope for our fragile planet. As you move further up north, the scale of the landscape grows on you, putting even the biggest egos to shame. Humble, you do feel in this infinite landscape. On this seemingly endless and isolated road, you cannot help but feel a certain connection to nature, which is strong enough to turn even the most stubborn souls into spirituals.
This is the traditional land of Hän, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit Peoples. I meet indigenous elders along the way who tell me stories of how they used to live back in the day and how climate change is affecting their lands. Their ancestors came to this region from Alaska and Yukon thousands of years ago as the Ice Sheets melted in the area. The harsh environment meant they couldn't afford to wage wars and had to depend on each other for survival. Their peaceful genes are passed on to their descendants. "We are the true north," a Gwich'in from Tsiigehtchic says about the indigenous hospitality.
In Tuktoyaktuk, freezing arctic wind pierces my body. I stand alone at the end of the road with a feeling of having been deceived by the road. I walk down to the shore and stare at the ocean and the sky, waiting for a divine revelation. There must be a higher purpose of this journey, for I have always been seeking guidance from omens.
Gentle waves traveling thousands of kilometers reach the shore and quietly kiss my front wheel dipped in the Arctic Ocean. We both have gone a long way, only to share this moment of quietness. All travelers eventually come to learn that there is no hidden treasure buried at the end of the journey that we all set out hoping to find. Destinations play no role other than to keep us traveling. And travel we must for a world is out there full of surprises each of them a treasure on its own.
Standing there, I continue to wonder. What if this journey was not linear and the road bent back to meet the beginning of this trip?
In a parallel world, I am back in Ushuaia, facing north, ready to begin this trip again. I am as anxious as I was last time. I take a deep breath and push the pedal down, hoping to reach the Arctic Ocean one day. Little do I know that I will be cycling the Dempster Highway again!
www.kamranonbike.com
#KamranOnBike #DempsterHighway #Canada #SonyAlpha #BeAlpha
ماشااللہ زبردست 🇵🇰❤🤲
being a solo scooterist I know how hard it is to keep filming yourself at the same time while you are continuously on the road for a long period of time. the enthusiasm stays on for a while in the beginning of the journey but after a while it dies down. well that's the case for me at least. 🙈
but you are no doubt an absolute inspiration in this case. your videos are masterly made with beautiful visuals and personal touch. respect. 🙏
my thoughts exactly...
The bicycle long distance riders are insane....we were up there in the 1990's very proud of riding thousands of miles on our motorcycles when here comes 4 dirt/dust covered bicyclists who had been riding for almost a year across the States and Canada. Talk about humble pie.....
You are such a hardworking person. Traveling alone and creating this content is really amazing. Salute to you man. ❤
Kamran you'r truly captivating and incredibly inspiring. I discovered about you few weeks ago and have become completely obsessed. I can't help myself but follow you every day.
Wow, thank you!
What a man!!! Each and every post on FB, a short video clip on UA-cam, a picture on Instagram, every word of your narrations and stories is a constant source of inspiration and motivation. A true Legend explorer!! ❤️❤️💕❤️❤️
People will start recognize your value,but gradually ✌️
A beautiful man, with sheer resolve to make anything possible 💕
What an inspiration you are! It was amazing to follow your journey throughout, so much so that I totally get the shot where you're pushing the bike until the wheel touches the water and further! No more road to go and this marks the end of this journey and beginning of the next! God bless you Kamran.
I did that road by bike in 1986. Then you could only go as far as Inuvik. I had to fly to Tuktoyaktuk. One of my great memories. Never met any other cyclists on that road and I had to fly out (expensive) as I had further journeys to make in Canada and did not want to spend five weeks retracing my journey to get back to Vancouver.
I set out to ride to Inuvik about 12 years back (the road to Tuk had yet to be built). Had a change of heart well before even getting out of BC. Was quite disappointed in myself. A few years later I drove up. Great trip, hope to do it again this summer, but I realized that, on a bike, the Dempster probably would have done me in. Congratulations on your ride. I salute you!
A wonderful ride and a beautiful video! I can relate. I once cycled from Lakeview Oregon to the Yukon and then from the Canadian border to Calif. Well done my friend.
I heard about you. You were a few days ahead of me on the Dempster. I think it was in Eagle Plains I heard about another cyclist going north.
This is it! This is absolutely it! There's beauty up there and you've shown it well. Right at the end of the earth!
I wish I followed you all the way. May you be happay as always and see the whole world. Be safe.
UK
Hello Kamran, you are The Best..We've kept our fingers crossed for you on this journey! ... something wonderful! Stay with God.
---
PL
Witaj Kamran, jesteś The Best..Trzymaliśmy kciuki za Ciebie w tej podróży!...coś wspaniałego! Zostań z Bogiem.
Dear Sir
U R An Amazing Man On Earth
Here is we have incredible director's and camera's work! Thanks!
As always, amazing video ❤
biggest inspiration of cycling one can get from you, keep rolling on and on.
Great video, captured the essence of the journey. I travelled by motorcycle, immense respect for you and your fellow cyclists!
Very nice video...you are best ..hi from Turkey to Kamran Ali
I enjoyed your essay as much as I enjoyed your video. Perhaps more. Very inspiring.
...super gemacht - dankeschön für's mitnehmen Kamran Ali!
I love watching videos of kamran. Whenever I watch his videos it seems like I'm travelling in a dream . How do people overcome the fear of unknown on such solitary journey ? This one is really inspiring for me . It's really a tremendous adventure.💓
Absolutely brilliant , super achievement ❤❤
Beautiful footage, as always! A real great inspiration for future plans, thanks Kamran!
These videos are so underrated
Paijan, Koi Gora ya Goree hotee tu dekhtay rating.......
Hum aPanay kee Qadar ni kurtay
I'm glad I found your channel ;)
I'm inspired!
Proud to be a Pakistani. A man can achieve anything in life if he willing to do something.
thank you very much. i drove to Tuk last year in a camper van and several cyclist doing the route. Felt embarrassed and vowed to do cycle it myself so am just getting ready to do it this summer. Last winter we did part of Patagonia from Coyhaique in Chilie to Usuauia no where near what you have done of course. The dempster is not just a cycling tour but an adventure of a life time indeed.
Cool! Did you do it?
Mashallh
Leave everything for nothing? You struck a cord there with me Kamran.....
My journey is synonymous to yours minus "leave everything for nothing". If only I was half as courageous as you are, our paths would've crossed long time ago!
I've gotta do more with my life. This looks incredible.
Kamran Bhai! love hai yar apka kaam..the selection of songs is so inspirational that it moves me! what you are doing is what has been my dream since childhood. i wish u well and success in your coming future of being a great photographer, adventurist and an inspiration to people like us. May Allah protect you and grant you success.. Ammeen!
Kamran bhai, massive thanks to you for giving us a feeling of the nomad, that all of us long for. BTW how do you map/plan your ride. Do you know beforehand how much distance you will cover and where you are going to stay for nights?
Bravo ! U r superhero ,hats off
this is amazing 👍
Well done man! I did this trip with my girlfriend immediately after we finished high school. We started in Edmonton back in the mid 90's.
Thanks i really enjoyed that
Wow. Simply amazing
Amazing journey 😊
Thanks for sharing it with all of us
Stunning 💕💕
mashaAllah.. amazing videos I ur making...so wonderful
Kamran is a legend...i wish to be like himm...
Masha Allah, Amazing videos, Stay Blessed Dr Kamran.
Very nice Video brother Ali. 👍Semir from inuvik.
Excellent video kamran bhai
Beautiful!!!!!!!
Absolutely brilliant, what an achievement👏👍✌
A gifted star🌠
What an amazing adventure. Thank you for sharing 🙏👌🍻
Alot of love ...wish to c u earlier but found u today on a report of BBC urdu..at once then clicked u on UA-cam..lover of adventures...loved ur work n specially editing work..plz guide ...I'm beginner n lover ...hav no directions...plz Kamran bahi ...lov frm Balochistan Pakistan
kamran bahi tusi great ho
absolutely amazing....
Sir your are amazing 💕💓
Ma Sha Allah you are a gem
so much soothing. if we can feel so much good after seeing all these beautiful places. then I wonder how u hv felt. Mashallah
Great video and writing. Thank you!
Bahut alaa Kamran bhai
Boss! Loved the part where you showed the mosque and yourself praying! BOWS!!
So in a whole clip you loved that part specifically? If yes then its clearly explains how religion captured our brains. Nothing ever complicated without Inshallah Mashallah & we’re the worst plus corrupt & violent people with all the blessings of almighty. Try to enjoy the views and the appreciate the nature & a rider, praying or not praying’s completely private business & can’t add any beauty or colors to video.
Beautiful
great and amazing. I live in LA California and till today i didn't know that there is a mosque above artic circle and that too in INUVIK but now i know courtesy your video. Good luck and keep cycling.
Excellent in every way (apart from the annoying jump cuts!) Enjoyed it tremendously.
Love from Punjab
mesmerizing 😍
Now this is some pretty under-rated stuff.
ALLAH PAK AAPKI HIFAZAT FARMAYE AMEEN
Khubsurat 🔥
Gee, I could feel the cold with you!
Excellent!
Brilliant video
Great video. I rarely watch cycling videos as they’re boring but great drone work and great editing.
OMG, you are superman.
Priceless Journey.........
Beautiful cinematic shots, love it.
Nice trip but what makes it so good is the shots wich are creative and good quality and the editting is on poin too. Hope you'l get some followings my man!
Inspirational!
different scenes, from different eyes..
its beyond the aspect of a regular tuber-traveller
Beautifully done Kamran, keep up the good work.
I would like to see more details in the video with important information and your experiences if possible. Planning to do this road next year...
Excellent kamran bhai
Hello, I like this video this is what I’m looking for it’s helpful to me. I’m going to ride tuktoyaktuk to bc this summer 2021.
@@kamranonbike did you ride back to Dawson city? Or you fly back?
@@kamranonbike thanks
Wow Fantastic, unbelievable !!!
God bless you Kamran Bhai
Zindabaad boss!
amazing
Amazing,,, 👏
MA SHA ALLAH !!! VERY NICE !!!
Great video.👌
Amazing!!!
It's like a thousand degrees in June where I am. Ah, to be cold in June. That's living.
It will be my favourite video
Wow
Lovely. God bless!
Amazing. But how do you shoot it all, though? Esp the drone shots?
Excellent
انسان عضيم جدا
Amazing...👌👌👌👌
❤❤❤❤❤❤
You had a flight from Tuktoyaktuk or you cycled back?
Jungle main se Kaisay Guzary thy ap ??????????😁