Zaac's 2009 bicycle visit to the Rupert River, far away from human population centers and inaccessible to many Americans. It was one of the most remarkable wild places on the planet. Selected photos of a 5000km bicycle journey over some of the most mysterious and remote roads, including a 666km dead-end, dirt road known as the Trans Taiga Highway. The second known bicycle journey on this road, rode on a vegan diet, most of which had been scavenged.
Black Bear Cub
An abandoned hunting cabin full of mosquitoes. Someone has left a courtesy repellent incense of cancerous and irritating chemicals, capable of fuming out over 51 cigarettes worth of formaldehyde.
(Liu, Weili; Zhang, Junfeng; Hashim, Jamal H; Jalaludin, Juliana; Hashim, Zailina; Goldstein, Bernard D; “Mosquito Coil Emissions and Health Implications”. Environmental Health Perspectives. September 2003.)
An abandoned work town, which closed down after the completion of nearby infrastructure as outlined within the 1972 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between the province and native peoples.
Low-cost hydro-electric development has helped Quebec, Russia, and China, become the world’s leading producers of aluminum (Gilsig, 2011).
Behind me is the 2,779 Mega-Watt La Grande-4 hydro-electric dam. For this dam to smelt the aluminum cans for all the beer sold by the United States’ malt beverage industry, it would have to devote 270 days a year to this process.
Gilsig, Toby. “Progress on a New Source of Alumina for Quebec Aluminum Production and for Worldwide High-Value Applications.” Exploration Orbite V.S.P.A. Inc. January, 2011.
——-. “Aluminum and Sustainable Development.” Aluminum Association of Canada. 2009. (accessed December 16, 2010).
——-. Hydroelectricity, (accessed December 23, 2010).
——-. How Aluminum is Produced, (accessed December 16, 2010).
——-. “SIC 2082 Malt Beverages.” (accessed December 23, 2010).
In putting this sideshow together I must send out many thanks to many people who I will do my best to properly acknowledge. I am especially grateful to those who helped me prepare and made this trip possible such as Aaron at Carrion Cycles who constructed an incredible bicycle frame. I also want to send a big thanks to Nick Jackson who I had the pleasure of riding north with for the first leg of the trip, and who generously provided a ride to Montreal.
The critique and editing advice of Meg Rudne and Jim Hoffecker were also an invaluable contribution to making this particular recollection possible. The web support by an old friend Nick McGlynn was very helpful. I am grateful to Eric and Mike Giannico who painted my bicycle. I also own thanks for the assistance offered by Dave at Raw Indulgence, who gifted me some tasty energy bars for my trip.
Several people who found me shelter along the way were, at times, crucial. I owe a big debt to Sophie Richard-Ferderber & Denyse Richard & Danny Ferderber for their generous assistance and support. I am grateful to Sylvan of Camp Despains and send hope that his project flourishes. Additionally I send thanks to Tourne-Sol, Antoine Desrochers, Julie Sim, Alexis Bertrand & Noah, Lucie & Sam & Irish, Silvio Gallus & Sabrina Morissette, a much appreciated accommodation and friendly debate at Leaf River, Blanch's family, the family at Nouchimi km 286, Marie-Anne Boulanger, Jean-Luc Boily, Alex Robitaille, Stéphanie St-Amant, and Peupleloup. More thanks to other support and arrangements along the way made on my behalf from Jean-Marie Arsenault, Clotilde & Marie-Josée, Téa Troy, the warm reception arranged by Joselyn, and Freddy Jolly.
Additionally I am glad to have met and been acquainted with the wonderful projects of Lucy Golden & Jamie Burris & Luke Golden who provided a ride from New Hampshire to the Connecticut Mycological Foray.
Finally a big thanks to many others from whom I retain memories but not names.
I appreciate all of your assistance!
Photos by Zaac C. All rights reserved.
