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The moped's odometer (measuring distance traveled in miles) was
inaccurate. For every 1.0 true mile traveled, it showed that I had traveled 1.1
miles. I was able to verify this several times with the "measured
miles" that are located here and there along the highways. All distances on this
website are in actual miles, not "moped miles".
Similarly, I believe that the moped's speedometer was incorrect.
I never had a chance to verify the exact amount it was off. It showed me
typically traveling at about 30-35 mph. However, mopeds are built to be able to
go only about 30 mph top speed. In this trip documentary, whenever I mention a
speed that I was traveling, I have adjusted the speed to be closer to what I
think was the "true" speed I was riding.
The farthest I traveled in one day was 271 miles. The overall
average for the trip was 139 miles per day (counting only the days that I
traveled). I traveled a total of 11,518 miles, and the trip lasted 97 days - I
traveled on 83 of those days. This works out to approximately 1000 miles per
week.
Generally speaking, I averaged about 155 miles per traveling day
on paved roads, and about 125 miles per traveling day on unpaved roads. However,
most of the mileage I did on unpaved roads was in the far north, where the days
are longer, so I was able to ride longer. And as well, I must admit that I had a
tendency to sleep in on many mornings!
I was able to maintain 25-30 mph on flat
ground. If I tried to go faster (downhill or with a tailwind) on a constant
basis, the spark plug bridged more easily, and I would
have to stop often to clean it (a bridged spark plug quickly caused low power or
no power at all).
I left Toronto, Ontario on June 3, 1978 and returned on September 7,
1978.
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June 3 - 24: from Toronto to Dawson Creek (the start
of the Alaska Hwy) - 22 days.
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June 25 - July 17: from Dawson Creek up the Alaska
Hwy, here and there around the Yukon (Robert Campbell Rd, Tungsten Rd, Canol
Rd, Atlin, Haines), and up the Alaska Hwy to Fairbanks - 23 days.
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July 18 - 22: from Fairbanks to Dawson City - 5 days
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July 23 - 31: north up the Dempster Hwy to Inuvik and
back - 9 days
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Aug 1 - 8: from Dawson City to Watson Lake - 8 days
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Aug 9 - 14: Stewart-Cassiar Hwy - 6 days
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Aug 15 - Sep 7: from the south end of the Steward-Cassiar
Hwy east to Toronto - 22 days
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