By Leslie Ann Bent

This has been an exciting second week on our virtual route challenges. The Yukon teams wanted to really experience winter conditions and so kindly brought the wind, ice and snow to our little spot on the globe here in Sooke. Today in Whitehorse, it was a high of -24C but felt like -42C this morning. However, I’m told the weather is warming up. It’s not been so mild in Belfast either – just under zero there at the moment. Seven “fabulous” prizes have been won again this week. With 14 days of 31 under our belts, we’re 45% complete in time and all teams exceed 45%!! Anything can happen though. Here is how this week played out.

Giant’s Causeway Challenge, Coastal Ireland

Our two Irish teams are quickly making their way north around the coast and are already experiencing what Northern Ireland has to offer.

This week, everyone had Belfast in their sights. The Causeway Coasters seemed to be on a mission. They had no time to stop for tea or Bailey’s Irish Cream, nor even a Guinness as they made their way north, passing Portavogie with its pretty Kirkton church, nor in Ballycopeland to see the historic and only working windmill in Northern Ireland. Even the world’s linen capital of Belfast did not give them time to pause and find the hidden treasures within. They didn’t even to stop to consider a side trip when they passed the ferry to Scotland. No prizes for them this week but they are now very, very close to the UNESCO site – The Giant’s Causeway with its 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you might recognize the area they are in – Ballintoy Harbour where part of it was filmed, and just beyond, the Dunseverick Castle – 1,500 years old!. The Dunseverick Rambler’s Rest looked like just the spot for the Causeway Coasters to end week 2.

The Into the Mystic Team has decided to pace themselves because they want to experience some of what Northern Ireland has to offer while keeping a great pace too. Working together, their efforts have paid off. Bri was the first to get to Belfast and in The Tea Shop, guess what she found? A box of Irish breakfast tea and a souvenir sticker from Ireland. I hope she likes a strong tea! Belfast has a number of great tea shops and Bri was lucky enough to choose the right one!

While Bri was enjoying her cuppa, Justin decided to secretly continue north and head a little off the beaten path once he arrived in Whiteabbey. His destination? Mallusk. He’d heard about the Bailey’s Irish Cream factory and he couldn’t resist. Maggie and Donna followed, wondering what he was up to. Fortunately, there were three cylinders of Bailey’s chocolates waiting for them, hidden near the factory. The team has carried on and are now comfortably resting at the Loughshore Hotel with a great view of the Norman Carrickfergus Castle said to be 800 years old and still intact.

Belfast City Hall

Ballycopeland Windmill

Kirkton Church.

The Gold Rush Challenge (724km)

Back on the other side of the world, three STARR teams continue to embrace the wild wilderness of the Yukon. All teams have had their last thrill of a big town, having left Whitehorse behind.

With Boone’s Crew leading the way, Jill took some time at Fox Lake to take some gorgeous photos. While there, she was the first to find a bag of “gold” nuggets (gold foil wrapped chocolates). While Jill lingered, Danny, Jackie and Robin were a force to be reckoned with. No stopping at the Montague Roadhouse and only a quick restock at the bake shop in Carmacks. Although Jackie stopped quickly in Pelly Crossing to see where her son once worked, the rest of the crew carried on passing the Summit Road House. Although not quite there, I think Danny has his sights on McQuesten, which is a little known gem of a spot. It’s not far from the famous gold fields and offers excellent fishing, particularly for arctic grayling, with a good chance of sighting moose (as well as wolves and bears). The gang has set their tent up for the night with about 15km to McQuensten.

The Gold Diggers have been picking up their pace this week and have quickly passed Whitehorse. Marika wasted no time this week leading the charge and she was the first to reach the Montague Roadhouse historic site. It’s one of the last remaining relics of the Overland Trail. She was lucky enough to find a Gold Rush scratch card. Nice going Marika. With not quite enough time to reach Carmacks this week, and too early to stop in Braeburn at the lodge, the team has pitched a 4-season tent on the side of the road to end week 2 there.

Lastly, the Klondicitis had another fantastic week, with all members exceeding their individual goals once again. They too passed many of the spots that The Boone’s Crew passed but they did linger longer in Carmacks. Sarah and Paul checked out the bake shop, while David wisely had a meal at the Sunshine Restaurant. Under his seat, he too was lucky enough to find a Gold Rush scratch card. With their stomachs refueled, the gang carried on towards Pelly Crossing. They too were a bit short on time, so like the Gold Diggers, they found a protected spot by the side of the road not far from the abandoned Minto copper-gold mine and set up their winterized tent. It is the middle of winter. But somehow this area is warmer than Whitehorse – only -21C. Some hot drinks would go down just fine.

In Whitehorse

Before Pelly Crossing

Congratulations to all of our teams. Who will win next week’s prizes?

RESULTS WEEK 2

Giant’s Causeway (Goal 500km)

Causeway Coasters – Ken (41km), Joldine (38km), Leslie Ann (45.9km), Sue (57.8km) = cumulative 378.8km (75% complete), Dunseverick, Northern Ireland

Into the Mystic – Maggie (28.5km), Justin (14.8km), Donna H (14.75), Kari (48km), Bri (20km) = 266.65 km (53% complete) Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland