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“ You just need to be ready to learn, listen, and be open to the experience. We ride together. We adapt together,” he adds, suggesting that the Dempster is open to all aspects of adventure riding and that those undertaking the route should understand that.
Dawson is a gold rush-era settlement where the 19th century lingers proudly. Colourful false-front buildings line gravel streets, wooden boardwalks creak under foot traffic, and residents celebrate their eccentric heritage with frontier flair.
Motorcyclists passing through often pause to indulge in Dawson’ s stranger traditions. At the Downtown Hotel, brave souls can down the infamous Sour Toe Cocktail, a shot of whisky garnished with a mummified human toe. And yes, it is a real toe. At Diamond Tooth Gertie’ s Gambling Hall, Canada’ s oldest casino, patrons watch nightly can-can shows under glittering chandeliers while blackjack tables hum with energy. You’ ll laugh at the light-heartedness of Diamond Tooth Gertie’ s, made more so as it is explained that the casino is a charitable organisation. The absurdity of it isn’ t lost as the truth becomes apparent, indeed most funds collected by the riches seeking patrons does go to a charity of sorts.
But Dawson is more than novelty. It sets the tone for the road ahead: rugged,
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