Walter Muma

Walter Muma (born 5 August 1956) is a Canadian man who is on record for completing a 3-month 11,500-mile (18,660 km) journey across Canada and Alaska by moped. The journey took place during the summer of 1978, began in Toronto, passed through Yukon and Alaska, continued up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and finally back to Toronto.

Early life

Muma was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Robert and Dorothy Muma. His father was a bookbinder and restorer of books; both his parents affiliated religiously as Quakers. He has one sister.

He attended Jesse Ketchum Public School and Northern Secondary School. Three days after graduating high school in 1974, he set out on an 800-mile bike ride to northern Ontario. He also hitchhiked his way out to British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska and Nova Scotia, returning to Toronto after four and a half months on the road.

Muma bought his first moped in 1975. That year, he toured most of Ontario and parts of the United States. In summer 1977, he rode to Newfoundland and parts of Quebec.

Record-breaking trip

For his 3-month trip in 1978, Muma purchased a French made, Yellow 1978 Motobécane Mobylette 50v, which was equipped with a 49cc, 2.5 horsepower, two-stroke engine. This model was Motobecane's top-of-the-line moped offering at the time. It was capable of about 25-30 mph top-speed on even roadway and averaged 150 miles per gallon.

Muma disassembled an older Motobecane for spare parts to bring on his trip. He also brought approximately 50 pounds of gear, including a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, tools, food and water, spare fuel cans, and oil to mix with the fuel.

Reasons

During the 1970s, Alaska and the northern portions of Canada were changing significantly as a result of the large mineral and oil deposits located there. Companies were moving in to mine and drill, and as a result, many roads were being paved and certain areas were being cleared. As Muma stated in news articles that covered his trip, "I want to see more of the north land, because it's changing so rapidly....I want to get there before the changes."

He had also developed an interest in photography previous to his trip. Throughout the three-month journey, he took a number of photographs of mountains, streams, his campgrounds, and a variety of other natural settings.

Trip itinerary

Toronto to Dawson Creek

Muma began his trip on June 3, 1978, leaving his home in Toronto. He rode to the Chapleau Route of the Trans-Canada Highway, and continued North on the highway, curving west to Wawa. The Chapleau Route itself is a desolate stretch, extending 215 miles from Thessalon to Wawa. No other towns exist between these two, however the road passes along the Mississagi River and near Aubrey Falls.

After passing Wawa, Muma continued along the main Trans-Canada Highway route, along the edge of Lake Superior. A few miles off the highway, east of Thunder Bay, he visited the Ouimet Canyon, and later, near the western edge of Lake Superior, Kakabeka Falls.

On June 12, Muma crossed into Manitoba, crossing the Red River. Two days later, he crossed into Saskatchewan, passing Regina, and on June 18, he crossed into Alberta. Most of the terrain, thus far, had proved to be relatively easy to traverse on the moped, as it is primarily flatland prairie, however he did have some difficulty with a few dirt roads. Three weeks after beginning his journey, he reached the border of British Columbia and Dawson Creek.

Alaska Highway

Dawson Creek marks the beginning of the Alaska Highway