It's not surprising the goofy looking Canadian with bi-polar disorder and a swollen eye ends up fighting against the establishment. All of the pieces are there; Canadian, bi-polar and lead-footed. I have a major problem with the government and so I'm taking to the roads in protest... Sort of. There's a lot more going on here than just me beating up Canada's hi-ways in a super coupe, this is just where my story begins.
The picture was taken one kilometer outside of Robb, Alberta, a small hamlet nestled comfortably in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. There really isn't too much to Robb; an abandoned service station with no pumps, a weathered hotel that is for sale, very few residents, two bridges and a ring-road like no other.
The Bryan Hotel would be the starting point of this mystical road which rings 'round Robb, Alberta.
outside the Bryan Hotel
Before I take you on a literary tour of this metaphoric town, I feel it important to provide some background. My name is Robb and for my whole life I've driven past the Hi-way 47 turn-off to Robb, Alberta but I've never taken the road down. Robb, Alberta appears just west of Edson when you're heading towards Jasper on Hi-way 16. I remember the first time I saw the sign to Robb, Alberta; I shouted out in the car, "that's my town!" Yet for the past 41 years, I never took the turn...
To my surprise, I found in Robb a makeshift rally road which is also the most insane ring-road I've ever encountered. It isn't actually a rally course nor is it really a ring-road but none the less, this road is one of the most hardcore I'd ever driven...
it's scarier than it looks; I'm not just talking about the car
This narrow one-way which supports traffic in both directions, barely one kilometer long, has an elevation change of almost 150m along about the same length of loosely plowed road. The turns make their way through the south part of town where the majority of the empty dwellings hide. Outhouses and woodsheds line the backyards of each and every home, painting the picture of simple living. This town is as quiet as they come, at least when I'm not riding around.
I came here for the first stop on the greatest adventure a man can take; a road trip. I am off on a whirlwind tour of Canada and I am not going home until I've found what I am looking for...
Myself.
Robb, Alberta was built to house workers for the coal mines in the area which were owned by the Dominion Mining company. Robb is a small Hamlet named after Peter Addison Robb (1887-1955), a Land Surveyor from Dominion Mining who was also and adventurer and a prospector. I'm willing to bet he loved to drive too.
take a ride around Robb with Robb down Balkin Drive and back up Embarras Drive
The symbolism I encountered here is almost magical. My name is Robb, I live a simple life and I love roads with twists and turns. I have bi-polar disorder, which is eerily reminiscent of the town which has 89 residents and nothing in the way of commerce, save for a small pub. What was once bustling is now abandoned, some of it new, some of it old. This town could not be more me unless it shared my name...
the coursef.. I mean, road
What does this have to do with me being an outlaw? Nothing really, it's just click-bait. That, and this spot would be great for an outlaw to take refuge. This article is the first I've ever written and I'm just saying hello. This road trip of mine is a journey of self-discovery. A big part of finding myself is coming to terms with who I am and I already know I am lawless. Now I must find where in this world I fit.
I will be driving across Canada until the car dies, I die or I find what I am looking for. I have a lead-foot, 25 years without accidents on my license, a fast car and a dream. My complete disrespect for the speed limit is a protest against photo-radar. I can prove that it is a scam, all I need is evidence and so I'm hitting speed traps while filming my speedometer to prove that radar is incorrectly calibrated. But that's a story for another time.
I will be documenting this great adventure here on DriveTribe and I hope you'll come along for the ride.
Life is short, roads are long so lets put it to the floor and see them to the end.
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Comments (8)
Hello Robb! Very nice to read about you. Stay safe and good luck on your trip. Looking forward to your reports. Thank you very much for sharing this.
Fantastic article Robb! What a great way to introduce yourself. Really looking forward to what you have in store
for us.
Thank You!
Hi congratulations - your post has been selected by DriveTribe Lifestyle Ambassador for promotion on the DriveTribe homepage.
Please keep the updates coming. I haven't a feeling your right. I seem to always get tickets at 61 kilometres an hour. Almost every time. I know I'm not going that fast. I'm in Alberta as well
I'm on it, don't you worry. I've logged 37 speed signs so far and they're ALL 5 kmh out.
Nice. I shall follow you lol.