Walter Muma
| Walter Muma | |
|---|---|
| Born |
August 5, 1956 Toronto, Canada |
| Website | mopedtrip.com |
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.
Muma was born in Toronto, 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.
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.
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Wikipedia