Alaska 2006
This is the beginning of my ride report from June 2006 when my riding buddy & I went up to Prudhoe Bay and back from Calgary, Alberta. IÌm not much of a writer or photographer, so I hope I wonÌt put anyone to sleep. It will be posted in parts as I add to it.
First off IÌll start with some history. 3 years ago me and this guy at work get chatting. HeÌs been riding a motorcycle for years. IÌve hadnÌt ridden since I was 16 and I hadnÌt owned a motorcycle since then. He tells me heÌs shopping for a motorcycle to go up to Alaska. I looked at him like he had his head screwed on crooked. 2 weeks later I had a new Tiger sitting in the garage with my wife looking at me like my head was screwed on crooked.
That was February 2004. I was supposed to be going to Alaska June of that year. Well things didnÌt work out between Rick & I and we sort of had a falling out.
Now what? I got this motorcycle to go to Alaska and now I wasnÌt very keen on going North by myself.
In steps Mike Grell from Columbus, Nebraska. Still not exactly sure how I met Mike. I think I met him through the Yahoo! Tiger list. Sounds like a bad Internet date. He was looking at purchasing a Tiger and I had just got mine. So over the course of the next couple of months he mentions great riding in Arkansas with a bunch of people at a Tiger Ride-In, steaks, beer, Deliverance, bad jokes about Bowie knives÷.anyways off to Jasper Arkansas. I donÌt think I even took any pictures of this trip. No Alaska trip this year.
Calgary to Arkansas÷.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image001.gif)
2005 - 1 year later. Okay this is the year. IÌm going to Alaska. Damn I get suckered again and ended up in Arkansas. Well worth the trip but the 4000 mile round trip in a week on slab is getting old. I did get my SS1000 this trip.
Couple of pictures from the 2005 Jasper, Arkansas Tiger Ride-In.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image003.jpg)
DonÌt ask÷:)
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image005.jpg)
The gathering in Jasper.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image007.jpg)
Mike Grell gearing up.
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The roads around Jasper, Arkansas.
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(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image013.jpg)
to be continued....
Off and into 2006. Okay this is going to be the year÷.I caught my neighbor Clint in a weak moment (over beers) and he agrees to go with me. HeÌs got a wee-strom. So we try to do some planning and come up with a loose route, which in the end we did. The date is set for last week in June.
Over the next couple of months time is spent gathering farkles required to head off to the far North. Actually the trip was just a spousal excuse to buy those things that I always wanted but couldnÌt get past the SO.
This is the route we took. WeÌre gone 17 days with 15 days of those, riding. Total round trip was approximately 9500 kilometers.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image015.jpg)
Day 1 - 800km's/480 miles. We started out in Calgary around 7:30 AM on June 24th. The motorcycles were loaded and we headed off towards Banff. Our destination for the day being Prince George, British Columbia.
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Mountain shot from Canmore, Alberta.
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A quick stop in Lake Louise to grab some gas before heading up the Banff Jasper Parkway.
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Going through Banff Jasper Parkway. Beautiful clear day, curvy mountain roads, glaciers. What a way to start the trip.
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We arrive in Prince George, British Columbia. This is Clint at my AuntÌs house trying to comprehend he put on more than 100 miles in one day.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image027.jpg)
to be continued....
Day 2. 700km's/420 miles. From Prince George, we continued up through British Columbia to Hyder, Alaska. Thinking this may be the last Tim HortonÌs we see for awhile, we made an emergency stop. If youÌre not from Canada, you wonÌt understand. :)
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image029.jpg)
Couple hundred more clicks and weÌll be in Hyder, Alaska.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image031.jpg)
The road off into Hyder is very beautiful. Lots of curves and scenery. We stopped at the Bear Glacier for the obligatory motorcycle/glacier picture.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image033.jpg)
We arrive in Hyder, Alaska. There is no Customs or Border agent going into the USA. Only coming into Canada. Hyder & Stewart border each other and are very ÏuniqueÓ places.
Our accommodations for the evening. The place was clean and included breakfast for something like $29 or $39 dollars. Chuck runs the show and can be contacted at Border Bandit Bed & Breakfast 250-636-2317.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image035.jpg)
After grabbing some Halibut & chips from a bus parked around the corner we promptly headed over to the local bar to get Hyderized. I wonÌt tell you whatÌs in the drink but you arenÌt allowed to smell it, taste it and you have to shoot it down. If you donÌt drink it all, you have to buy everyone in the bar a round. Not much of a worry since there was only 5 people in the bar including me, Clint & the bartender.
Yours truly....
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Clint looking for the worm÷nope not Tequila÷
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The place was full of all kinds of money stapled to the wall from people who had traveled there.
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Clint had some riding issues on the way back to the motel. This was a preview of things to come. Check out the quad in the background.
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A closer look at this fine piece of machinery. Nice gas tank. I could use that in my boat.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image045.jpg)
to be continued....
Excellent report! Looking forward to more. :D
can't wait for more :smt023
Day 3. 650km's/390 miles. Today it was rainy. We donned our rain suits and headed up the Cassiar Highway to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image047.jpg)
The Cassiar can be rough and slow going in places, but it is manageable. There is a lot of pavement but there are also lots of construction zones. Notice Clint has his windshield strapped to the back? ItÌs a Cee Bailey. It was grabbing the rain so well that he couldnÌt see out of it. It was safer to take it off.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image049.jpg)
Not much for stops along the way...Bell II, Dease Lake, so we had to put up with the scenary.
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We cross over to the Yukon. WeÌre really starting to realize that were a long ways from home but still having a long way to go.
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We arrive in Watson Lake, Yukon and stopped at the Sign Post Forest. Over 50,000 signs from all over the world are gathered here.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image057.jpg)
Clint looking for his motorcycle in the forest÷
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Our accommodations for the night. The Historic Air Force Lodge. Clean, reasonable & motorcycle friendly.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image061.jpg)
Clint modifying his in helmet communications system. Amazing what a pocket knife and some bubble gum will do.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image063.jpg)
to be continued....
Keep it coming! The Mrs. graduates from medical school next summer and wants to do this trip as soon as she's done. She's already looking to replace the SV with a Tiger.
Terrific report Curtis.... I am glad you made your Alaska trip...
we missed you but it's a trip everyone wants to make.
Come see us in the Tetons next Sept!
Jerry
:lurk
Day 4. 500kmÌs/300 miles.
From Watson Lake we decided to head to Skagway, Alaska. Skagway was sort of an optional leg for a couple of reasons. First off itÌs one way in and one way out. We thought about going in on the road and taking the ferry over to Haines but the timing wasnÌt going to be right to grab the ferry. We spoke to a few people before heading on our trip and along the way that said Skagway was a must see.
We slabbed it up the Alaska Highway till we cut off onto number 8 heading south. ItÌs a very quiet, somewhat curvy and scenic road heading into Skagway. There was a few good stretches of gravel.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image002.jpg)
As the elevation climbed towards White Pass, it got very cold. The land became very barren & different than anything weÌd seen so far.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image004.jpg)
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Although the picture doesnÌt do it justice, itÌs a long ways down there. This is going over White Pass towards Skagway.
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This was to be our first true border crossing on this trip into the USA. Both Clint & I weÌre a little concerned because he had just informed me that all he had was a driverÌs license. Luckily at the border station we got Gomer Pyle with a gun. After he decided we posed no threat, he let us pass. Over the course of the trip we learned that the Northern borders are staffed with the most (cough) highly trained individuals.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image010.jpg)
We arrived in Skagway. Now donÌt get me wrong÷. Skagway is a nice place but I wouldnÌt go out of my way again to visit it again. ItÌs a tourist town with lots of little shops and restaurants. When we got there we searched out a place to stay. As it turns out it was the most expensive on our whole trip. $114 US. Not a lot of money for some cities but by comparison to other places that we stayed, it was high.
A shot down main street Skagway towards the water (note the ship at the end). There was 3 cruise ships when we arrived. A bit later the ship horns sounded and the streets emptied.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image012.jpg)
After grabbing some pizza and a bottle of Rum we headed back to the room for some planning. It was at the hotel that I got a little freaked out. :roll: We met these 2 guys riding KLRÌs or something like that from the lower 48. They had the gear. Knobbies, fuel cells and other bits & bobs. We get talking to them and they tell us theyÌd been on the road for 20 something days. They got as far as the Artic Circle and had to turn around. Took them 28 hours (from Fairbanks, I assume) and they didnÌt think they weÌre going to make it back since the road was so bad, bugs were awful and it was very cold. They dropped their motorcycles numerous times slipping and sliding down the road. Of course I get to thinking that weÌre going to go all the way up there and not actually reach our final destination. So after a few more rums I get my courage back and continue our next days planning with Clint.
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to be continued....
Get to the keyboard again my man!!!!!! Hurry, hurry!!!!! :twisted: More!! More!! 8) Yes!! Yes!! :wink:
Looks a lot like Nebraska.
Mike
Quote from: "NebraskaRat"Looks a lot like Nebraska.
Mike
[-X Only because you've covered up your windows with all those beautiful mountain shots of Alberta that I sent you. :lol:
Curtis
Calgary, Alberta
(Where our corn comes from a can)
Day 5. 615 kmÌs/ 369 miles.
We made our way back out of Skagway and headed North back up the number 2 highway. The border crossing into Canada was quick. The Canadian Border guard had seen us go into Skagway the day before and had very few questions.
We stopped for gas in Carcross and it was here once again the common folk gathered around the Tiger. It seemed everywhere we stopped, people admired my Tiger and told stories of when they had a Triumph or some older motorcycle. Clint was getting tired of my groupies. Sometimes I would tell them I was riding with the guy on the Suzy. Sometimes I pointed him out so that they would glance his way and make him feel important. :lol:
We rode into Whitehorse and grabbed a coffee. While driving around in search of a front tire for Clint and possible swapping of mine we decided to head out of Whitehorse. It was raining and we didnÌt feel like hanging around. We decided to shoot for Haines Junction and decide whether to continue further that day.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image018.jpg)
There was some good gravel stretches along this road.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image020.jpg)
We arrived in Haines Junction. Cold & tired and not getting a real friendly feeling from the metropolis of Hanes Junction we decided to push on to Beaver Creek. The guy at the gas station said the roads had lots of construction and very rough pavement. Also there was a storm front moving in. He wasnÌt lying.
Clint downing his first Red Bull. Red Bull & chicken fingers from gas stations became a food group and a bit of a joke throughout the trip.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image022.jpg)
We chased the storm and sometimes caught it. At one point we stopped and questioned our motive of continuing on. We had gone too far to turn back to Haines Junction. Eventually we rode out the nasty weather and enjoyed the scenery.
This is along Kluane Lake. It was construction all along this road that wound along the lake. Good gravel road.
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A smaller lake just outside Beaver Creek.
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The pavement was brutal. Frost heaves every 30 feet, potholes, cracks & other road hazards kept you awake. There was times when you would literally launch coming out of the rolling road. I almost threw up in my helmet twice because of the road. :smt103
We arrived in Beaver Creek and grabbed a great burger from Buckshot BettyÌs. It was here that we met this guy on a motorcycle with a lawn chair strapped to the back of his rack. He explained to us that he had a back injury that prevented him from sleeping in a bed. He slept sitting up in this lawn chair wherever he went. We stayed at the Westmark Inn for the night in one of the hostel rooms.
to be continued÷The Bates Motel, Denali Highway, Fairbanks
Quote from: "Green Geck0"We stopped for gas in Carcross and it was here once again the common folk gathered around the Tiger. It seemed everywhere we stopped, people admired my Tiger and told stories of when they had a Triumph or some older motorcycle. Clint was getting tired of my groupies. Sometimes I would tell them I was riding with the guy on the Suzy. Sometimes I pointed him out so that they would glance his way and make him feel important. :lol:
I'm tellin' ya... You stop somewhere and can't get going any more because of all the 'spectatores'... Amazing that Triumph went bankrupt with all the bikes they must have sold back then... :-)
Quote from: "Green Geck0"The Bates Motel, Denali Highway, Fairbanks
There can be only ONE:
(http://gatortiger.smugmug.com/photos/91899991-L.jpg)
Close-up:
(http://gatortiger.smugmug.com/photos/91900212-L.jpg)
Is that you behind the window???? 8)
Quote from: "GatorTiger"There can be only ONE:
Your right Hans, that is one scary looking place. :smt119
Day 6. 466 kmÌs/ 279 miles.
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Awakening first thing in the morning I couldnÌt see out of one eye. At first I wasnÌt concerned, thinking it was cause and effect from the night before, no such luck. IÌm pretty good at bandaging up skinned knees on my kids but I figured this was beyond self medication. Since we were just inside the Canadian border I thought it would be best to take care of it now. So I scouted out the Northern Med station across the street.
First in to see the health nurse, she checked me out and figured I must have taken a bug or something in my eye. Turns out sheÌs from Calgary and we had a good chat. I told her about the rough ride the day before and she told me the number of people they medi-vac out of there because of it. Thanks nurse lady. She gave me the meds at no cost and bid me good luck.
After a quick breakfast at Buckshot BettyÌs we went over the border crossing into Alaska and headed towards Tok. After a gas, chicken finger, Red Bull stop at Tok, we headed South to Gulkana. Our leg today was going to end in Paxson which would stage us at the beginning of the Denali Highway.
The ride was beautiful. It was only minutes South of Tok that we ran into construction, no less than 4 flag car zones.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image003p4.jpg)
Some of the scenery.
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Our first sighting of ÏThe PipelineÓ.
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Clint winning the contest, who can hit the most potholes.
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We arrived in Paxson to find a run down motel and a gas pump that sometimes worked. Clint stayed to check out the Bates Motel and I headed down the road to some log cabins that had an ad in the Milepost. The cabins were beautiful but expensive ($150US).
We decided to risk our personal safety and stay the night in the motel.
Some of the highlights of our room.
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No pets allowed, No cleaning of game in the room. Man was I glad I saw that sign before I starting gutting that road kill IÌd picked up earlier.
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The view from the room.
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Thinking that we might not make it through the night, Clint began to power drink.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image017p4.jpg)
to be continued÷.fog, Denali, V-Strom stability issues÷ #-o
Did you like the Showers? :twisted:
Day 7. 460 kmÌs/ 276 miles.
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We promptly bailed out of the Bates Motel on empty stomachs and headed down the Denali Highway. About 20 clicks down the road we found a motel/restaurant serving breakfast. They had neat little cabins on a lake available the night before for $20 less. Had we only known÷
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Fuelled by full stomachs we were pumped to take on the Denali. The Denali consists of a short run of pavement starting at Paxson and then turns into hard packed, gravel, dirt and some soft road that ends at Cantwell.
It was drizzling rain, foggy and overcast. Although we didnÌt get to see as much scenery as weÌd like on this road, it was still very beautiful.
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This is the Denali road winding through the valley.
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We stopped at a bridge for a photo opportunity. I think this was either the Sustina or MacLaren River÷.wait for it÷
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wait for it÷
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WTF??? The V-Strom decides itÌs had enough and lays down for a rest.
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Clint showing his best Hulk impression trying to lift his motorbike.
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With a little effort and no damage we continue down the road÷.note the one eyed Tiger.
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Oh my gawd!!! WTF??? The V-Storm is tired today. 10 minutes after the last snooze it lays down for another nap. :smt015
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Clint signaling me to stop and help. :smt100
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We mount up once again and head down the road.
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At the West end of the Denali is Cantwell. We stopped there to grab something to eat at a gas station. Not seeing chicken fingers on the menu I opted for a bowl of tasteless chili. Do not eat the chili.
From Cantwell we made good time heading straight up to Fairbanks doing highway speeds. I took out some sort of road critter that ran behind my front wheel. All I heard was a thump on my bashplate and a sickening crunch. Although this was my first kill of the trip, Clint had beat me to it outside of Prince George when he made a down pillow out of a bird on his windshield.
We arrived in Fairbanks late in the day with tire changes and accommodations on our minds. With having over 20,000 kmÌs on my set of tires, I wanted to ride the Dalton with a bit more rubber. Fairbanks is a much larger place than I had expected. After going through and staying in such small watering holes over the last few days, we had hit civilization again.
The first motorcycle shop we found was a Harley Davidson dealer. IÌm not going to start bashing or going into details but the words that were spoke, I quote, ÏWe only service what we sellÓ. So with that in mind we headed off to the next shop.
If you ever find yourself in Fairbanks needing service or parts, remember these 2 words, Thunder Road. I canÌt say enough good things about Jerry and his crew. I was already bummed from the last greeting and when we walked into their shop I was expecting the same. Thunder Road services & sells all sorts of cruiser bolt on bling & gear. They also have a number of cruiser styles motorcycles for sale and do custom work.
After talking with the lady at the counter, she left to speak with Jerry in the back. There was some discussion and she returned to say that heÌd be out to speak with us in a minute.
As he came out IÌm thinking okay here comes the PFO speech. WRONG! Not only did he want our business, he wanted to make sure he had the proper rim centers for his balancing machine so that he could do it correctly. To top it off we had an offer of accommodation, laundry facilities and a place to park our motorcycles for the evening. We respectfully declined the offer of accommodation (but borrowed their phone to find some) and headed off with the agreement to meet first thing the next day for some tire swapping.
Our accommodation for the evening were at the Go North Hostel. $24/night to stay in a tent cabin. Showers, kitchen, internet, laundry service for $5 & motorcycles were allowed to park right outside.
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I did some quick service work on the Tiger which included changing out my burnt headlight. Clint went to talk to his motorcycle about sleeping on the road.
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to be continued÷.Dalton Highway?, Artic Circle? Coldfoot? Deadhorse?
Great report, and I especially want to thank you for adjusting your images for a fast download. Even with my slow dial-up connection, the page loads in less than two minutes.
Thanks. Really. :smt041
:lurk
Keep those photos coming. This brings back memories.
Bruin
Day 8. 0 kmÌs/ 0 miles.
We headed off to Thunder Road first thing to get our tires changed. Since Jerry was busy in the shop with other appointments we agreed to wrench the rims off ourselves and let him change out the tires on his equipment. We had packed all the necessary tools when we left on our trip to remove and fix tires in an emergency, but having someone else change them is so much easier. Something I almost forgot to mention. When we paid up, Jerry handed me his business card and said if we get into any trouble on the Haul Road to call him and they would try and help us anyway possible. Then he took his card back and wrote his personal cell number on the back. You don't see many shops doing that.
Wrenching the rims off.
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With new rubber and part of the day gone, we decided to hang out in Fairbanks. Some sightseeing and much needed laundry was done. It was nice to relax before taking on the Haul Road the next day. We also bought some food supplies for this leg because we unsure what was down the road for amenities. As it turns out it was a good thing we did.
Me dining on Alaskan king crab and smoked salmon at the hostel. My last good meal for awhile.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image008p6.jpg)
to be continued÷. Dalton Highway, tank slapper, Artic Circle, Coldfoot.
awesome trip report
I'm heading there next june
can't wait to read the next installment
Quote from: "zombie"awesome trip report
I'm heading there next june
can't wait to read the next installment
Give me shout if your heading through Calgary. I can give you my leftover bear spray. :lol:
Curtis
Before we begin this part of the trip, some facts gleaned from the Internet:
The Dalton Highway travels 414 miles through some of the most remote land accessible by road in Alaska. Paralleling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System from Livengood, the Highway crosses the Yukon River, Arctic Circle, and Brooks Mountain Range on its way to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean.
Alyeska built the haul road, now known as the Dalton Highway, for $150 million to supply the oil facilities on the North Slope. The pipeline bridge across the 1,875 mile Yukon River is the only span across that river in Alaska. The road was built in just five months in 1974 using 32 million cubic yards of gravel.
But this is not a road for the faint of heart, or those with a brand-new vehicle! It is still the main supply route for the Prudhoe Bay oilfields, and you will be sharing the road with large tractor-trailers. Windshields and headlights are easy targets of flying rocks. Most rental companies will not allow you to drive their cars on the Dalton. Trucks speeding along the slippery gravel track kick up thick clouds of dust or mud, reducing visibility to absolute zero; potholes take a heavy toll on vehicles and services, gas, and repairs are practically nonexistent.
Calcium Chloride is used on the road to control dust. It is corrosive to vehicles and slippery when wet. Think of Vaseline times 10. There are several steep grades (10 to 12 %).
Uhhhhh, tell me again why weÌre doing this?
to be continued....
Quote from: "Green Geck0"Calcium Chloride is used on the road to control dust. It is corrosive to vehicles and slippery when wet. Think of Vaseline times 10. There are several steep grades (10 to 12 %).
Uhhhhh, tell me again why weÌre doing this?
...because you wanted to write a cool trip report that makes everybody jealous?!?!? 8)
Can't wait to hear about the grades and even see pics of them... :wink:
Quote from: "GatorTiger"...because you wanted to write a cool trip report that makes everybody jealous?!?!? 8)
Says the guy that writes cool trip reports that make everybody jealous!
:wink:
More, more, more!!!
Quote from: "Mudhen"Says the guy that writes cool trip reports that make everybody jealous!
:wink:
More, more, more!!!
Alaska is on my long list!!! :wink:
Day 8. 423 kmÌs/ 253 miles.
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Sunday brings us some overcast and rainy weather. From what we hear the road isnÌt in the greatest condition. Seems itÌs been raining the last couple of days and itÌs a bit sloppy.
We head north out of Fairbanks. Although the pavement is frost heaved, it offers a few sweeping curves. ItÌs a nice start to our Sunday morning ride.
ThatÌs the pipeline snaking its way up and into the hill.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image003p7.jpg)
The turn off to Livengood and the official start of the James W. Dalton Highway.
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Clint looking for his secret stash of Red Bull.
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The pavement ends and the fun begins.
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The road and the pipeline snake along each other all the way to Prudhoe Bay.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image011p7.jpg)
Some of the better road surface.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image013p7.jpg)
Ensuring the fire hazard is at a low.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image015p7.jpg)
Catching a quick break as a truck passes.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image017p7.jpg)
There are vast amounts of these pink plants. I think itÌs known as Fireweed. It grows after a fire has cleaned out an area.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image019p7.jpg)
Now somewhere along this stretch was a construction area. I came around the corner and down the hill a little fast. The road was like soup, 2 trucks were coming up at me from the other way and I was trying to get to the side. My cheeks clenched the seat and I went into panic mode. I went from lock to lock a couple of times trying to stay upright and slow down at the same time. I didnÌt want to grab my front brake and I had my feet down for stability. I managed to crawl to a stop by dragging my feet. The trucks passed, (no doubt laughing at the silly bikers). We continued on after I changed my underwear.
This is a picture taken the next day. DoesnÌt look like much with a dry road.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image021p7.jpg)
Yukon River crossing. There are cameras and huge speakers all over this bridge. The pipeline goes across here.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image023p7.jpg)
On the other side there is a truck stop, motel, gas & food. We gassed up & grabbed a coffee. By this point I wasnÌt having a whole lot of fun. All I could think about was those 2 guys back in Skagway. The lady inside assured me the road and weather would get better.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image025p7.jpg)
After we left the coffee place we stopped to chat with 2 guys on motorcycles. The first bikes we had seen. One on a Beemer and the other on an Africa Twin. Turns out there were a whole bunch of Advrider people coming back from a Prudhoe run. The Honda guy was from Britain. They looked burnt out and were kind enough to tell me how they had to ride through 6 inches of mud past Coldfoot. The road just keeps going÷
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image027p7.jpg)
and going÷.this is a much welcomed, although short, piece of pavement.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image029p7.jpg)
Clint taking in the sights. Note the kickstand is down on his V-Strom to discourage sleeping on the road.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image031p7.jpg)
Finger Rock back dropped by nasty sky. I remember it being very cool and windy around here.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image033p7.jpg)
We arrive at the Artic Circle. Wahoooo!!!
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image035p7.jpg)
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image037p7.jpg)
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image039p7.jpg)
A Tiger in need of a bath.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image041p7.jpg)
My Iron Butt Ass÷
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image043p7.jpg)
After another Red Bull we hop back on and head towards Coldfoot, our stop for the evening.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image045p7.jpg)
No comment.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image047p7.jpg)
One of many pump stations dotting the pipeline.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image049p7.jpg)
Chasing another storm.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image051p7.jpg)
We arrived in Coldfoot. Coldfoot used to be a camp for when they built the highway and the pipeline. There is not much there.
Post Office
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image053p7.jpg)
Motel across the road.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image055p7.jpg)
Restaurant, truckers stop, gas, bar.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image057p7.jpg)
We inquired about food & accommodations for the evening. The restaurant was closed and trailer rooms were $120 US. We filled up our tanks and opted to stay down the road at the campground. $8 for the night.
Our accommodations for the night. We dined on sandwiches we built back in Fairbanks and washed them down with rum.
(http://www.mototrek.com/alaska/report/image059p7.jpg)
to be continued÷.rude awakening, road tales, Antigun Pass, grizzly bear, Prudhoe Bay.
:lurk
Great pictures, great report!
I watched a film about the James W. Dalton Highway on TV the other day.
Lots of dust in the air, when trucks pass by. And a guy, who intended to ride around the world, starting (?) in Alaska - by bicycle! Chapeau.
Quoteto be continued÷.rude awakening, road tales, Antigun Pass, grizzly bear, Prudhoe Bay.
Hope the bear didn't get you, please finish the story :smt022 i want to go to sleep
( I have had to many kids)
Quote from: "Bear"Quoteto be continued÷.rude awakening, road tales, Antigun Pass, grizzly bear, Prudhoe Bay.
Hope the bear didn't get you, please finish the story :smt022 i want to go to sleep ( I have had to many kids)
Hi folks,
Sorry I haven't updated my ride report lately. Work has been getting in the way of my personal life again.
I promise to get back to it soon.
Curtis
What a report.
I am a newbie Tiger owner of 2 weeks. Residing in York, North Yorkshire England.
Absolutely rivited to this report. There has obviously been a shedload of work in personal time, involved in getting this adventure to the forum.
Please keep it coming - it's written in such a way that i feel part of the damn trip.
Fantastic photo's. I love the outsides, and regularly visit our Lakes and Dales, however, it's the feeling of magnitude that i get from the photo's that take the breath away.
The sign on the Dalton that state's 'Keep lights on for next 425 miles' - thats like me going to London and back twice.
Great report GG, and thanks for taking the time and effort to share it with us all.