Did the Dempster! 14,000km in 21 days riding across Canada

[tett]

Well, I have just fulfilled one big goal in my life and that was to ride the Dempster.  And I did it on my fantastic Girly.  

It was incredible and an experience that will live with me forever.  Imagine, 14,000 km by motorcycle through some of the most gorgeous land in the world.  We drove all the way across Canada from Ontario to Whitehorse in the Yukon.  After Whitehorse we turned north and drove to Dawson where the Dempster Highway begins.  The Dempster is an amazing road which can be torturous and unforgiving at times and idyllic at other times.  When wet, it is tough and very difficult to ride.   When dry one can bomb down the road with just a big grin.  We saw both sides of this magnificent highway.

Here is a set of pictures and commentery which gives part of the story:  https://picasaweb.google.com/MikeTetten ... 3637607938 (https://picasaweb.google.com/MikeTettenborn/Dempster#slideshow/5636008333637607938)

Here is a video I took on the Tundra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mlxTWsUV58 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mlxTWsUV58)

Here is a youtube video form Leslie whom I met about a half hour after she filled it about her Dempster experience.  Triumph Canada gave them two brand new 800XC's to trial.  They were really mucked up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXKhErI6 ... re=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXKhErI6aYI&feature=related)

After speaking with her and hearing horror stories from others we were really worried.  Did we have enough experience?  A guy died on the Dempster the day before because he wiped out on his bike!  We listened to lots of good advice and decided to ride on.  The stories and advice were taken to heart and we were very careful and road slowly when the road was wet.

And here are three great videos from someone else who did the Dempster by bike.  These videos do a much better job than my pics and vids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7aTJdwI ... ure=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7aTJdwIqjQ&feature=relmfu)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-IMzG2 ... ure=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-IMzG2hZ4&feature=relmfu)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvqAKRX1 ... ure=relmfu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvqAKRX1-m8&feature=relmfu)

Cheers!

[PeteH]

Wow tett, what a great ride 8) need to revisit  just to take it all in :)

[Tigertriple]

A fantastic ride report.  

[Chris Canning]

Wife drew up a chair as well and throughly enjoyed the write up,thats what you call a serious trip.

[rf9rider]

Excellent write up, enjoyed reading it

[KuzzinKenny]

What an awesome trip that must of been  

In the UK you would have to ride the length of the country 14 times to do that kind of Km   :shock:

Ride report and pics get a big  

KK

ps makes my trips look like a run to the shops  :(

[tett]

Thanks KK and all

The report needs some polish as I was rushed.  Had to fly to China and had little time but wanted to get something up for family and friends.

Did not say anything about Dawson City.  Great place!

Even had a Sour Toe Cocktail.  The grossest drink in the world.  You down a shot of Yukon Jack with a real human toe in it.  The toe must touch your lips.  This is one nasty drink.

Dawson City, Yukon Territory- This is one event that you'll never forget. Dawson does indeed have a famous drink called the Sour Toe Cocktail, which contains an actual alcohol-preserved human toe. No kidding. Head to the Sourdough Saloon at the Downtown Hotel and you can watch this strange ritual, or for $5 you can try the cocktail yourself and earm a certificate. This started in 1973 with what is said to be the toe of a miner, which had been amputated in the 1920's. To participate and earn the official certificate, the rule is 'You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow—But the lips have gotta touch the toe.' Find out more at www.sourtoecocktailclub.com (http://www.sourtoecocktailclub.com).

Cheers from Changping!

tett

What an awesome trip that must of been  

In the UK you would have to ride the length of the country 14 times to do that kind of Km   :shock:

Ride report and pics get a big  

KK

ps makes my trips look like a run to the shops  :(

[John Stenhouse]

Excellent write up Tett, brings back some great memories.

[kraftykarper]

Amazing ride, and amazing pictures. An achievent, well done!