Ice Road Bikers -- Not!

Today was the day that we had planned to follow the Elliott and Dalton Highways north to the Arctic Circle.  Starting out, I think that both of us were a little apprehensive, since we had held a couple of horror stories the day before.  Like the one Biker John from New Hamphire told (and kept telling) of fighting mud and clay all day to travel just 50 miles.  Just between you and me, I think that he was full of himself as well as full of something else.  Despite what we heard, today was forecast to be dry and we had to find out how it was for ourselves.

With temperatures in the lower seventies, I started off in full leathers.  The wind was calm and the sun was shining.  You couldn't ask for a better day to ride, unless you knew you could trust your GPS.  The route that we were instrudted to go would have taken us on 200-mile dead end trip to Circle, Alaska, but we realized something wasn't right and turned around after about three miles and got on the correct road (turns out that the GPS had the road right, but called it by another name).

The Elliott Highway meanders over pine-covered hills and through the valleys of Alaska's interior.  We seldom saw another vehicle and, when we did, about half were other motorcycles.  It was also on this road that we got our first glimpse of the Alaskan Pipeline.

Jeff leading north on the Elliott Highway.  The Alaska Pipeline is on the left.

About 70 miles of this road eventually led us to the John Dalton Highway, or the haul road to Pruhdoe Bay.  Immediately we saw the signs indicating that the pavement was ending and that heavy industrial traffic would be expected.  We blew past the signs determined to reach our destination.  That determination began waning at mile marker one and by mile three, we decided it just wouldn't be worth it.  Although the road is hard-packed gravel, the recent rains had wash boarded the wash-boarded the surface so bad that finding a groove to ride in that wouldn't jar the fillings in your teeth was nearly impossible.  And that was at 30MPH when the speed limit is 50MPH.  I didn't want to chance ruining something on the new bike, so we decided to turn around and make some other plans.

On the way back down the Elliott Highway, I began to wonder why we hadn't seen much wildlife.  In a day and a half of riding, I had seen exactly one bald eagle and a long-legged jack rabbit.  In many of the valleys we had traveled earlier in the day, I had noticed streams and decided to stop along side one to see if we could see any fish.  I saw none.  We got back on the bikes and headed back to Fairbanks with Jeff leading.

About five minutes later, I noticed something rustling in the ditch on the right hand side of the road about 100 feet in front of Jeff.  A split second later, out popped a HUGE mother moose and her calf and both bounded out across the road in front of Jeff, the mother high stepping all of the way!  He locked up the back tire and veered off to the left of the scene appearing right in front of him and came to a halt with Mama Moose on his left and her baby on the right and each went their separate ways.  I am sure that the skid mark Jeff left on the road is only slightly longer than the one he left in his pants!

We were hoping that the two would make a serious attempt to get back together, but they stayed on opposite sides of the road calling to each other as a small crowd gathered to try to get a glimpse at either of them.  Mama was in the woods about 150 feet from the road, so I snapped a picture of her from where I was and we proceeded with our trip.  We will sure to be extra careful in looking for things on the side of the road, especially immediately after talking about what we'd like to see...

Since we were unable to get a picture of us at the Arctic Circle, we made a little side trip to (the) North Pole, Alaska, and took some photos there before heading back to the hostel to get some much needed sleep (for me, anyway) before the ride tomorrow.  We plan to make it to Destruction Bay, Yukon and if we make it, we will have ridden 424 miles for the day.

Maiden Voyage

After almost no sleep on Thursday night, I made it to the dealer about 1/2 hour before they opened.  Once there, I got a tour of their place and met the gang who worked there.  Soon, I was the proud owner of my new bike.  Joe Matteson, my contact at the dealership, helped me install some items I had picked out and then I was on my way, almost.  First, it was back to the hotel to load up the bike.  I was amazed that I stll had room for all I brought with me (although ask me where something is and I'll have to guess...)

We started out on the Glenn Highway out of Anchorage north and picked up the Parks Highway heading towards Fairbanks.  Although the sun tried to peek out on occassion, it pretty much looked to be an overcast day, and a bit chilly with a temperature in the mid-sixties.  The Glenn Highway was mostly through populated areas and highly traveled.  A lot of RVs and, because of the traffic, there was not much time to take in the scenery.  The Parks Highway started out much the same until we passed through Wasilla.

About 1/3 of the Parks Highway is designated a scenic byway, as much of that section goes through Denali State Park and then Denali National Park.  On the southern end of the road, it bisects timberland with a backdrop of jagged mountains in the distance.  The views were very nice, but we had very few opportunities to snap any pictures.  As we approached Denali, the makeup of the forest was mainly coniferous with many areas of new growth, I suspect from recent wildfires, although the area of old growth were limited.  The mountains in this section were less jagged and almost void of any trees.  There were more opportunities to snap some photos here, and we did pull over three times (twice within a mile).  It was also in this section of road that Jeff figured he could go exactly 223 miles on one take of gas.  Unfortunately, he needed to go 231 to hit the next gas station...

After getting Jeff back on the road, we hussled through the last third of the Parks Highway, where it enters the interior of Alaska - and just in time for the sun to come out (and raise the temperature 10 degrees).  Here, the road flattened out until we approached Fairbanks.  Trees were also growing on the hills again.  We got to the hostel about 10 minutes before they closed...  Let me say that this should be an experience!

All and all, a good ride on a good day with fair road conditions.  383 miles for the day...

The Day Has Arrived!

Well, this is what I have been waiting for over the past 6-1/2 months...  I just didn't think that it would start out like this.

I arrived at the airport in plenty on time to catch mt 6:50PM flight.  I made it to the baggage check-in, got my two bags on their way only to be told after they were gone that my flight was delayed 1-1/2 hours.  Seeing I only had an hour layover in Salt Lake City, I knew I was in trouble.  It is now 2:10AM EDT and I am sitting in the Seattle Airport waiting for a flight that will get me to Anchorage in another 5 hours.  I just hope my luggage made it on the same flight I took to Seattle...

Getting ready to board now.  The saga continues later....

I finally landed in Anchorage, headed to the baggage claim, and my luggage was there!  I tried to sleep through the flight from Seattle, but my mind kept running to what to do if my stuff did not arrive when I did.  Bummer, I could have used the sleep.

Made it to the hotel room where I woke up Jeff and celebrated the beginning of our journey with a few beers.  A couple of hours sleep later, and I am ready to begin the day.  With the limited sleep since I left home, I am sure that exhaustion will catch up with me soon.  Right now, I am just too excited to think of anything but the new bike...

So Much for the Procrastination

Is all of this stuff going to fit on the new bike?

Well, it is the last Sunday evening before the trip begins. I have a feeling that the next few days are going to drag a little bit. It has been nearly 6-1/2 months since I have ordered the Ultra. I spent the day today packing everything I plan on taking (and forgetting that one thing that I won't realize I forgot until I need it on the trip). I have the GPS all loaded up. The only thing left to do is wait. Had I waited to finalize the last few items on the list, maybe Thursday would get here in no time... (And, no, mowing the yard before I leave was not on the list but still needs to be taken care of).

Jeff forwarded links today to a few other blogs from riders who have taken similar trips (I think he may be slightly more anxious than I). Interesting reading, and I can really appreciate what these folks have accomplished. Reading the blogs has also caused me a little bit of concern, and I take this is a good sign. Although I have put nearly 75,000 miles on the old Road King, I do know that I am going to be riding a new model and that I need to anticipate what may be a lot of difference. I have to realize that I need to remain alert to the bike, my riding abilities, and my surroundings. Just to be sure I complete this trip successfully, it may be a good idea to pretend I am riding a borrowed motorcycle.

T-minus four days...

The Waiting is Almost Over

It seemed that time virtually stood still from the time I ordered the Ultra until the beginning of June. Now, June is gone and I have less than 4 weeks until I escape the heat and humidity of the midwest and begin my journey.

The bike is awaiting my arrival at the dealership, already broken in as the Harley House of Anchorage has put the first 500 miles on it and performed the break-in service. I've got nearly everything ready to go, with my seat bag all packed with my camping and rain gear, and my GPS loaded with maps, routes and music.

It'll prove to be 27 short days from here on out and I am ready to roll!!