The scenery

Alaska finally

just to let you know the Alaskan Highway is in Canada.

We finally got back to American soil around 11:30 am

Ended up here

<p>We left this morning around 9 and stopped around 10 pm. Willie got a new from tire installed in Whitehorse.
We meet a younger guy riding a GS and ended up riding together in the rain last 120 miles. That leg took is about an hour and a half. We are all splitting a huge apartment style room in the top of the building in the picture.

Its supposed to take rain in the morning.  And its colder than anticipated.  I have put in my insulation later to my suit and also hooked up my electric vest. I am warm and dry. GoreTex is my new best friend.

We are staying in Beaver Creek. Every community is nice, just wish I had more time

We should hit the border early.

City of Teslin

We drove out of the rain. It is still cloudy and misty.

Marsh Lake Dam

Stopped raining.

Not the Waldorf Astoria

Here is the hotel we stayed at last night. The weather forecast is for rain. Light mist falling now. Yuk.

Boring bike technical report

With my new air filter and plugs I though I would get a bump in gas mileage and some more peppiness. I was discouraged as this did not happen. However, it did happen when I filled up with regular octane gas. You see since Winnepeg, I have been putting 91 octane because I thought that it might burn better than regular. (my bike calls for regular and that is what I normally use) when I changed to regular as the station did not have 91 octane, the bike was transformed to it's old running style. I got 44 mpg and the pep was back. The next tank ran the same. However this third tank, I noticed some sluggishness and less mph. I did notice a little surging at times. However I have resolved not to worry so much about every little sound and mechanical happenings with the bike, I am way over sensitive. I need more faith, maybe this trip is giving me more faith...

Getting better each mile

Yesterday we started about 7:45 am and rode until 8:00 pm. We did stop along the way to take some pictures. The road is like a two lane country highway but in places there is loose gravel and bumps. Most of it is regular paved highway. There is more traffic than I thought. A lot of campers and a lot of big trucks. But the further we get the less the traffic. Each mile is better. The distances here are vast. Miles and miles of valleys with creeks/rivers running through them. Mountains galore and wide expanses of mountains on both sides with views that are beautiful. The day was perfect except the last hour and a half when we rode through a steady rain. My new boots he'd up great and my riding suit as well. We did stop at a hotel which is expensive for what you get, but at least it's dry. We meet two other single riders at a gas stop and they are stopped here two. We probably have two more riding days, maybe three before we reach Fairbanks. I definitely underestimated the time it would take. Hope and pray for some more dry weather please. It makes it a lot nicer.

Best day so far!

I was doing two things I love, motorcycle riding and photography. It was really a struggle to do both. I didn't want to stop because I love riding, but you can't shoot on the bike!

Motorcycle maintenance

The filter and plugs were successfully changed and the filter really needed it!

Now the adventure begins!

Here I am at the beginning of the Alaska Highway. Wears 47 miles inti the AH and only 1343 miles to go. The fun starts now.

Plainsville

We travelled across the plains from east of Regina to Edmunton. Not sure of milage, I've lost track, but I am keeping the total. Again, it's on the odometer and I can't go outside, mosquitoes are getting worse. I wore my head net again while setting up the tent, it helped tremendously. A bit on the camping...I've never been on the camping circuit until now. You see it's not like we are in the woods with wild animals. We are basically in the suburbs at an RV park. Usually in a corner out of the way. And as I learned a few minutes ago,right behind a railroad track, the kind that they have to blow the horn at. The other two nights we were so close to the highway we came in on, I thought the trucks were driving through my tent. At least I have my ear plugs.

So hear has been the routine. Get up, pack up the tent and things and drive 200 miles get gas. At the first stop, we sometimes get a snack or something. Gas up, and drive another 200 miles. Gas up and drive another 200 miles. We don't stop after we get gas, Willie is a slave driver. It has been interesting seeing all the sights, the plains are very pretty and as you go West, the terrain is starting to get hilly. Basically, these days are the "getting here" stage.

The weather is a typical conversation piece, it can change drastically as we saw today. We headed west right into what appeared to be several storm fronts. At first they were light gray and cloudy, but you could see the signs of rain. Keep in mind that you can actually see down the road about 30 or so miles. (I think I saw Russia today- oh wait that's somebody else). Anyway, as we approached we were holding our breath as to when we would get soaked. But what miraculously happen is that we would pass through untouched. Then the monster came several hundred miles further. A front so big and black there'd be no escape. Lightening all around and all we could do is look at it for 30 minutes as we approached. At one point I turned around to look at Willie and he made the throut slash sign like we were dead dogs. There is nothing you can do but keep going. It started to sprinkle and then...the sky's parted like the red sea and we made it through essentially untouched. We had one bought of rain when I had stopped to take off my rain cover for my seat bag because it was flapping. As soon as I did, it started to rain again, but I knew how to fix it. I stopped and put it back on. 5 miles later the sun was out. Keep up the prayers I feel them.

Tomorrow, I have to see if I can get my air filter changed at the Suzuki dealership. I feel it's affecting a drop in my gas mileage. All is running smooth but just not efficient enough. I want to be in tip top shape for the balance of the trip. Wish me luck at getting the service I need. It will cost us some time but I need to do it now as Edmunton is the last frontier city.

Signing off. Sorry no pictures, just imagine a flat prairie with pretty blue and yellow flowers...I think they make oil from the flowers but you can google it.

Canada, eh

Well, we finally crossed the border. Today was sorta a day of delays. We did not get many miles in, maybe 300-350? I would go check my odometer, but I dare not leave the safety of my tent because I might be carried off by these Canadian Mosquitos! They swarmed as soon as we arrived. I actually used my mosquito head net that I bought at Walmart for two bucks. I also bought some spray at REI that has a 100 number on it. Most of the other sprays I saw only had numbers like 33 or 40, so I figured this stuff must really work. I sprayed it on my arms and then as I touched one of my large baggies I use, the blue die came off all over my hands! I hope I wasn't supposed to declare this stuff at the border. Speaking of the border, I was first across and had no problems, using my Nexus card helps. They pulled ole Willie aside and gave him the third degree for about 30 minutes. I asked him what did he say and he said that he sometimes has a way of letting his attitude get in the way. We were finally on our way, with the next stop being Winnepeg. The speed limit is 75 in upper North Dakota, so it's kind of fun going 80 and not being worried about being pulled over and thrown in speeding jail. The roads are so flat and straight it seems like we are only going 50 mph. Another delay as we hit Winnepeg. I solved my leaking boots by buying new ones. I hated to do it but wet feet can get cold very fast and that would be a show stopper. Thanks to Brenda for helping with the remote research, which saved some time. Willie used the time to change his oil and grab lunch at McDonalds which for some reason seemed like the social center. Interesting people, seeing the packed bikes would stop and talk to us wanting to know all about our trip. One 80 year old retired guy bent our ear for a few minutes. OK, here's what I know about him. He is a former British citizen who moved to Canada because there are too many $&@!(?) Muslims in England. (hey, just reporting the facts here). He was with Special Forces and served at the end of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and a little in the middle east. He was shot through the knee but fully recovered. The bullet split his knee cap but they just fused it together and he is fine. As a matter of fact, he can bench press 200 lbs, runs and swims. He was a British Army boxing champion for 4 straight years. He grew up on the streets as his parents were killed early in his life. His sisters married American soldiers and live in the United States, he sees them occasionally. Boy, the sun comes out here and people like to get out! Bt really, everyone is very friendly here. We took off from. Winnepeg across the highway called the Trans Canadian highway. We are camping again at a nice place somewhere in a small town 100 miles east of Regina. Thanks for praying for dry weather, we had a georgeous day all day. I think the prediction is rain in the morning. Can't say I am anxious to check out my new boots, so continue to pray for dry, pretty weather.

Quick pic

Here is a picture of last nights camp.

Day two

I think we did about 700 miles today. The plan was to stop earlier so that we can get settled in the daylight. We traveled from Chicago through Minneapolis/st paul and landed just north of Fargo, ND. I can't help but to think of the movie, Fargo. This morning we woke up to lightning and threatening clouds. We broke camp in a hurry due to the threat and then it let lose as we took off In the rain. We had put on our rainsuits and I'm glad we did. It rained solid for about 30 minutes. That's when I found out that my boots were leaking, my new boots that I bought on a work trip to England. I thought those bloaks new something about rain protection over there! So please pray for dry weather for me.

The scenery was a little better today. Minnesota has some beautiful farmland and up north nice lakes are everywhere. We have stopped at a little town called Hillsville. We arrived under threatening skys just like when we awake this morning. We met our goal of setting up camp in the light, however it was raining a little. Maybe tomorrow we go for light and no rain! We had stopped earlier at a truck stop that all the locals were at. How bad could it be? I order the special which was broasted chicken. That's not a typo. It said broasted chicken. So I asked the waitress if that was like roasted and she said yes. So I was surprised when they brought me Fried chicken! Oh well.

Well, I got to get some sleep. We hit Canada tomorrow.

Day one. 850 miles

Hi everybody! Sorry for the lack of posting, but I have been on the road, literally. We rode for 16 hours Saturday and covered 850 miles. We landed just northwest of Chicago and set up camp in the dark. The day was long and hot. It's tough when you have to wear all that gear, too. Nothing much too exciting along the road for me as I have seen all the highways leading up to Chicago plus we had a family vacation there last year. It's always fun to see skyline though. It was very hot and muggy-- did I mention I was camping? There is no thermostat to turn down out here.

It's 11 pm and I'm finally ready to go

Okay so it's late. I wasn't as ready as I thought so just finished. too bad we moved up the departure time 1 hour to 6 am due to the hot weather.  Wish me luck!

T minus 20 hours

Well, final preparations are being made.  My clothes and camping gear seem to fit.  I will be stuffing everything into my two hard case saddlebags and a tailbag (essentially a duffle bag) that will be tied down to my back seat.  I will also carry a gas can on my rear rack.  There are places in Alaska that span 10-20 miles past my tank range which is about 225 miles. If I drained the tank I may get about 240 miles, but why risk it if you don't have to. 

This heat is something else!  One of the challenges of biking in the summer is how to balance wearing all the protective gear without burning up.  I'll be testing the venting characteristics of my outfit for sure. I do have a Camelback that will strap on which will provide me hydration along the way.  I was thinking we could outrun this heat by traveling North, but in looking at the weather map, it will be several days before I expect to get relief.

Well, I will be finishing out my work day and continuing to put together my stuff.  More later.

More Preparation

Today I got to play with some new toys.  One was my new bluetooth headset.  I got it for two main reasons-stereo FM radio and phone calls.  Phone calls? I know what you are thinking. Its not like I'm going to be on the phone conducting business as I often do in the car as I drive.  Primarily I'm thinking I may use phone calls to break the boredom of highway riding those first few days.  I also will probably not initiate the calls just receive them.  BTW, everything is voice activated too; so its not like I'm balancing the actual phone in my lap and dialing numbers.  Well, I'll have to say the FM works great, the fidelity is fantastic.  I also used the phone a couple of times as test and my test subjects report that although they can hear a little wind noise the clarity is there and a discussion is no issue.  I am having a few issues generating the prompts for voice dialing but I hope to figure that out.

My other toy today is my new lightweight cot.   Another aspect of this trip which is new is my return to tent camping.  Yes, I am using the economical way to travel.  I just cannot justify the money for hotels for a vacation for just me. I haven't camped on the ground since I left Scouting at age 18, so this will be part of the adventure. Back to the cot, it uses metal poles and spring tension. It only weighs a couple lbs but if compacts down to a nice small package.  See the youtube video:

http://youtu.be/H4xoh7FKauw

I tried it out on my office floor today and it seems to work as advertised.  More toys later.

Getting ready

Well, I am feeling unprepared and I have only 8 days left before I start on my long journey.  I really don't think of it as a long journey though.  I only mapquested it yesterday to find out the one way mileage is 4700 miles.  People were asking me how long it was, but I never did the calculation because it didn't matter to me.  I wanted to go.  Prudhoe Bay is the furthest north you can drive in North America.  So I guess that's attractive to me. Its also an adventure into the unknown which is rare these days with all the technology at our fingertips. Its a bucket list trip for sure if you are a motorcyclist.  So if I don't go now, when will I go?  I take off Saturday July 23rd.