| Author | Message | ||
     Bertotti |
A friend and I are kicking around a trip to Alaska in 2011. I've followed these threads about the top of the world and my Uly is up t the task just not sure my skills are. I ride gravel here but the real lose freshly laid or graded gravel is a slow do for me, around 30 - 35 mph maybe less if it is real lose. Is this going to be a problem? Should I be finding some lose stuff and practicing riding in it more? Any skills I need to really hone before I tackle this trip? I ride in my yard and filed now. 5.5 acres to train on. Wet grass being a bit hairy at times. Anyway any comments welcome thanks! Wasn't sure of the best place to put this so I put it here with the Uly crowd. | ||
| Ulynut |
Just go. You'll be fine.  | ||
| Bertotti |
Buddies in Japan for the company right now but he should be back late this year or early next. I'll have 4 weeks vaca so that should be enough. You all know if we do this anyone here is welcome also. We just won't have any set dates till he knows when he is returning home. I'm trying to talk my wife into following in a jeep or truck. I would love the kids to see Alaska and I would rather have family along since I only get 4 weeks vaca. Dog gone you all drive me nuts with these ride reports and such! Thanks for the reply Ulynut I appreciate it! | ||
| Snub13 |
My wife and I flew into Anchorage and rented a Uly from "Alaska Rider Tours" (GREAT folks to deal with!) in 2007 (I can't believe it's been that long already). We spent 15 days on the bike. Words and pictures can not describe how spectacular everything is, our jaws were on the ground the whole time, the scenery seems to get better with every turn in the road. As for riding skills: Obviously, the more riding / practice you get prior the better. Having said that, the roads aren't that bad....most of the time. Top of the World Highway is paved in several areas so that part is fine. There is a lot of gravel but it's not too bad. There's a good bit of vehicular traffic (buses and motor homes)(also tons of dust) so a lot of the gravel is packed down. Here's a shot of Top of the World Hwy. The drop off was more disconcerting than the gravel! Mind the orange flags...the Alaska DOT is very good about marking hazards.  Look out for these guys too. It may be hard to believe but they sneak up on you!  If your kids are old enough to remember the trip, having them along would be great. It would be nice to have a chase / support vehicle along. Have fun. Tim | ||
| Snub13 |
More from Top of the World Hwy.    Yes that's snow (June '07) Free ferry across the Yukon River (on the way to Dawson City)  Downtown Dawson City  Oh, I could go on and on! I'm jealous Tim PS: If you haven't yet been there, go to advrider.com Tons of info there. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
i took a BMW offroad riding class specially designed for big displacment motorcycles ("GS"). The buell performed admirably and I my skills went from beeing worried riding on the lightest gravel to now tackling the backwoods at the cottage with confidence. Great class! Check with your local BMW dealer. MMcC | ||
| Eulysses |
Probably just get out on the dirt/gravel and get your speed/nerve up. Having grown up on dirt bikes (thanks Dad) I just fly on the gravel and my buddies who are not as experienced are way behind. Otherwise, if you are traveling alone no worries about keeping up. You will have other worries! | ||
| Xbeau12s |
tires, belt, tools. | ||
| Bertotti |
Tire belt tools a must! I rode a lot of trails when I was a kid but not in the last 3 years and never on a big bike. I have done fields and gravel on the uly but not as much as I would like. I think I'll run over to the black hills and take some of the gravel and fire roads, that should be good practice. | ||
| Bertotti |
Snub13 yours were some of the pics that got me jonesing for this! | ||
| Tom_s |
"Here's a shot of Top of the World Hwy. .... Mind the orange flags...the Alaska DOT is very good about marking hazards. " Snub, I'm sure you know that the TOWH is in Canada. On the Alaska side, the Taylor Hwy. can get real greasy if it's wet. Your pic here. See that cut running along the mountain side above? This is up there & a bit to the right & just a bit higher. Year 2000, there was a lot more snow at the time.    The stretch of road in your pic, heading back to Anchorage.  These pic were posted on this forum in year 2000. Took the now broke Uly to Dawson on 2007. On the way I got hurt when I came back down from that little side trip, from what the guys call the 'Top of the Top. The times I went there I was lucky that the road was dry. | ||
| Bertotti |
I will have fabbed some wider trees by then, God willing, and get me some sudo knobbies like the GS bikes have. | ||
| Treysmagna |
I rode my SPortster to Alaska in 05 and you dont really need any special skills, just have to learn to pack and sort out what you do and dont need. Look at back packing equipment and learn to do basic maintenance on your bike. Take some basic spare parts. Find shops along your route that can work on your bike, save their locations and phone numbers. I would love to do that trip again on the Uly | ||
| Bertotti |
I can do maintenance and pack for two weeks in a small duffel. I travel a lot. | ||
| Treysmagna |
Then you will be ok. I would suggest getting a copy of the Milepost. We also camped the whole trip so carrying food, water, sleeping bag and tent took up even more room. I packed and unpacked the bike maybe a dozen times before the trip. Each time I would get rid of stuff I didnt really need. It would probably be good insurance to carry a little extra fuel depending on where you are going to go. Good rain gear or gear that is water proof is essential and dont forget good insect repellent and head net even if you arent going to camp any. If you want to talk about it I will give you my phone number and we can talk. I wish I could go with you. I realized on that trip that a Uly would be the perfect bike for a trip like this and I did it before the Uly came out. | ||
| Wildmonkey |
I am planning a trip to Prudhoe Bay next June 06/2011.. Hmmm... this might be a good thing... I will definitely keep checking in to see when you guys will be traveling ! The point of my trip is to have a cigar on my birthday in Prudhoe Bay, then head back home, and try to see as much of the USA as possible going & coming ! Steve. |
