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Motoboss
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 12:52 pm: | 
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Where you folks out of? I'm with Hoosier Thunder Club out of Indiana. Alaska sounds like a hoot with a group! |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 03:11 pm: |
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wisconsin |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 01:56 pm: |
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What kinda funds is everyone thinking of setting aside for this trip? |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 04:58 am: |
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I don't think this kind of trip could even be considered for less than 4-5k.
Of course that all depends on how long, and what is on the agenda. |
Vagabond
| | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2007 - 08:34 pm: |
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Wow, didn't know you guys were planning an AK rally. I'm in the early stages of planning a ride to the Homecoming, but my work schedule may interfere (don't know what it'll be in the summer)
I am a current Alaska resident and I work on the Slope.
If you guys have questions, please let me know, and I'll do my best to answer then for you.
As for Fairbanks, it won't be a highlight of the trip, go a little farther north and stay at Chena Hot Springs.
I love motorcycle camping, and I know quite a few good spots to camp along the various highways.
Also, around the solstice a big group of riders (mainly BMWs) take over Dawson city, YT for a couple of days of riding/ partying.
Here's a link for the ride (at ADVrider)
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17 5238
It's a good time, but unfortunately, my work schedule hasn't synched up in the last few years. Bummer.
Do the Dalton at your own risk because it truly is a treacherous road. I would go south, spend time on the Kenai Peninsula exploring Homer, Seward, Soldtna, and Hope (one of the best streetbike roads in AK). Great stuff in the Mat-Su valley, Copper river basin, Richardson highway, and the list goes on....
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the Milepost. It will make your trip planning to Canada and Alaska much easier.
http://www.themilepost.com/
(check amazon.com, may have better price)
I hope this helps. I look forward to meeting many of my fellow "Buellers"
Regards,
Joe |
Crusty
| | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 11:17 am: |
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Thank you, Joe! you'll be hearing a lot more from us as the time gets closer. I've heard that the Dalton Highway is a tough ride, but I REALLY want to make it to the Arctic Circle. It's been one of my dreams for more years than I care to mention. I've stood on the Equator in Kenya, and had my picture taken on the Tropic of Capricorn in Australia. I want to ride my Buell to the Arctic.
It will be pretty cool to meet up with you, and everyone else involved with the ride! |
Guell
| | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 05:38 pm: |
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man that sounds fun, its a long ways away though. But by then i might be able to do it. Mike, if i make it, that would make 2 cyclones. |
Vagabond
| | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 08:52 pm: |
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June-July-August are the best months to visit. July is the best of the best though.
Our local HD-Buell dealer (House of Harley) is pretty decent, so if you need service while in AK they're the ones to contact. I also know of a very good independent shop in town as well.
Has anyone thought about tires? |
Gearloose
| | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 11:22 am: |
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Spent a year and half in Fairbanks 71~72. Came down Alcan in mid Nov.by 4x4 towing mc in trailer.This sounds likeFUN.I wonder if the Malyamute(sp)is still there?Old hangout for univ.of Fairbanks girls,place had a wild North feeling to it. |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 01:24 pm: |
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For tires, I was planning on strapping a set on just in case. Along with a fuel container to be used while up in AK. Still working on my list. |
Vagabond
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 08:01 pm: |
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You can always ship the tires up here, and I know a few guys that have motorcycle tire changing machines and balancers in their personal shops. I carry a "stop 'n Go tire plugging kit(gun style) and a Cycle Pump. Have used it on other bikes, and that setup works well. Just a thought. |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 01:41 pm: |
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I'd be up for that, I was planning on carrying a plug kit regardless. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 10:37 pm: |
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I was just looking at a few Alaska sites. The Arctic Circle is only 162 miles from Fairbanks! |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 10:52 am: |
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yep |
Snub13
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 09:28 pm: |
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Crap! I just stumbled across this thread.....you guys SUCK!!!!!
My wife and I flew into Anchorage and rented a Uly in June '07....Boy I wish I could go with you guys, I really miss Alaska!
You guys will have a great time!
+1 on the Milepost, it's a great resource. It's a big book so most likely you woulnt be taking it with you but you can copy pages of special interest (or tear them out if it's your book)
As far as cost, we did a 16 day self guided tour and stayed in hotels everynight, plus rental, plus airfare and we only spent around $5K. I thought that was a very good price. If you guys tent it even half of the time you should be able to keep the cost down.
We went to the Arctic Circle, we took an extra gallon of gas (gas can purchased at the Fairbanks Wally-Mart) but didn't need it. There were gas stops than I thought / read about. There is a burger joint a little North of the Yukon River, highly suggested! "Best burger North of the Yukon!" It's the stop after the river. Gas at the first stop, food at the second stop. The Dalton is bad in spots just take it easy! (there was a group of H-D dressers going from Dead Horse to Key West on some sort of fund raiser. Several of them got banged up on the Dalton.)
Our favorite stop was in McCarthy, AK. 60 miles from the nearest pavement, very little town, top shelf booze and GREAT salmon!
The trip to Dawson City, YT that Vagabond spoke of was awesome! Dawson City is a very neat place and (at least to me) as close to the "Old West" as you can get. Dirt roads, wood side walks, saloons, dance hall, very cool! I half expected to see Wyatt Earp!
Everyone we met was super cool. Very friendly and full of great info. The 24hrs of sunlight is wild and sort of hard to get get used to but most nights I was exhausted so it didn't much mater.
Have a great trip guys, be safe!
Tim
PS: a link to my ride report.
http://www.steelcityriders.com/forums/index.php?sh owtopic=2977&hl=alaska#topicoptions |
Vagabond
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 07:11 am: |
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Snub,
Great ride report and pics. Makes me want to go for a ride!!! |
Snub13
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 11:12 am: |
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I know!
Prior to posting that I re read the report......wow, did we have a great time. It really made me want to go back!
We covered alot of ground but there is still alot of stuff we missed.
Stinking bills!!
Tim |
Snub13
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 11:16 am: |
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Oh, one other thing I failed to mention. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the "everything costs more in Alaska" story didn't hold true.
Most of the prices were the same as home and gas was cheaper.
Tim |
Vagabond
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 07:55 pm: |
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Looking at those pictures of Chicken and the Taylor highway reminded me that it was -67 degrees F there about two weeks ago. Road is closed in the winter, only transportation is by airplane. Hardy people that live there, that's for sure! |
Crusty
| | Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 11:03 am: |
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A little something to whet the appetite
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Snub13
| | Posted on Friday, June 06, 2008 - 01:10 pm: |
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What's going on with you guys?
Nothing new for quite some time, it's hard to live vicariously without up-dates.....
Tim |
Buell_nm
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 08:38 pm: |
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If you all end up riding from Fairbanks down to Anchorage, stop off at Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn.
If it is still there, it's been a number of years since I drove Parks Hwy. |
T9r
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 10:32 pm: |
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As I was leafing through my Aerostich catalog at the end was a book about motorcycling to Alaska... a beautiful adventure. |
Iamike
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 10:01 pm: |
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I've been reading the ride reports on ADVrider and would love to go too. I'm just not sure that I could swing it next year. The reports would give you a good idea on what roads to take and issues you might encounter.
Last year a buddy with a new Uly was trying to get me to go but I passed on that one, but it sure got the juices going. His dad works with me and they built an auxilliary gas tank in the back section of the seat.
They went in early June and found out that that was a bit too early. I guess the Going to the Sun road in Glacier was still closed due to snow. It also rained a lot on them in AL. |
Skinstains
| | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2008 - 11:24 pm: |
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Holy smokes ! what a great thread. I have ordered a 2009 Uly and will be picking it up in December or January. I was thinking of taking a trip as well. I was gonna ride down to Daytona to pit for my friend "The Mutant" as he will be racing there. I haven't been there since 1986. I bet I'll hate it outside of the track. Anyway, after his races I was planning on going west to see a friend who just moved to Texas. From there I was thinking about seing another friend who moved to Arizona a long time ago. While there I figured I should check out The Grand Canyon. Being that close to the Pacific I would feel obligated to continue west to see it and ride north to, you guessed it Alaska. Then I figured I would head south east to Nova Scocia then south to home in Dirty Jersey. I hadn't even thought about "The Homecoming" I was planning on going solo but I wouldn't mind crossing paths with some other Buellers along the way. I will check back on this thread as more details become available. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 - 10:21 am: |
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My toe is in the water....
I like the idea of doing the factory tour for Homecoming, eat a brat and heading north. I couldn't take 30 days off from work but I could take a full week off plus Thursday and Friday of the week before departure..... This could be fun...
If I can get it past the wife... |
Rotorhead
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 06:53 pm: |
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This thread got stale.
It is the winter before so how many serious riders still thinking about his summer after Homecoming? I know the economy lately has many long distance summer rides put to the back burner but any Buellers going to take on this ride?
Mark,
Thanks for the deal on the 9 primary I got myself for Christmas.
(Message edited by rotorhead on December 22, 2008) |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 08:56 pm: |
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No prob on the Primary. just cleaning out the garage and recouping some $$ I have blown....
I wanna make this ride but the lack of funds is getting painful
Keeping my fingers crossed that business will turn around by summer.... |
Skinstains
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 07:56 pm: |
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I'm gonna do something epic this summer and I want it to include the south west and Alaska. Homecoming would be cool, when is it exactly ? |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 05:03 am: |
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Sounds like a good trip. I'll not be with you but I'll offer the benefit of my very extensive ferry experience.
You need to find out; how long it takes, how much it costs, what facilities there are, what other supplementary costs are you likely to incur.
I'd be very surprised if you're allowed to camp on deck, so check out cabin prices, also remember you're a captive market so food prices on board will be consequently higher.
I also find more than about 12hrs on board gets pretty boring, & on long crossings you all end up in the bar getting totally arseholed & making stupid promises you can't quite remember.
If the weather kicks up & you don't sail well it's miserable too as you can't get off! |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 10:16 pm: |
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Did this poop out? |
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