| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerandy |
It has begun. | ||
| Mikej |
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| Corporatemonkey |
I have a question that hasn't been answered. What kind of traveling do you do? Camping? Motel 6? Ritz Carlton? This would really influence my interest in this. About as close as I get to camping is to steal my folks 45ft. bus.  | ||
| Akbuell |
Having driven from Skagway to the Wash border, and driven and ridden the route from Pr. Rupert to the Wash border, some administrative notes: 1. If you don't already have one, get a passport. Makes border crossing much easier, and probably will be required by next year, anyway. See your post office for forms/details/assistance. 2. Get a card or letter from your insurance company showing that your US bike insurance is valid in Canada. 3. Be sure to take your medical insurance card with you. While emergency medical assistance won't be a problem, anything else could be a hassle. 4. Lots (if not all) Canadian provinces have websites providing up-to-date road conditions and construction areas. 5. The Alcan is a major , paved, 2-lane roadway now w/an adequate number of fuel stops, restaurants, ect. 6. If your route allows, the Fraser river canyon, from Cache Creek to Hope, British Columbia ( Ca 1, the Trans-Canada Hwy) is worth including. | ||
| Buellerandy |
Hey Jamie, If one were to want a motel/hotel that works for me, even though I've been more prone to pitching tents in the past. I was actually figuring that if there were a bunch of sites in an area to see, we could just have a "home base" (hotel/motel) established and patrol out from there. I'm seriously open to anything and everything at the moment. As far as what everyone else prefers, please let the rest of us know  I still can't get over how excited I'm getting about this. | ||
| Buellerandy |
Thanks for the head check Dave. So a 5 gallon gas can would be a good thing to think about taking with? | ||
| Mikej |
Does anyone know what the Canadian laws are for carrying extra gas on a bike? I've used the aluminum camp cylinders, either pint or quart sized, to carry extra gas. The IronButt page probably has links or ideas about fuel cell options. Throw in a quart or two of oil as well, never know when you'll need it. | ||
| Buellerandy |
So is there anyone set against taking off in July after the homecoming? I'd like to try and decide on a date if possible seeing as how it'd be pretty hard for anything else to be planned this far in advance | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I'm a fan of tent camping... but motel's are mighty convenient. I wouldn't have a problem with either. I've heard many roads up there are not paved, and therefore Dual sport or Adventure bikes are perfered. I wouldn't want to hold you Uly guys up, or get stuck or something if I'm up there on my Cyclone. I'd love to have a Uly by then... but unless I run into some money and get my car paid off early, I don't see that happening. What do you guys think? | ||
| Mikej |
Group up, then separate for a bit, then regroup again. | ||
| Buellerandy |
From the people I've spoken to, the AlCan Hwy has been paved for some time and the bad roads to look out for are further North in Alaska. Something else that was brought to my attention was the summer solstice in June. I was kinda taken back by that idea. Either way I was thinking it'd be cool to either meet up at the Buell homecoming then take off or actually do Alaska first, then make it back in time for the homecoming...just a thought. | ||
| 2_spuds |
You guys will not be dissapointed,I went up there last year and had a blast.Here are a couple of pics... the beginning of the cassiar road..  the road into Valdez...  this was from the plane on the way to land on a glacier on Denali...  Ride Safe and enjoy! | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I've been more prone to pitching tents in the past. That's the downside of getting old...  On a serious note, seeing summer solstice sounds cool, as long as we weren't frozen to death by going early. I could be thinking of somewhere else, but isn't there a relatively low cost ferry that carries motorcycles? I remember reading an article somewhere about people being able to camp on the ships deck. I have always thought it would be cool to ride up, and "cruise" back. | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/Adventure/motocycl ing/ http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/TravelOptions/Rout es/ http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/Plan/Fares/index.h tml http://www.alaskaferry.com/sample_fares.shtml | ||
| Buellerandy |
Well, I'm definitely playing with the idea of getting to the northern tip. I've heard its a bit more treacherous but...so, I need to figure out if its a risk worth taking. The ferry idea works. Atleast we'd have more energy while we're up there. | ||
| Akbuell |
I'm not sure that carry-gas would be needed for most of the trip, unless you decide to try the haul road along the pipeline to get to the Arctic Circle. Go to the local bookstore and get a copy of The Milepost. Stated years ago when the Alcan was an adventure road, and is now a Very Good guide to the Alaska road system, and the British Columbia and Yukon road systems. Locations of fuel, food, lodging, fishing, places of interest, ect, ect. A wonderful planning guide, and take-along reference. | ||
| Crusty |
Total Est. Time: 75 hours, 49 minutes Total Est. Distance: 4464.99 miles 1: Start out going EAST on MILL ST toward CINEMA BLVD. 0.2 miles 2: Turn LEFT onto HAWS ST. 0.1 miles 3: Merge onto MA-2 E / GEORGE STANTON HWY toward BOSTON. 0.7 miles 4: Merge onto I-190 S via EXIT 33 toward LEOMINSTER / WORCESTER. 19.1 miles 5: Merge onto I-290 W toward AUBURN. 8.0 miles 6: Merge onto I-90 W via EXIT 7 (Portions toll) (Crossing into NEW YORK). 108.8 miles 7: Merge onto NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY W (Portions toll). 6.6 miles 8: Merge onto I-87 N / NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY N toward I-90 / ALBANY / BUFFALO (Portions toll). 15.2 miles 9: I-87 N / NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY N becomes I-90 W (Portions toll) (Passing through PENNSYLVANIA- then crossing into OHIO). 466.1 miles 10: Merge onto I-90 W via EXIT 170B toward TOLEDO (Portions toll) (Passing through INDIANA- then crossing into ILLINOIS). 350.3 miles 11: Keep LEFT to take I-90 W via EXIT 43B toward O'HARE / ROCKFORD (Portions toll) (Crossing into WISCONSIN). 226.9 miles 12: Take I-94 W toward EAU CLAIRE / ST PAUL (Crossing into MINNESOTA). 156.0 miles 13: Merge onto I-694 N. 30.5 miles 14: Merge onto I-94 W / US-52 N via EXIT 27 toward ST CLOUD (Crossing into NORTH DAKOTA). 220.0 miles 15: Merge onto I-29 N via EXIT 349B toward GRAND FORKS / AIRPORT (Crossing into *CANADA* MANITOBA). 154.5 miles 16: I-29 N becomes LORD SELKIRK HWY N. 58.2 miles 17: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 100 W / PERIMETER HWY / TRANS CANADA HWY W / WINNIPEG BYPS. 15.2 miles 18: Take the HWY-1 W / TRANS CANADA HWY WEST exit- EXIT 42B- toward BRANDON. 0.2 miles 19: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto PORTAGE AVE / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 1 W / RTE-85 W. Continue to follow TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 1 W. 53.3 miles 20: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT. 0.1 miles 21: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / TRANS CANADA HWY / YELLOWHEAD HWY. 71.7 miles 22: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 10 N / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W. 3.8 miles 23: Turn LEFT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / TRANS CANADA HWY / YELLOWHEAD HWY. Continue to follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / TRANS CANADA HWY (Crossing into SASKATCHEWAN). 141.7 miles 24: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 9 N / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W. 2.1 miles 25: Turn LEFT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / TRANS CANADA HWY / YELLOWHEAD HWY / YORK RD E. Continue to follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / TRANS CANADA HWY / YELLOWHEAD HWY. 103.0 miles 26: Turn RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 6 / CANAM HWY / TRANS CANADA HWY / YELLOWHEAD HWY. 3.2 miles 27: Turn LEFT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W. 92.7 miles 28: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W / CIRCLE DR toward AIRPORT. 2.8 miles 29: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W / CIRCLE DR E. 4.2 miles 30: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 11 N / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / IDYLWYLD DR N / TRANS CANADA HWY W / YELLOWHEAD HWY W / LOUIS RIEL TRL N toward HWY-12 N. 1.4 miles 31: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 16 W / TRANS CANADA HWY W toward THE BATTLEFORDS / EDMONTON (Crossing into ALBERTA). 349.8 miles 32: Take the HWY-43 N ramp toward WHITECOURT / GRANDE PRAIRIE / PEACE RIVER. 0.5 miles 33: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 43 W. 248.7 miles 34: Take the HWY-43 S ramp toward GRANDE PRAIRIE. 0.3 miles 35: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 S. 0.2 miles 36: PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 S becomes PROVINCIAL ROUTE 43 W / 100 ST. 2.8 miles 37: Turn RIGHT onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 43 W / 116 AVE. Continue to follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 43 W (Crossing into BRITISH COLUMBIA). 57.3 miles 38: PROVINCIAL ROUTE 43 W becomes PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2. 18.2 miles 39: Turn RIGHT onto 50 ST / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2. Continue to follow PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 N. 6.2 miles 40: Enter next roundabout and take 3rd exit onto ALASKA HWY E (Passing through YUKON TERRITORY- BRITISH COLUMBIA- YUKON TERRITORY- BRITISH COLUMBIA- YUKON TERRITORY- BRITISH COLUMBIA- YUKON TERRITORY- and BRITISH COLUMBIA- then crossing into YUKON TERRITORY). 968.9 miles 41: Turn RIGHT onto ALASKA HWY W / PROVINCIAL ROUTE 1 W. Continue to follow ALASKA HWY W (Crossing into *UNITED STATES* ALASKA). 398.2 miles 42: ALASKA HWY W becomes AK-2 N / RICHARDSON HWY / INTERSTATE A2 N. 94.5 miles 43: Turn LEFT onto AIRPORT WAY. 0.3 miles 44: Turn RIGHT onto CUSHMAN ST. 0.1 miles 45: Turn RIGHT onto 12TH AVE. <0.1 miles 46: End at Fairbanks, AK US Total Est. Time: 75 hours, 49 minutes Total Est. Distance: 4464.99 miles This is going to be a GREAT ride! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
bike is all set for Auxilary Tank carrying. I figure I am just as about ready as I am ever gonna be. Somebody just needs to buy my house and I am out. I could live out of a tent for a year or so, it would qualify as a midlife crisis for me | ||
| Crusty |
Mike F; I wouldn't be worried about riding an M2 to Alaska. People have ridden Gold Wings and Electra Glides to there and have made it without trouble. My wife is going to ride her Lightning long. I like both the idea of starting out after Homecoming, and the idea of being there for the Solstice and returning for Homecoming. Both have their appeal. I also like the idea of riding up to Alaska, and returning by ferry. That way, we get to see more and have different experiences. I think a mixture of camping and motels would be the most practical. Doesn't the H-D dealer in Fairbanks offer free camping? I seem to remember something about that from someone else's thread; maybe it was on ADVRider. We've got a year and a half to kick this around. I think it's going to be a memorable ride. | ||
| Buellerandy |
If anyone needs part numbers just let me know. I've been starting a list of things I'm going to be ordering extras of i.e. front, rear tires, belt. Basics. I was looking at Fairbank's website and didn't see anything about camping. As for leaving before or after homecoming, I think I'm leaning more towards before. The solstice idea has really got me. | ||
| Buellerandy |
Hey cityslicker, where'd you go for the auxilary fuel stuff? | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Moto USA posted an interesting article on riding the pipe http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?Ar ticleID=5551&Page=1 This a bit more than I would want to accomplish, but I know others will find it interesting. | ||
| Buellerandy |
I'll probably end up ordering that info and dvd. Sounds like $250 a day budget would be pretty solid. 7500 + ferry charge. Also looks like I'll be doing some tent pitching unless we all just room up to save money. I imagine a sleeping bag after 30 days of being up there would be just about ready for the garbage can anyways:P | ||
| Buell_virgin |
Hey, just wanted to let yall know that I've lived in Alaska, and going back there in a week after this deployment. So if you have any questions about alaska let me know and if I don't know the answer I'll find it. | ||
| Buellerandy |
saweet! | ||
| Buell_virgin |
Are you guys going through Canada or taking the ferry? Its a really long ride through the tundra if you come through Canada. The roads are alright, but you have to watch out for gravel, I've seen a lot of busted windshields on cars that come through. Fairbanks has camping spots, can't find a place in Alaska where you can't camp. Hotels will be expensive in the summer time. Let me know what you are looking for and I'll look around though. | ||
| Buellerandy |
We had been talking about riding through canada and then ferrying it back to see both sides of the coin. | ||
| Buell_virgin |
Cool, the trip to Seward isn't that bad from Anchorage area. It will be plenty warm in Alaska by July, probably call it hot by then. I think we have about 20 hours of daylight and 4 hours of dusk in Anchorage and longer daylight hours the further north you go. If you know the places to go camping you never have to pay for it in AK. Sounds like a pretty good plan in the making though. Where you plan on kicking this off from? | ||
| Buellerandy |
depends..we're kinda figuring that either way we'll want to make it in time for the homecoming. Either catch the summer solstice in June and end up at East Troy in July, or leave from homecoming and come back around August. But its still a ways off so I'm not sure if we want to wait until things get a little closer to finally decide. | ||
| Buell_virgin |
alright cool, actually don't even know where yall originate from. The thaw is usually around Late april, May. I might have to have my bike sent up from TN, was riding a buddies last year. The roads often times have a little valley in em, but its in the middle, so as long as you watch it you're good. |
