First Ryde--Alaska-2014

[ARtraveler]

I got my first ryde on the Black Widow today. (4/5/14). This compares with a first ryde last year on 4/20/13.

She started up instantly after sleeping on the Battery Tender since 10/8/2013.

The temps were between 40 and 44 above and partly cloudy skies. It felt great being on the :ani29: again. Tonight, unfortunately mixed rain and snow is supposed to move in. They said we could get one to two inches. Upside--40's are coming back, so I am hoping that if the weather report is accurate, that any new snow will melt quickly. :yes::yes::yes:

 

[Topshotta]

Congratulations on getting your spyder out of deep sleep. It's been a while for you.

 

[SPYD3R]

HOMER

have you ever ridden rt. 1 to HOMER.....?
if YES.... then tell us about it, and provide pix.... lots n lots of pix... looks like a fantastic ride..... :yikes:
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: :clap: :yes:hyea::yes: :2thumbs:
Glad to hear that BW fired up; ready to go! :thumbup:

 

[grumpybob]

Snowed here this morning. Did not stay, still was a little depressing to see it coming down. Hopefully by 4/15 I can get a ride in. Hope you had a great ride.

 

[Dan McNally]

Going on a 240 miles ride on Saturday, 130 miles of which I'll be riding with 19 other Spyders! :yes:

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

I got my first ryde on the Black Widow today. (4/5/14). This compares with a first ryde last year on 4/20/13.

She started up instantly after sleeping on the Battery Tender since 10/8/2013.

The temps were between 40 and 44 above and partly cloudy skies. It felt great being on the :ani29: again. Tonight, unfortunately mixed rain and snow is supposed to move in. They said we could get one to two inches. Upside--40's are coming back, so I am hoping that if the weather report is accurate, that any new snow will melt quickly. :yes::yes::yes:

Glad to hear you got out....seriously you've had a better winter than we've had in Minnesota! We just got hit with a foot of snow this past Friday:yikes: At least at this time of year it disappears faster, sad thing is we still have lots of snow that hasn't melted hanging around so when we get these crazy spring snow storms they seem worse.
we just ride any ways if the roads are clear and dryish!
Enjoy your warmer weather.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Glad to hear that you were able to ride. We may hit 90 here by the end of next week but it was only in the low 70s today.

 

[Jeriatric]

:thumbup: :joke:

 

[ARtraveler]

have you ever ridden rt. 1 to HOMER.....?
if YES.... then tell us about it, and provide pix.... lots n lots of pix... looks like a fantastic ride..... :yikes:

Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

I have done the Homer ryde a few times. It is scenic except for the last 75 miles or so. The highway takes you down on the Kenai Penninsula (known for salmon fishing). You encounter hills, mountains, and ride along the Kenai river in spots, and beautiful vistas of Cook inlet.

When you get past the town of Soldotna, you get a beautiful view of Mt. Redoubt (a volcano) that last went off in the late 90's. Homer also has its local Volcano (Mt. Augustine) which went off about 5 years ago. Homer is famous for its "spit". About 7 miles long. Separating Katchemek Bay and Cook Inlet. A large, tidal, fish pond is there where you can catch world class salmon from the side of the road. The "spit" is populated with many shops that cater to the tourists from May-Sept.

There are several roads that go into the "hills" around Homer with breathtaking views of Katchemek Bay. Homer has a large harbor and is also known as the Halibut fishing capital of the world. Worth visiting for sure. About a 300 mile ride from Anchorage. A stop at the Salty Dog saloon is recommended. Check it out on the internet. It is an art community also. Some of the hippies found their way and stayed.

I have some labeled pictures of Katchemek Bay in my Alaska Album Rides 2013. I do have lots of pictures of Alaska. Been accumulating albums since 2009. If interested, please see my albums on my personal page. Make sure to click the more button to see the "hidden" ones. About 300 assorted Alaska pictures. Enjoy!

 

[ARtraveler]

Glad to hear you got out....seriously you've had a better winter than we've had in Minnesota! We just got hit with a foot of snow this past Friday:yikes: At least at this time of year it disappears faster, sad thing is we still have lots of snow that hasn't melted hanging around so when we get these crazy spring snow storms they seem worse.
we just ride any ways if the roads are clear and dryish!
Enjoy your warmer weather.

Weather update: we got lucky. No snow as predicted yesterday. I am going rydeing after NASCAR. :yes::yes::yes:

 

[SPYD3R]

THX

I have done the Homer ryde a few times. It is scenic except for the last 75 miles or so. The highway takes you down on the Kenai Penninsula (known for salmon fishing). You encounter hills, mountains, and ride along the Kenai river in spots, and beautiful vistas of Cook inlet.

When you get past the town of Soldotna, you get a beautiful view of Mt. Redoubt (a volcano) that last went off in the late 90's. Homer also has its local Volcano (Mt. Augustine) which went off about 5 years ago. Homer is famous for its "spit". About 7 miles long. Separating Katchemek Bay and Cook Inlet. A large, tidal, fish pond is there where you can catch world class salmon from the side of the road. The "spit" is populated with many shops that cater to the tourists from May-Sept.

There are several roads that go into the "hills" around Homer with breathtaking views of Katchemek Bay. Homer has a large harbor and is also known as the Halibut fishing capital of the world. Worth visiting for sure. About a 300 mile ride from Anchorage. A stop at the Salty Dog saloon is recommended. Check it out on the internet. It is an art community also. Some of the hippies found their way and stayed.

I have some labeled pictures of Katchemek Bay in my Alaska Album Rides 2013. I do have lots of pictures of Alaska. Been accumulating albums since 2009. If interested, please see my albums on my personal page. Make sure to click the more button to see the "hidden" ones. About 300 assorted Alaska pictures. Enjoy!

AKS;
THANK YOU SO MUCH............. AWESOME PIX......
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The pictures are awesome!!
NASCAR's in a rain delay... :gaah:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: The pictures are awesome!!
NASCAR's in a rain delay... :gaah:

Yep on the rain delay. I went out and put 80 more miles on BW. 49 degrees on the :spyder2: thermometer. May go out again later. :yes::yes::yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

Our weather is even looking good for tomorrow...
A ride into Town; to take care of the banking?

You betcha!!! :thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Really..!!!

well if you can ryde we should hear no more complaints...:roflblack: Really glad you got her out and she seemed to be you were both ready...:2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

Ryde when you can!
I could make another stupid joke about the Alaskan weather, but I won’t.

When you hit a swarm of black flies is it really like hitting a moose?

The black flies were worse in MN and we encountered them often when I went wilderness canoeing. I do not go to the tundra here though. :roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Quick Story...

Sonny-Boy and I were on our way to the hunting camp in Onchiota, NY
As we were going through Keene Valley, I decided to stop in this neat store called "The Mountaineer".
It's kind of a Yuppie haven; full of overpriced (WAY overpriced!) outdoor gear that is perfect for the nimrod who can be sold everything and anything!
Up near the check-out, they had a Display of Ben's 100 bug repellent.
Now; I knew that this was good stuff (100% DEET)
But I also knew that anything over 37% DEET concentrations had been outlawed by the "geniuses" in Albany...
So I picked up five bottles of it!
As I'm being checked-out; I asked the guy how he was able to sell it here in New York...
His answer:
"I lived in Alaska for 10 years. The bugs here; are WAY worse!"
I bought another bottle!! :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Quick Story...

Sonny-Boy and I were on our way to the hunting camp in Onchiota, NY
As we were going through Keene Valley, I decided to stop in this neat store called "The Mountaineer".
It's kind of a Yuppie haven; full of overpriced (WAY overpriced!) outdoor gear that is perfect for the nimrod who can be sold everything and anything!
Up near the check-out, they had a Display of Ben's 100 bug repellent.
Now; I knew that this was good stuff (100% DEET)
But I also knew that anything over 37% DEET concentrations had been outlawed by the "geniuses" in Albany...
So I picked up five bottles of it!
As I'm being checked-out; I asked the guy how he was able to sell it here in New York...
His answer:
"I lived in Alaska for 10 years. The bugs here; are WAY worse!"
I bought another bottle!! :thumbup:

True, true, and true. We also have those stores where the tourists end up with the "way overpriced" Alaska clothing and gear. You can spot the tourists a mile off--they are usually decked out in "designer" guide gear. They do look cool as they board the cruise boats and walk downtown Anchorage to hit the "souvenir" shops for things to take home.

When you need bug dope--only the best will do. Like the man said, the bugs are worse elsewhere, unless you are really going into the "wilds".