Alaska has arrived at the top of my list

[JKMSPYDER]

Alaska Trip

I would be interested in the Alaska ride next year but would be a little leery of riding my Spyder from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. From what I have seen of the road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay on the TV show "Ice Road Truckers", the road can be anything from gravel to mud. Is the group thinking of riding past Fairbanks or leaving the Spyders there and taking a guided tour? Just wondering.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I would be interested in the Alaska ride next year but would be a little leery of riding my Spyder from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. From what I have seen of the road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay on the TV show "Ice Road Truckers", the road can be anything from gravel to mud. Is the group thinking of riding past Fairbanks or leaving the Spyders there and taking a guided tour? Just wondering.

I also wouldn't ryde my Spyder north of Fairbanks. I don't think "the group" is thinking about it. I was just wondering out loud about going to see the Arctic Ocean. I posted in a previous post there are tours that take you there, but I'll have to see how my finances and time go. It's just something I'd like to do if I can afford it.

 

[ARtraveler]

I also wouldn't ryde my Spyder north of Fairbanks. I don't think "the group" is thinking about it. I was just wondering out loud about going to see the Arctic Ocean. I posted in a previous post there are tours that take you there, but I'll have to see how my finances and time go. It's just something I'd like to do if I can afford it.

There are a few paved roads that will allow you to do some driving North of Fairbanks. Chena Hot Springs Rd. is an example--lots of ups/downs and very steep--but neat to drive on and the Hot Springs are a neat destination.

I stay off the gravel roads where you have to go 100's of miles. IMO: Spyder not built for that kind of punishment. But--that's just me and my comfort zone. That is a personal call for all.

 

[ARtraveler]

In my research of riding the Alaska Highway, I tried to look up how some pros go about it. This is the only guided tour I found:
http://www.motoquest.com/guided-mot...a-washington-oregon-canada-alaska-22#included
I'm in no way suggesting we should hire anyone to lead us. But I wanted to find out about the pace, places to overnight, etc. This outfit's route takes what Milepost calls the "central access route" to the Alaska Highway, which starts in Dawson Creek, BC. I also goes right through Chelan, WA, which is our MurphyBrown's home!!!

I called one of the guides to learn more about how they handle the ride. He said everyone pretty much goes at their own pace. They all just get to the planned nightly stopping place. People who want to start early can do so. People who like to sleep in can do so and just arrive later. People who like to make scenic stops leave a little earlier, or take a little longer. The chase vehicle carries a spare bike, parts and tools, and follows behind everyone. They spend 2 nights in Whitehorse in order to take a side trip to Skagway and back.

I think after they arrive at the end of the ride, everyone is responsible for finding their own way home - flights, ferries, etc.

Anyway, food for thought. . . .

Our last trip--we stayed two nights in Whitehorse and did a day trip to Skagway and back. Very spectacular scenery over the Pass. Skagway will take you back about 150 years. We did the Westmark in Whitehorse and took in a musical show about the Gold Rush times--great entertainment.

 

[Showie]

Robin and I have talked about this a couple of times and are interested. Not real sure because of several factors. We have 1 big question! Is this a round trip ride or ride up and ferry back? Maybe you are nopr far enough along to have considered this yet. Again somewhat interested.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Robin and I have talked about this a couple of times and are interested. Not real sure because of several factors. We have 1 big question! Is this a round trip ride or ride up and ferry back? Maybe you are nopr far enough along to have considered this yet. Again somewhat interested.

That's been thought about, but haven't discussed it much. Also, after we get to Alaska, do we break up into smaller groups/individuals to see different sights, etc., then rally together for the trip back? Or what? I think if we need a chase vehicle going north on the Alcan, we'll need it on the way south, too. But that doesn't mean everyone must return that way.

More questions for discussion between now and then.

 

[ARtraveler]

We recently had visitors from California that drove the "Southern" route of the Alcan through BC. They encountered a lot of gravel roads and construction. They were in cages. That is no indicator of what the conditions will be next season though. Hopefully, all will be fixed up for your journey. The Milepost and Canadian road information will have the latest when 2015 spring comes around though.

 

[Rutherford spyder]

Alaska or Bust

Iam a new member but going to Alaska has been on my Bucket list for years, My wife said I could go cause she has to work for a couple more years. All she wants is for me to go fishing for Halibut and send some home to N.C.. If there is room Iam very interested Thanks

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Iam a new member but going to Alaska has been on my Bucket list for years, My wife said I could go cause she has to work for a couple more years. All she wants is for me to go fishing for Halibut and send some home to N.C.. If there is room Iam very interested Thanks

Room???? Of course there's room. It's Alaska!!!hyea:

 

[ARtraveler]

Iam a new member but going to Alaska has been on my Bucket list for years, My wife said I could go cause she has to work for a couple more years. All she wants is for me to go fishing for Halibut and send some home to N.C.. If there is room Iam very interested Thanks

Sounds like a destination ryde to Homer is in order.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Northern lights in Alaska!:clap:

 

[ARtraveler]

View attachment 93056

Northern lights in Alaska!:clap:

That is an exceptionally beautiful picture. I have seen the green and the red ones. The farther North you go, the better they get.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

AkSpyderMan . . . How cold can it be up there in July? I'm wondering if I need to invest in heated gear. Or would some thermal wear under my leathers be sufficient? :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

AkSpyderMan . . . How cold can it be up there in July? I'm wondering if I need to invest in heated gear. Or would some thermal wear under my leathers be sufficient? :dontknow:

Bring clothing for any type of weather. If you go North of Fairbanks to the ocean you can sometimes find snow in the passes.

July is usually our warmest month. This year, we had mostly high 60's and low 70's in the Anchorage area.

Heated gear is an added bonus--but I don't own any myself. For colder ryde days, We use Firstgear textiles with the winter liners in them, add a long sleeve sweater and you should be good down to 30 above--which I hope you won't see when your here. Thermal under the leathers is also a good idea for colder days.

Gloves: I carry fingerless, light weight, heavy and waterproof.

Hope this answers your questions.

 

[Phyllis]

i just placed you on the "Yes, interested" list. Stay tuned :yes:

Maybe i should change my travel plans for next year. Was planning on trip to Seattle, Wa, so why not change and go to Alaska. Would love to travel with other Spyders. Anyone want to meet up and head out.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I've been reading about Alaska history and just completed a book of essays & excerpts written before 1910. It's amazing what those early folks went through - both men and women.

I just received 2 more books that I'll start today. One of them reminds me of a book I had in Colorado, The Complete Guide to Motorcycling Colorado (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1884313922/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which gave info on all the good motorcycle roads - paved and unpaved - by Colorado region. It really helped me decide my route to and from the OE in Durango a couple months ago. One of my new books reminds me of that one and I wanted to recommend it to you all. It's The Adventurous Motorcyclist's Guide to Alaska (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982913125/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It has sections for each highway and includes information on lodging, camping, dining, and shopping for each section. The only thing I wish it had is an overview map, but from my study of Alaska maps so far, there aren't so many roads there anyway, so it should be easy to remember them. It is also geared to "adventure" motorcycles, not Spyders or tourers, but I think the info will be useful, none-the-less.

I'm looking forward to reading it, and thought you'd like to check it out.