Would you like to plan a trip to Alaska?

[The_Spyderwoman]

We had our MidAmerica Spyder Ryders BBQ yesterday and one of our members is interested in taking a trip to Alaska next year.

Nice easy ride...not an endurance ride at all.

Any one interested in making a trip to Alaska with a fellow Spyder Ryder?

:dontknow:

 

[Some Guy]

Well...living here in Michigan...I say the only time to ryde to Alaska is during the warmer weather...like January! :roflblack: :roflblack: :roflblack:

Don't worry...unlike "someone" we know, I'll wear my helmet! :thumbup:

 

[The_Spyderwoman]

:roflblack::trike:

You are toooo funny!:clap:

I would imagine anytime next year is available!!

 

[NancysToy]

I have not traveled to Alaska, although several of my friends have. From what I hear, there is no such thing as an "easy trip". First of all, many of the roads that must be traveled are not paved. This is a problem for the Spyder with its low ground clearance. This is also not a machine a solo rider pushes out of a deep muddy ruts alone. Another major hurdle is the relative lack of fuel stops along the way. With the Spyder's low fuel mileage and relatively small range, an auxiliary fuel supply would be a must. I am not trying to discourage this trip. There have been Spyders that have successfully traveled to Alaska, and trike conversions, too. Even motorcycle pulling trailers. It is certainly possible. All I am saying is that is will be a rigorous journey that will require very careful planning. A number of possible pitfalls have to be anticipated and prepared for. If I were going, the first thing I would do would be to talk to several local riders who had done the trip on motorcycles. I also would make plans to ride along with someone else for support.

 

[The_Spyderwoman]

Thanks so much!! That's some great information and suggestions. I will make sure to pass it along!:2thumbs:

 

[Bersquack]

I would agree with Scotty. This trip does not appear to be for the weak. I would not do it unless I am with a very experienced rider.

From where I live it would be 4 days of 900 miles per day. It sounds like a lot of fun, but if I take vacation for something like that next summer that means very few other vacations next year and possibly no Gatlinburg.

But just doing it probably gives you bragging rights for years to come.

Keep posting about your plan and who knows, I may be convinced.

 

[tjfischer]

I say just do it. I doesn't matter how well you plan. The very common "AH *#$@" can always happen. Just be adventureous and enjoy the ride.

You can deal with whatever happens along the way.

 

[Firefly]

Well...living here in Michigan...I say the only time to ryde to Alaska is during the warmer weather...like January! :roflblack: :roflblack: :roflblack:

Don't worry...unlike "someone" we know, I'll wear my helmet! :thumbup:

According the them thar internets--- Alaska doesn't require helmets for 21 and up......


Trust me---- I read it online !:roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

I say just do it. I doesn't matter how well you plan. The very common "AH *#$@" can always happen. Just be adventureous and enjoy the ride.

You can deal with whatever happens along the way.

In most cases I would tend to agree with you, but a trip in the wilderness can kill you if something happens, especially in a part of the continent with large animals and carnivores. A friend hit a bbison making this trip and could have died if not for traveling companions with first aid training and a sattelite phone. You don't simply pick up the cell phone and call for help in places like this, and on many roads other traffic may not happen along for days. Planning and preparation is the key to surviving...the "Oh, *#$@" incidents are a given.

 

[jrl.spyder]

Alaska via Calgary and Vancouver

I have done some trip planning for a ride that starts in Calgary, travels up thru Banff, the Canadian Rockies, to Prince George, then on to Ketchikan (just into Alaska). The return comes back to Prince George, then Southwest to Vancouver. That portion of the trip is 1800-2000 miles, and is paved. Gas stops are available with good planning. I think this portion of such a trip is 5-6 days at a leisurely pace.

I may start and return this trip from Tucson and include some Nat'l parks on the way up, and some northern California coast on the return which would add another 3-4000 miles...so I would plan allow 3 weeks to a month to fully enjoy all that could be done on such a trip.

I have used MS Streets and Trips software for a lot of my trip planning, but Garmins mapsource will work well too.

Could be a great summer 2010 plan

 

[bjt]

Two of our Michigan Spyder owners made a trip to Alaska this summer. Duane and Lowell Kruzinski took about a month, rode a long southern route out to the LA Spyder owners event, then went from there to Alaska. Duane was pulling a Bushtec trailer so I'm not sure what or how much extra "emergency" supplies they took. Duane and I have the same dealer and the service manager told me that they made it just fine though they commented that there weren't many paved roads up there. I was invited to go on the trip but I couldn't afford to take a month off of work.

 

[NancysToy]

I have done some trip planning for a ride that starts in Calgary, travels up thru Banff, the Canadian Rockies, to Prince George, then on to Ketchikan (just into Alaska). The return comes back to Prince George, then Southwest to Vancouver. That portion of the trip is 1800-2000 miles, and is paved. Gas stops are available with good planning. I think this portion of such a trip is 5-6 days at a leisurely pace.

I may start and return this trip from Tucson and include some Nat'l parks on the way up, and some northern California coast on the return which would add another 3-4000 miles...so I would plan allow 3 weeks to a month to fully enjoy all that could be done on such a trip.

I have used MS Streets and Trips software for a lot of my trip planning, but Garmins mapsource will work well too.

Could be a great summer 2010 plan

I have known many that made the Alaska journey, but none that ever found paved roads for the entire journey. I would be very interested in the details of your proposed route.

 

[Bersquack]

I do not want to hijack this thread, but I was also considering an "Old Route 66" trip next summer. Leaving from Chicago where it all started, all the way to California. If anybody is interested let me know and we can start another thread.

 

[tjfischer]

I have known many that made the Alaska journey, but none that ever found paved roads for the entire journey. I would be very interested in the details of your proposed route.

I understand that the State of Alaska has paved many of the major roads over the past couple of years.

 

[SpyderGirl]

I'd love to take a ride up to Alaska. Sounds like fun! Not for a while though.... still recovering from my 6200 mile trip last month.

 

[jrl.spyder]

Alaska roads

Perhaps to clarify...


my route is primarily in Canada, along Rte 16 westbound all the way to Prince Rupert..and then a ferry to Ketchikan. So there is very little riding in Alaska's wilderness areas where the unpaved roads are prevalent. Just want to get those 3 wheels on Alaskan soil . The return goes eastbound on 16 to Prince George, then South on Rte 97.

I'm sure that trips further north in Alaska (Denali, etc.), would be much more challenging

 

[mdr]

As another option, ryders might be able to hook up with a touring company. I wanted to do a dual sport adventure in AK last summer, but was traveling too much to make it happen. It would be a blast to do the trip on a Spyder. I believe the company I posted below has someone following in a van in case of a mechanical or other emergency. Maybe we could get a Spyder discount if enough of us were interested? I've posted the website of the company in AK I was considering, and a description of one of their 8-day trips.

http://www.akrider.com/

Highlights:
-Ride Past Mt. McKinley, North America’s Tallest Mountain.
-Flight-see around Mt. McKinley
-Ride into Denali National Park
-Cross the Alaska Range twice!
-Explore Fairbanks and surrounding Gold Rush Historic areas
-Ride to the Arctic Circle
-Soak in the Natural Hot Springs at Chena
-Ride past Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest N. P. in the USA
-Ride Thompson Pass, one of the most scenic rides in the World!
-Walk on a Glacier
-Visit the scenic fishing town of Valdez
-Ride the Glenn Highway, one of the top ten scenic rides in North America
-Ride a late model BMW through Alaska!!

This 1100 mile ride is 100% paved and makes a large circle through the south-central part of Alaska. This tour offers the rider the opportunity to experience the diverse areas of Alaska: both coastal and interior. You will ride past the tallest mountains on the continent, visit historical gold rush areas, and ride the epic Thompson Pass in and out of the quaint fishing town of Valdez, Alaska. There will also be the opportunity for the more adventurous to ride to the Arctic Circle! In seven days of riding, you will experience more of Alaska than most Alaskans!

 

[tatt2r]

im waitnig for the hawaii trip

 

[Recluze]

I am willing to go to Alaska one way or the other. I am not going to ride 900 miles a day though. "It's the journey not the end".

So keep me informed of plans to either go on our own or to book a guided tour as I am 'in' one way or the other.

And, yes I am planning a trip to Hawaii, Hawaii. If anyone is interested, please get in touch. It would be expensive to ship the bike and even the Big Island is not that big.

 

[The_Spyderwoman]

We had our MidAmerica Spyder Ryders BBQ yesterday and one of our members is interested in taking a trip to Alaska next year.

Nice easy ride...not an endurance ride at all.

Any one interested in making a trip to Alaska with a fellow Spyder Ryder?

:dontknow:

I just spoke with bmw, who is the person interested in making this trip to Alaska. He's registering into Spyderlovers and may respond soon.:2thumbs::clap: