Virginia to Alaska and back on an '86 Yamaha Radian

[cleanair]

Enjoying the RR

[dcompson]

Sounds like your having a great time! I'm jealous.

[SloMo228]

Subscribed! I'm considering an Alaska trip next year, I'm looking forward to reading about your travels.

[ruffntuff]

Day Four:
May 24, 2012
Denver, CO – Longmont, CO: 40mi

After riding 1700 miles in three days it was nice to have a day with a friend to relax and run errands. First thing I did in the morning was search for motorcycle stores and went to Performance Cycle shop where I found Gerbing heated gloves to plug into the bike. The man there assured me they were waterproof but anyone that wears “waterproof” gear long enough knows nothing is really waterproof when fully tested in extreme elements.

I bought a cheap pair of rubber outer gloves for extra protection since the dish washing gloves I was carrying wouldn’t fit on top of them. That was another tip from an ADV inmate. It’s a great cheap way to waterproof your gloves but finding a pair large enough to fit over your leather ones is the hard part. Not to mention, pulling rubber over slightly damp leather is like trying to put on a wet bathing suit that’s too small. So I made sure the new ones I got were plenty big.

With a concern of running out of gas as I headed to more remote areas, I got a tip from a friend that an easy way to carry extra fuel is in a steel water canister. So after purchasing my fancy new gloves I rolled over to the gigantic, enormous, famous REI of Denver with three floors! Being the gear junkie that I am it was an adventurer’s paradise. I think I was in there for three hours but managed to only walk out with some smartwool socks and gel padded biker shorts for my bruised sit bones

After talking with some people there they convinced me putting gasoline in a canister made for water may not be a good idea as the fuel will probably be corrosive to the plastic lid. Last thing I wanted was fuel leaking all over the bike and riding down the highway like a rocket on fire.

I remembered both TooTallRacing and LongTallSally telling me about RotoPax, an awesome fuel container designed to be packed on a bike. I called LongTallSally knowing he was still in Denver and got him to meet me at the REI to help me go on a RotoPax hunt. We searched around and finally found a little store south of the city which was in the middle of nowhere. I bought a two gallon jug and we headed back to the house to figure out how to pack it on the bike. It fit just perfectly on top of my pack with a couple bungee cords.

With my errands complete I was anxious to get back on the road and make a few miles. I had a couple old friends to visit in Longmont and headed there for the night after saying my goodbyes in Denver. It was a beautiful day and I got my first sight of the Rockies. There’s something about seeing snow covered mountains peaking into blue sky that always touches my soul. This was not Kansas anymore. I was in high spirits thinking I was going to follow those mountains all the way to Alaska.

When I met my friends in Longmont we went into Boulder and found a nice pub. I had a juicy steak with some local beer and slept like a rock.



Plan: Follow the mountains to Fort Collins tomorrow to meet my cousin.

[sgio]

I am subscribed to this one. Thanks for taking the time to write up a ride report.
My first street bike was a Yamaha 1981 XJ650 Maxim. Looking forward to seeing how the Radian does!

[TooTallRacing]

Wow great ride report Anna! You have some writing skills.

We were glad to have had the opportunity to meet you and help you along the way. I knew shortly after meeting you that you would make it to Alaska. Anyone who can hike the entire Appalachian Trail can surely ride a motorcycle to Alaska.

So weird meeting LTS, especially in a campground in Missouri. He owns or at least used to own a BMW like mine. I remember reading his post about engine guards, and trips to Death Valley and Cabo. You might have meet the two tallest ADV riders in a single day.

Thanks for doing the RR, I know it's a lot of work and a PITA but lots of us are enjoying it.

The Yamaha sure looks good in the pictures heading up to Alaska, how does it look now?

[limeymike]

Flatlands out of the way, the good riding starts!

[ruffntuff]

Day 5:
May 25, 2012
Longmont – Fort Collins, CO: 85mi


It’s always nice to know a chef. Ian is an old friend of my brothers and an amazing head chef at a restaurant in Lyons. In the morning I woke up to the smell of smoked bacon, fried eggs and roasted coffee he prepared for his wife Kristen and me. There’s something about a good hardy breakfast that always hits the spot when traveling, especially since I tend to just eat trail-mix and jerky all day.

Ian headed off to work while Kristen and I went back into Boulder to the REI to get a few more things. I was going to be heading into the “unknown” soon with no planned contacts so I wanted to be sure I had everything I needed. I got a few backpacker meals and extra straps in case something fails and headed back to the house to pack up the bike.

Since I was only heading to Fort Collins for the night to see my cousins, Kristen and I decided to go for a hike in Roosevelt National Forest with their three dogs. I followed her on the bike to Lyons where we left it at Ian’s restaurant and drove up into the Rocky Mountains. It was a beautiful twisty road banked with rocky cliffs and evergreen forest. I was actually wishing I was on the bike for this fun road.








After enjoying some exercise near Button Rock Mountain we headed back to Lyons where we had an early dinner at Ian’s restaurant. The food was amazing of course.

With not far to go, I decided to take the road to Estes Park for a more scenic ride to Fort Collins. It was fun to be riding on a windy two lane road since the majority of my ride had been interstate until now. I followed 36 through the Roosevelt National Forest until I summited the edge of the forest overlooking Estes Lake, just at the base of Mt. Olympus. It was one of the most beautiful views I had seen causing me to slow down and take a deep breath.

As I descended into Estes Park I turned east onto 34 to follow the Big Thompson River through a steep, rocky, narrow canyon back to Fort Collins. I had fun leaning into the curves and feeling the weight of the bike as if it were part of me. It was an exciting technical ride so it took me a bit longer than anticipated. I made it to my cousin’s house just before dark and was happy to be visiting with family on my adventure.



Plan tomorrow: Get as far as you can into Wyoming.

[ruffntuff]

i dont understand why my pictures aren't working... :(

[MizzouRider]

The pics would be nice, but your narrative is very good. Thanks for staying with it. Looking forward to the "unknown" ahead.

[ruffntuff]

Originally Posted by ruffntuff

i dont understand why my pictures aren't working... :(

well now they are....damn computers.

[ruffntuff]

Originally Posted by TooTallRacing

Wow great ride report Anna! You have some writing skills.

We were glad to have had the opportunity to meet you and help you along the way. I knew shortly after meeting you that you would make it to Alaska. Anyone who can hike the entire Appalachian Trail can surely ride a motorcycle to Alaska.

So weird meeting LTS, especially in a campground in Missouri. He owns or at least used to own a BMW like mine. I remember reading his post about engine guards, and trips to Death Valley and Cabo. You might have meet the two tallest ADV riders in a single day.

Thanks for doing the RR, I know it's a lot of work and a PITA but lots of us are enjoying it.

The Yamaha sure looks good in the pictures heading up to Alaska, how does it look now?

Haha!...figures you would know LTS. He does still have the GS...same as yours. He calls it "The Pig". Got to go for a ride with him in CA when I was there. Will probably be in the report later ;) I'd like to see you guys stand back to back...definately the two tallest dudes I know. The Radian is still rockin' but beat as hell, not so shiny any more. I'll post pictures don't worry. :)

[ruffntuff]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

I was privileged enough to get to meet the hero of this story. It is truly amazing and defines what many have lost in the definition of being an Adventure Rider. It's not about farkles or box checking. It's about having an adventure and experiencing life in a more visceral manner than 99% of the rest of the population.

Oh yeah and of course...

[1marka]

Subscribed and looking forward to the rest of your ride report. Looks like it is going to be a good one!

[High Desert Rider]

Subscribed!

A friend just got his first bike: a 1987 Radian. He doesn't think its good for long distance rides and just uses it around town. I'm sending him a link to your RR!