Inmates in Barrow?

[Solarmoose]

Originally Posted by richardak

No information on an ice road this year. Folks had heard that funding is available for a road this year but aren't sure whether construction has taken place or what the plans were.

I was in Barrow (for same reason you STILL have to go) in early Feb '07 and remember seeing open water in the ocean. Can't build an ice road on that...

[Sjaak]

Originally Posted by AKBeemer

I don't want to be overly negative, but I think this is an idea that is likely to go bad. I had some lengthy conversations with Sjaak about his ideas for over ice travel; at one point he was considering a ride to the Pole. Issues I see just off hand are: fissures and breaks in the ice, fuel consumption and problems starting an R1 engine in sub-zero temperatures. This would be a tough venture for a dog team and a dog team is far more versatile than a Yamaha R1. I wish him luck and perhaps he has all these issues worked out; if he pulls it off I will be first to congratulate him.

Fuel consumption and problems starting the bike I hope to have solved. You can read on my website how.
During the 2009 run up to Prudhoe Bay I learned a lot. Being on the bike in a face 3, I now think weather and temperature wise it is posible. Of course I don't know how good the ice will be when I get there. Also not how much luggage the bike can pull. But I plan to have 2 or if neccessary even 4 weeks in Barrow before I will start the ride. During that time I can test ride, do cold starts, sleep outsite and adjust if something does not work.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Sjaak

During that time I can test ride, do cold starts, sleep outsite and adjust if something does not work.

There's this one kind of predator up there that might be worth preparing a "plan B" for just in case. Not sure how much that thing merits consideration but they do have a history of tightly focused and unpleasant encounters with people up north.

[AKDuc]

Hello and welcome ADVnoob and good buddy Sjaak!

Yeah, the only thing I'm wondering about is the condition of the ice for traveling on.

I guess Polar Bears might be a cause for concern too.

Warmest regards, Mark H.

[Wheeldog]

Originally Posted by legion

There's this one kind of predator up there that might be worth preparing a "plan B" for just in case. Not sure how much that thing merits consideration but they do have a history of tightly focused and unpleasant encounters with people up north.

Kind of a new definition of "meals on wheels".......eh???

[Tom S]

[Sjaak]

Originally Posted by AKDuc

Hello and welcome ADVnoob and good buddy Sjaak!

Yeah, the only thing I'm wondering about is the condition of the ice for traveling on.

I guess Polar Bears might be a cause for concern too.

Warmest regards, Mark H.

I had hoped to be in Barrow arround now to check out the ice and also to talk with the locals about the best way to avoid meeting Polar Bears. Unfortunately that didn't happen. Because this information is so important to me I would like to get in contact with people that have been on the polar ice between Barrow and Inuvik.
Thanks all that reacted so far!
Sjaak

[Sjaak]

Originally Posted by Wheeldog

Kind of a new definition of "meals on wheels".......eh???

Anybody (who tast better then me) interested in joining me?

[CappyRidesAgain]

Make sure your equipment is contrasting colors so I can find your frozen ass in the snow. An EPIRB, some flares/smokes and a strobe would do you well too.

[jgrooms]

Plans are well underway. For example, Sjaak's got a new - used R1.

[jgrooms]

Sjaak's video intro to the Polar Ice Ride!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ClymerManuals?feature=mhee

I'll post up an 'official' thread where we'll add new videos and links to all the relevant sites.

[richardak]

I hear that an ice road will be put in this winter into Barrow as folks are already planning on bringing in some new vehicles. BTW, the road is made of ice but is not necessarily built on sea ice. In this case, it is a Rolagon trail that Barrow is connecting up to.

[Alaskahack]

I have a friend of mine that is coming to see me this month that did a completely solo assult of the ice road between inuvik and Tuktoyaktok last March, he's coming here to do a winter run up to Prudhoe. He's driving a 1200 GSA.

I'm not sure why they would even put a ice road in between Barrow and Inuvik certainly not some native corporation. State of Alaska can't even put a bridge across the inlet.

He must be talking about driving his R1 across the sea ice

[richardak]

Originally Posted by Alaskahack

I'm not sure why they would even put a ice road in between Barrow and Inuvik certainly not some native corporation. State of Alaska can't even put a bridge across the inlet.

Much of the ice road is a Rolagon trail and groups in Barrow, such as the native corporations, put in a ice road to intercept the Rolagon trail that was put in to support exploration and drilling activities in Prudhoe.

[Solarmoose]

I see on Sjaak's thread in Ride Reports that he has shipped equipment to
Anc. If there is an ice road (shore based, not on sea ice) put in between
Barrow and Prudhoe that gets him part way, what about from Prudhoe to
Inuvik? I recall seeing a lot of open water this time of year a few years back.
Is there enough ice to travel on? And on a two-wheeled vehicle?