Joe Slump's 2009 Alaska Thread

Here is the plan. Wish me luck! I'll attempt to keep you posted on the progress, offer you photos, and attempt to absorb all your collective wisdom.

I leave Friday, May 22.
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<o>May 22 Leave Fair Oaks, California, arrive in Salem Oregon -- 572 Miles</o>
<o>May 23 Cache Creek, British Columbia -- 489 Miles</o>
<o>May 24 Prince George, British Columbia -- 284 Miles</o>
<o>May 25 Fort Nelson, British Columbia -- 495 Miles</o>
<o>May 26 Whitehorse, Yukon Territory -- 586 Miles</o>
<o>May 27 Fairbanks, Alaska -- 600 Miles</o>
<o>May 28 Fairbanks, Alaska -- 0 Miles</o>
<o>May 29 Coldfoot, Alaska -- 256 Miles</o>
<o>May 30 Deadhorse, Alaska -- 243 Miles</o>
<o>May 31 Coldfoot, Alaska -- 243 Miles</o>
<o>June 01 Fairbanks, Alaska -- 257 Miles</o>
<o>June 02 Anchorage, Alaska -- 354 Miles</o>
<o>June 03 Tok, Alaska -- 316 Miles</o>
<o>June 04 Dawson, Yukon Territory -- 187 Miles</o>
<o>June 05 Whitehorse, Yukon Territory -- 333 Miles</o>
<o>June 06 Dease Lake, British Columbia -- 399 Miles</o>
<o>June 07 Prince Rupert, British Columbia -- 452 Miles</o>
<o>June 08 Prince George, British Columbia -- 455 Miles</o>
<o>June 09 Vancouver, British Columbia -- 485 Miles</o>
<o>June 10 Eugene, Oregon -- 434 Miles</o>
<o>June 11 Home -- 489 Miles</o>

Have a great trip Joe and post lots of pics

the 2006 BMW R1200 GS current odometer reading 16,104 Miles, brand new tires and just serviced.

Looks like a great plan.

One suggestion: You might consider punching past Fort Nelson and a little farther up the road to camp and relax at the Liard Hot Springs on the 25th. It wouldn't be all that much farther that day, it's on your route anyway, and that section was super fun for me - you'll like it.

Word of advice: Liard is BYOB. You've been warned!

Safe travels! Have fun!

The only thing better than having a good bike is having a great wife. To all you riders without a supportive wife, it sucks to be you. I love you Kathy!

Am I driving so fast that we can only see the blur?

To my fellow riders, I actually got up early this morning, and was on the road at 7:15 a.m. Fairly non descript ride today, up I5 from Sacramento to Centralia, Washington. Today's mileage 691.3 Miles.

This is me at 7:15 am.





Tomorrow's Goal is to make it to Prince George, British Columbia.




Here is Mount Shasta:

Looking forward to your trip reports
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<o> Ride safe</o>​

subscribed... i may be passing you early june in dawson/tok area :)
(i don't have a plan, just a departure date and general direction) :)

Left the Motel 6 in Centralia at 8:05 am and headed North to the border. After driving through Seattle (and traffic) I decided that crossing the border at Vancouver would not be so good, so I headed East. Northern Washington is beautiful and make a note to come back and spend some quallity beer drinking time in Everett.



Finally crossed the border at Huntingdon, but have no idea how I got there. I did have a nice conversation with the border control guard who had a number of questions about what i had in my bags.

After being delayed through Seattle and then at that border I headed north on Highway 1, which cut through a beautiful green valley. HIghway 9 gave way to Highway 97 as I continued my journey north.

Around 3pm, stopped for gas and asked for the best place in town to eat. I was referred up the road to the best Chinese food in the province. For the benefit of George, who couldn't make this trip, I stopped at this place to have lunch.




Here is the actual place. I got egg rolls and sweet and sour pork.

For my Harley friends, I must say that Highway 1 and 97 is the ultimate Harley (and Goldwing) ride. The highway consists of long sweeping turns and not very tight twisties. Over the course of the day I must have seen over 100 Harley Davidsons on this road.

Behind the Chinese Restaurant is a river and ravine. Directly across the ravine is an artist studio. I took this photo from 1000 yards away. The artwork is obviously very large.

The scenary changed many times over the course of the day. Here I found another half dome. And here are more views:

Finally got into Prince George around 10 pm. It was just getting dark. Finally tally, 13 hours and another 646.3 miles. Great weather, probably never got hotter than 75 or less than 45 F.

I also learned about loonies and doonies, and how much over the speed limit you get to go in kilometers.

I am now one day ahead of schedule.

Tomorrow -- Fort Nelson (Only 495 Miles!) or maybe Liard Hot Springs if I don't sleep too late. I'm thinking I'll be leaving after 10 as it is now past midnight and I am still amped up from the day's ride.

I wish I could of gone with you. Any problems with the bike? Seen any bears?

Great stuff so far, keep up with posting those pics!

Anthony

No internet on Sunday. Got into Whitehorse Monday Night (tuesday morning) after midnight and went right to bed. Two observations:

1. It doesn't get dark around here -- Sun went down behind the mountains at around 10 pm, but it never really got dark, so you can ride till midnight.

2. When you ride by yourself, you can drive all day! I'll post three days of pics after I get to Fairbanks, hopefully tonight.

I did get some bad news though. Check out the weather report for Deadhorse. If this does not change in the next couple of days, I may not be going swimming this year.


Today
May 26
Snow Shower
30°
27°
50%

Wed
May 27
Snow Shower
30°
25°
50%

Thu
May 28
Snow Shower
29°
27°
60%


Fri
May 29
Snow Shower
31°
27°
30%

Sat
May 30
Rain / Snow Showers
33°
28°
30%

Sun
May 31
Scattered Snow Showers
36°
30°
30%

Mon
Jun 1
Showers
34°
28°
30%

Tue
Jun 2
Mostly Cloudy
34°
30°
20%

Wed
Jun 3
Scattered Snow Showers
35°
30°
30%

Thu
Jun 4
Rain / Snow Showers
36°
31°
30%