...and the radio played...Alaska

[AntWare]

Monday 02/08/04

I was looking for a place to use as a base for a couple of days but this isn't it. After a bowl of oatmeal and my morning caffiene fix I break camp and start to repack the bike.

I try to keep the cooking side of things as clean as possible. I usually carry powdered soups and pot noodles as well as packets of oatmeal and bread. I'm not much of a morning person, jack with me before my morning java, I'll sit up in bed while my head does a 360 around my neck whilst projectile vomitting like Linda Blair in The Excorcist.
As far as my morning cup of java goes, I take instant coffee (Nescafe Mountain Blend), and premix it with sugar and flavoured powdered milk (Irish cream usually...It's like Baileys without the buzz) before I leave home...so voila, add water and you're done.
All I use the pan for is boiling water, so all that needs to be cleaned is the cup I drank from. I carry a 3 litre camelback that holds more than enough water to cook, clean, wash, and clean my teeth with.

The public are only allowed to drive about 15 miles down the park road. Beyond that you have to take a National Park bus to the various trail heads. Not wanting to be herded about with another hundred head of cattle to be dipped & tagged only to end up with a sad case of mad cow disease, I ride the KTM in as far as Savage River and turn around. There are a couple of somewhat primative campgrounds down the Park Road but the spots are limited, so come early. Planning ahead could save you the aggrevation of spending the night with the "who said we couldn't bring the kitchen sink" brigade and their noisy arse generators...god forbid they should miss an episode of Friends whilst in the midst of some of the most majestic scenery on the planet

There's a post office in the park so I grab a few appropriately touristy type postcards and mail them off to family & friends in Blighty. There's nothing like sending postcards of monsterous snarling Grizzlies to yer mum with "Hi mum, camping is great, wish you were here" scrawled on the back

(Get ready Fighter, It's time for your cameo)

Returning to the bike to find a couple of lurkers isn't unusual, but little did I know, I was in the company of greatness. Advriders own Fighter, head Gruver and starter of the Dust To Dawson ride along with his Kiwi running mate were hanging around the car park apparently moonlighting as respectable upstanding citizens, whilst duping tourists out of their hard earned currancy...good onya mate

After milking him for all the local knowledge I could we went our seperate ways, he had places to go and people to do. Brief though it was, genuinely glad to meet you mate, here's to ya

Before leaving the park completely I make another pass through the visitors centre to grab a more detailed map when I bump into Tiria (?sp), a native girl on a BMW F650. I'll be looking for a tyre before too long and she gives me the name and address of a "must see" BMW dealer in Fairbanks "he's a cantankerous old bastard, but he's the best in town." With that we say our goodbyes and head off in opposite directions.


Into The Wilderness...Fairbanks No.142

I've always had a fascination with human survival stories. It's amazing what the human mind and body can endure when it has to. Of course, the question we're left pondering upon hearing these epics is,
"could I ?...I mean really...if I had to"




...too be continued...

[Fighter]

"company of greatness"

Adubya... are you sure there's nothin' in that special coffee you're brewing?
Thanks for the compliment. You don't know how jealous I was to meet you and see that 950 all packed up and ready to roll. Had I not just returned from "Spokannonball '04" I would have saddled up Big Bird and run with you awhile.
I'm really enjoying your pictures, along with the excellent commentary. It's great to see how others view this magnificent place we call home. Next time you head North...plan your trip to coincide with the "Dust To Dawson" Run

OBTW... That "tourist" thing is just a seasonal gig that pays for tires/fuel/ and good prime rib. Keep the stories rolling.

[simonm]

68,000 voices:

roooooooonay, roooooooonay, roooooooonay,

Awesome report ant.

[AntWare]

Originally Posted by Fighter

OBTW... That "tourist" thing is just a seasonal gig that pays for tires/fuel/ and good prime rib. Keep the stories rolling.

your reputation spreads far and wide my friend I met some folks on bikes in the Yukon that knew you and had very good things to say about you as well as telling your real gig.

[AntWare]

Originally Posted by simonm

68,000 voices:

roooooooonay, roooooooonay, roooooooonay,

Awesome report ant.

Smithy Fer England


...thanks mate

[Fighter]

Originally Posted by Ant Ware

your reputation spreads far and wide my friend I met some folks on bikes in the Yukon that knew you and had very good things to say about you as well as telling your real gig.

My real gig???
You mean my other job???

Somebody's got to oil all of those drawbridges.

[akrider]

Dear Ant:

After meeting Fighter have you revised you opinion of teachers?

[AntWare]

Originally Posted by akrider

Dear Ant:

After meeting Fighter have you revised you opinion of teachers?

your kidding right


OK, I just re-read your comment, and with the lack of smilies maybe I'm taking it out of context so maybe I need to clarify a little...the lads & lasses I whiled away my time with on the boat, well, you couldn't hope to meet a nicer bunch of folks. Down to earth, great sense of humour, anything for a laugh, witty & intelligent, albeit with a bit of a wild streak, so lets just say they had some pretty wild story's to tell.

I was more alluding to the fact that knowing what I now know, I'm not sure I'd want my kids being taught by these bunch of reprobates ...the whole comment was of course made tongue-in-cheek

I was by no means trying to insinuate they were unfit to teach.

Sorry for any confusion caused

[slowbike smallpenis]

Originally Posted by Ant Ware

That's the return leg, stop trying to spoil the plot yer tosser

You have me confused with Oscar ya prat

[AntWare]

Originally Posted by slowbike smallpenis

You have me confused with Oscar ya prat

Sorry mate, so I do, but I'm sure you understand...it's an easy mistake to make

[slowbike smallpenis]

Originally Posted by Ant Ware

Into The Wilderness...Fairbanks No.142

I've always had a fascination with human survival stories. It's amazing what the human mind and body can endure when it has to. Of course, the question we're left pondering upon hearing these epics is,
"could I ?...I mean really...if I had to"


...

Did you find the bus?

[AntWare]

Originally Posted by slowbike smallpenis

Did you find the bus?

[slowbike smallpenis]

Originally Posted by Ant Ware

I am now jealous

[Katoomer]

Way to go Ant! Appreciate you taking the time to "let the adrenaline subside" long enough to take those awesome pics. Sometimes I get in a groove and can't or won't slow down long enough to photo-document the journey. Great narrative.....who ever said this was better than reading a book earlier in the thread was right on.

Glad you enjoyed your trip north. Would like to see you on a our Dust to Dawson ride next June. Might have to bring my Katoomer next year. Seeing more and more of the orange (and black) bikes around.

Thanks Fite for posting the link in the Over the Top.......glad I took a look at what this bloke was goin on about.

[MooseKiller]

Ant,

What a great post! I am relatively new to ADVrider, so I am working through all these threads, and I just love your Alaskan adventure... I have lived here on and off since 1978 having made the original trip up here on the Malaspina myself. I have been to Juneau and Sitka in the past 5 years, and driven the Alcan (In a cage, albeit a BMW cage), but it is wonderful to see this amazing state through the eyes of someone who doesn't live here. It reminds us of exactly how amazing this land is. Thank you for telling this story! I can't wait to see more of it on two wheels myself!

Keep riding!