Alaska Primer

[Alcan Rider]

Originally Posted by cybrdyke

It's HINEY. Unless you meant Heinie, as in short for Heineken, in which case I protest the freezing of it.

You have come, Sir, to the Alaska sub-forum, where we specialize in enlightening the unwashed, uneducated masses. See: Heinie.

[Dirt2Oil]

Alcan Rider,
Thanks for all the information on Alaska. I have been through Haul Road Chronicles, The Lure of the Dalton, and My Evening Rides. Your information is a gold mine for anyone planning a trip up there. A buddy and I are planning a trip up there in July 2013. I never want to wish my days away but after looking at all the amazing pictures you have posted I can't wait for 2013.
Thanks for all the material you contribute to ADVRider.
Cheers

[PistonPants]

An excellent write up on preparing to ride a motorcycle not just to Alaska but anywhere, really. If this information sinks in we may never see another 11 page thread on tire selections for Alaska. Basically what you're saying is that if your bike doesn't say the word 'Adventure' somewhere on the gas tank or body work, don't even attempt the trip.

Piston

[mpenner]

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

Learn to read – you won't need a GPS.

I was planning on bringing my GPS because it has a traffic receiver that helps me avoid rush hour traffic jams. Are you suggesting that I won't need that either?

Your primer was helpful, but I think that you left out some information, for instance:

1. How do Alaskans feel about Americans? Is it safe for Americans to travel to Alaska?
2. How long is my tourist visa good for if I enter Alaska with a US passport? Where is the US embassy in Alaska?
3. What language is spoken in Alaska? Where can I purchase a phrase book so that I can get help in an emergency, phrases like "Where can I get a latte?" In what languages are the road signs?
4. On what side of the road is it customary to drive in Alaska?
5. Is is safe to drink the water?
6. What is the exchange rate between US dollars and Alaskan money? Are there places to exchange money at the border crossing?
7. What vaccines should I get before traveling to Alaska?
8. When should I travel the Dalton in order to avoid rush hour traffic? Will the Starbucks along the highway be open during those hours?
9. Why doesn't Alaska stay on daylight savings time during the winter so that the days will be longer like they are in the summer?

These questions were inspired by a conversation that I had with a co-worker (who also rides) that went something like this:

Me: Did you hear that I am going to Alaska this summer?
Co-Worker: How are you going to get your bike there?
Me: I am going to ride it.
Co-Worker: You mean you can ride all the way there?
Me: Yes
Co-Worker: I did not think that there was any land connecting us to Alaska.
Me: Well, there is. It is a little place called Canada. Maybe you have not heard of it.

Seriously, I can't wait for this trip. I have had maps of Alaska plastered on my office walls for a couple of years. My original plan was to take a leave of absence for a couple of months next summer, but a couple of friends were coming up for D2D this summer for 30 days, so I am coming along with them. The difficult part of planning for this trip is deciding what parts of AK to leave out in the short time that we have.

I really appreciate how helpful and welcoming the Alaska residents are on this forum to us noob's and this primer and the other information on this site has been really helpful. I can't wait to meet those of you that are coming to D2D.

I do have one serious question. I have a map of the RS2477 trails in AK and have done a little research about them. Are any of these trails ridable or are they just a line on a map that does not really exist? Even if some of them are ridable, I assume that it would be on a much smaller bike than a V-Strom.

[friar mike]

One thing you have to understand about some of the electronic maps (like google earth ) is alot of the roads they show are not real there at all so don't be surprised if you decide to take a road thats on a map to find it's not really there. so much for technology.

[mpenner]

Originally Posted by friar mike

One thing you have to understand about some of the electronic maps (like google earth ) is alot of the roads they show are not real there at all so don't be surprised if you decide to take a road thats on a map to find it's not really there. so much for technology.

Yeah, I agree. I trust those maps about as far as I can throw them, but I am looking at an official Alaska DNR map entitled "State of Alaska RS2477 Trails", that was pulled off the GIS section of their website. The trails are all numbered, named and official looking, but may still just be lines on the map that do not really exist.

[Alcan Rider]

Originally Posted by mpenner

I was planning on bringing my GPS because it has a traffic receiver that helps me avoid rush hour traffic jams. Are you suggesting that I won't need that either?

You've heard of "Happy Hour"? One is expected to be happy due to being seated near libations rather than stuck in a traffic jam. One does not need a GPS to find such a friendly atmosphere in Alaska. Every other business entity is in the business of selling adult beverages.

Following is an attempt to rectify the earlier lack of useful knowledge:

Originally Posted by mpenner

Your primer was helpful, but I think that you left out some information, for instance:

1. How do Alaskans feel about Americans? Is it safe for Americans to travel to Alaska?

We tolerate them so long as they spend lots of money and stay just a short time. We are happy to assist in both goals. You will be safe as long as you still have funds. When those are gone, we will assist in your “escape”.

Originally Posted by mpenner

2. How long is my tourist visa good for if I enter Alaska with a US passport? Where is the US embassy in Alaska?

Until your money runs out. At the corner of Spenard Rd and Minnesota in Anchorage.

Originally Posted by mpenner

3. What language is spoken in Alaska? Where can I purchase a phrase book so that I can get help in an emergency, phrases like "Where can I get a latte?" In what languages are the road signs?

Green. We follow the principle that “money talks and b.s. walks.” PM me and I will provide an address to which you can mail a money order or cashier's check for the phrase book (which will be published upon receipt of sufficient funds). We have had to convert all the signs to English. When they were in Cyrillic our target shooters couldn't decide whether to dot the “i” on the top or the bottom.

Originally Posted by mpenner

4. On what side of the road is it customary to drive in Alaska?

Before or after the bars close? In larger cities, keep to the right on divided highways or you'll cause gridlock and miss the turn-off to the latte shop. In rural areas, in keeping with local custom, stay to the left on blind corners, preferably while passing another vehicle. As a general rule, one should use the lane with the smallest oncoming traffic.

Originally Posted by mpenner

5. Is is safe to drink the water?

Water? People drink water? Is there a lack of beer where you come from?

Originally Posted by mpenner

6. What is the exchange rate between US dollars and Alaskan money? Are there places to exchange money at the border crossing?

The exchange rate is favorable, i.e. from your hand to ours. (Revisit the answer to question #1.) If you let me know in advance what time you will be arriving at the border, I can make certain there is a table near Customs at which you can exchange your cash for Alaskan bills of various denominations. So you can recognize them, the ones will have a picture of Bill Eagan, the fifties will have Tony Knowles' likeness, and the hundred fifty dollar bills, the photoshopped picture of Sarah Palin in a bikini.

Originally Posted by mpenner

7. What vaccines should I get before traveling to Alaska?

One would be advised to ride up the Cassiar Highway and take the side trip to Hyder. At that lonely Alaskan outpost one can get “Hyderized” thereby being well prepared for the remainder of the trip. The other acceptable Port of Entry is Dawson City in the Yukon. Our neighbors in that fine city can perform the same procedure with the "Sour Toe Cocktail".

Originally Posted by mpenner

8. When should I travel the Dalton in order to avoid rush hour traffic? Will the Starbucks along the highway be open during those hours?

Between the hours of 0100 on November 4th and 2300 on March 10th. You will likely not see another rider during that time. You can stop in at the Hot Spot to see if they are open when you come through. Chances are, however, that they will not live up to their name.

Originally Posted by mpenner

9. Why doesn't Alaska stay on daylight savings time during the winter so that the days will be longer like they are in the summer?

After robbing entertaining tourists all summer, we need to get our rest.

Originally Posted by mpenner

I do have one serious question. I have a map of the RS2477 trails in AK and have done a little research about them. Are any of these trails ridable or are they just a line on a map that does not really exist? Even if some of them are ridable, I assume that it would be on a much smaller bike than a V-Strom.

An attempt at a serious reply: Most of those trails are going to be pretty swampy and virtually impassable to a two-wheeled vehicle, especially a larger, heavier one such as a dualsport.

RS2477, as applied to Alaska, “...broadly defines “highway” to include a “road, street, trail, walk, bridge, tunnel, drainage structure and other similar or related structure or facility, and right-of-way thereof.” A.S. 19.45.001(9) (1988)

What this means is that you have no guarantee that the trail showing on the map is passable by any other than a mountain goat. Alaska, even in the arid Arctic Coastal region, is swampy across much of its landscape. Trails are very limited, and trails that are suitable for travel on a motorcycle – even a dirtbike – are rare. Best to wait until you arrive here, then enlist the aid of locals to show you around or point you to trails that you might find enjoyable. As always, you'll be expected to pick up the tab for after ride refreshments.

[mpenner]

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

Following is an attempt to rectify the earlier lack of useful knowledge:

It is really hard to convince my boss that I am working extra hard to get caught up before I leave for AK when I am in my office laughing like an idiot.

[friar mike]

Originally Posted by mpenner

Yeah, I agree. I trust those maps about as far as I can throw them, but I am looking at an official Alaska DNR map entitled "State of Alaska RS2477 Trails", that was pulled off the GIS section of their website. The trails are all numbered, named and official looking, but may still just be lines on the map that do not really exist.

They show Talkeetna with a whole mess of roads on the other side of the river and a bridge that isn't there.

[HayDuchessLives]

Originally Posted by mpenner

Your primer was helpful, but I think that you left out some information, for instance:

1. How do Alaskans feel about Americans? Is it safe for Americans to travel to Alaska?
.........
9. Why doesn't Alaska stay on daylight savings time during the winter so that the days will be longer like they are in the summer?
blah blah blah-de-blah blah blah...

OMG, I love mpenner's response and list of questions. IMHO, he also oozes a lot of wit and I'm happy to see AlcanRider rose to the challenge of responding, oozing more of his amazing wit and brilliance. I would love to have lunch with these two characters to see, and hear, who can ooze the most wit. I'll bring hip waders (or huge bandaids) because I'm sure the doubly-oozing B.S. would become quite deep.

I don't have time to respond to any of the questions, but I love #9. I wish we had longer days during the winter so I wouldn't have to wear my headlamp as often when we're out playing in the mountains!

I'm glad people are reading and enjoying AlcanRider's RRs and viewing his photos and gleaning valuable info. He gets busy in the summer "escorting" riders to various places and he usually does this free of charge. In my case, however, he charges a very high fee: homemade fudge or blueberry banana bread. Therefore I spent a lot of time and money making him a custom sign, which I explained about in a thread - listed below the photo.



http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776317&page=2


If you're curious about what some of us do up here in the winter when we can't ride, read the whole thread. It's been hypothesized that the short hours of daylight help develop severe cases of cabin fever that can result in slightly goofy behavior. I have no idea what they're talking about, except... I will warn you in advance to NEVER EVER go snowshoeing with AlcanRider!

[Alcan Rider]

Originally Posted by Dirt2Oil

Alcan Rider,
Thanks for all the information on Alaska. I have been through Haul Road Chronicles, The Lure of the Dalton, and My Evening Rides. Your information is a gold mine for anyone planning a trip up there.

Thanks for all the material you contribute to ADVRider.
Cheers

Thank you. But in all honesty, the truth is that my posts are but a compendium of posts from inmates who actually know something. Through taking the information offered by the likes of (in no particular order) Friar Mike, KHuddy, Fighter, Legion, That Guy, Marbee 40, et al, rephrasing it and posting under my own nom de plume so as to give the false impression that I am knowledgeable in my own right, my own dubious reputation (aided and abetted by HayDuchessLives) is favorably enhanced.

As for photos – by simply aiming my cameras toward every point of the compass, shooting thousands upon thousands of photos, throwing away 99.99% of those scenes captured – even I have been able to luck into a good one or two.

[mpenner]

Originally Posted by HayDuchessLives

OMG, I love mpenner's response and list of questions. IMHO, he also oozes a lot of wit

I am learning so much from this thread! Apparently, there in Alaska you pronounce the letter "w" a bit differently than we do in Ohio. In Alaska, how will I be able to distinguish between when someone is saying the word "wine" from when they are saying "shine", since from your comment it seems that they would be pronounced exactly the same there?

I have really enjoyed the ride reports that you and Alcan Rider have done; particularly the one to the Kennicott Mine and McCarthy. That one has me really wanting to visit there, but I am struggling to squeeze it into a 30 day trip. I really hope to meet you and Alcan Rider at D2D this year, as well as some of the other characters that I have "met" from their ride reports.

[dbarnes180]

I love this country !

Riders on this forum are fantastic to help you planning your dream ride. Pay attention and enjoy their advice. I have been so blessed to ride in the Great State of Alaska (2009 and 2010) and will be going again. My next trip will be in just a few weeks. This time in a vintage 1985 E350 Class C (that I have been working on for over 14 months...lol.) carrying a little Nighthawk 250 on the back end for fun ! Both my wife and I are retired now and this trip will be an extended journey of fun and exploring.

take care , David Barnes

[akrider]

Yous guys (and gals) are really entertaining. Jack you really need to publish this stuff. It's all too good to languish here on ADVRIDER only.

[HayDuchessLives]

Originally Posted by mpenner

I am learning so much from this thread! Apparently, there in Alaska you pronounce the letter "w" a bit differently than we do in Ohio. In Alaska, how will I be able to distinguish between when someone is saying the word "wine" from when they are saying "shine", since from your comment it seems that they would be pronounced exactly the same there?

I have really enjoyed the ride reports that you and Alcan Rider have done; particularly the one to the Kennicott Mine and McCarthy. That one has me really wanting to visit there, but I am struggling to squeeze it into a 30 day trip. I really hope to meet you and Alcan Rider at D2D this year, as well as some of the other characters that I have "met" from their ride reports.

I have to admit that you got me with your astute analogy as I couldn't figure out what you meant. Wine - shine - WTH??? It went right over my head. Then when I figured out you were referring to "shit" and "wit," I had to chuckle. I kind of like the sound of "shit wit" better than dim wit or nit wit. However, I was raised to respect my elders and Alcan Rider is EXTREMELY elderly so I could never directly refer to him as an oozing "shit wit" as that would be disrespectful. However, after seeing the photo he posted of me in the Haul Road Chronicles thread, where I'm having an extremely bad hair day (I look like an unkempt muddy waif that nobody would want to drag home ), I can think of a few choice adjectives....

I'm not going to D2D as my lovely DR and I have a wild and possibly crazy ADVenture planned starting the following week, heading up north, exploring new territory. But, I may see you if you get near Anchorage, and I promise I'll comb my hair.

P.S. Now I'll be thinking of other phrases that rhyme with shit wit; thanks a lot.