What are the pros/cons of living/riding in Alaska?

[RedShift42]

I must confess that Alaska's riding has been my biggest frustration since arriving a decade ago.

Thousands of miles from family?
High cost of living?
Limited luxuries & comforts?
Extraordinary travel expense & inconvenience to ...everywhere ?
Long dark winters?

Nope, nope, and nope. Not a problem
I love this place and deal with revel in those liabilities.

The one thing that really gets to me tho' is Alaska's limited riding-- the combination of short riding season and a lack of truly great roads*.
--Nomex underwear on--

Admittedly I'm a fair-weather rider nowadays. Many moons ago I churned my way solo thru a blizzard in MT's Targhee Pass; standing in a diner w/ my hands wrapped around a coffee pot, about as miserable as I can ever remember, I realized that I ride b/c it's fun and, when I ride in foul conditions it kills my enthusiasm for motorcycles in general.
So I'm bound by the Greatland's fair-weather constraints, which means riding far fewer miles/year than I'd like b/c I pretty much only go out in optimal conditions. But that's ok for now; tho' sometimes it's hard, it's a sacrifice I can live with to live up here and be an Alaskan.
My helmet is off to Jack, Mark, et al when I see pics of their sub-0 exploits (and I mean literally off-- completely off and locked away-- while I sit in front of the fire w/ a glass of egg nog) I do appreciate the badness-by-proxy I receive as an ADV rider for their forays into the frigid, but that kind of toughness is best left to them.

I have to add, I'm impressed by AK's riding community-- the characters and oddball hardware I encounter is a constant surprise-- I swear I'm the most boring of the bunch. There's no shortage of real riders here on the Kenai Pen, and I suspect it's the same throughout the state, even off the road system. There's curious bikes squirreled away more commonly than you'd suspect. Not a week goes by in summer that I don't meet another local w/ an old Enfield, Norton, BMW... guys w/ tales of cris-crossing the country on a 305cc or riding their '65 Triumph up the old Alcan.
So Guitarmy21b, even if you're not able to do all the riding you dream of, at least take comfort that you're surrounded by kindred souls, intriguing guys whose stories you could listen to for hours on end. And that counts for a lot, too.


-Eric.


*Yes, we have some of the this hemisphere's most scenic highways, but few are convenient to get to, they're hobbled by RV-driving septuagenarians, and, really, not epic riding roads.

[Fast Idle]

Yes all of the above speaks volumes of wisdom.(excellent post Alcan Rider). At the risk of getting mauled however I will say that one doesn't have to be limited to just one power sport. Alaska has playgrounds for all of the great power toys, land, sea and air. I thoroughly enjoy winter by getting out in it and not staying indoors. Snowmobiles (known as snow machines in Alaska) are another great passion of mine and can literally take you any where in the state. So while waiting for break-up (spring) we put lots of miles on very fast and very fun winter toys.

[guitarmy21b]

Wow, great replies from everyone...you've all made it really tempting. Maybe I'll show this thread to my girlfriend lol she's not too thrilled with the idea. She'd rather go to Hawaii.

[AKtracks]

Well, hell...if you're bringing a woman up here with you...what the hell are you waiting for. We're always interested in new prospects...uhhh...umm...I mean, meeting new and interesting people...yeah...that's it!

[guitarmy21b]

Originally Posted by AKtracks

Well, hell...if you're bringing a woman up here with you...what the hell are you waiting for. We're always interested in new prospects...uhhh...umm...I mean, meeting new and interesting people...yeah...that's it!

lol

Originally Posted by Fast Idle

Yes all of the above speaks volumes of wisdom.(excellent post Alcan Rider). At the risk of getting mauled however I will say that one doesn't have to be limited to just one power sport. Alaska has playgrounds for all of the great power toys, land, sea and air. I thoroughly enjoy winter by getting out in it and not staying indoors. Snowmobiles (known as snow machines in Alaska) are another great passion of mine and can literally take you any where in the state. So while waiting for break-up (spring) we put lots of miles on very fast and very fun winter toys.

That's part of the appeal for me too(riding snowmobiles). I think I'm gonna go ahead and lock it in as my #1 pick. There's no guarantee that I'll get it though. Ft Carson, CO is my 2nd choice.

[Alaskajeff]

Originally Posted by guitarmy21b

lol



That's part of the appeal for me too(riding snowmobiles). I think I'm gonna go ahead and lock it in as my #1 pick. There's no guarantee that I'll get it though. Ft Carson, CO is my 2nd choice.

[The Dick]

I am a dumb ass Canuck and if you miss the opportunity to go up to Alaska sponsored by the American Army and need to get explainded the advantages of riding up here, OH, did I fail to mention the Yukon right next door, then you need to go back to boot camp and get some nasty seargent slap you aside the head and hopefully you will wake up with some new sense!!!!

Just Sayin as Fite says

[Beezer]

there are no "pros".... well, only minor league. there are plenty of "cons"... mostly our politicians. we put some in jail, but apparently there is a waiting line so we are stuck with them

better stay home where it's warm

[nuttynu]

Pro- ones the best state to ride.

[AKDuc]

Originally Posted by nuttynu

Pro- ones the best state to ride.

DANG, and this coming from a young sportbike rider!

Oh, and I'm trying to restrain myself from commenting about the op's bring a gf.

Mark H.

[aklizzard]

ALASKA LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT

[K75STER]

DO IT! You won't regret it, you will however regret not doing it!
I was at Eielson for 3yrs '86-'89-should've never left.
As said, if you like the outdoors you'll like it. There's something to do in all of the seasons, you just have to go out and do it!
My first 3wks in state had 90 deg weather,(never saw that again) All three Thanksgivings were -30, My last winter we had a cold snap-stayed below -50 for 2 or 3 weeks before warming to above -50 the personal low I saw was -72 straight temp-no windchill thank God!

Originally Posted by AKtracks

Well, hell...if you're bringing a woman up here with you...what the hell are you waiting for. We're always interested in new prospects...uhhh...umm...I mean, meeting new and interesting people...yeah...that's it!

^^^^^^That's funny! I seem to remember a bumper sticker saying how "In Alaska you don't lose your Girlfriend-you lose your place in line!"