Alaska 2016

[101stpathfinder]

Did about 50 miles of gravel yesterday on Yukon 1. Some was just about as good as pavement and some was the worst I have ever ridden. Slick, wet, deep gravel, huge side winds and hail.

You'll shoot your eye out on that dastardly gravel.

 

[Niehart]

Did about 50 miles of gravel yesterday on Yukon 1. Some was just about as good as pavement and some was the worst I have ever ridden. Slick, wet, deep gravel, huge side winds and hail.

Dislike ..

 

[rushes]

Did about 50 miles of gravel yesterday on Yukon 1. Some was just about as good as pavement and some was the worst I have ever ridden. Slick, wet, deep gravel, huge side winds and hail.

Dislike ..

No, that's what makes adventures, adventures...

 

[Auburn]

We used the word adventure a few times yesterday.

 

[Auburn]

In North Pole having lunch.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

So...someone should ask Bryan about how his trailer needed saving and how his travel companions did some saving.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Sounds like the **Adventure** is in full swing! Glad y'all safely made it to Fairbanks.

Bryan - true confessions time??

--G

 

[Fontanaman]

So...someone should ask Bryan about how his trailer needed saving and how his travel companions did some saving.

Ok I will bite: Bryan did the trailer need saving and how did your companions save the trailer?

As a new trailer tower I want to know what mistakes to avoid.

 

[Niehart]

The traveling show is leaving Fairbanks and heading south towards Anchorage and points south.

 

[UberKul]

They have a good chance of seeing McKinley today and maybe tomorrow. Here's hoping you get a good view because it looks pretty sketchy the rest of the week.

 

[Auburn]

G. We had a wheel bearing fail on the trailer. We changed wheels in about 5 min and were on our way. Took longer to dig out the wrench then anything else. I am carrying two sets of wheel bearings. Plan to find a shop tomorrow to press in the new ones so weave a spare wheel again.

The "adventure" has been great, we have been prepared for each one so far.

Great day in Denali NP today we got there early enough to seethe mountain today, but it clouded in this afternoon.

Wifi still limited, so no pics to post yet.

By the way Sprint roaming cell service sucks up here. Dave's Verizon service has been very good by comparison

 

[Hudson]

Wait till Dave gets his Verizon bill.....

 

[redneckj]

Bryan, I got connections at shops in Anchorage and Wasilla. Let me know if you need a place to do some wrenching.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Deleted soup sandwich post.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I made the trip to Alaska and back as a kid with my dad and grandpa in 85. Back then we took a spare everything and two full tires and wheels, used both plus a repair. Fixed radiators twice and a leaf spring.

In 2016, the trip is much easier. But...it is still long, parts of the road do shake things loose, and on top of all that...the regular old stuff happens. So...bring one of everything and maybe a couple of some things.

Bryan packed a full set of tires. I carried a full trailer spare already assembled. We both have tubes, he has bearings, three of us have full tool sets, I have electronic manuals for everything on a kindle reader, etc. We have way more than this stashed on the bikes and in the trailersame like tire repair, electrical stuff...

Also...I recommend a travel buddy on a trip like this for so many reasons. Remote travel, moral support, help, extra eyes. Reamer 2 noticed the trailer wheel flopping before it departed for destinations unknown...only a travel buddy would have noticed.

Last...consider trip insurance. Medjet, maybe goodsams, maybe regular trip insurance. We all know why we need insurance so don't overlook it in your planning.

There...my only preachy post of 2016. Probably.

 

[majicmaker]

Beamer, we are cut from the same cloth. We think a like. On a road trip, I plan for all of the "what ifs". Everybody makes fun of me until something goes wrong and I'm the only one in the group that has what's needed. I love when that happens! :yes:

 

[mcatrophy]

Beamer, we are cut from the same cloth. We think a like. On a road trip, I plan for all of the "what ifs". Everybody makes fun of me until something goes wrong and I'm the only one in the group that has what's needed. I love when that happens!

Although I've never done a trip like this, I've got that reputation. I'm accused of having an electron microscope and a Hadron Collider in my side bags. I've not quite got those, but I usually carry enough to fix anything loose or damaged. Amazing how often my tools have helped other people's bikes. Never needed them for my bike. Except for the episode with some wind, then I used hex keys and duct tape to hold my broken mirror in place.

Funny thing is, a group of about 6 or 7 of us were in a fuel station. Woman comes up to me, "Have you got something to help me undo this tyre valve cap?" How did she know, of all the bikes there, that mine was the one with the tools? (And, yes, it was on extremely tightly.)

Anyway, good to know repairs were successful, it could so easily have spoilt the trip.

 

[majicmaker]

Same here, Mc. I lost count of how many flat tire repairs I've done on the road for other people. What makes me laugh the most is when they say, ok! You plugged the tire but, where the hell are we going to get air? I respond, I have air. They respond, YOU HAVE AIR??? It makes me laugh out loud. I'm the guy that eats and drinks for free the rest of the day.

 

[Niehart]

Riley Creek Campground where they camped is a beautiful spot. Well depending on the weather and cloud cover.

 

[dcarver]

Living the dream vicariously while keeping nuclear power safe from the public...