My Alaska trip

[Turbocity Tom]

My wife and I did an Adventure ride on a KLR650 and a XT225

Just wanted to share some of those pictures


Alaska Trip Aug 20-25, 2007



We just got back from our Alaska adventure on the XT 225. The XT is a very capable touring bike. We covered 908 miles in 5 days and had a great time. The weather was typical Alaska; it would be bright and sunny for a couple of miles and then rain the next couple. The XT handled everything with ease. Our riding gear kept us comfortable and the equipment installed on the bike work flawlessly. We were able to carry everything we needed for the 5 days on the road with us.

Day 1 Anchorage to Talkeetna 137 miles

This was up the Glenn Hwy. We did a side trip on the Old Glenn Hwy and got lost in the Palmer/Wasilla area. Finally got to the Parks Hwy headed north. Rained at the beginning of the ride but cleared as the day progressed. Easy ride with big views when you could see past the tall trees. Stayed at the Susitina River Lodge. Very nice and comfortable. The town of Talkeetna is a “tourist trap”.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa1.jpg

Day 2 Talkeetna to Gracious House (on Denali Hwy) 189 miles/ 326 Total

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa2.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa3.jpg

Continued up the Parks Hwy to Cantwell where we then entered the Denali Hwy. This dirt hwy is where the XT really worked well. It is not a difficult ride but the road is full of potholes and was muddy in some places. It was cloudy most of the day but did not rain much until after we had finish the days ride. Stayed at the Gracious House Lodge which was about 50 miles in along the dirt hwy. This is a very peaceful/ rustic place to stay. Very friendly owners that try hard to make your stay enjoyable.

Day 3 Gracious House to Tangle River Inn. 176 mile/ 502 Total

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa4.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa5.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa6.jpg


Continued on the Denali Hwy. it is only 66 miles between the Gracious House and the Tangle River Inn. We decided to ride past the inn and explore the Richardson Hwy north thru the Isabel Pass. The Alaska pipeline and many glaciers were visible along the ride. He weather held still cloudy but little rain. The clouds tended to block the mighty views of the surrounding mountains. Rode back to the Tangle River Inn. Very nice/ cozy little cabins. Great food, poor service.

Day 4 Tangle River Inn to Copper Center Lodge 198 miles/ 698 Total

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa7.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa8.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa9.jpg

Traveled the Richardson Hwy to Copper Center. This was only about 108 miles so we elected to go to McCarthy which included 60 miles of dirt/gravel road (one way). The weather in the morning was some of the best. Very clear but somewhat colder. That didn’t last long. The further south we went, the rainier and colder it got. We never made it to McCarthy as it was really turning ugly. This was the worst part of the trip. Our riding gear worked very good but the constant rain and cold was wearing us down. We returned to the Copper Center Lodge to find no heat in our room. Finally after a couple of hour, they got the heat going and we where able to dry out some of our gear. The food and the service was very good at their restaurant.

Day 5 Copper Center to Anchorage 210 miles/ 908 Total

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa10.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa11.jpg

Returned to the Glenn Hwy to return to Anchorage. This was the best day for the weather. Very brief rain and the clearing warm skies. We enjoyed the vast views and took our time in getting back to Anchorage. We stopped at the Matansku Glacier. You can drive almost right to the face of the glacier. As we neared Anchorage, the traffic became very heavy. The Alaska state fair had started in Palmer (40 miles north of Anchorage).
With the nice weather, all the other motorcycles were out in great numbers( mostly Harleys).

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/xttripa12.jpg

We had a great trip and would like to thank all the people at Alaska Rider Tours. Originally we were going to ship our bikes up and back. The cost came out to around $700.00-$800.00 per bike each way. We rented the bikes for far less and they allowed us to outfit the bikes with our equipment.

The XT really surprised me in the way that it handled the load and the distance. It got great gas mileage but with the small fuel capacity was limited to around 100-110 miles between gas stops.

We are looking forward to doing it again.

I am working on a slide show presentation that I will post a link to as soon as I have finished.

The pictures and the words do not do justice to the experience of the ride. If you have ever wanted to do something like this, DON’T WAIT. It was the best vacation I have ever been on.

Thanks Tom
_________________________
When it come to Horsepower, Too much is just enough.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Great ride report, I can hardly wait until July!

[Trailace]

Tom,
Great report and thanks for sharing. August is a great time of year to go to Alaska not as many RV riding around.

[Turbocity Tom]

Tom,
Great report and thanks for sharing. August is a great time of year to go to Alaska not as many RV riding around.

We had very little traffic when away from Anchorage. If we would have gone 1 week earlier, there would have been only 1 day of rain. Alaska is a great place to ride and the people at Alaska riders went out of their way to make it a great trip. I will be going back!!!


Thanks Tom

[Mellow]

Cool... All you Dual Sporters are really making me try to save some money for another bike...

[Flingshot]

Cool... All you Dual Sporters are really making me try to save some money for another bike...

You can get a good used drz400s for 25 hundie. Check Ebay or Craigslist. You ought to be able to have it all farkled up by Big Bend.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Mellow]

You can get a good used drz400s for 25 hundie. Check Ebay or Craigslist. You ought to be able to have it all farkled up by Big Bend.
Posted via Mobile Device

Things are just too tight this time of year and being in IT.. I have no idea how long I'll have a job so it's just gonna have to wait.

I really like the Honda CR230L.

[Turbocity Tom]

Things are just too tight this time of year and being in IT.. I have no idea how long I'll have a job so it's just gonna have to wait.

I really like the Honda CR230L.


The CRF230L is on my short list for my wife. I had a DR650 that she was riding for a while. It was custom lowered but she found that it was just too heavy for her in the dirt. A very slow speed crash and she broke her leg. It is healed now and she wants a new bike. She had a CFR230 before as a dirt bike and really liked it. Want the L model now to do more of the dual sport stuff. You might find that it is just a little to "light weight" for you. They have a new XR250L comming out that may be better sized for you.

Thanks Tom

[Mellow]

Thanks Tom just what I need lol.

[BCST]

Tom I hope you don't mind my asking, but how did you keep your gear dry in the soft bags with all that Alaska rain?


TIA,
Pete.

[Turbocity Tom]

Tom I hope you don't mind my asking, but how did you keep your gear dry in the soft bags with all that Alaska rain?


TIA,
Pete.

Pete,

We used large zip lock bags to put our clothes in. They make it very easy to pack and they kept everything dry.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/Alaska07webb1.jpg


This is all the stuff that was packed on my wife's XT225.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o199/turbocity_tom/Alaska07webb2.jpg

The soft bags worked really well as they can conform to what ever you put into them.


Thanks Tom

[Mr. Guy]

I'm a fan of zip lock bags too. I use the 1 and 2 gallon size freezer bags.

Guy

[BCST]

I've been torn between soft and hard bags for a KLR, I really like the idea of soft bags but I also like how dry stuff stays in my ST's bags in the worst of weather! :snow1: :storm1: It looks like you and your wife have it down pat.

Thanks for the help,

Pete.

[George]

Tom, your trip answers a serious question for me. Will my Yam XT350 handle it? After seeing your report, I guess yes. Guys want to trailer to Victoria, then ferry up and back, so easy enuff. I have a 4 gallon tank on the way so mileage shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for a great report.

[Klondike]

Tom very nice ride report. Those are my stomping grounds! I grew up right in that exact area! Only a week and there are so many places to explore I cant even begin think straight. Glad you enjoyed yourself, Alaskans live in a different era sometimes - the further away from Anchorage you get the better it is.
Thanks for posting:)

[Klondike]

Now that i think of it. another Great trip would be the Alaska Highway. Before going that rout I would recommend to anyone go out and by a copy of "The Mile Post" It is full of campgrounds, places to eat, places to gas up, great info in that book.

[motomac]

Cool... All you Dual Sporters are really making me try to save some money for another bike...
I wish I could post all the pictures I took when I was up there on my Wing in '99. Ya don't need no steenkin dual sport to go to Alaska!!! I know, my last trip was on one, but I rode two different Wings up there. Both times pulling a camping trailer and the '05 trip I was packin' double!!!


Oops, I know you're afraid to get your ST dirty! Sorry?!?:dizzy1:

[Black and Blue]

Great trip report.
We are planning on going this summer.
But, where did you "CAMP"?

[G wizz]

Great trip report.
We are planning on going this summer.
But, where did you "CAMP"?

There are plenty of camp grounds all along the way. Get a copy of the
"Mile Post", it's loaded with all sorts of infornation, including campgrounds.
Well worth the money.

[Black and Blue]

There are plenty of camp grounds all along the way. Get a copy of the
"Mile Post", it's loaded with all sorts of infornation, including campgrounds.
Well worth the money.

Thanks.:) We have that and a copy of Traveler's Guide To Alaskan Camping by Mike and Terri Church. We were hoping to get some insight about where are the good places to camp based on other people personal experiences.

[bigTom]

Quote by Black and Blue (Green and White??)
Thanks. We have that and a copy of Traveler's Guide To Alaskan Camping by Mike and Terri Church. We were hoping to get some insight about where are the good places to camp based on other people personal experiences

Mac did a pretty good job while he was riding it. Try

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41857

And see pictures here:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43952&highlight=Alaska
and
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43957&highlight=Alaska
and
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43959&highlight=Alaska
and
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43960&highlight=Alaska

That ought to keep you salivating until he gets the snow shoveled in Ohio and you can ask him directly:)

EDIT I was just reading over those posts from the road. Mac did just a super job, it was a real treat to read every day...

[G wizz]

Thanks.:) We have that and a copy of Traveler's Guide To Alaskan Camping by Mike and Terri Church. We were hoping to get some insight about where are the good places to camp based on other people personal experiences.

Well, let me see ... On the Alaskan Highway, in Canada, there"s Pink Mountian Canpground,... Kinda reminded me of the "Red Green" TV show on public broadcasting. Junk scattered around ... Coed bathrooms,... Wife really got unnerved when she was taking a shower, and a guy came in and used the shower stall right next to hers.
Rusty laundry water ... muddy camp sites, Oh, and almost forgot ... the horse barn just up wind of the camp sites. There's more, but you get the picture.
Two that really stand out that we did like were, Muckaluck Annies, Restarant and Campground. Free camping, if you had a meal there. Really good food, all cooked over an open wood fire. Fresh Salmon is their specialty. We had dinner and breakfast there. Nice campsites, hot showers, and laundry room.
The other that you don't want to miss is Liard Hotsprings Camground. By the time you get here, you've been on the road long enough that a dip in the hot springs pool is pure heaven ... felt sooo good we didn't want to leave. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit.

[Black and Blue]

Thanks, bigTom. We'll definitely look at the thread over at st-owners.:)

G wizz. :D:D:D:D:D:D. Thanks for the REAL GOOD info on campgrounds.:)

Can hardly wait for the thaw.:p

[Trailace]

If your going to be on Cassiar HWY. (37) the campground in Hazelton (KSAN) was real nice and had clean showers.

I also like the campground in Whitehorse not sure of the name but it on the East side of town. Its a stop over for all kinds of adventures. I must have talked to 10 or more travelers and heard some great stories.

[Gene McCall]

It will probably be a few more weeks before I can publish a trip report on mine & Don Seedsman (Aussie) trip last summer. Just a word of caution on milepost. It is well worth the money and a great asset but in several instances the camp grounds/fuel stops listed were closed. We had the latest Milepost but as we have all seen recently economics can shut down small business owners in a hurry. We had to pump fuel from our transfer tank on our trailer 4 times, 2 due to an expected location being closed and 2 due to our own lack of judgement! BTW we were on my 2000 ST1100 with a Hannigan Astro sidecar pulling a Lil Bunkhouse camper, we were somewhere over 1800 lbs, gas mileage varied from 20 to 30 mpg. We camped for 60 out of 76 days on the road.
Gene:usflag1:


PS: Forgot to mention we made a rather large circle from Murfreesboro, Tn. west to Kanloops, BC, up the Cassiar to Alaska, around Alaska, back into Canada, then west to east to Nova Scotia & Prince Edward, then back south into the US at Maine, thence to a rally in Pa and then home to the Boro. Left June 7, got home August 21. Total miles, 15,256, total pictures 3,577, & thats what is taking me so long!

[Black and Blue]

Thanks, Trailace for that info. Any info is good info.:)

Gene. We have a five gallon fuel tank on the Urals. Right now, we have just broken them in and are averaging about 35 to 37 miles per gallon. 30 in a stiff wind. We will carry a five gallon gas can each which will double our range. If we can't find gas by then, we're screwed. Hopefully that won't be the case. I think your right about the small businesses closing down at any time. We are seeing that here where we live. Can hardly wait for your trip report. It has to be a good feeling to go that far and back. You must have enjoyed the trip. We will not be in any hurry to get to Alaska. We will do a lot of site seeing and probably won't log in that many miles in a day. Unlike money, we will have lots of time.:)