Alaska 2009, who's going?

[Ironheadziggy76]

It's time to kick the planning into high gear! P^ I thought I would ask and see who is going this summer. I am going in June or July, depending on if I hear from AK Dreamer.

I would be grateful for any advise from you folks that have been, and any ideas of what worked and didn't work for you on the trip. I'm trying to not get out of hand and take stuff that I'm really not going to need. Before I leave, the bike will have new tires, chain and sprockets, brakes, air filter, and a new battery. I'll be carrying a set of tires, levers, and a clutch cable just in case, along with stuff to change tires and fix flats along with a tool kit.

Any tips on border crossings, best places to exchange currency, must see rides, how to not end up bear food, etc would be greatly appreciated also. I'm probably over planning this trip, which is not like me, because usually I just point and shoot but this will be the longest trip I've taken.

[G wizz]

Zigg:
Best travel advice I can give you is, if you haven't already done so, pick up a copy of "The Milepost" travel guide. It's packed full of all sorts of useful information on Alaska, and how to get there from here.
Gas, campgrounds, road conditions, sights to see, ... it's all listed.

G wiz

[motomac]

Steve, "The Milepost" is a must. Exchange money at banks. I used my credit card at all gas stations. Tires are not a problem up there so there is no need to take space on your bike to carry a set with you. I only needed a rear tire on my journey last year. On both trips on Wings I didn't need tires at all. I thought about taking an extra clutch cable on the KLR, but opted not to and didn't break one. I didn't fall down so... I took two tubes with me, but didn't hole a tire, I took far more gear than I used. What worked: Gerbings jacket liner and gloves, rain gear, my boots were Oxtars and never got wet feet, had a set of Aerostitch lobster claw rain mittens that kept my gloves dry. I went in June and it was the driest trip I've had up there. The two other runs on bikes were in July and it rained every day. Take bug juice. I cooked coffee every morning while breaking camp. Single burner dual fuel Coleman worked flawlessly. Had ramein for supper most days when I didn't have reataurant food. There are motorcycle shops all over Canada and many in Alaska. All the big cities have several. The Dalton Highway is a piece of cake if it doesn't get wet. Much easier than the Dempster. The Denali Highway was the roughest road I hit and I did over 3,000 miles of dirt and gravel. The only encounter I had with a bear was at the 1/37 campground in Watson Lake YT. I was the only camper there, had no food in the tent, but a young black bear tried to break in. It was a big scare for me, but no major damage. I had an air compressor along, but never took it out of the case I had it packed in. I had tools for every thing on the bike except a doohickey replacement, never used any of them except a screwdriver and the 8mm that takes off the bolts for the side covers. I did this run completely alone and only once wished there was someone along. That was on the Liard Highway which was closed to traffic. Had I went off the road, I would have been bear bait for sure!!! Have a good time. I don't foresee making a 5th run up there.

[Alan]

I'm going! But mine is a short trip by boat. My son will be flying out of Ketchikan this summer and I plan on visiting him (any excuse for a long ride). I will ride across Canada to Prince Rupert, BC and then take a three hour ferry ride to Ketchican. I hope the ST1300 enjoys a boat trip.:)

[finalchecker]

A friend of mine at work threw out an invitation to ride to Fairbanks in 2010. He made the trip a couple of years ago in a Harley sidecar rig. He made the trip in June, and mentioned that it was better to start the ride early and quit early each day to beat the afternoon storms that pop up. I am thinking about going with him, gotta start loading the piggy bank.:p

[Ironheadziggy76]

I picked up my copy of the 09 Milepost last week! P^ I have a set of TKC80's that I was going to take with me for some exploring off the beaten paths, but I may just ship them up to Tok where I plan on camping.

mac, thanks so much for all the details, it's greatly appreciated! Looks like I need to shoot for June for better weather, I haven't heard back from John since early January so I'm guessing he's not going. John, you out there?

I'll probably think of other things to ask you AK veterans closer to time. I thought I would put this up just in case anyone had some questions they wanted to ask. Thanks again guys!

[HOGCDR]

Steve made the trip last year from Montana, spent two weeks riding Alaska based out of Anchorage. Let me know if you need any assistance with the planning, gear, where to go. Took the Bellingham Alaska Ferry up to Skagway, that was a trip to-itself!!P^P^

[anrfknm]

My advice: Don't take a gun.

[PaPa John]

Here is a site in BC that you might be interested in. You can search around it and find out road conditions, where construction sites are and if there are any closures.

http://www.drivebc.ca/

I haven't search it to much but the information is there. Just roam around on the site and you will find some information.

I have this site bookmarked along with a site in Ontario.

By the sounds of it you are farther ahead in you planning than I am.

John

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks for the link John, I will check it out and get it bookmarked. P^

[swandog]

im thinking of going as far as whitehorse or dawson city , maybe too alaska if i get a passport in time , but depends on the cost of fuel by summer , the real reason i would go north is too see liard hot springs , they are very large and beautiful im told, and have a provincial campgrounds . although campers have been eaten by bears there

[Ironheadziggy76]

Steve made the trip last year from Montana, spent two weeks riding Alaska based out of Anchorage. Let me know if you need any assistance with the planning, gear, where to go. Took the Bellingham Alaska Ferry up to Skagway, that was a trip to-itself!!P^P^

HOGCDR, I will probably be getting in touch with you a little closer to the time I leave to ask about some campgrounds in Montana. P^