New Members

[GoldWingGL]

Joe,

Do you drop flyers off the bike while Riding:bike1: cuz most of the New Members for a while now, are from Texas...Whats up with that...LOL

[Mellow]

Must be something in the rain water.

[GoldWingGL]

So, what you are saying is??you are responsible for the rain :eek: ?LOL

[Mellow]

Nah... but man, we've had a lot.. of course, when it does stop we'll be wanting it back within a week...

[Motomadman]

Now I'm not from Texas and i just signed up a few days ago. Been lurking and checking out what ya all have to offer. Camping here in So.Cal has got to be easier than pretty much anywhere else in North America. What I'm trying to get some insight into the gear needed most, for a 4 week run up to Anchorage and spend some time with my baby sister. Hope to be ready by June 08. Will be riding my 02 BMW K1200LT (light truck). I will do it solo and want to keep it light easy to deal with. I figure to spend some time this year doing 2-5 day trips to help sort it all out. The hard part these days is to deliberately ride and camp in some rain. Just none to be had within a few hundred miles. Hoping for some wet stuff this coming winter. With the weather you boys in Texas have been getting I think being here on the left coast is the safest place to be. Joe thanks for this site, I have learned alot already....Craig

[owlshadows]

Now you guys know what it feels like for us all winter in the Pac NW. :p We've had nothing but sun for the past two months, but nature will switch our weather soon enough. ;)

[Mellow]

Now I'm not from Texas and i just signed up a few days ago. Been lurking and checking out what ya all have to offer. Camping here in So.Cal has got to be easier than pretty much anywhere else in North America. What I'm trying to get some insight into the gear needed most, for a 4 week run up to Anchorage and spend some time with my baby sister. Hope to be ready by June 08. Will be riding my 02 BMW K1200LT (light truck). I will do it solo and want to keep it light easy to deal with. I figure to spend some time this year doing 2-5 day trips to help sort it all out. The hard part these days is to deliberately ride and camp in some rain. Just none to be had within a few hundred miles. Hoping for some wet stuff this coming winter. With the weather you boys in Texas have been getting I think being here on the left coast is the safest place to be. Joe thanks for this site, I have learned alot already....Craig

You're trying to ride/camp in the rain? Boy, that's being pretty aggressive in testing out the camping gear.

I feel most tents are setup to handle the occasional rain shower with no real problems. But, for a trip like you're planning and they way Alaksa weather can be unpredictable, from what I've heard, I'd go with a good tent.

A backpacking tent with full rainfly (one that covers the entire tent) will typically provide the most protection from the elements and give you some storage space in the area between the tent and the rainfly points (vestibules).

Do you have any gear at all and if so what do you have? I've never been to Alaska but I know Trailace and motomac have and I'm sure some others here.

Welcome to the site!

[motomac]

Get the best tent you can afford for a trip to AK. It rained every day I was up there both times. I went in July of '99 and '05. Temperature never got above 55 except in Fairbanks, it was in the high 70's there. Now the rain usually isn't a downpour, but a steady misty drizzle is not unusual. Plan on spending a lot of time in rain gear once you get into Alaska proper. Don't miss the highway between Glenallen and Valdez. Get a copy of "The Milepost" and take a good camera and use it often.

[Motomadman]

It might sound crazy but when you only get 4in. of rain a year, one must seek it out for test purposes. I guess I could set it all up in the back yard and have the kids turn on the sprinklers, but something tells me they just might have way to much fun with that one. "Oh dad I think the valve just broke"

As for gear I am looking at a 3 man Marmot tent which will give me room to enjoy some comforts like a air mattress and kermit chair. I like the Coleman Apex II stove because of the dual fuel set up and the price seems quit fare. The sleeping bag is still under study due to my substancial girth. A mummy bag is bit to confining for me so I'm looking for a more conventional type bag. Any suggestions one this one guys? Something down to 20 deg. range looks adequate.

Now if I do encounter a real toad stangler like you boys down in Texas, there is no doubt a room will be rented, and not by the hour...wife knows all at all times...How do they do that?

Well I do have plenty of time to get myself and the bike outfitted and with the help from this list, this year should pan out with some great adventures. This one to AK. has been on my mind for several years now. Last time I moto camped was was in 78 on a dressed 72 850 Moto Guzzi. Did a week and we kind of did a California 4 corners ride. Girl I was with did not like the idea of paying for showers which back fired on us in Yosemite. Hiked way up river to a nice spot to clean up in the knee deep water and when we looked up and saw the park tourist bus rolling by on the other side of the river. All I could do was wave and grin. Ops.....


Motomac did you make your trip solo or with other riders???

[motomac]

Motomac did you make your trip solo or with other riders???


In '99 I was by myself, took my SO in '05. She had all of 75 miles on a bike when we left her house for AK, but was a great asset up and back and we still travel together.

[Motomadman]

Thanks Motomac hope you and Mrs. are doing good. Will be thinkin of you.....