2021-22 Planning

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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[NOTE - This thread was split off of another more general one. - CW]

Mdurf -
I've both ridden and worked (many times) in Alaska and it is a beautiful place. This was the summer I was going to do the Haul Road so haven't been far north of Fairbanks, but I think I have more memories of the Canadian Rockies. I'd suggest getting to know people as riding buddies from wherever you are first, as spending that long with a stranger is rolling the dice on how your big adventure will turn out. Toward that, it'd help you if you put a location under your avatar.

eemsreno -
Steve, I know how much riding with your wife has meant for you and am glad you can still do shorter trips. I loved riding with Karen but started getting pain down her shoulder and back, the docs found she had a cervical age-related cervical issue developing so her riding days are over and the back seat is off my bike. Do them while you can because sooner or later we all move on.
 
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Mdurf

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Oct 1, 2020
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Thanks Checkswrecks for the insight. I should get to know someone well before attempting that long of a trip or the trip could be ruined. I really plan on spending more time in the Yukon crossing back and forth over to Alaska, prospecting and relaxing enough to get the 40+ years of working everyday out of my system.
 

AT Yukon

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Apr 5, 2021
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Planning on a 45 to 60 day trip from So. Cal. to Alaska in 2022. Plans are to travel only 6 hours or less a day (easy going) and when I get to the Yukon and thru Alaska, stay at campgrounds for more than a night and do some prospecting for gold. Anyone want to travel with me? Been researching for a year now and am ready for retirement in 2021.
Mdurf. I just joined the Tenere forum and live and ride my XT1200Z in Yukon. Here are a couple of things to give consideration to: 1) Trip timing. Riding here is best from end of June through mid-August - it's April 6th and there are 3 feet of snow on the ground and it's been snowing all day. 2) Hwy vs gavel. The Alaska Hwy is paved and or chip-sealed for the whole distance (except where there might be construction). This goes for most of the main hwy.'s in Yukon. The less traveled hwy.'s such as the Campbell, Canol, Top of the World and Dempster are mostly decent gavel. These gravel hwy.'s usually have some calcium chloride treatment in them which turns them into super slick trails if it rains. Given this, give yourself some rain delay days cause I've seen a ton of experienced gravel riders end up in the ditch because they thought they could ride that crap. 3) Sights, scenery and the surprises. Provided we all get through this Covid thing and travel opens up, there are some neat and remote experiences to be had in Yukon. The Campbell Hwy heading north from Watson Lake is a good ride. As is the trip into and out of Keno City. The Dempster Hwy offers expanses like few places on earth and the Hwy now goes all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Dawson City (the home of the Klondike Gold Rush) is a must see and offers some great gravel day trips through the still operating gold fields. The Top of the World Hwy provides side trip access into the Forty Mile River and into Eagle, Alaska eventually taking you through Chicken, Alaska and out to Tok (back on the Alaska Hwy). If you're up this way a side trip to Atlin, British Columbia, Skagway, and Haines Alaska are worthwhile. Leaving Yukon consider taking Why 37 south into BC (or north for that matter). It's a good road with lots of wilderness (and it means you don't have to ride the Alkan Hwy in both directions. Finally, 4) Equipment and do-dads. I would echo what someone else stated and that is to run as 70/30 tire on your way up. You'll gt better mileage and it'll be a smoother ride. Whitehorse has a 5 star Yamaha dealer and they usually carry Tenere tires and can do the swap if you're not into a campsite struggle with a tire change. All the roads up here can easily be ridden on a 50/50 tire such as the Mitas E07 or Heidenau K-60, no need to go full knobs. Camping is fairly accessible at Government sites and boon docking where the view is good. Most riding is cool weather so have a decent base layer, good gloves and boots. Fuel is accessible just about everywhere within the riding distances of the tenere, but I still pack a 6 litre fuel can just to make sure. That said 91 octane isn't available everywhere so a small bottle of octane boost is a good idea.

Hope this helps. AT Yukon
 
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