Alaska..2015?

[mrpete64]

Are any of you considering going to Alaska spring/summer 2014. The only dates I cannot go is the weekend after Father's Day. I am 67 and really do not want to go alone. I plan on riding mostly paved roads...and some hard packed stuff. I live in New York.
If you want an "old fart" putting along with you, at 68 mph or so, let me know. I am flexible, time wise, since I am retired.

Thanks!
Mr. Pete-------->
aging hippie

 

[sportrider]

Hmm. Planned duration? Camping or hotels? I'd love to do a ride like this. I'm 47, prefer hotels, but will camp. Can take the time off, just need notice. Subscribed.

 

[OldRider]

The roads will be better than people tell you they are, it will rain more than you think and you will have more fun than you can imagine. Go up the Dalton and don't turn around at the Artic Circle, go on to Deadhorse and see the Artic Ocean.

 

[54Nfree]

I went in 2012, I went as far as fairbanks, I would like to go again do more this time. I'm 57 and like staying in hotels, getting up early and long days riding. Live in ca. Send more info. jim

 

[bigbob]

Hawaii with the wife on a rented Harley in 2015. Alaska on the S10 in 2016 which should complete all 50 states. Unless my 62 year old self learns to camp between now and then it will be hotels.

 

[satdishes]

I could do Alaska, live in new Mexico. Wonder how much time off I would need?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[54Nfree]

You wood need at lest 3 weeks for a quick trip to alaska. jim

 

[EricV]

Wife and I did this last June/July. Could have skipped the mosquito nets and only used the bug spray a few times, missed most of the rain, only saw a couple of dozen bears, one moose and some misc. Should have spent an extra day in Homer and gone Halibut fishing, (boat/skipper, processed, flash frozen and shipped home was still significantly cheaper than buying at Costco). Note that we did not camp, or the nets would have been very handy, along with the 100% Deet we took.

We spent 28 days on our trip, 8k miles. skipped Deadhorse, (sorry Oldrider, it's 400 miles of gravel there and nothing to see really, but tastes vary). Pretty much did a loop of Alaska and the Yukon and saw as much as we could. Dawson City at the Solstice, Dust to Dawson ADV event, Denali N.P., Kenai peninsula, etc.

The roads were mostly ok. Wet and Top of The World Hwy don't go together and that was an experience, but the local advice was spot on and taken, which made all the difference. (3 hours makes a night and day difference on that road). Yukon roads in general,

Very worth doing. I wish you the best and you're smart to seek traveling companions. It sucks to be alone if things don't go as planned.

 

[tomatocity]

Pete, I am 67, retired, prefer to ride asphalt and hard pack (dislike sand, silt, and mud... HUGEly), and don't care to ride Alaska alone. Hotels are good and save hard/soft space on the Tenere. Also enjoy camping (seat of the pants lodging) mainly for the experience and camaraderie. Fathers Day 2015 and Summer Solstice 2015 are on the same Sunday June 21st.

Live in California but that is not a major concern since most riders enter Canada through Montana, Idaho, Washington. don't have anything to keep me from getting on my Tenere and leaving for 3-4 months, do like to ride on gravel if I can get my Tenere to handle off-road... tires are the answer. Off-road skill level is intermediate at best.

Have ridden in Alaska, Kenai AK to Haines AK, but was injured and trying to get to the AMHS for a 3.5 day boat ride. Still had a good time and enjoyed the ride. Finished the trip with a Bellingham WA to Sacramento CA (850ish miles) ride in 15 hours. Would like to ride Chicken AK gravel, my life would not be incomplete if I did not ride the Dalton Hwy, go to the Arctic Circle or see the Arctic Ocean... but. One of the last photos I saw posted of the Arctic had the Tenere as the primary subject and in the background was a Harley (knarly dude!). I am a route planner, but given enough time, will find a way to break it.

Border Crossings
http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/list-of-border-crossings/#.VEDS9PnF-Fk

 

[pnelson]

I'm interested... My schedule is open for next summer but I'd need to plan ahead for dates early. I like camping and hotels too. A Tenere group ride to AK would be great. I'm fine with gravel and figure a new pair of Anakee 3s should be good for the whole trip. Planning is half the fun so let's get started!

 

[flyby]

I'm interested... My schedule is open for next summer but I'd need to plan ahead for dates early. I like camping and hotels too. A Tenere group ride to AK would be great. I'm find with gravel and figure a new pair of Anakee 3s should be good for the whole trip. Planning is half the fun so let's get started!

I am interested in doing the trip. I would love to camp and do hotels in between. I would need to look at how many days it would take coz need to apply for vacation at work.

If I do the ride then I will go all the way till deadhorse.

 

[mrpete64]

I am mostly interested in hotel/motels. Camping is really not my thing but I am sure I will bring a sleeping bag/tent just in case I got stuck between a and b.
I would prefer to stay on paved roads. Hard packed dirt would be ok for a bit. I realize that I do not have the same skills/guts as I did when I was younger!
Sounds like some of you might enjoy going.

Mr. Pete------->
aging hippie

p.s. I am a retired high school teacher...I hope that does not scare you off!!

 

[rem]

Don't forget that the Chateau Rem-o is available to any of you guys. Whitehorse, about 3 miles off the Alaska Highway. About 10 miles from downtown Whitehorse. I am in a fairly remote spot. I have substantial camping space, water, showers, possible floor space for sleeping, and a big garage with Handy® lift and a decent selection of tools. Just give me a head's up. You're welcome to hang out for a few days if you need to. 20 bucks a day …. KIDDING >>>>> There is an excellent Yamaha dealer 5 miles from my house. You are all most welcome. R ::008::

 

[barkingllizard]

interested in your proposal mr pete, could be an amazing ride...
my caveat is I will only camp where there is room service.....

 

[eemsreno]

Just to say you did it, You should at least go to the Actic Circle north of Fairbanks, I think you could even ride a chopper up there. It was very easy to get to. North of there it might get ruff or tough. I'm with OldRider though,, It was a total blast going to the Arctic Ocean. There is so much to see up that road !

 

[bmac]

Pete, it sounds like you have several interested parties already and I might be game as well. For folks that have not ridden together this can be quite a challenge due to different priorities and preferences.

The following are some things that might be considered to determine compatibility.

1. How many miles or hours do you envision riding each day?
2, What time of day do you typically get started, end?
3. Ride every day or stop for a day at a couple of key points of interest?
4. Out partying at night or in bed by 9?
5. Ride at speeds that dare the cops to catch you or grandpa pace, or something in between?
6. Stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or what's your plan?
7. Pit stops while riding? How often? How long?
8. Raining hard all day, don't skip a beat or cut the day short?
9. Somewhat structured plan or wing it every day?
10. 2 per hotel room or some sleeping bags on the floor or ?
11. Snore beyond belief or need dead silence for a good nights sleep.

And I am sure there is a whole bunch of stuff that other folks might wonder about.

 

[rem]

That is an excellent concept, and an excellent list, b. The only thing I can think to add is "smoking". I realize that most buildings don't allow it, but stopping every half hour for a smoke break can become tiresome for those who don't require one. Just sayin'. R

 

[tomatocity]

Good points. The speed issue is a good point. In July a friend and I rode to WY MT. He was on a KLR with 16 x 42. I was traveling at 4,000 RPMs and that was good. When i mentioned the RPMs he said he was 5,000 RPMs. This point is matching riding speeds with motorcycles with riders..

Another issue is Riding in the Dark...

 

[Don in Lodi]

Good points. The speed issue is a good point. In July a friend and I rode to WY MT. He was on a KLR with 16 x 42. I was traveling at 4,000 RPMs and that was good. When i mentioned the RPMs he said he was 5,000 RPMs. This point is matching riding speeds with motorcycles with riders..

Another issue is Riding in the Dark...

...or 23 hours of daylight. ???

 

[rem]

...or 23 hours of daylight. ???

Yeah, good point. Up here, between May and August, I wouldn't worry too much about riding in the dark. ::025:: What will get you in some spots, and at a particular time of day (depending on what direction you're going) is the setting sun in your eyes. Bummer. R