tntmo
Well-Known Member
I was in Tuktoyuktuk one year ago today. Left San Diego, rode up to Anchorage to visit family and then after that did the Dempster Highway up to the Arctic Ocean.
I did a full service on the bike before I left, valve adjust, oil change, new tires, etc. Ran Mitas E-07 and they were great. Only bike issue I had was riding in pouring rain for 700 miles in Canada swamped out my airbox. I installed a fender extender after that but never rode in rain after that so don't know if it helps. I did an oil change in Alaska at my daughter's place, then again in Minnesota at my parents place. I changed out the rear tire at MN also, put a Shinko 705 on after 10k miles or so. The front Mitas tire lasted the entire trip, 17k miles.
I camped or stayed with friends almost exclusively. After riding to Tuk I then dropped back into the states and rode to the east coast and back to San Diego. I was on the road for 75 days or so and stayed in a hotel three times. Free camping is possible in many places if you get creative. I only paid to camp twice.
I had heated gear, only used it twice but my rain gear was no good so really only would have used it once. Only got rained on really bad for that 700 mile stretch. Every trip is different though, I think my trip was almost blessed. Most of my camping gear is mid grade stuff, nothing fancy. I got a bit nicer air mattress (Klymit Static V Luxe) but even that wasn't expensive.
I used a paper atlas and some maps from AAA. I never knew where I was going to end up at the end of any day, usually made loose plans while eating lunch. I don't like to plan too much, it makes it too stressful if you can't reach your stop for the day. Other people love planning every detail so do it the way you like.
No matter how much time you take, it won't be enough. No matter how you do the trip, you will have someone tell you that you did it wrong. Don't worry, just do it. Take some pictures and store a bunch more in your head. Have fun, I really want to go again so maybe see you there!
Message me if you want any insight.
I did a full service on the bike before I left, valve adjust, oil change, new tires, etc. Ran Mitas E-07 and they were great. Only bike issue I had was riding in pouring rain for 700 miles in Canada swamped out my airbox. I installed a fender extender after that but never rode in rain after that so don't know if it helps. I did an oil change in Alaska at my daughter's place, then again in Minnesota at my parents place. I changed out the rear tire at MN also, put a Shinko 705 on after 10k miles or so. The front Mitas tire lasted the entire trip, 17k miles.
I camped or stayed with friends almost exclusively. After riding to Tuk I then dropped back into the states and rode to the east coast and back to San Diego. I was on the road for 75 days or so and stayed in a hotel three times. Free camping is possible in many places if you get creative. I only paid to camp twice.
I had heated gear, only used it twice but my rain gear was no good so really only would have used it once. Only got rained on really bad for that 700 mile stretch. Every trip is different though, I think my trip was almost blessed. Most of my camping gear is mid grade stuff, nothing fancy. I got a bit nicer air mattress (Klymit Static V Luxe) but even that wasn't expensive.
I used a paper atlas and some maps from AAA. I never knew where I was going to end up at the end of any day, usually made loose plans while eating lunch. I don't like to plan too much, it makes it too stressful if you can't reach your stop for the day. Other people love planning every detail so do it the way you like.
No matter how much time you take, it won't be enough. No matter how you do the trip, you will have someone tell you that you did it wrong. Don't worry, just do it. Take some pictures and store a bunch more in your head. Have fun, I really want to go again so maybe see you there!
Message me if you want any insight.
