June 1, 2013 planned route, Day 15

Fairbanks, AK. to Coldfoot, AK 255 miles for a total of 6150 miles. This will be the first leg of two to the top of Alaska and depending on road conditions and weather, I may actually make the entire run in one day. The entire run is 509 miles and from what I read on the Internet if it raining like Hell, Cats & Dogs, and or in buckets, then this road will be no fun whatsoever. If it happens to be sunny and the road dry, I should be able to make very good time with this particular motorcycle with dirt bike tires. Since I will be so far from home and services, I will not be taking to many chances that I see above my normal riding skills.

This particular road that I will be traveling has quite the history and it’s name is, The Dalton Highway. Here is another link that gives a few more details about the Dalton.

Slate Creek Inn Coldfoot Camp

P.O. Box 81512
Coldfoot, AK 99708

I can stay in the motel for one night $199 or camp for free. Camping with a shower cost $14. Hehe, I find this funny.

May 31, 2013 planned route, Day 14

Mt. McKinley, AK to Fairbanks, AK. 339 miles for a total of 5895 miles. Today I plan to ride on what is suppose to be one of the most beautiful roads in Alaska, and that would be the Denali Highway. It’s 135 miles of mostly dirt but some of the views are suppose to be spectacular. I have read on many blogs and reports that this is a not to be missed road. Since at this point the motorcycle should be completely dirt/mud ready, I should have no problems traversing this road. Ultimately my destination for the day will be Fairbanks and it will be the entry point to Prudhoe Bay run which should take me 2 to 4 days to complete. Depends on weather and road conditions on how good a time I will be able make on that particular dirt road.
Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks
433 Harold Bentley Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
855-271-3622

BEST WESTERN PLUS Chena River Lodge
1255 TVSA Way
Fairbanks, AK 99706
800-568-8520

Fairbanks Weather Forecast, AK

May 30, 2013 planned route, Day 13

Anchorage, AK. to Mt. McKinley 488 miles with a total of 5556 miles
Saying that all the work on the motorcycle is done and nothing else physical or mentally is holding me back, it will time to get back to the adventure. First thing I would like to do is head south toward the ocean and Resurrection Bay. After visiting for a bit, it will be time to turn north and head back though Anchorage and to my next destination. Mount McKinley is the destination and my plan is to camp here no matter what unless the weather is so bad that it is ridiculous. Rain alone will not stop me, but 50 knot winds and thunderstorms just might.

Denali National Park (Click for reservation)
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK
1-800-622-7275

Denali Mountain Morning Hostel and Cabins

Mile 2241 Parks Highway

Denali National Park & Perserve, AK 99755

Denali Natl Park Weather Forecast, AK

May 29, 2013 No route today, Day 12

Today’s goal is strictly rest, service, and maintenance. I also need to switch from tires that are designed for 80% road and 20% dirt, to the other way around. The tires will be very hard and knobby and they are the same tires that were a causing factor in my broken collar bone. My over confidence in my skills last August 2012, was 90% of the cause, but it is moments like this that make you understand that your really are not as good as you think you are. I learned my lesson and now I move on with that knowledge. The tires used properly should be handle almost anything that I can throw at them, so let’s hope they service my motorcycle well.
I also plan to have all oil dropped and replaced and to take the time to fix and repair anything that needs it. I will also have to find time to do the little things like laundry, eat, and sight see. There is a chance based on service timing that I might be sitting a couple of days in Anchorage. If that happens, I plan on renting a car for a bit to see some of the sights.

May 28, 2013 planned route, Day 11

Valdez, Ak. to Anchorage, AK. 302 miles with a total of 5068. This will be the shortest leg so far with my adventure to Alaska at just 302 miles. This will also be a time of rest for me and service for the motorcycle. In Anchorage, along with seeing whatever I can find to see, I will have to change tires, oil, and fix anything that is broken at this point of the trip. In my mind, I feel the R1200GSA should handle this first portion of the trip beautifully and I expect the repair work to be zero. The second portion of my adventure, I expect to spend more time off-road in the dirt than I do on asphalt.

Hampton Inn
4301 Credit Union Dr,
Anchorage, AK 99503

Anchorage Weather Forecast, AK

May 27, 2013 planned route, Day 10

Tok, Ak to Valdez, Ak. 439 miles with a total of 4766. I decided that after reading a blog report that I would make a small change in my route to make sure that I lined everything up to do the Denali Highway. So today’s run will take into the Wrangell St Elias National Park and I would really like to take the scenic flight around the park using this SERVICE. After this adventure if it all works out, I will be doing my best to reach Valdez for the night. There is the possibility, depending on what I see and do, that I might not reach that goal.

Best Western Valdez

100 Harbor Drive
Valdez, Alaska, 99686-0468, United States
Phone: 907/835-3434

Valdez Glacier Campground

Travel South on the Richardson Highway (SR-4). About 7 miles before you arrive in Valdez, you will see a major intersection with a flashing yellow light. Turn right onto Airport Road and travel 3 miles to the campground.

 

Valdez Weather Forecast, AK

Gerbing Gloves, total FAIL !!

Today I road to work on the motorcycle with the intentions of making sure that I hit a very strong rain storm on the way home. People at work thought I was crazy but what they fail to realize that when you're on the road by yourself, out in the middle of nowhere, and it's raining like hell, sometimes you just can't stop. Sure it's great when your in town or around some type of services, but what if your not? 

Well my heated Gerbing gloves, even treated for waterproofing, got soaked. It was hard to tell while driving because my hands were warm, but once I took them off, it was obvious. So I decided I needed to find a solution and after all my reading and research, I have decided to go with a pair of over gloves that I bookmarked a long time ago. They are from New Zealand, so I have no idea when they might show up, but when they do I will give you a report. Apprantely you can wear your favorite riding gloves underneath these over gloves which I find hard to believe. 

The Gloves !

The Review