Alaska 2018....out of adversity..!!!

The pictures certainly do tell the story Chris. and probably a wise move to turn back as the Omens were not good.

In 2016 when the group pulled out of Wiseman at 5am. and rode dirt road alongside the river in your pictures to join the Dalton i had goosebumps at the spectacle
of the sun glistening on the water and, the realization of where we were and that today, we were (probably) going to be riding The Dalton Highway to
Pruhoe Bay which, as the weather and conditions that day cleared, we did.

I still get goosebumps now when i recollect that morning.

Keep the pictures coming

Excellent photos Chris, I think turning back was a wise decision.
If Keith starts bitching, tell him from me to dry his eyes and move on.
Paul.

There's a GlobeBusters group left Anchorage today - 18 bikes including a mate of mine - you may pass them going the other way!

I sent him a photo of the snow but they are pressing on (support van, medic etc.); doing the whole Pan-American over 5 months.

Good luck with the rest of your trip and stay safe.

A

After being dubbed the "Ice Road bikers" on FB which is very apt given the road we were on, we headed south to Fair banks.

I know, more trucks....

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-Hs5q4qv/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-Hs5q4qv/0/b26aaaae/X2/2018-07-18%2007.33.51-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-mP4J89H/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-mP4J89H/0/ee64da80/X2/2018-07-18%2007.34.09-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

View from Finger Mountain

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-QgQGSJQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-QgQGSJQ/0/12534a64/X2/2018-07-18%2010.00.45-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-GFvVx65/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-GFvVx65/0/cbb0f2ac/X2/2018-07-18%2010.00.58-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Down to my old mate Dan at Adventure Cycle Works in Fairbanks to clean the bikes

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-H6KBZFd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-H6KBZFd/0/c4f053c1/X2/2018-07-18%2016.05.40-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-N2BHL5D/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-N2BHL5D/0/aee9a8fa/X2/2018-07-18%2016.05.56-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Back to Svens motel where there was a nice selection of bikes there.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-N2BHL5D/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-N2BHL5D/0/aee9a8fa/X2/2018-07-18%2016.05.56-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

This old fella was from South Carolina and was a long way from home. He is a teacher and was just riding and enjoying his country and giving his HD a quick oil change:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-89gzWJP/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-89gzWJP/0/351efaac/X2/2018-07-18%2021.31.44-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

We set off early for teh big hit of 380 miles to Anchorage. Normally that's no issue on the GSA but on 650 singles it's a bit of a hike. Stopped in a small town for brekkie:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-pC2SXtb/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-pC2SXtb/0/2bd088de/X2/2018-07-19%2008.26.03-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-CSPBH3W/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-CSPBH3W/0/d2206a7f/X2/2018-07-19%2008.42.52-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-7KhB6tg/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-7KhB6tg/0/b0cba47c/X2/2018-07-19%2009.06.51-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Nice sticker on a car:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-V74JtcV/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-V74JtcV/0/b1d6a823/X2/2018-07-19%2009.07.37-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

A view of Mt Denali from a long way off.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-2v7gXZv/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-2v7gXZv/0/c3f95fe1/X2/2018-07-19%2012.57.56-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Then, in a final act of "unluckyness" Bill had a puncture around 100 miles from base but all fixed on the side of the road and back to Anchorage.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-sCMTdpq/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-sCMTdpq/0/8749c974/X2/2018-07-19%2013.40.28-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-h9DSBjh/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Prudhoe/i-h9DSBjh/0/cc56f2ee/X2/2018-07-19%2013.43.17-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Sgt Bilco said:

Some of you will know John Young as he's an Iron Butt rider

Click to expand...

Saw this the other day & meant to post
KwakDave & I met John on the AlpenButt Rally last year. He's a serial rally winner & was surprisingly free with his hints & tips. Unfortunately for us we didn't meet him until it was over But at least we know what not to do next time, if there is a next time...

Keep 'er lit Chris, am enjoying following yet another US trip

Sgt Bilco said:

The F650 is a great little bike and nice to ride on a shitty road without the fear of binning a big GS. I have to say I respect that little bike as it hauled me 1500 miles in reasonable comfort with no issues apart from a front fork seal blown.

The KLR however is an underpowered lardy piece of junk. It did the job but man alive they are cheap bike and it shows. The F650 walks all over it in every department.

Click to expand...

Remember my old KLR 650 on the TAT. At altitude it must have produced at least 10 bhp, maybe even 15, barely enough to get a fat bugger like me up the hills.

Hi Chris, Really enjoying this post. Brings back happy memories of our 2012 trip when you got all 10 of us all the way up to Prudoe! Thank goodness the conditions were alot better then. Shame about the insurance problems. Hope they get things sorted as I'm ready for another American trip. Good luck with the rest of your adventure!

Regards
Alex

We had a couple of days off in Anchorage whilst we waited for Shakey to arrive and teh hire bikes to become available for the next 15 day run around the Yukon and Alaska.

Nice old motor parked outside Gwennies

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-7ZDP8Bk/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-7ZDP8Bk/0/ebf66149/X2/2018-07-21%2009.08.14-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

I little walk around a Harley shop or the dark side:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-FKb3fzd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-FKb3fzd/0/0e7fb3e1/X2/2018-07-21%2009.14.14-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-g6DKz86/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-g6DKz86/0/4fb9b156/X2/2018-07-21%2009.15.07-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-5SQDxLz/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-5SQDxLz/0/ad1ac053/X2/2018-07-21%2009.15.47-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Shakey models the latest leather accesory for a pony tail.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LMDJm7C/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LMDJm7C/0/039fc8cd/X2/2018-07-21%2009.19.46-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-8kC3WWV/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-8kC3WWV/0/1188b2ce/X2/2018-07-21%2009.21.22-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Nice little 16oz Ribeye staek and fully loaded baked spud...............

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-M6mVVgw/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-M6mVVgw/0/2c60dab8/X2/2018-07-21%2018.28.48-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

After a couple of days R&R, we finally picked the rentals up and headed off towards Homer. As I mentioned previously, we had to change the whole trip so I've put together a brilliant 15 day trip around Alaska and the Yukon which shold be fun.

Shakey BMW (Martin) has a standard R1200GS, Keith has a R1200GSA and I bag the F800GSA, I've been thinking about getting one for a while so it was good to know I would have one for a couple of weeks. First impressions are it's effing tall but a decent bike. We rented teh bikes from Alaska Motorcycle Adventures who I highly recommend. We needed some bikes last minute and they really came up trumps as everything else was hired out.

Bike hire ain't cheap up here and people always ask why I ship people's own bikes out to the US and maybe the $2500 excess liability gives you at least one reason.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-2Q3FZ9V/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-2Q3FZ9V/0/8b709688/X2/2018-07-22%2008.02.39-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Anchorage is on the coast and we head out towards Whittier in cloudy conditions

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-sMgnkH3/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-BCBQHH3/0/d72d98e5/X2/2018-07-22%2008.02.07-1-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-VhtJg25/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-VhtJg25/0/313dfa89/X2/2018-07-22%2008.02.07-2-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

We head towards Whittier and the 2.5 mile tunnel which takes us to the town. Waiting for the clearance to go and fighting the mossies.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-dcVGRhw/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-dcVGRhw/0/7c155d93/X2/2018-07-22%2008.38.28-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Whittier is a nice little fishing town but not much going on and has it's own micro climate i.e wet and cold!!

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-TpB9G99/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-TpB9G99/0/017fd438/X2/2018-07-22%2010.03.06-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-QjV5ZPR/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-QjV5ZPR/0/61f56afc/X2/2018-07-22%2010.03.10-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-td8QXRK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-td8QXRK/0/342617ac/X2/2018-07-22%2010.03.21-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-kHLWL6T/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-kHLWL6T/0/55a2428f/X2/2018-07-22%2010.09.11-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

The town supermarket

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-F8JG6Bn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-F8JG6Bn/0/edd943e7/X2/2018-07-22%2010.31.29-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Local tourist vehicle

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RRTz5ZJ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RRTz5ZJ/0/cab5250e/X2/2018-07-22%2010.35.40-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Waiting for the tunnel back out

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-2SSXgnx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-XRfp6b2/0/e5b26822/X2/2018-07-22%2010.54.49-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-XRfp6b2/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-XRfp6b2/0/e5b26822/X2/2018-07-22%2010.54.49-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6H4qPzj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6H4qPzj/0/649a8170/X2/2018-07-22%2010.55.46-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Lovely views.....

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LvnhBLW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LvnhBLW/0/49dd5a91/X2/2018-07-22%2011.25.42-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6RgxZ9B/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6RgxZ9B/0/bf3615cb/X2/2018-07-22%2011.25.47-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Before stopping for coffee in the tiny town of Hope

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-FzcG6Z9/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-FzcG6Z9/0/787d3cc2/X2/2018-07-22%2012.38.29-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

More staggering views

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-j8XkF37/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-j8XkF37/0/2194e635/X2/2018-07-22%2012.56.55-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wmgN7PG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wmgN7PG/0/975d5a53/X2/2018-07-22%2012.57.00-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Shakey finds his soul mate

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-h9bNrzb/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-h9bNrzb/0/d99719dc/X2/2018-07-22%2013.56.27-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

A quick stop at the most westerley point on the US road network

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-967T72k/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-967T72k/0/a889df82/X2/2018-07-22%2016.21.58-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Before getting to our excellent hotel in Homer

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-ZQqHtXJ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-ZQqHtXJ/0/e1557cfd/X2/2018-07-22%2017.38.36-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6MdZP7p/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-6MdZP7p/0/c8ec6ab2/X2/2018-07-23%2007.40.46-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

A quick whizz down to Homer Spit to look at the boats and fishermen. Homer is a lovey place but very touristy.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-zvSjVhD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-zvSjVhD/0/f95d6dee/X2/2018-07-22%2018.03.15-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RkvGLTV/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RkvGLTV/0/069a9850/X2/2018-07-22%2018.05.50-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-f6qRMQX/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-f6qRMQX/0/27747dff/X2/2018-07-22%2018.16.01-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-KQ927HB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-KQ927HB/0/c8d4083d/X2/2018-07-22%2018.23.09-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-pw3FwWv/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-pw3FwWv/0/f53f9a43/X2/2018-07-22%2018.35.50-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Love this sign......

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-bcBzgS6/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-bcBzgS6/0/dc318b3b/X2/2018-07-22%2018.58.35-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Soulmate my ar*e. He moisturises better ‘n I do

Great pictures again Chris. you do have an eye for them.
You didn't happen to spot my lost Klim summer glove around the spit area in Homer by any chance?

Great stuff.

Super reminder of when I spent 2013 working up there in Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay.

Visited most of these places. Including a wee jaunt on a rent-a-beemer to ride the Anchorage - Fairbanks - Tok triangle. Was V hot.

A nice ferry boat ride from Whittier to Valdez then drive back around.

Took my Hertz car across the Denali highway one day, then discovered that was prohibited (by Hertz).

A good jet wash saw me ok with that one.

Happy days.

I had to reach for Google maps. That tunnel is a train track

tanneman said:

I had to reach for Google maps. That tunnel is a train track

Click to expand...

It is and you are riding on a metal plate in the centre of the track and, it's wet and slippy.
It's a live train track and that's the reason you have to wait until you can be escorted through.

Watch from 4:20 to see it on a video GSAMARK of this parish did of us going through.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tqxDhk2RAx4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sorry no updates for a few days but having limited access to wi fi and even then it isn't good enough to upload pics.

UturnTony said:

It is and you are riding on a metal plate in the centre of the track and, it's wet and slippy.
It's a live train track and that's the reason you have to wait until you can be escorted through.

Click to expand...

Cracking stuff Chris...

With Ash's health issues, I only get to go to these lovely places when you guys take the time to post them on here..

Got some hi speed internet now we are back in civilization so I'll get on with the report:

Where else would you put your AT?

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-vf23Bpn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-vf23Bpn/0/8a7e3f93/X2/2018-07-22%2017.59.15-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

We leave Homer in pretty wet weather and have time to stop at this great knife hut where we all bought some sharp and dangerous things:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-k47SGWq/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-k47SGWq/0/90eb7aa4/X2/2018-07-23%2011.37.51-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

And after a night in Palmer Alasker we head off and the utterly magnificent Glenn Highway. Even teh road works are a joy to stop at and have a look round:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-C5M4gMr/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-C5M4gMr/0/d352fe11/X2/2018-07-24%2008.32.16-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LZfZrGx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-LZfZrGx/0/555b3721/X2/2018-07-24%2008.32.53-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

The highway just meanders along past some of teh best scenery anywhere and even gets close to a glacier or Glaycier as it's pronounced over here:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-F73CqZz/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-F73CqZz/0/80d5c50b/X2/2018-07-24%2009.06.18-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-sXTK8Bq/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-sXTK8Bq/0/02b9feac/X2/2018-07-24%2009.06.34-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-Ss6GqXM/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-Ss6GqXM/0/a15e16c0/X2/2018-07-24%2009.20.25-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wpK3Kdt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wpK3Kdt/0/e216d73f/X2/2018-07-24%2009.20.51-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>


ShakeyBMW sitting there wondering why the hell he hasn't seen this before and Scotland on speed isn't enough to describe all this:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-qqt57jN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-qqt57jN/0/950c9656/X2/2018-07-24%2009.08.46-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

So it's on to one of teh best cafe's in Alaska which is 70 miles from anywhere. Open year round unbelievably and the food is ace. Not many places where you sit and look at a view like that whilst having a reindeer sausage. The view in somewhat spoiled by these hardened biker mates.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wHhBMSW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-wHhBMSW/0/4d99b762/X2/2018-07-24%2009.59.32-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-B7kQC8X/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-B7kQC8X/0/f7692a82/X2/2018-07-24%2010.31.22-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

It's a big hunting area so lots of dead things on the walls. It's easy to get sniffy about hunting from teh comfort of our arm chairs but most of it is subsistence and makes perfect sense when you understand the area and what happens up here.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-xQwhWP2/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-xQwhWP2/0/1f298bf5/X2/2018-07-24%2009.54.25-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RR8WmDf/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-RR8WmDf/0/ad369f7e/X2/2018-07-24%2009.55.01-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-m4Vqzg3/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-m4Vqzg3/0/1b36a25f/X2/2018-07-24%2009.55.14-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

After brekkie it was a quick ride to the fuel stop around 70 miles away. Nothing is close up here:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-WMPk9L7/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-WMPk9L7/0/16f19471/X2/2018-07-24%2011.42.13-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Valdez here we come:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-KqVSDvd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Palmer/i-KqVSDvd/0/d4e6bd5b/X2/2018-07-24%2011.42.44-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

So at the junction we swing a right towards Valdez. I've ridden this before and in my humble opinion it's one of the best motorcycling roads in the world and certainly in my top 3. It's great to ride and has some of the most spectacular views anywhere and has sweepers, a mountain pass and a canyon. Lovely just lovely and I'll let these few pictures give you an idea but of course they can't tell the whole story:

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-PwbgwVX/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-PwbgwVX/0/c0648694/X2/2018-07-24%2013.15.01-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-FnXXBtR/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-FnXXBtR/0/76098250/X2/2018-07-24%2013.17.08-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-ghTfn9c/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-ghTfn9c/0/84108c51/X2/2018-07-24%2013.17.15-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-CHXn32J/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-CHXn32J/0/a76ddb66/X2/2018-07-24%2013.29.36-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-SNSrrQB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-SNSrrQB/0/824c1172/X2/2018-07-24%2013.56.46%20HDR-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-d6M35nD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-d6M35nD/0/a519dcb6/X2/2018-07-24%2013.57.34-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-Xbj7vhn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Tok/i-Xbj7vhn/0/dcbd294b/X2/2018-07-24%2013.57.47-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>