Alaska 2023 - As it happens!

[Sgt Bilco]

After aniother superb days riding, we arrive at our slightly quirky AirB&B in Tok. Fast Eddies was fully booked but this place was next door and just the job.



As it was my birthday, 26 again.....!!, I celebrated with a huge Taco salad to keep my manly figure good order!



Even the salads are enormous over here as Richard found out after he ordered a small house saled.



Then it was to the bar for a couple of scoops which went on rather late. It was one of those nights which started quietly but the bar was good and company excellent.





Cheers all



However not all of us can take our drink and this was the state of a certain tosser the next morning who just need another few minutes sleep. Luckily, it wasn't a silly o'clock start.



Just to give you an idea of the lack of darkness up here, this picture was taken at midnight and teh pic does make it look a little darker than it really was.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Once we got Paul sorted, we breakfasted with the healthy option at Fast Eddies and headed off towards Valdez.






Another glorious days riding through some simply stunning scenery was on offer. The weather was meant to cool down a little today and we had a bit of rain and clouds but nothing could dampen the joy of this landscape.



No matter how many times you see these views, it just takes your breath away.









Then it was coffee at a small local coffee shop and grocery store. This is the first place after Tok and about 90 miles down the road!!

 

[gspod]

Thanks for writing this up Chris - I know its the last thing one feels like doing, at the end of the day, when on a trip so, much appreciated

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After fuel in Glenallen where the regular readers will remember we bumped into Itchyboots last year, we head on towards Valdez to some of teh stand out views of the whole trip.

I think this picture sums up Alaska which is snowcapped mountains, trees and fantastic roads to ride:


Enjoying the view:



Summer in Alaska brinks construction but we never have to wait more than 15 mins and the flag girls are always interesting to talk to. They get paid pretty well at $35 per hour for 12 hour shifts. I can think of worse places to work......





These guys had ridden up from Florida which is a long way.......



The weather starts to get a bit chillier and drops to around 4c but the views are still superb.






Bridal Veil Falls is always a great place to stop:

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Valdez never fails to impress and is a very busy working port.





Is there a better view from a bar anywhere??



Early away from Valdez and the weather isn't brilliant but teh views make up for it





Bloody chilly going over Thompson Pass but just lovely scenery all around.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

More cunstruction:



Then it was time for breakfast at this great little old school diner. Quite how these places stay open is beyond me but they are so much better than modern places.



A classic Alaska view on our way to Chitina



At Chitina, we caught site of locals net fishing for Salmon. They are allowed to haul out 5 Salmon a day I think and there were plenty there getting their quota and getting their freezers full.






About 20 miles down a dirt road is this classic old road bridge which is always impressive and very iconic





Such great views from out in the sticks:





Then is was coffee at the only place open and the worlds most miserable barista. Nice coffee though....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Our last night on the road and we stay at a great location called Lake Louise. The normal place we stay in was fully booked but right next door is teh Evergreen Lodge which is a lovely place in a great location.



Nice to have a float plane in the drive!!




As in most places up here, there are a great selection of dead animals on the wall. I guess it doesn't seem right to many of us but it's teh way it is up here. Hunting is pretty well controlled and bears are everywhere in this area even though we didn't catch a glimpse of one.






The owners yard was full of all sorts of old vehicles just sitting rotting away which is perfectly normal up here:



Even an old Range Rover sitting in a barn. You don't see many up here as they are deemed unreliable and too small....



Not bad views from the bedroom window!



The next morning was wet and overcast so after breakfast we wrapped up well for the ride back to Anchorage. The Glenn Highway is a fantastic ride but most of the scenery was hidden today.



The Matanuska Glacier still stood out though:

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Like all Glaciers, this one is receding at a pace so I'm guessing it will be gone in our lifetime:







A very welcome coffee stop:




It was then a steady ride back to the rental depot. We would normally have ridden Haines Pass but the weather was just too bad.



Not to worry and out of 13 days on the road, we had almost perfect weather for 11 of them which isn't a bad effort up here.

The bikes had been faultless and the total distance was a little over 2500 miles so a very successful trip yet again.

We always have an evening out and although it was a little chilly, we had a great evening out at the 49th State brewery in Anchorage.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

So that was it and another trip successfully negotiated. As you can imagine, I really love coming up here and showing people just what a great place it is to ride and visit. It's just about a perfect place for ADV riding and a wonderful experience. I will be doing it again next year........just sayin'!!

A few of us stayed on for a couple of days and we managed to get some time on a shooting range which was great fun. It felt more like a gold driving range when we showed up. Bill supplied up with a couple of his AR15's, ammo and expert instruction as letting a few tossers loose with these things would be bordering on linacy.

For those in the know, one was a .308 with 150 grain bullets and the other was a .428 with 450 grain bullets. The .428 was a beast of a thing and there were a few sore shoulders after the session.










Next day our flight wasn't leaving to the afternoon and there was a great car show on locally. They had some fantastic old iron on show and we spent a great few hours wandering around.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

There was even a new scooter for Ash


Probably my favourite vehicle on show:



Some great stuff though:





So after a brilliant breakfast at Gwennies which is the law on my trips



It was off to the airport but not before an extra treat with a Moose just wandering around the neighbourhood. Nothing to see here......




A bit of a delay at the airport but the Condor 767 finally showed up for the trip home.


Then one last treat. The route to Frankfurt goes north and past Mt Denali which at over 20,000ft is the highest mountain in North America and rare to see without cloud. Not he greatest picture but a great fnale to the trip.




Thanks for reading.

 

[richardbd]

Most excellent report - thanks for taking the time to post Bilco...

 

[tjmouse]

Thanks for the regular posts. Sounds like you had a pretty perfect trip!

 

[OnHellas]

Yeah, cheers for posting all of those photos of unmemorable shit scenery….it doesn’t make me want to go back at all!!

Alaska is an absolutely stunning place, as most people who’ve been will tell you, and travelling around on a motorcycle takes some beating. Saying that, I’ve not done it any other way.

 

[Davey B]

Great thread, many thanks.

 

[Mr Derek]

Thanks for a great write up and the pictures. It looks fascinating. Maybe one day…

 

[G&T]

Excellent read thanks Bilco

 

[Kitsilano]

Sgt Bilco - Congratulations to you all on a great trip! It's remarkable that you had such good weather for most of the days!....and thanks for being so diligent in posting - very enjoyable and great eye candy for all with a thirst for exploring.

 

[hogletsdad]

Lovely Stuff, Looks like a great holiday was had by all, but please, No More scooter suggestions for Ash, every time I visit his garage he has another one and another reason why he bought it.

 

[NeuroticAnt]

Awesome report and pictures as per normal. Really need to work on my persuasion skills to either get SWMBO'd interested in this trip or convince her to let me go on mw own. Think I have more chance of the former option.
Keeping my eyes open for details about next years trip.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Very nice trip thanks . What sort of cost is this trip in all in ?