Alaska and The Yukon 2026 ride

[Sgt Bilco]

We awaoke to the gentle pitter patter of rain again and headed off. It was definitely ligher though and by teh time we got to Talkeetna, it had actually stopped........hurray!

It's a funny little town and very touristy but they do a very nice cup of coffee.



I do believe thats blue sky up there!!





So suitably refreshed and buoyed from the sun, we headed off to see if we could see Mount Denali which at just over 20,000ft is the highest peak in North America. It's often shrouded in cloud but we managed to get to glimpse the peak.



Colman looked happy to see it.



Then it was off to the Denali Highway and fuel as the lodge we are staying at is 70 miles down the highway.



Anyone expecting a fuel delivery?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

As we turn onto the Denali we get a little rain and it's a bit overcast but still unbelievably beautiful.





At least everyone agrees with me despite the overcast weatrher.





The road is hard packed dirt with a little gravel but very easy to ride.



And after a couple of hours we arrived safe and sound at the superb Alpine creek lodge.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

This Lodge is glorious and right in the middle of nowhere. The family have owned it for about 25 years and have slowly built it up. It's some place to live especially in the winter. To do a shop, it's a 2 day run to Fairbanks and back so better not forget the milk eh?

I might have said this before but Bob shot the 24th largest bear ever recorded when he was 16! It took 7 shots to bring it down








Anyway, after a nice evening in the bar and a good breakfast we head off in, and you've guessed it, light rain. Everyone is thoroughly refreshed and despite the weather are still loving where they are.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

So it was on to Fairbanks. We fuelled up at the first available station with me just a little concerned about range as usual but as we were just cruising along gently, all was well.

Look at the size of this trailer.......!! Can you imagine pulling this in the UK?




We always stop at a great cafe in Denali and guess what..........the sun has finally come out!!





and a quick stop at Wallmart in Fairbanks to pick up bits and bobs before heading to Chena Hot Springs.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Right, there will be a 48 hour break as I'm flying home tomorrow on Virgin's finest.

I always stay a few days after a trip to decompress a little with my buddy Bill. The rental company knew I was here so called me this morning tio see if I would put some break in miles on a new R1300GS they have so arm twisted, I had a cracking day on what is to be fair a very decent motorcycle.

Firstly another great breakfast at Gwennies before heading off to the Kenai Peninsular.



A gratuitous shot of a truck because I like them



After a 100 miles or so, I stopped and had a nice cup of coffee and a great cafe in Girdwood. I know, it's a tough life but someone has to do it and it might as well be me.



Right folks, see you in a couple of days for more Alaskan adventures

 

[Nick Marshall]

Those crash bars look Heavy Duty.

Does anyone know what make they are?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Those crash bars look Heavy Duty.

Does anyone know what make they are?

View attachment 526572

They are Givi bars Nick

 

[Rusty]

Great report great photos Great trip ! Thanks for the write up .. brilliant.

 

[newboy]

Not jealous at all...
b*gger

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Well, the system worked and I was whisked home with minimum fuss by Delta and Virgin Atlantic.

It's a bit of a hit to and from Anchorage but I never mind it as it's a fairly straightforward route. The trip is 3hrs 15 mins to Seattle, 2 hour lay over then 9.30 mins to Heathrow and it couldn't be simpler. About 19 hours door to door which is brilliant but the jet lag is a different story

Nice to see Airbus taking a hold in the US and they are much nicer to fly on that the cramped 737's, Todays Airbus 220 down to Seattle was quiet and comfy despite being full.



Nice views as well.





Nice view of Mount Hood peeping above the cloud layer from the Virgin A330 departing Seattle.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

We get into Chena Hot Springs in plenty of time to enjoy the springs which are very welcome. The sun was out and they really did lift the mood to such a point that no one took any pictures.

After a nice evening we awake to the sound of the rain which had returned so was yesterdays sunshine it for the trip??

The hot springs were steaming nicely in the cool weather.




Even the Ducks and Moose get their own pool





Then is was off to a brilliant cafe in Fairbanks which is a regular stop. It's about 90 mins away so we are all ready for the feast ahaed.



The amount of food served always staggers me and as usual, Lesley lead the way followed closely by Guy whose appetite knows no bounds.



After that light snack it was down to North Pole where the American Santa lives. It's a cracking little place and it's bizarre to go into a full on Christmas shop in July.




And we all had a chat with Santa who said we'd get everything we wanted this year as we'd all been good and braved an Alaskan summer.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After finally meeting Santa we were all happy as we headed down to Delta Junction which is the end of the Alcan Highway. The history here is really interesting and man people who came on my San Francisco -Prudhoe Bay adventures many years ago will remember riding the full length of this road.



As it was still more than a little moist, the mossies were out in force.



But I'd threatened them with this mossie repellant which actually works. It's formulated by a UK company using natural products and after years of trying all sorts of stuff including horrible deet, I've finally found something which works.



And it was an uneventful trip down the Tok and Fast Eddies hotel. It's a great little place where you park your bike outside your room which is always cool.



A well travelled Harley Pan American was next door and there are plenty up here. I've been strangely drawn to this odd looking beasts but so far have resisted despite all the bad press about them. Love the way he's used mole grips as a foot rest as his highway peg had obviously failed.



Then is was off to Chicken and the worlds biggest Cinneman buns wich were absolutely delicious. Despite already having breakfast, these were too good to miss for most of us.






The coffee was pretty decent too and quite how places like this make a living out in the sticks is beyond me but it's great to see them year after year.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

How's my bad finger I hear you all ask? Well I've got this far without using it and it's healing up nicely thank you very much.

Because of this, I had to buy extra gloves as mine are just too small to get my finger in with the bandage on. I picked up some really good Icon short gloves for $50 which have turned out to be waterproof and comfy but not very warm and when you use the heated grips, it seems to pu;; water into the gloves.

Whilst fuelling at Tok, I spotted the ideal solution to the issue and bought these fella's for the sum total of $15. They are rubber work gloves with a lining and proved to be a game changer. Nick had actually bought a pair of these when he came on the trip 5 years ago and recommended them as a great alternative.

They don't offer much protection but surely a manufacturer could adapt some decent rubber gloves with some armour on them as it seems to me, water proof gloves are next to impossible to get.

Problem is, they don't look good as I reckon most people would rather look cool than have kit that actually works. It's not a fashion show.........or is it?



Anyway, back to Chicken which is an old gold mining town and now a bit of a tourist trap ut at least it keeps it going.



If you watched Itchyboots journey to Alaska, you may recognise this bar.





.

Soon enough we head out from Chicken and the highway turns to hard packed dirt and a little gravel which is no problem. A couple of riders are a little nervous but it's no real issue as long as you take it easy in the wet conditions.



After an hour or so we start climbing and approach to border into Canada. There is a very bizarre stretch of road up here and for about 10 miles there is a stretch of perfect tarmac which would grace any race track. Apparently, the US army built this just to prove to the Canadians that it could be done up here because the winters are bitter!

You can see the road snaking away into the distance.



We pull into a tiny community just before the border as there is a cafe open and it's very welcome. The temp has dropped to 36F (4C) as we are about 4000ft and it's like a cold December day!



Some of the locals are also keeping warm in there!!





The loos at the back were interesting that's for sure!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It's just a short ride up the Canadian border and generally the Canadians are pretty amiable but this time, the guy was obviously affected by the crap weather and seemed as miserable as sin. He marched us into the office and proceeded to lecture us like naughty children and then he found out Colman was Irish. He just said "I guess they all take the piss out of you aye" Colman said "err yes" and his face cracked and we all burst out laughing. I think he had a mega dry sense of humour and was fine frm then on.

He wouldn't let us take a pic though se we climbed aboard the chariots and rode into the murky Yukon.



For those that don't know, the Top of The World Highway snakes it's way across the top of a mountain range at about 4500ft and is famed for spectacular views but today it wasn't really playing ball.

I've had some spectacular rides across here but today was just OK



Guy and Lesley absolutely loving it.



You can just see the road snaking away into the distance. It's hard packed dirt with a bit of gravel but easy riding.



After a couple of hours we drop down the steep hill toward Dawson and the ferry across the mighty Yukon river and I do believe the skies are clearing a bit and the temperature was hovering around a positively balmy 14c!!



The ferry is free and plies it's trade 24/7 in the summer months.



We make our way into town, check in to our hotel and then out for a very welcome Steak and Shrimp dinner at the Drunken Goat Greek restaurant .

 

[boatman]

Looks like you lucked out on the run over the Taylor ( top of the world highway ) - I remember hours of mud n crap n tiring hours of sliding around in mud n crap all over the place !
Never was a small ferry crossing so welcome

 

[earthmover]

Looks awful Sarge!
Mark

 

[Arsey]

Nice to see Airbus taking a hold in the US and they are much nicer to fly on that the cramped 737's, Todays Airbus 220 down to Seattle was quiet and comfy despite being full.

Seat pitch is down to the airline , not the manufacturer.

 

[richardbd]

Is the Sour Toe cocktail still a thing in Dawson City?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Seat pitch is down to the airline , not the manufacturer.

I get that but Airbus aircraft always seem a little less camped to me anyway.

 

[wessie]

I get that but Airbus aircraft always seem a little less camped to me anyway.

yes, I prefer a buff cabin boy too