Yep sounds about right. The prospectors were fleeced good and proper.
The Red Onion probably hasn't changed much.....
Sgt Bilco's great Alaska Adventure 2016
- Thread starter Sgt Bilco
- Start date
Yep sounds about right. The prospectors were fleeced good and proper.
The Red Onion probably hasn't changed much.....
As we head out of Valdez and bacl over the mountains, the weather had cleared a little bit at least but there was still a lot of cloud at altitude. I'm led to believe that there is the most stunning scenery up there but didn't really see it in all it's glory. Oh well, looks like another trip back to Skagway in the not too distant future to catch it in the sun.
The bridge in the pic is only anchored at one end to make it earthquake proof. Obviously being in Alaska it's the biggest of it's kind anywhere in the world. You have to marvel at the ingenuity of road engineering up here in some of the harshest and most diverse conditions.
Still, as rides go, this is right up there and the best way I can describe all most of teh roads up in Alaska are like the Alps on speed. Just magnificent roads and scenery that goes on seemingly forever and an almost complete lack of traffic. Riding heaven.........
The bridge in the pic is only anchored at one end to make it earthquake proof. Obviously being in Alaska it's the biggest of it's kind anywhere in the world. You have to marvel at the ingenuity of road engineering up here in some of the harshest and most diverse conditions.
Still, as rides go, this is right up there and the best way I can describe all most of teh roads up in Alaska are like the Alps on speed. Just magnificent roads and scenery that goes on seemingly forever and an almost complete lack of traffic. Riding heaven.........
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Finally it seems the sun has come out again to give a nice shot towns as we ride by. Lots of water and bridges up here which make for interesting riding.
Despite the sun, it still stays a wee bit coold so some nice soup and bread for lunch. Most cafe's make their own soup and it's generally delicious and perfect for a lunch. It makes a great change from the usual fried crap.
Then we get to the infamous Teslin bridge which is a half mile of steel road and normally freaks people out before they get there. It makes an interesting ride across that's for sure but no problems.
Despite the sun, it still stays a wee bit coold so some nice soup and bread for lunch. Most cafe's make their own soup and it's generally delicious and perfect for a lunch. It makes a great change from the usual fried crap.
Then we get to the infamous Teslin bridge which is a half mile of steel road and normally freaks people out before they get there. It makes an interesting ride across that's for sure but no problems.
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Did that trip in 2007, started in July and never saw a single mossie!!!!!, seems the highway has improved a good bit as the wooden road bridge was being re surfaced and half of the wood was rotten making deep grooves along the edges of the planks not amusing!. Thanks for all the piccies I also got laid in Chicken but it was dry then!!, glad a good time was had by all and no disasters all the piccies brought back good memories well done.
And that gentlemen is what off roading is all about when you can do it that's when your an off roader!!.
And that gentlemen is what off roading is all about when you can do it that's when your an off roader!!.
Sorry about the delay all but the second epic trip around Moab and all the big mountains and canyons go in the way. It's a tough job but someone has to do it and it might as well be me.
Anyway, where were we.....
Down to Watson Lake and teh signpost forest and for reasons I no not, I don't have any pictures of that. I do however have pictures of trucks and cafe's which is always interesting. I snapped this pic of a fully loaded, double trailer fuel tanker as I was passing it......he was cruising at around 75mph
Into the motel in Watson lake and retired to a lovely view across the Yukon Territory.
Anyway, where were we.....
Down to Watson Lake and teh signpost forest and for reasons I no not, I don't have any pictures of that. I do however have pictures of trucks and cafe's which is always interesting. I snapped this pic of a fully loaded, double trailer fuel tanker as I was passing it......he was cruising at around 75mph
Into the motel in Watson lake and retired to a lovely view across the Yukon Territory.
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Early start next morning after hearing the tale of Boatman being stalked by a bear the previous evening. I'm sure Symon will be along to regale you with teh tale but the bear has gone from being a small brown bear to the biggest Grizzly in the north!!
Anyway, lovely mornings riding down the lovely Cassiar Highway (R37) looking at some vey strange cloud formations. Anyone know what those round ones are? They looked like big dustbins up there. The clouds thickened up until we were treated to a storm which hit as we arrived at slippery road construction......nice but refuge at a cafe wasn't long in appearing over the horizon.
Anyway, lovely mornings riding down the lovely Cassiar Highway (R37) looking at some vey strange cloud formations. Anyone know what those round ones are? They looked like big dustbins up there. The clouds thickened up until we were treated to a storm which hit as we arrived at slippery road construction......nice but refuge at a cafe wasn't long in appearing over the horizon.
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The cassiar is a great ride and everyone just enjoyed the scenery despite the less than perfect weather.
We kept crossing paths with a bunch of Japanese riders who had been as far as Prudhoe Bay. One chap said that out of 7 bikes only 4 had made it because of the weather which shows just how fortunate we were to have a clear run up there. They had a support car and trailer carrying all the broken bits.....and bikes. One of teh guys was teh smallest person I have ever seen on a GSA and I reckon he was only around 5ft 2" tops. He had removed teh seat and had fashioned this low seat so he could at least get on and off!!
We have a usual coffee stop at a small place called Bell and I can only presume it's so called because of all the helicopter activity in the area. It's the only way to get to work for a lot of workers out in the middle of nowhere.
We kept crossing paths with a bunch of Japanese riders who had been as far as Prudhoe Bay. One chap said that out of 7 bikes only 4 had made it because of the weather which shows just how fortunate we were to have a clear run up there. They had a support car and trailer carrying all the broken bits.....and bikes. One of teh guys was teh smallest person I have ever seen on a GSA and I reckon he was only around 5ft 2" tops. He had removed teh seat and had fashioned this low seat so he could at least get on and off!!
We have a usual coffee stop at a small place called Bell and I can only presume it's so called because of all the helicopter activity in the area. It's the only way to get to work for a lot of workers out in the middle of nowhere.
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We came across that trailer of bike and bits too.
On into the wierd and wonderful town of Hyder at the southern tip of Alaska. If you have been there you will know what I mean. I took a load of pics there but for some reason they haven't come out well enough but I'm sure people will be along to post some of theirs. It's a great place to see bears catching salmon and I know a couple of teh guys gor some cracking shots and hopefully they will post them up.
Here are some Glacier pics which did come out. Bear Glacier on the way in and the magnificent Salmon Tail which is at the end of a 30km dirt road. Despite seeing it 5 or 6 times it's still a breathtaking view as you stand right above it.
Here are some Glacier pics which did come out. Bear Glacier on the way in and the magnificent Salmon Tail which is at the end of a 30km dirt road. Despite seeing it 5 or 6 times it's still a breathtaking view as you stand right above it.
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A few pics from in and around Hyder. There is a Canadian border crossing there which is a real pain as they insist on checking every time you go through which is quite often as all the food and gas is in Stewart on the Canadian side. It's there as apparently teh smuggling through there was unbelievable until they reinstated it about 25 years ago.
Guard: How long will you be in Canada?
Me: About an hour
Guard: Whats the purpose of your visit?
Me: To get a coffee, breakfast and maybe some fuel.
Guard: When were you last in Canada?
Me: About 2 hours ago.
Guard: I thought you looked familiar
etc etc etc.
Guard: How long will you be in Canada?
Me: About an hour
Guard: Whats the purpose of your visit?
Me: To get a coffee, breakfast and maybe some fuel.
Guard: When were you last in Canada?
Me: About 2 hours ago.
Guard: I thought you looked familiar
etc etc etc.
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There is one place left to eat in Hyder as the rest of the place was closed. I don't know why but the locals don't seem to have any drive to get the tourists in which is odd as it's a popular place because of the Glaciers and Bears.
Anyway, the old bus sells the best damned fish and chips you will get. At $16 a portion it may seem a little steep but she only sells what her husband catches in the morning so is as fresh as it gets. The Halibut is just plain delicious and I've never tasted finer. It's worth the trip just to have this.
Anyway, the old bus sells the best damned fish and chips you will get. At $16 a portion it may seem a little steep but she only sells what her husband catches in the morning so is as fresh as it gets. The Halibut is just plain delicious and I've never tasted finer. It's worth the trip just to have this.
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We're currently on a (car) road trip inNew England and I got chatting to this guy, Jim, in a town called Rochester, Vermont. He was just back from a trip to Canada and Aladka on his GS where he'd been talking to a guy from the Uk called Geoff who was riding a Honda, he wasn't sure what model but from his description it sounded like an Africa Twin. Geoff had flown his bike into Fairbabks from the UK along with a load of other Brits who were riding north then back down to San Francisco where the bikes were being shipped back to the UK from.......
We're currently on a (car) road trip in New England and I got chatting to this guy, Jim, in a town called Rochester, Vermont. He was just back from a 10,000 mile trip to Canada on his GS where he'd been talking to a guy from the UK called Geoff who was riding a Honda, he wasn't sure what model but from his description and the photo he showed me it sounded like an Africa Twin. Geoff had flown his bike into Fairbanks from the UK along with a load of other Brits who were riding north then back down to San Francisco where the bikes were being shipped back to the UK from.......
Crossing back into BC, we stumbled across this little 3 wheeler made by Polaris. Apparentky it's good for 260 kph but I wouldn't want to be in it. It's powered by a 2.3 ltre chevrolet turbo motor and the owner said he had got to 200 kph before he ran out of bravery!
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Went past this timber truck at about 85mph. Man those guys get a move on.
Onto the fantastic Mount Robson with just a little cloud on the peak but still one of the most beautiful views in North America in my opinion.
Onto the fantastic Mount Robson with just a little cloud on the peak but still one of the most beautiful views in North America in my opinion.
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South out of Jasper onto the Icefields into a rainstorm which looked like it could be a real nightmare. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes and before long the sun was out to show the Icefields Parkway in it's full glory.
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As you get to Lake Louise, I always tell everyone to take the old Hwy1 town to Banff as it's Bear central. I've never failed to see one on the old road and this trip was no exception. Saw two young male bears walking down the hill and they walked straight across the road in front of me and Mark. God knows what happened to my camera (maybe it was nerves) but the pictures of the bears in front of me were out of focus. I think Mark has it on video somewhere but both those guys just strolled across the road with just a sideways glance. Always brilliant to see these beautiful creatures close up..
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