patzx12
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This is the Suzuki guy: CAIRONCRAZY he is on facebook
Sgt Bilco's great Alaska Adventure 2016
- Thread starter Sgt Bilco
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Latest from Reuters: They've made Prudhoe Bay.
newboy
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Right, sorry about the silence folks bt we've been doing the thing we are here for......riding bikes.
Had an uneventful but nice run across to Fairbanks from Anchorage and checked into the excellent University of Fairbanks. Bit of a starange place as we stay in teh dowms but it's clean, well located and most of all cheap.
Sorted the bikes off a headed off for the more northerly parts and to the infamous Dalton Highway. There had been reports of heavy rain and bad weather on the haul road with truckers saying conditions were appaling up near Prudhoe Bay. This was my 5th trip on teh Highway and I've ridden it wet and dry and when I hear reports of heavy rain, my blood runs cold as it can be lethal.
Not many of the guys have too much experience of long gravel roads so we were taking a bit of a chance on having good weather but more of that later. Temps in the high 20's as we headed out after the usual great breakfast at the Sourdough.
Had an uneventful but nice run across to Fairbanks from Anchorage and checked into the excellent University of Fairbanks. Bit of a starange place as we stay in teh dowms but it's clean, well located and most of all cheap.
Sorted the bikes off a headed off for the more northerly parts and to the infamous Dalton Highway. There had been reports of heavy rain and bad weather on the haul road with truckers saying conditions were appaling up near Prudhoe Bay. This was my 5th trip on teh Highway and I've ridden it wet and dry and when I hear reports of heavy rain, my blood runs cold as it can be lethal.
Not many of the guys have too much experience of long gravel roads so we were taking a bit of a chance on having good weather but more of that later. Temps in the high 20's as we headed out after the usual great breakfast at the Sourdough.
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The Dalton starts around 80 miles north of Fairbanks and these 80 miles are brilliant sweeping tarmac just to get teh tyres warmed up. Much to my surprise the road conditions are nigh on perfect as we hit the Dalton and a lot of the real bad stuff has been either tarmaced over or graded really well. Being dry helps of course but these suraces are brilliant on a big GS.
Nice little ride up to the Yukon crossing and fuel for the standard GS's and Murdocks Africa Twin which seems to be getting all the attention. Fuel is at a premium up here and you should always fuel when you can.
After fuel up teh road a few miles to the Hot spot cafe for a coffee.
Nice little ride up to the Yukon crossing and fuel for the standard GS's and Murdocks Africa Twin which seems to be getting all the attention. Fuel is at a premium up here and you should always fuel when you can.
After fuel up teh road a few miles to the Hot spot cafe for a coffee.
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Great ride report so far - you've been lucky with the weather. Seen many moose and black bear?
So, tramping on in this glorious sunshine and up to Coldfoot for fuel before heading up to the Boreal Lodge in Wiseman for teh night. Many people stay at coldfoot camp but it's very expensive for a bed in what is little more than a portacabin. I really like teh Boreal which is around 20 miles north in a very small old gold mining town. I just like these quirky little places.
Food and fuel and Coldfoot which is the last we see for 240 miles. Slight issue with the front wheel of John's 1200 but that's what can happen on this road if you hit the pot holes head on. Still holding air which the important thing and probably due to having the brilliant and tough Heidenau tyre.
Food and fuel and Coldfoot which is the last we see for 240 miles. Slight issue with the front wheel of John's 1200 but that's what can happen on this road if you hit the pot holes head on. Still holding air which the important thing and probably due to having the brilliant and tough Heidenau tyre.
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No Bears at the minute mate but a few Moose are running loose.
Over the last couple of days we'd all heard some horredous stories about the state of the road from truckers and riders. To be honest, I pay little attention to what riders say as one mans horrendous is another man's slightly slippy but I do listen to the truckers up here. The way some of the American riders describe things is sometimes hilarious. This is my 5th ride on here so I've learnt who know best and who to listen to and recent heavy rain had made some of the road very tough. One trucker said teh last 100 miles were miserable........!! We knew the last 40 were construction and would be tough as they just dig up the surface and leave you to ride through soft mud and gravel. A big problem is this nasty stuff is beyond the point of no return for fuel so you have to be committed.
I was a bit concerned with all the reports so as tour leader and knowing that this road can bite you on the ass at any minute and does kill people, I called a meeting to discuss it. The options were to carry on in the morning and try and pick up some current reports or get to the decision point and turn back. You can't take chances up here that's for sure.
I'd call it a full and frank discussion with everyone understanding the dilemna although there were a few bottom lips quivering at the prospect of not making Prudhoe Bay. The truth is, not many people do get all the way up teh dangers are very real up here. Decision made to carry on and see what happens in the morning.
Up early and on teh road for 6am and what an utterly gorgeous day. One of those when you can't really believe you are riding in such beautiful scenery. After a chat with some construction workers who confirmed teh road had dried out in teh hot sun and was good, decision made to go to Prudhoe Bottom lips stopped quivering and big smiles returned.
I was a bit concerned with all the reports so as tour leader and knowing that this road can bite you on the ass at any minute and does kill people, I called a meeting to discuss it. The options were to carry on in the morning and try and pick up some current reports or get to the decision point and turn back. You can't take chances up here that's for sure.
I'd call it a full and frank discussion with everyone understanding the dilemna although there were a few bottom lips quivering at the prospect of not making Prudhoe Bay. The truth is, not many people do get all the way up teh dangers are very real up here. Decision made to carry on and see what happens in the morning.
Up early and on teh road for 6am and what an utterly gorgeous day. One of those when you can't really believe you are riding in such beautiful scenery. After a chat with some construction workers who confirmed teh road had dried out in teh hot sun and was good, decision made to go to Prudhoe Bottom lips stopped quivering and big smiles returned.
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newboy
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I can't imagine who they were lol.... I am sure mine would have been too tbh..
Being honest Its been going all week
It's looking great Chris.....
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Being honest Its been going all week
It's looking great Chris.....
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No matter how many times you come up here, nothing really prepares you for the scale of the place.......it's a vast open wilderness which just takes your breath away. Not sure how many other places there are like this in the world but it truly is stunning and photos just cannot do it justice.
The biggest issue up here is the fucking mosquitos or otherwise known as the State bird of Alaska! You stop for 1 minute and boom, they are all over you and they are big. They will go through a couple of layers so you are bound to get bitten but teh mossie net over the helmet is first line protection kindly Modelled by Andy_E.
Of course a cracking Dalton truck parked quietly in the middle of nowhere. Mike O has his cars and my reports would be nothing without a few pics of America's finest rigs.
The biggest issue up here is the fucking mosquitos or otherwise known as the State bird of Alaska! You stop for 1 minute and boom, they are all over you and they are big. They will go through a couple of layers so you are bound to get bitten but teh mossie net over the helmet is first line protection kindly Modelled by Andy_E.
Of course a cracking Dalton truck parked quietly in the middle of nowhere. Mike O has his cars and my reports would be nothing without a few pics of America's finest rigs.
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I can't imagine who they were lol.... I am sure mine would have been too tbh..
Being honest Its been going all week
It's looking great Chris.....
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The toys nearly came out of the pram mate
. It will still be there next year.......
newboy
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The toys nearly came out of the pram mate
It will and I hope to be
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We had a great ride all the way up to the construction 36 mies south of Prudhoe and sure enough, it was pretty rough. Deep gravel and wet mud just to add a bit of spice to the ride and I reckon everyone had a few moments. The stretches are huge and you will have 16 miles being escorted by a pilot car which is after probably waiting 30 minutes being eaten half alive my mossies! Still, beats going to Tescos........!! The road had been washed away the previous winter so they are raising it 11ft!!
This is where my camera decided to get all moody and only take black and white which I hadn't noticed. I take a lot of pics one handed whilst riding and must have hit the wrong button but never mind, they look OK I reckon.
Up into Prudhoe and the mandatory picture outside the post office. Spot your favourite tosser in this rogues gallery......!!
I was working out that I've now taken 42 different people up to Prudhoe bay in the last few years I'm proud to say.
This is where my camera decided to get all moody and only take black and white which I hadn't noticed. I take a lot of pics one handed whilst riding and must have hit the wrong button but never mind, they look OK I reckon.
Up into Prudhoe and the mandatory picture outside the post office. Spot your favourite tosser in this rogues gallery......!!
I was working out that I've now taken 42 different people up to Prudhoe bay in the last few years I'm proud to say.
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Prudhoe bay is basically just an oil refinery and there is nothing really there to see. Due to the current low oil prices, there are only about 50% of the normal workforce up there so it and the highway are fairly quiet.
We had a quick lunch at the Aurora hotel and were charged the princely sum of $5 which kind of offsets the fuel price of $5 per gallon up here.
The cost of staying up here is horrendous and never worth it in my opinion se we head back out for the quick 240 mile hop back to Wiseman.
We had a quick lunch at the Aurora hotel and were charged the princely sum of $5 which kind of offsets the fuel price of $5 per gallon up here.
The cost of staying up here is horrendous and never worth it in my opinion se we head back out for the quick 240 mile hop back to Wiseman.
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By fuck there are some ugly buggers with you Chris. If Pete's coming with you next year I'll do my best to increase the Tom Cruise factor, dates permitting.
Good luck chaps, very well done, enjoy yourselves and stay safe.
Good luck chaps, very well done, enjoy yourselves and stay safe.
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