Currently, a BMW R1200RT. Before that was a BMW R1100GS, and that would’ve been good for an AK ride. Maybe I’ll get a KLR650 for the ride. Or a GS800 like you’ll have, which should serve you very well. The farthest I’ve ridden on one trip is round trip from San Francisco to St. Louis, but round trip to AK would be a much longer ride.
Wow, I didn’t know about that and when I punched that into Google images the results are impressive. Maybe I take that route on the return!
Hey, lots of good inputs here (smoother winter ride, go west out of Anchorage, the 72 LTD) - maybe except the stone cold sober dip :eek:
Thanks again and again.
Depending on what helmet you are wearing, you might want to rig up a screen to seal out mosquitos either over the goggle opening, or the bottom-to-jacket gap. I used some old screen-door material and duct tape and made a pretty good, if not very ugly, seal around the open spots on my dirt-bike helmet. A neck warmer is good protection against both Skeeters and the occasional rock to the Adam’s Apple.
I’m rather surprised that nobody has mentioned Milepost — it’s regarded as prit’ near indispensable for those traveling the Last Frontier, and especially those going off the beaten path. The latest one I have (2008) has fairly detailed sections on all the roads mentioned so far.
Should be available from a decent-sized bookstore once you get within spitting distance of the Alaska Highway* access routes, or direct from the publisher.
*While many people still call it the “Alcan,” the term is somewhat on the decline — “deprecated” in Microsoft-speak.
It’s been completely paved for some years now, but is always in some state of disrepair because of frost heaving, particularly in the upper BC and Yukon. Tons of wildlife along that highway, including moose and bison right on the road. One will see more wildlife in Canada than in Alaska.
On the haul road: It seems to me that you can’t get gas in Deadhorse (or couldn’t back when I drove it), so you’ll want to top off your tank in Coldfoot. Also, have a burger at the Hot Spot Cafe just up the road from Coldfoot. It’s the only commercial enterprise on that road. When driving, show extreme courtesy to the truckers and they’ll return the favor. Slow down so you’re not throwing up a dust screen, and they’ll do the same. It will also save you a rock through the window.
NB: car rental companies will specifically prohibit you from driving that road (also the Taylor Highway and Denali Highway, which are unpaved). If you ignore that proviso, you will be liable for any damage to the vehicle.
Otto: I didn’t get the impression from the OP that the Alcan was in the plan. But the Milepost is essential for all Alaska roads and is an excellent suggestion. Even residents rely on it.
Depends on your value of “completely paved.” Last time I ran the road, the Canadian Government had, in their infinite wisdom, decided to remove and repave about 200 miles of the road as I was passing through. People who lived there said the road work made the road even rougher than it was before. :smack:
Part of the problem (as I understand it) is that the US government is supposed to kick in some money for the maintenance of the highway, since it links Alaska with the rest of the country. Congress has not been exactly forthcoming with the dollars. Hell, they won’t even fix the roads and railroads in our own country,
As long as we’re comparing dick sizes, there’s always Slim Williams, who mushed his dogs from Alaska to Seattle, then put wheels on it and mushed to the Chicago World’s Fair, then on to WDC, all to support the idea of a trans-Canada highway. All in 1933.
I’ve driven in northern Norway in winter, in Tromso, Narvik and Harstad. Little did I know I was only 300 miles away from that E69 northernmost point! I couldn’t have broken away and swung over to there and bagged it, though, as I was driving a Hummvee with tire chains, in a convoy with my USMC unit.
BTW, you should’ve seen those Norwegian locals drive (no, fly!) on those ice-covered roads. Studded tires did the trick.
Back to AK, if the roads are better/smoother in winter then I might want to do my drive when it’s colder. Maybe early spring. Avoids the “state bird”, too. I’ve read those mosquitoes can be a problem.
@ducati: Urals are cool! I love seeing them on the road, too infrequent as that is, though.
@Chefguy: yes, the Alcan is part of the plan. Milepost will be my friend. Thanks, OttoDaFe.
My Mom did the ALCAN in 1952 with her brother and her mom. Not sure how far north they made it. Mom’s brother lived in Alaska for years back in those wild and wooly days.
My Wife drove the ALCAN in 1989(?) in a Chevy Sprint. After all that, when she got home 6 months later she got altitude sickness in Colorado. Didn’t take time to reacclimatize to altitude.
