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Help Me Plan My Ride To Alaska This Summer

stkmkt1

New member
Hello Everyone. In late June this year I'm heading off on a 30 day ride from Central Illinois to Deadhorse in Northern Alaska. The only thing I have planned is that I must be in Salem, Oregon on July 17th, to meetup with my wife for the BMW Rally.

I would like ride up to Alaska, then hit the Rally, then ride down Highway 1 and then back home to Illinois. It's a lot of riding I know, but I'm used to that.

The purpose of this trip is to try something out. I want my Youtube viewers to plan out the trip by giving me ideas on what roads they would like me to take, what sights to see along the way, and maybe interesting people they would like me to meet. I will incorporate their suggestions into a trip, record the trip, and share it back. So here is a little video, http://youtu.be/PajcIY1Gj2I I have put up on Youtube. Please take a look and share any ideas you have. Then be sure to follow me as I prepare for the trip and head out on a ride that you the viewers have designed.

I know many of you have already taken just such a ride. So I'm counting on your expertise. And even if you have not ridden to Alaska, maybe you know some fun roads or places to see along the way that you would like to share with others.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
sounds like a great trip. 30 days doesn't seem like enough time. How far down Hwy 1 will you come? The Oregon coast is spectacular... as is NorCal.
 
Time -

I did this trip from Chicago in 2009 and my total time was 17 or 18 days. 30 days is doable, but you'll have a few Iron Butt days. General Note - this time of year is peak tourist season, which will significantly slow down your riding.

My trip report - http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?58387-Chasing-the-midnight-sun

A few must ride roads -

Icefields Parkway - amazing views, but you'll face some traffic this time of the year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icefields_Parkway

As you go North the number of roads drops and drops until you have only one road - the Dalton.

It looks like you are riding a GS, so in my report you'll see that we sought out the endless gravel roads of the Campbell, The Dempster, the Denali Highway and of course the Dalton. Knobbies are a really, really good idea, as you'll be facing cold rainy muddy days - probably quite a few. Heated jacket liner is mandatory yada yada yada. Mosquitoes and other flying bugs are brutally savage that time of year, so bring a lot of quality bug dope and a head net...the plus side is that you'll see amazing flowers every where to somewhat offset the bug hassle.

The Alaska Highway is mandatory.... and under constant reconstruction...this equals delays, and more dust then you can imagine. Gas stations are occasionally 350 miles apart so even with a GSA, I'd bring an extra gallon or so on the bike.

Interesting people - yeah, just like the old TV show Northern Exposure - there are a lot of 'end of the roaders' up there. Gold miners, arms dealers, Chinese that speak only Chinese, hookers - you name it. Take pictures of the people - you'll cherish these the most years down the road.

I'm far from an expert - others will chime in with their ideas and thoughts.
 
Having made the trip many times, I also suggest the Cassiar at least one way. You will miss the Liard Hot Springs but it is much nicer and you save a lot of time. Be sure to take the Haines Highway down to Haines from haines Junction. It is a beautiful ride and Haines is a cool town. You can also catch the ferry back to Bellingham Washington from Haines if you elect to ferry back.
 
Dalton Highway

Bring your electrics and make sure you have good rain gear. We rode from Reno to Deadhorse and back in 2011 and it rained 19 of 21 days. I'd planned two days from Fairbanks to Deadhorse and two days back. The only two Sunny days on the trip were the day I rode from Fairbanks to Deadhorse and the day I rode back to Fairbanks. What luck. Pretty much 60 to 70mph the entire trip up and back. If it had been raining I don't think I'd have attempted it, even on my GS.

Make sure you have MedJetAssist or something similar.
 
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