Fairbanks, AK >> Tok, AK >> Chicken, AK >> Dawson City, YT >> Moose Creek Campground, YT 500 miles ridden/14 hours It was easy riding to Tok, where I confirmed at the library/Visitor Information Center that the Top of the World Highway was indeed open for business, but they were still making the road so… Continue reading Day 23: Top of the World
Tag: motorcycling in Alaska
Day 22: Brush with the Law
Fairbanks, AK 33 miles ridden Today I made left-hand turn on red. In front of a cop. Not, as we say in New England, wicked smahht. For context, the campground I was staying at was on a relatively isolated edge of Fairbanks. Also, I was eager to replace my broken mirror so I could prep… Continue reading Day 22: Brush with the Law
Day 21: To the Arctic Circle!
Fairbanks, AK >> Arctic Circle >> Fairbanks, AK 410 miles ridden/16 hours To the Arctic Circle! The forecast miraculously changed for the better this morning, providing a 12-hour rainless window in which I could charge to the Arctic Circle and make it back to Fairbanks without getting wet. Nearly every rider I met cautioned that… Continue reading Day 21: To the Arctic Circle!
Day 18-20: Haul Road prep
Denali, AK >> Fairbanks, AK 380 miles ridden/8.5 hours Pretty uneventful ride from Denali National Park to Fairbanks. The campground I’m staying at is run by a Russian ex-pat and, as I found out later in the night, is adjacent to a carnival fairground. While the sun being up nearly 24 hours a day doesn’t… Continue reading Day 18-20: Haul Road prep
Day 16-17: Into the Wild
Rocky Lake State Recreation Site >> Denali National Park 252 miles ridden/4 hours Setting up camp in Denali National Park, I saw the first one-person tent other than my own, which astounded me more than if I’d been able to see the Kremlin from former governor Sarah Palin’s hometown. Based on the stateswoman’s claim, I… Continue reading Day 16-17: Into the Wild
Day 15: Ahoy, Anchorage!
Seward >> Anchorage >> Rocky Lake State Recreation Site 188 miles ridden/3.75 hours On my way north to Denali National Park, I swung through Anchorage to see what the largest city in Alaska had to offer. My first stop was the Anchorage Museum. Since I was surrounded by the beauty of nature every day, I… Continue reading Day 15: Ahoy, Anchorage!
Day 14: Boston barcrawlers
Homer Spit >> Seward (including Exit Glacier detour) 207 miles ridden/5 hours While breaking down my tent this morning, the ranger’s warning about the wind became apparent, but after a slight struggle I was able to secure everything back onto the bike. Seward was calling! For a small, relatively remote town (population: ~2,700), Seward has… Continue reading Day 14: Boston barcrawlers
Day 13: Relaxing on the Homer Spit
When I visited the campground attendant this morning to ask for advice about things to do/see on Homer Spit, he told me to move my bike further away from his office and park it on the beach next to my tent. This request surprised me because the parking lot was empty and my bike was… Continue reading Day 13: Relaxing on the Homer Spit
Day 11+12: To the Homer Spit
Eklutna Lake Campground >> Palmer >> Hope >> Cook Inlet/Kenai >> Homer Spit512 miles ridden/13.5 hours It’s raining today – surprise! – so I’m heading back to Palmer to shower and wash my clothes; I may camp there tonight or push on to Hope if the weather clears. And while it might seem odd to… Continue reading Day 11+12: To the Homer Spit
Day 10: The Old Glenn Highway
My 1995 Honda Shadow and I follow the Matanuska River into Palmer, Alaska, gateway to the Old Glenn Highway.