Never too ealy to stat planning a BIG trip.

I have read a few blogs about other peeps trip to Alaska.


For those that have made the trek ... words of advice please ...


BTW ... leaving from Central Illinois ... for any others interested in going

 

HAHA dude you are nicer than me. If I was going that far from home I wouldnt invite ANYONE I didnt know like the back of my hand LOL!!

 

#1. Go to a Camping World and buy the "Mile Post" . It will help you plan. There is a wonderful thread on this forum by "Shug". I consider it a must read if your going to Alaska. Plan on changing oil and tires somewhere along the route but read Shug thread before you plan much of anything else. He wrote it about two years ago and made it into a diary. I couldn't wait to get home from work to read it each day. Good Luck and I am envious.

 

I took the boat trip from Seattle to Alaska. Great Scenery .

 

Alaska in 2015? I'd love to. Meet you there!

 

On our road trip this summer out west everyone out riding that we met that had been to Alaska all raved about it being the best road trip you can take on a bike. It will happen sometime in the near future but that far I wouldn't try with out a lot of research and planning. Look forward to seeing some pics!

 

Well, I do have to get that state yet... and its only a day's ride to Ill. from here. hahaha.

My suggestion is to ride in lots of different weather and see what gear you have that works and what doesn't work first. - don't ask me how i know...

 

If you can find the May 2013 issue of Thunder Press on page 81 you will find most of your questions answered. I wrote the artical. I wanted to tell fellow riders how to plan for the ride north. You may want to contact Thunder Press and see if you can order this back issue? Good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

I went to AK in 2000.
I left S/C Michigan on June 5th and hit quite a bit of rain (almost all the way through Canada.
The local folks told me that the week before...they had snow!
I rode all the way to Anchorage and then on to Fairbanks and did a lot of touring in between.
On my return trip, I caught the ferry out of Haines and it turned out to be a pretty good idea.
Unless you're a tough guy, I'd highly recommend that you check on reserving a cabin for this ride. If not, you'll be either in your tent on the main deck or sleeping in a chair in the day room.
The Alaska Marine Highway--Toll Free 1-800-382-9229 or check their website.

My suggestions would be as follows:
1. Plan your trip for the weather. July is probably your best bet.
2. Make sure your bike is road ready (new tires, battery, etc.).
3. Make a list of the stuff that you must have (meds, eyeglasses, a U.S Passport, driver's license, proof of insurance for your bike, etc.).
4. Appropriate riding gear is a must and this includes for cold and wet weather and this includes "gators" to cover your boots.
5. If you have tubeless tires make sure that you have a "plug kit" and also a pump or mini air compressor.
6. Tools. You can never have enough when you need them, but you can't carry everything so take the basic items and hope for the best.
7. A short piece of siphoning hose tucked away with your tools could be a life saver if you run out of gas.
8. Be sure to take a major credit card and as much cash (within reason) as you fell comfortable carrying.
9. An extra ignition key for your bike, packed away in your luggage may prove to be very valuable if you lose or misplace yours.

 

You will love it. Take your time on the Alaska Hwy. On the gravel sections the use a calcium chloride to help keep the dust down. Little hard on non chromed rims. Biggest tip' wrap all your beer cans separately or you will loose a few each day from rubbing together.