alcan - looking for input
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
alcan - looking for input
planning on doing the alcan next june 2013
here is a breakdown
- fly to anchorage
- rent a bmw 650 twin
- ride to fairbanks
- ride to dawson creek via alcan, maybe one or two sidetrips
- maybe stay an extra day in white horse
- continue thru BC to seattle
- drop bike off
- take amtrak seattle to chicago (home)
taking two week which equates to about 250 miles per day
wanting to camp 2/3 of the time - any comments on camping
other thoughts?
did this similar trip about 5 yrs ago, but rented a car in seattle and too the fairy to valez and then drove back to seattle.
here is a breakdown
- fly to anchorage
- rent a bmw 650 twin
- ride to fairbanks
- ride to dawson creek via alcan, maybe one or two sidetrips
- maybe stay an extra day in white horse
- continue thru BC to seattle
- drop bike off
- take amtrak seattle to chicago (home)
taking two week which equates to about 250 miles per day
wanting to camp 2/3 of the time - any comments on camping
other thoughts?
did this similar trip about 5 yrs ago, but rented a car in seattle and too the fairy to valez and then drove back to seattle.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Bosie ID
If you see 2 ultra's and a RG say something we are planing leaving Boise ID June 14th riding up to Anchorage spend 6 days riding around then back home.
We know as much as you do that may make it real interesting
We know as much as you do that may make it real interesting
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 5,224
From: Michigan
Sounds like y'all need a cop of the Milepost.
It gives you mile-by-mile descriptions of the Al-Can.
I did quite a bit of touring when I was there in 2000 and there's a lot to see but of course the area that you MUST see is Denali Park.
Some folks like going up to Chicken for a "toe drink" but I chose to go south to Valdez.
If you value your paint, buy and use as much 3M plastic film as you can, especially on your upper and lower fairings and the front of your saddlebags.
It gives you mile-by-mile descriptions of the Al-Can.
I did quite a bit of touring when I was there in 2000 and there's a lot to see but of course the area that you MUST see is Denali Park.
Some folks like going up to Chicken for a "toe drink" but I chose to go south to Valdez.
If you value your paint, buy and use as much 3M plastic film as you can, especially on your upper and lower fairings and the front of your saddlebags.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Buy the book, Milepost, worth every penny.
Talk to the locals.
If at all possible visit Homer or Seward, or Valdez, all three would be ideal.
Have comfortable rain gear, think about taking 'The Alaska Marine Highway'. Enjoy the long days.
cf
Talk to the locals.
If at all possible visit Homer or Seward, or Valdez, all three would be ideal.
Have comfortable rain gear, think about taking 'The Alaska Marine Highway'. Enjoy the long days.
cf
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
Check out ADVriders.com Click on forums, then regional, then alaska. All the info you will ever need is there. You can also check out Canada re the Alaska Highway (aka AlCan highway)
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
I rode to Fairbanks in June of 2008 from SLC. Went up the Alcan, took the ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert & rode back from there. Here are a few tips:
1. Buy yourself some quality rain gear if you don't have it already. You will most likely be using it every day in June (we had 6 dry days out of 24 days on the road - and the dry days were in the lower states & Canada).
2. Get "The Milepost." It came in very handy...mostly for finding hotels.
3. For a rental bike, get the extra damage insurance or make sure your personal insurance covers you. Lots of gravel and dirt construction sections. Lots of frost heaves near Beaver Creek (on the YK-AK border). We had a few handlebar slips, a set of blown forks and paint chips galore.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! But I would not do it on my road king. Good choice on the rental! I also have a BMW F650GS and that would be THE bike to have up there!
On the way there, we were riding about 400 miles per day. It got easier with the daylight situation, but also took a toll after a while. If I was there again, I would definitely limit myself to 250-300 miles a day. Or less.
1. Buy yourself some quality rain gear if you don't have it already. You will most likely be using it every day in June (we had 6 dry days out of 24 days on the road - and the dry days were in the lower states & Canada).
2. Get "The Milepost." It came in very handy...mostly for finding hotels.
3. For a rental bike, get the extra damage insurance or make sure your personal insurance covers you. Lots of gravel and dirt construction sections. Lots of frost heaves near Beaver Creek (on the YK-AK border). We had a few handlebar slips, a set of blown forks and paint chips galore.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! But I would not do it on my road king. Good choice on the rental! I also have a BMW F650GS and that would be THE bike to have up there!
On the way there, we were riding about 400 miles per day. It got easier with the daylight situation, but also took a toll after a while. If I was there again, I would definitely limit myself to 250-300 miles a day. Or less.
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