Alaska Dust 2 Dawson City June 14 to June 11

[smith898]

Hey guys Haven't been around much, working in Alaska so i thought i would send this out from last week end.

Dawson City, Canada is the place where the Gold Rush started back in the 18 hundreds. It was a cool ride. Heading out from Denali Park, AK. Sporting my New Givi's
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690093-M.jpg
The trip was leaving Denali Through Fairbanks and down to Tok ,AK.
In tok is where the first part of the group met up for the night, Dinner, Drinks, BS . You know the usual.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690296-M.jpg
I also saw a local along the way:
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690179-M.jpg
Even the Gift shops up here are cool.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690428-M.jpg
Out side the same shop
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690499-M.jpg
Again this is Tok Junction.
I originally had a double room for myself. Not a bad Price $70 especially for Summer rates. I was getting ready to sit down for dinner and a guy was at the desk asking about a room. The whole town was sold out. He was on a new GS 1100 and just retired, by the name of Dave. He was touring through from Michigan. His 1 sy day of retirement he bought the bike. The second day he got on it and started for Alaska. What a way to start retirementrocket.ride Cool12
So i told him i have an extra bed. Wala a new freind is born. Nice guy. His only other option was to head north to the next town - by the way was 120 miles north. SO that made his night . We split the room. Keep that in mind when you are on long trip, be kind to us all. You may be Dave one day.

[Rocky]

Nice Job Dude. I plan to make my way up that way next year. Hell I might even start in the keys...... What month does it start getting cold up there?

[scooterhose]

It's been a long time since i was up in those parts. You're makin me want to go back!! nice report...Cool12

[JayD]

be kind to...all.



Words of wisdom

Great report 'Smith
We want more MORE!

[smith898]

Well it depends this year it has not got warm yet. It was in the low 40's last night and got up to 80 today. There is not much humidity in Alaska so the hot is not that sticky funky New Orleons heat. When it is 40 out it feels 60. On this run last week it was the same. Then a after noon shower will kick up and you are shivering wet even though you have 4 water proof layers on. The best time in my opionion to come up would be about this time. Then you are not roasting in your gear and you are warm enough when the sun ducks behind the clouds or the mountain. There is no night time for we are in the land of the midnight sun. So if your butt is up for it you can get in 800 miles in a day. I would not suggest it but i did 600 no prob normnally stopping for picks & stuff.
Nice Job Dude. I plan to make my way up that way next year. Hell I might even start in the keys...... What month does it start getting cold up there?

[smith898]

I woke up the next morning ready to go. Packed all my stuff. As was packing I noticed that i had a melted hole in my new GIVI'sBable12 Bable12 . So i had to figure out a plan. These damn things are too nice to let melt away. So the redneck set in to figure it out. I went to the hardware store next door picked up some heat tape, then saw a for sale aluminum sign. Cool12 Iam set now. so i got back to the room cut away al the melted goo. I then comensed to tape this aluminuim sign to the back part of the bag withthe heat tape. I was fortunate enough to have enough gear on the bike to where you could not see the tape. and away i went. It is like this it aint pretty but it'l get the job done. OH also did i forget to say i was having carborator issues. If i turned the bike off it would not restart without changing the plug. I was dead set on this trip, i did not care i was going. So i got 12 plugs with me. What ever it was my first days off in 60 days and I was ready.

Heading out of Tok you go over the Taylor Hwy to get to Dawson City.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690634-M.jpg

I know what is the Taylor Hwy. Glad you asked!
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690710-M.jpg

About 25 miles in you come to where the Pavement ends http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690756-M.jpg
and the gravel begins for about 70-80 miles. Great riding - you may see a car every 30 minutes or so. Also this is the second day into the trip and no sign of a police man yet. Just awesume place to ride. The pavement end right before the town of Chicken AK.
Chicken was one of the gold mining camps back in the 1800's. You say to your self , "Self who would name a town Chicken?". Well the Alaska state bird is the Ptarmigan. It looks like a free range chicken. At the time they were ever where. So needless to say the gold miners could not spell nor say the word so they named it chicken. Neet little story, but true.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690797-M.jpg
There are still a dredge around that they used to retrieve the gold from the river.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690854-M.jpgFront
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690906-M.jpgBack

[smith898]

The longer you ride the nicer it gets.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76691004-M.jpg
Another dredge along side of the road. The Jack Wade Dredge.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76691052-M.jpg
I do not know what was so interesting about this, but i took a few pictures.
It looks like something you might find deep in the bayou. Someones drag line that they could never get out.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76691052-M.jpg
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76715592-L.jpg

Great Dual Sport riding. I was lucky it had not been raining cause i heard it could be a mess. I have some agressive tire, some of the guys in the group did not. I had no problem. Another 40 miles and I am at the border.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716118-M.jpg
Note the " Forged Aluminuim Alloy Heat Sheild " on the right pannier - $ 1.69.
65 miles to go for my destination.
Looking back to the US
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/77248767-M.jpg

[smith898]

If you can't wait for the rest of the report just follow the smugmug link for the pics, without the witty monolog.

[Juice]

Awesome Dude, I cant wait for the rest. I kinda like the monolog. thumbs Up!!!!

[scootertrash]

Yeah Alaska seems very interesting, def. would like to go roll around that area on two wheels.

[Rocky]

+1 and I can't wait.


Yeah Alaska seems very interesting, def. would like to go roll around that area on two wheels.

[scooterhose]

Yo Smitty, knock it off...You're givin me a serious jones here!!!Head Bang

I'll have to plan a trip up that way, I have enough people up that way I prolly wouldn't even havta stay in a hotel..


Moskitos, moose in the road,sun doen't go down....Damn it help me talk myself out of it!!!Bable12

[smith898]

By the time i took the above picture i turned around and took these
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716251-M.jpg
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716335-M.jpg

Awe look at the pretty Rainbow:
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716427-M.jpg
They say at the end of every rainbow there is a pot of gold. I got only the pot. Before i could put the camera away. The F____ bottom fell out. Rain , hail, and anything else that was up there.
I guess this was teh canadian way of telling me the hell with you us bas---ds and your george bush. I think they turned the fan on too. I was getting 40 mile a hour gusts easy!!!

It was a battle. So soaking wet i road the next 65 miles in the rain - Good thing though it washed all the bugs off and kept the dust down.
It was cold, rainy, windy, i also think i got the involuntary shakes at time.
Knees started to knock. Then it stoped when i rolled up on this scene.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/77248698-M.jpg
Dawsen City, Canada. My home for the next 2 days. Just a small ferry crossing maybe 20 minutes away.

[smith898]

Ferry Crossing - Home free - Hot shower, Dry Cloths, Cold Beer 2 days rest.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716495-M.jpg
Sounds Simple

I got on the Ferry and in pulled another KLR & 2 BWM's. Cool crossing with the boys.
Then the Ferry guy says "ya have to turn your bike off." Before i could tell him no i am haveing problem he tells me again. So i turn it of. qwer Myabe the god are on my side I am less than a mile from my destination 5 minutes on a boat. MAYBE THE PLUG STAYED DRY!. We go to pull off, Bable12 Bable12 Bable12 DAMN thing won't start. So now i am holding up the whole ferry. They guys helped me push it off. So just as luck would have it, it started to rain again - After I got the Tank, side covers, seat off. It helped cool the engine down so I could change the plug . Then she fires right up. Head Bang Head Bang . As i was looking in my stash of plugs - As it seems 3 plugs left and 4 days ride back- HMNNNN how's this gonna work.

I said the heck with it and rolled with the punches.
Got into the hotel and there were a few other bikes there.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716748-M.jpg
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716799-M.jpg
The next mornig more rolled in I think for the games & Dinner we had 68 was the count.

Some call it the Sturgus of the north.
There were all kinds of dual spots

BWM
Buel
Honda
Yamaha
Harley
My favorite the KLR

Rides ranged for 16 on a GS to 75 ON a GS

I got up the next morning and toured the town.

The Hotel welcoming our Group "D2D"

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717903-M.jpg

a Scenic walk around town.

Local Casino & Can Can show

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716697-M.jpg

A steam boat that used to supply supplies to the gold miners.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716963-M.jpg

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717036-M.jpg

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717116-M.jpg

A neet little town

[smith898]

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76716847-M.jpg

Not an everyday shot - A SIde Car?
NO --- A side car built for the DOG to ride in -LOOK a little closer.

another Unusual thing
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717210-M.jpg

Coffee12 A Harley?Coffee12
Coffee12 A clean Harley?Coffee12
Coffee12 A Harley Rider with a Helment?Coffee12
Coffee12 No A Harley with a ful set of knobbies. Coffee12
The old man riding says it was the best thing he could have done coming up here. These road will put ya on your butt in a minute with the slick mud and pot holes. Also when the grate the road it breaks off the rocks into sharp shards and pow!!.

[smith898]

We Had Dinner.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717259-M.jpg

We crammned 65 in here.
Last years ride had 35 people.
A good ride , and word gets around.
We passed out some swag.
All brought enough for every rider to leave with something. Passed out a few awards.
Said some prays for some downed rides this year.
Explained what the ride was about , that started 15 years ago with Team Teradactle.

[Rocky]

Awesome report dude. I forgot about this guy. I think we might just have Alaska accounted for in the race for 50 states.....Smith you go to get us Alaska.....Now what in the hell do we do about Hawaii?qwer

[smith898]

I had to move back to florida. So i am shipping my bike back so i will be looking for some weekend rides soon. I will continue the report at a later time.
Awesome report dude. I forgot about this guy. I think we might just have Alaska accounted for in the race for 50 states.....Smith you go to get us Alaska.....Now what in the hell do we do about Hawaii?qwer

[Dusty]

Wow, you guys really make the rounds. Key West to Dead horse Alaska is on my things to do before I die list.

[smith898]

Sorry guys a lot going on since the move back. Now back to the ride.

So believe it or not after dinner we had drinks: I know hard to belive , BUT yes even more than one.

I forget what happened that night - or can't remember i do not know whichFriday12

So the next moring something happened that does not happen at any bike rally BIKER GAMES

wE LINE THE STREETS WITH ANTICIPATION.
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717334-L.jpg
http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717393-L.jpg

Cool12 Also you know you are in a smal or biker friendly town when they let you block off the streets to host your dru-- oohhh highly skill motorcycle dexterity increasing training classesCool12

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717822-L.jpg



1. The who can drive the slowest contest starts

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717591-L.jpg

2. The driving slow between small cones game .

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76717980-L.jpg

OR NOT ROFL

Wow i guess when you have those big ole beemers you need a little help riding ooopppss wait i mean picking them up ooooorrrr MAYBE BOTH!!!!!
SHAKE IT OFF -- Looks like he took it like a man.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76718060-L.jpg

3. This one i have not seen before - having your rider toss water baloons over a high pole and then catching them so you do not get wet.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76718369-L.jpg

It looked like fun!!!!!

WAIT WAIT I GOT IT !!!

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76718433-L.jpg

I think you are supposed to do this standing up.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76718564-L.jpg

AAGGGH SHITT SPEED UP !!!!

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719045-L.jpg

She thinks she is so cool on that motorcycle. I could catch those balloons,
( if not i have a few extras in my shirt) shhhh

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719099-L.jpg

[smith898]

4. The bite my wenny on a pole trick. i will only say one thing.

I fell in love quite a few time watching this.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719263-L.jpg

I SEE YOU

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719378-L.jpg

COME TA MOMMA!

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719432-L.jpg



He looks like he has his OOOHHH face on- I think he became one with the wenny.

I know i did

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719763-L.jpg

It can't touch my chin..

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719823-L.jpg


Not.Worthy

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719893-L.jpg


he thinks" Be one with the wenny"

she thinks " You wish yours was that long"


http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719634-L.jpg

I never get to have any fun!!!

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76719696-L.jpg

[Juice]

Now, that looks like a good time. I do hope to make it up that way in 2008. Good to hear from you smith. I was starting to wonder what had happened to you....

[smith898]

NOW FOR SOME THING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

This is something i have not seen before either. I know how hard it is to pull up my KLR. But to pull up a Beemer 1200 . IT Takes some skills.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76720292-L.jpg

At this time it was around 9 p.m and we all hit the bar . shot the shit and stayed out until 2. Karokee, darts, pool etc. Swapped emails, told more stories. Blah Blah

Oh and there is a tradition to say that you took this trip to commemorate the downed rider.

At midnite they pass out the Dust to Dawson stickers for the year.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721562-M.jpg

sweet sticker, nice ride, good new freinds. a great ride up to now.
All this and i have only been on the road 3 days.

[smith898]

So now to embark on my ride back to Denali - about 700 miles-
I figured if i got up early i could do it. Well yeah --- that did not happen! So i am off saying good by to Dawson.

Before you say it yes it is the same picture as used earlier- I know but Damn it is a great view.
I use it more than once because it was just as awesume going in as it was going out.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/77248698-L.jpg

Oh i almost forgot the best picture -- the whole group.

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76690067-M.jpg

[Rocky]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing the experience with us less fortunate. Man, I have got to get up that way!!!!!!!!!

[JayD]

Cool12

[Fitty]

Thanks Smith. Enjoyed this a lot.

[vstrommississippi]

Great thread!

[smith898]

So on the way back it was a nice day as i went out of Canada.http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721726-M.jpg

[smith898]

The nice day lasted about 4 hours!

Then i decided to take a different route back home. I had never road the Denali Highway before so i take a left at TOK.

I though after looking at this picture i should have followed the birds not the white clouds.
http://www.smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721780-L.jpg

Hmmmnnn I knew the sun was going down or away but i did not pay attention.

qwer Should i turn around now!!!

http://www.smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721836-L.jpg

or Now???

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721874-M.jpg

TURN AROUND NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW !!!

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721923-M.jpg

so what do i do

rocket.ride

I though well you see that small amount of sunshine in the bottom right corner. THAT is where i am going.

What i did not know is i had to go left to go right.Head Bang STUPI STUPID STUPID

wELL LETS SEE SHALL WE LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE

http://www.smith898.smugmug.com/photos/77248745-L.jpg

You say it is Alaska and it is 24 hours of daylight in the summer. Well HELLO not in the middle of a summer blackout storm..

[smith898]

In every thread about alask you have to have what we all know about .

http://smith898.smugmug.com/photos/76721979-M.jpg

The Pipeline where the money comes from.

It took about an hour to get to the rain. **** If i did not know better i would have sworn that there was a water hose and it was just running and empting on me. I could not see 3 car lengths in front of me. The wind was blowing. I did not have any rain gear. I had my new black leather gloves on. i had to slow down to around 35 mpgs. After 20 minutes my helment fogged up. It was one of those nightmare time. I started getting the involuntary shakkes i was so cold.uhh.:

So i told myself that i had to buck up and take it untill i found a hotel.

Where i was at there was only one.

i found it
the best $60 a night i ever spent.

[smith898]

And of course there were about 20 people in the lobby of this hole in the wall. All giving me that what are you stupid look .
We all know this look.
We have all gotten it when we came in full of mud , or dripping wet as i was.

They had to mop when i left up to my room.

I had some dinner , which i could not eat - It was the worst food i have ever over paid for.

So what else do you do at this point..

Friday12 Friday12 Friday12 Friday12 Friday12 Friday12 Friday12

And as in any Alaska Dive bar the locals were very colorful!

[Ritten]

....All giving me that what are you stupid look .
We all know this look.


Reading this line brings that very look you're talking about to the forefront of my mind!! I can see it clear as crystal!!!

[JayD]

there were about 20 people in the lobby of this hole in the wall. All giving me that what are you stupid look .


Smith,
that look comes from Native born Alaskans always hearing or reading about dumb "Americans" (what they call folks from the lower 48) who get themselves into trouble because they are not prepared for what lady Alaska can dish out

The people in the bush are a different breed, that's for sure ;)

[smith898]

Well rocky i did not get the shot from Alaska. But guess where the hell i set out for on Monday???
Awesome report dude. I forgot about this guy. I think we might just have Alaska accounted for in the race for 50 states.....Smith you go to get us Alaska.....Now what in the hell do we do about Hawaii?qwer

qwer qwer qwer qwer Yes you guessed it Hawaii! so i will get it.

[Juice]

Where you @ Smith. You still living it up in the Islands? Shit he might not ever come home........

[smith898]

I am still in Hawaii until July 17. Then i plan on taking a week on board ship and go from island to island to play. I can take the cruise for 50 bucks. Then i can aford to rent the harrley on the island . I will keep you guys informed.

[Save-the-Manatee]

I just returned home from a 10 day business stay on the big island. Where in the islands are you?





I am still in Hawaii until July 17. Then i plan on taking a week on board ship and go from island to island to play. I can take the cruise for 50 bucks. Then i can aford to rent the harrley on the island . I will keep you guys informed.

[Zutopong]

Nice report and photos.

[smith898]

I am back in alaska now. Looking for a geat year.

Nice report and photos.