tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31778319231772138812024-02-18T23:51:37.626-09:00Riders On AdventureAdventure motorcycle riding from a female perspective.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-63399073645127824722010-03-15T14:46:00.009-08:002010-03-15T15:03:42.823-08:00It Has Been Too LongIt has been a long time since I've updated here. I have been busy, but that really isn't a good excuse. I'll get caught back up on some of my riding over the past several months in the next few days. Today I want to let everyone know what I have been working on most recently. I wrote a book!!! It is called <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/twowheelfemalescom---guide-for-beginning-women-motorcycle-riders/6484495?productTrackingContext=center_search_results">TwoWheelFemales.com - Guide For Beginning Women Riders</a>. <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/twowheelfemalescom---guide-for-beginning-women-motorcycle-riders/6484495?productTrackingContext=center_search_results"></a>It contains tons of information I have learned over the past few years about what it means to be a new female motorcycle rider and what women need to succeed in everything from taking the MSF class to choosing a first motorcycle to getting the right gear.<br /><br />Check it out!Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-43890358491020116572009-09-04T11:16:00.003-08:002009-09-04T11:24:54.284-08:00Conclusion of Iron Butt Rally 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ8F52lCMr2jucIFwoZ9SdCxgRbPmqVgUl6P6KG41BstJaG-xr1h2VtfowaPca8Eh-Yly0F76ONJzm5oFFFa389qEDsRFdtBip2hJy9CzI4G_ctgalqx0agZT9yLpjsX6H4KF_DStrmI/s1600-h/DSC_1507.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ8F52lCMr2jucIFwoZ9SdCxgRbPmqVgUl6P6KG41BstJaG-xr1h2VtfowaPca8Eh-Yly0F76ONJzm5oFFFa389qEDsRFdtBip2hJy9CzI4G_ctgalqx0agZT9yLpjsX6H4KF_DStrmI/s400/DSC_1507.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377695158940479554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovM7wkpXmLCamRRUcifkJaVruLfW-Y1HRINhjtMUj_pVV6fy0B6Uc0-zGoROvKCwcDJUBH6X3Ku5hgJAeEEVC4sCRVF3H2NRQ51vwU2C4DqK55lshTeaLwBWzxYyepgGdCN-misvgZk/s1600-h/DSC_1527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkovM7wkpXmLCamRRUcifkJaVruLfW-Y1HRINhjtMUj_pVV6fy0B6Uc0-zGoROvKCwcDJUBH6X3Ku5hgJAeEEVC4sCRVF3H2NRQ51vwU2C4DqK55lshTeaLwBWzxYyepgGdCN-misvgZk/s400/DSC_1527.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377695149992566642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSvhb365TUkqLPCv9lT5zRX0cCo9-ytrsEigI9Dvw6AYGj45YbiYyLO7DHQKrG5lHAelj5yJl0KdSbDPixxIwBgvS9DqjdDM8aqlHyeKtj8sZvbGkwb8XLpSa8iiZH8eEJbNewcfsTLg/s1600-h/DSC_1518.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSvhb365TUkqLPCv9lT5zRX0cCo9-ytrsEigI9Dvw6AYGj45YbiYyLO7DHQKrG5lHAelj5yJl0KdSbDPixxIwBgvS9DqjdDM8aqlHyeKtj8sZvbGkwb8XLpSa8iiZH8eEJbNewcfsTLg/s400/DSC_1518.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377695142998985474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMYFvfWmkhhhZVQ8QYmWY3Aoj8GCfdlxRN-tGPAtpZVmqKDwTLP2JawrsJS5Pqdl0V_oX_55WwmvyCrelgzbMLZEKhetl_Zci4OocGZaIOa4zWi0IZKquaJSa5s8yiMLJGnVrG7E5qAE/s1600-h/DSC_1513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMYFvfWmkhhhZVQ8QYmWY3Aoj8GCfdlxRN-tGPAtpZVmqKDwTLP2JawrsJS5Pqdl0V_oX_55WwmvyCrelgzbMLZEKhetl_Zci4OocGZaIOa4zWi0IZKquaJSa5s8yiMLJGnVrG7E5qAE/s400/DSC_1513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377695133807003698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6Q92onArYEnAMbU6g5OXgr5gA9nrL7-azvXnYIkjH8j8c3aDqtJdtJSbsQXP2Xdc3OzFKTlGUOAXbZoFqJzNRIQ7ME6HSTD8vihQaXE-uC4QZ14wIq4QAUKeu-EWyJ6uqtt-x1wbQ-s/s1600-h/DSC_1505.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6Q92onArYEnAMbU6g5OXgr5gA9nrL7-azvXnYIkjH8j8c3aDqtJdtJSbsQXP2Xdc3OzFKTlGUOAXbZoFqJzNRIQ7ME6HSTD8vihQaXE-uC4QZ14wIq4QAUKeu-EWyJ6uqtt-x1wbQ-s/s400/DSC_1505.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377695121052277778" /></a><br /><br /><br />This morning I went to the Red Lion in downtown Spokane and watched some of the riders in the 2009 Iron Butt Rally come into the final checkpoint. Even though I was only there to watch, the people directing the riders didn't know that. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw cameras flashing and people cheering. They tried to direct me to the finishers area so I had to confess my real purpose. Still, being part of the energy there was amazing! Riding an Iron Butt is a long time dream, now it is something I want to do more than ever.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-54666879971315543232009-09-02T14:30:00.005-08:002009-09-02T14:41:54.647-08:00Mobile 1 Gives Away an OCC motorcycle and trip to Daytona<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhOHMVmqpUDStg70DibMn9PV3TvPxEpPmlXEBe3fpzcMJ3vtmiO591ZbyrHu2Hk5-YPrPWEMz23i9Hk1X390e1FqpdekVB3TtyGfywfb5yibUs7BeEB-moNOFCv6lg7QaowKw-1xHS6I/s1600-h/OCC-Bike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhOHMVmqpUDStg70DibMn9PV3TvPxEpPmlXEBe3fpzcMJ3vtmiO591ZbyrHu2Hk5-YPrPWEMz23i9Hk1X390e1FqpdekVB3TtyGfywfb5yibUs7BeEB-moNOFCv6lg7QaowKw-1xHS6I/s400/OCC-Bike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377004020082181970" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am a dual sport rider through and through. But when I look at the Ducati Monster I get a little weak in the knees. That isn't such a stretch. I still don't like choppers. Then I got the notice today that Mobile 1 oil is sponsoring a contest to win an Orange County Custom motorcycle. My first instinct was to get haughty and ignore the contest. But then I looked at the bike. And I looked again. This isn't what I remember OCC bikes looking like. I thought they all had ape hangers and looked like they would be okay as art, but not as a motorcycle that could be ridden. Now, I'm going to have to go back and watch some reruns. When did they go from making cartoon bikes to making motorcycles that look like they can be ridden further than around the block?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-20068-Spokane-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d2-Mobile-1-contest-to-win-an-Orange-County-Choppers-motorcycle-and-trip-to-2010-Daytona-Bike-Week">Link to the contest</a>.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-16792599981340519862009-08-25T12:13:00.002-08:002009-08-25T12:26:04.540-08:00Iron ButtEarlier today I wrote an article for the Examiner (the title to this post is a link to the article) about the 2009 Iron Butt Rally ending in Spokane. As I wrote the article I couldn't help feel a twinge of jealousy for those riders whose names were selected in the lottery. I know full well I am not even close to being able to ride an Iron Butt Rally, I've never even completed a <a href="http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/">saddle sore</a>. There is no way I could ride 11,000 miles in 11 days. My body would be a wreck if I tried. But somewhere deep inside me is a voice that says I could do it if I started training. I would have to get in better physical condition. I would have to ride a few Iron Butt rides, maybe even a few organized endurance events. I could do that, couldn't I? Isn't the only thing stopping me self-doubt? (and money, but that could probably be worked out)<br /><br />Why does this hold such an appeal for me? I know the riders have to go through horrible conditions ranging from some of the hottest, coldest and windiest weather imaginable. I know the riders have to get by on miniscule amounts of sleep. They don't get to stop and really enjoy any of the places they go. It sounds miserable. And it sounds wonderful. <br /><br />Will I ever go that far? I won't say never, but I know the chances are slim. Nonetheless, My goal is to ride at least one Iron Butt Ride over the next year. Maybe I'll hate it, but maybe I'll be hooked and will be able to join the thin ranks of those who call themselves, "The Toughest Riders in the World."Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-87465538449211650072009-08-24T10:18:00.004-08:002009-08-24T10:41:55.302-08:00Motorcycle FluencySince I've started writing for the Examiner <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20068-Spokane-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner"></a> I have been doing a lot of research on various motorcycle topics. I'm learning a lot and I like that, but every time I research another topic it reminds me again how much I don't know. I have read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough, but every time I go through it I realize that not everything sinks in. I read about other people taking round the world treks and riding on sand for hours and days on end. Sand terrifies me. I watch videos of people doing amazing slow motion maneuvers on their bikes and have to face the fact that I don't even come close to that level of skill. Yes, I can ride mud, I've done multiple 750 mile days under challenging conditions, but there is so much MORE. I desperately want to reach a point where I feel more than competent, where I feel skillful on my bike, but I am so far from that level it frustrates me beyond imagination. It means I keep working, keep practicing, and maybe someday I'll be closer to motorcycle fluency than the semi-illiteracy I currently have.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-55389776766822933312009-08-22T15:52:00.005-08:002009-08-22T16:08:04.033-08:00What a beautiful day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfnPkWy1KA_FM8_ep7tYI5mLsUsgE3uKaRIVwND9cMEUzRxDB8xTVEio_vmkiRRqPY2b2S5rQb9i_M07IjaBzcB1v3gnbQrkZBTs1BaP_LNzmjYg4lMNQj61qJ6Zxvxm6RvVKN7H-Upw/s1600-h/DSC_1447.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfnPkWy1KA_FM8_ep7tYI5mLsUsgE3uKaRIVwND9cMEUzRxDB8xTVEio_vmkiRRqPY2b2S5rQb9i_M07IjaBzcB1v3gnbQrkZBTs1BaP_LNzmjYg4lMNQj61qJ6Zxvxm6RvVKN7H-Upw/s400/DSC_1447.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372942067856666610" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf2LDIKkqlQ-a81IvgGBq9Tni1hxawh5zsHXLN7-I9xK52bvIdQ7-0QX2aS9x1XJLpN1kczRtGR_M0d3R5BAS9VI3wCfHBPjwqKdgQcA2xMzz7rP4HZDRdxF7tciwwiE8NSOGpmYsiPg/s1600-h/DSC_1439.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf2LDIKkqlQ-a81IvgGBq9Tni1hxawh5zsHXLN7-I9xK52bvIdQ7-0QX2aS9x1XJLpN1kczRtGR_M0d3R5BAS9VI3wCfHBPjwqKdgQcA2xMzz7rP4HZDRdxF7tciwwiE8NSOGpmYsiPg/s400/DSC_1439.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372942055122551986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Eq-brcYicJKkCOnCu0gJY9GpsZIiQIdFWIrqvQuqJE6ycl0dRRJyuDkP267cfXmfS4IzEm0swB5ondVkzdKciYv0lClippG5HMp-Xq9b1-XPyKGWwJRMyps2VJOsRYv3lQlBK7GCjc/s1600-h/DSC_1432.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Eq-brcYicJKkCOnCu0gJY9GpsZIiQIdFWIrqvQuqJE6ycl0dRRJyuDkP267cfXmfS4IzEm0swB5ondVkzdKciYv0lClippG5HMp-Xq9b1-XPyKGWwJRMyps2VJOsRYv3lQlBK7GCjc/s400/DSC_1432.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372942042341838146" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFPOXZi8xVjoibHhG8_oWfmR4rVzPD4PV7nbasVhewkF8q0EhmNYCyt8YZOtTDjnG7HBuMk6VM8s-RgxWmNmJT1-JITE0msjM_9QQv9E-T6BmJQ519Cgh4znKTABmFNMsMQv2TZVafnU/s1600-h/DSC_1418.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFPOXZi8xVjoibHhG8_oWfmR4rVzPD4PV7nbasVhewkF8q0EhmNYCyt8YZOtTDjnG7HBuMk6VM8s-RgxWmNmJT1-JITE0msjM_9QQv9E-T6BmJQ519Cgh4znKTABmFNMsMQv2TZVafnU/s400/DSC_1418.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372942036588746578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb-Qft1WlXTa3AZ0b4XBxjbBrW_jP0myykjQbgxFsOmFMwJLl7645GmtAWZkGk08YP3hrsj_vqp0g340QuOTZp6ZPltL-RHFreeJOakc677Tae2R0HuEBRoWhCaJH5M_sALZwZGrUYck/s1600-h/DSC_1416.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb-Qft1WlXTa3AZ0b4XBxjbBrW_jP0myykjQbgxFsOmFMwJLl7645GmtAWZkGk08YP3hrsj_vqp0g340QuOTZp6ZPltL-RHFreeJOakc677Tae2R0HuEBRoWhCaJH5M_sALZwZGrUYck/s400/DSC_1416.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372942021740506258" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have ridden the motorcycle to a lot of the areas outside Spokane for both long and short trips. Today was the first time I decided to stay closer to home. I ended up at Riverside State Park. As usual I carried tennis shoes with me so I could go for a hike. What a beautiful place!Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-12786007478236800732009-08-19T12:07:00.003-08:002009-08-19T12:16:50.960-08:00Spokane Is a Great Place to be.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBbtuH5-JKhqZtqBdoGT_98euFQgjL3PLk9rxc2cZ-qeG3NEQWWj0Unhd42mwFAzskNU1MUHPc3gvzUi8JCneQWQbU4H0qZex863NSSB7doR7Ydbki3cfEhJw4OENxYCHv5nokCicXeE/s1600-h/DSC_0787.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBbtuH5-JKhqZtqBdoGT_98euFQgjL3PLk9rxc2cZ-qeG3NEQWWj0Unhd42mwFAzskNU1MUHPc3gvzUi8JCneQWQbU4H0qZex863NSSB7doR7Ydbki3cfEhJw4OENxYCHv5nokCicXeE/s320/DSC_0787.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771402768767426" /></a><br /><br /><br />I recently started writing on motorcycle travel for Examiner.com. It has been a lot of fun, and maybe the best part is that since I am writing about motorcycle travel with a focus on Spokane, I have looked around me and realized yet again what an amazing part of the country this is. Alaska was wonderful, but there are so few roads that after riding them as many times as I had, the thrill was gone. Here there are new roads everywhere! I can go to Yellowstone or Glacier on a long weekend! Seattle is only a day ride away. I can go to Canada. The possibilities are absolutely endless.<br /><br />I can get bored easily, but I think the Pacific Northwest will keep me entertained for years to come!Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-18370892993028359542009-08-10T10:25:00.002-08:002009-08-10T10:35:56.707-08:00Busy SummerAfter doing a lot of local riding exploring our new backyard, I have noticed an interesting difference in riding in Washington as opposed to riding in Alaska. Whereas Alaska is a dualsport state, most riders here ride Harleys. I have no problem with that, but it does bother me that so few people wear gear. It is commonplace here to see people riding in shorts, and tank tops. I guess it is their business, not mine, but why a person would risk sunburn, bug smacks, and of course road rash or worse in the case of accident is beyond my understanding. I'd rather sweat a little than lose my skin or my life. Besides, cooling vests only cost about $30. That's a pretty low price to pay for comfort and safety.<br /><br />On a more positive note, we had the pleasure of meeting a super nice people this summer. He has been riding for years, and she got her first bike this spring. They went on a Mexico to Canada tour this summer and she is hooked! It is such an inspiration to watch a rider discover the love of the road. I look forward to riding with them in the future, hopefully on a trip to Copper Canyon and Creel, Mexico. I guess I'd better start brushing up on my Spanish skills!Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-36060288879744561022009-06-05T08:23:00.003-08:002009-06-05T08:27:01.041-08:00NowSo now that I finally got my Prudhoe Bay trip finalized, I can move to things more recent. One of the reasons there was a delay in getting things done around here was that my husband and I decided it was time to leave Alaska. We moved to Spokane, Washington where we are having an awesome time exploring new roads and seeing new sights. We have a lot of day rides, weekend rides, and longer trips planned for this summer, and have already taken a few. Over the next few days I'll get those posted up and get back into the swing of keeping this current!Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-60727561330845891832009-06-05T08:11:00.002-08:002009-06-05T08:22:28.634-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip - Day 5When we left Wiseman that morning we saw that the road had been freshly watered. We drove a few miles, then saw the brown mud turn white. Uh oh! We were caught behind the truck spreading calcium chloride!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333815132_htntY-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333815132_htntY-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />For anyone who doesn't know, calcium chloride dries very hard. It makes a dirt road feel like concrete paving. But when it is wet, it is the slickest thing imaginable. Much worse than ice.<br /><br />We made it through without going down. From there it was easy riding. All we had to do was contend with trucks spraying water on the road every few miles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333817638_obxca-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333817638_obxca-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Oh yeah, and graters. And worse, areas where there was fresh gravel but the graters hadn't been buy yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333817937_nyZXg-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333817937_nyZXg-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Soon, however, we were back on asphalt and heading into Fairbanks and back to Anchorage. It was a wonderful trip.<br /><br />Day 1 - Anchorage to Fairbanks = 358 miles @ 60-65 mph average speed<br />Day 2 - Fairbanks to Wiseman = 330 miles @ 40 mph average speed <br />Day 3 - Wiseman to Deadhorse = 236 miles @ 35 mph average speed<br /><br />Approximately 1850 miles roundtrip.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-31581042826513900282009-05-31T10:37:00.002-08:002009-05-31T11:09:47.768-08:00Prudhoe Bay Ride - Day 4We got up the following morning and went into the oil field worker's dining room for breakfast. We'd also eaten there for dinner the night before. It is a no frills place, but the food is heavenly! Bobby took the time to take a couple pictures of the dining room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333792307_Vxy6r-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333792307_Vxy6r-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and the kitchen where they make all the good food happen along with part of the window dining room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333793442_7rLH3-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333793442_7rLH3-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After breakfast we rode to "town" <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333792938_XphuH-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333792938_XphuH-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />where we got gas, then rode over to the NAPA store that marks the end of the Dalton Highway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794175_pctwp-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794175_pctwp-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794403_zvhnB-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794403_zvhnB-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After buying a couple stickers at the NAPA, we went over to the Arctic Caribou where we took a tour of the oil fields. The windows in the bus were small and dirty so we didn't really get much in the way of photos. We saw a lot of birds, different species of geese, swans, arctic terns, etc. and more Eskimo cotton.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794672_nCC5g-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794672_nCC5g-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After winding through the oil fields we finally reached the Arctic Ocean and were allowed off the bus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794953_tk4mi-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333794953_tk4mi-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We'd have gone in all the way if we'd had the ability to change. that's my story and I'm sticking to it... We did get the certificates to prove we've at lest touched the Arctic Ocean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/334399867_4rp7L-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 376px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/334399867_4rp7L-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />When they were first developing the North Slope many people were afraid the development would harm the caribou herds. Instead, the caribou use the gravel roads and pads as a place to escape the worst of the mosquitoes. Caribou have the right of way on all the roads, and if that means oil transport vehicles have to wait for an hour while a large herd passes, then that is what they do. No one can honk their horns, or in any way try to move the caribou along. The caribou have obviously learned this and completely ignored us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333796253_CGfJd-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333796253_CGfJd-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333796902_cuJfC-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333796902_cuJfC-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After the tour we got back on the bikes and turned South for home. It was a grayer day than the day before, and had rained over night. As we left Deadhorse it was in thick, freshly laid gravel. I was doing ok, then all of a sudden found myself in a berm, plowing through the gravel rather than riding on top. The bike went into a major tank slapper and I came VERY close to going down. I focused on the horizon though, and gave it enough gas to stay up right. Whew! That was too close for comfort.<br /><br />Shortly before I decided to ride in the berm...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333798072_kYw7H-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333798072_kYw7H-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The wind was calmer today, and as a result the mosquitos were on patrol. The picture shows several swarming my helmet but is an understatement of what was there. We learned on our tour that the mosquitos are so bad, they'll take 1/3 of the caribou's body weight in blood every summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333798324_p78Be-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333798324_p78Be-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It felt like a different road today. The weather was more challenging, and every time the light changes, the view changes completely,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333799006_dFN9b-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333799006_dFN9b-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and the road was a little less friendly also.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333799564_znn4Y-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333799564_znn4Y-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I love riding in mud! I get a big grin every time I make it out without a crash!<br /><br />The beauty of this area never lessened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333803479_cYFwA-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333803479_cYFwA-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333803919_vyasi-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333803919_vyasi-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333805092_kYLUc-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333805092_kYLUc-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Eventually we got back to Atigun Pass. As I reached the top I looked back and saw one of the most beautiful scenes yet. The Pass was rainy and dark, while the valley behind me was bathed in sunlight. Unfortunately the road was very steep and I was on a blind corner where I didn't feel safe stopping.<br /><br />After the Pass we went through an area with gorgeous rocks off to the side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333807225_5g3ao-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333807225_5g3ao-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Even while the weather on the road was dark, we could always see the promise of sunlight at the end. I think there is a life lesson in that, and maybe in this whole ride. The road isn't always easy, but the difficulties make the beauty so much more worthwhile. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333809304_HyLSs-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333809304_HyLSs-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We were spending the night back at Wiseman, but wanted to go back to Coldfoot for dinner. I don't know how these guys got here. All I know is they didn't have much of a smile on their faces when they pulled into the parking lot shortly after we sat down to eat dinner. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333812957_hGR65-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333812957_hGR65-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Just look at those tires! No wonder they weren't feeling like being conversational!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333813230_DzxJg-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333813230_DzxJg-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After dinner we went back to the B&B. We stayed in the smaller cabin this time. It was great being greeted by the owner's children. Leo liked my helmet. His sister looked on with typical sibling disgust and tolerance...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333813756_SzF6L-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333813756_SzF6L-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Once again, by the time we were showered and crawled in bed we fell asleep immediately. The down comforters are absolutely to die for!<br /><br />to be continued...Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-19299390650977447202009-05-30T14:27:00.002-08:002009-05-30T15:13:01.312-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip - Day 3Breakfast at Wiseman was an opportunity to see the inside of the owner's cabin. It was the original community center back during the gold rush days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333751256_HK4XF-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333751256_HK4XF-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There is a very sad story associated with this bear.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333751317_rJVHg-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333751317_rJVHg-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A friend of the owner's was mushing his dogs in November one year, late enough in the winter that the bears should have all been hibernating. This old bear had been unable to store enough fat over the summer to stay asleep though and was out wandering around. To make a long story short, the wind was blowing hard down a long steep hill. The bear, at the top of the hill was unable to hear or smell the dog team until they all ran head long into one another. The bear killed several dogs, and the musher was almost killed as well. Fortunately for him he made it back to Wiseman and several people went out to find the bear. It was in the process of feeding on the dogs, and it turned on the people coming up. Through no fault of people or bear, the bear was shot and this is what is left as a reminder.<br /><br />The road was still beautiful, in front and behind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333754259_Ykxei-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333754259_Ykxei-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />What a beautiful day to be out riding. Heading north out of Wiseman for Atigun Pass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333765287_9MLVd-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333765287_9MLVd-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We made a stop within the first few miles and again about 25 miles down the road. The patches are doing their job so far and we will check them every 50 miles or so. Think this girl is having fun?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333760717_GHupC-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333760717_GHupC-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Riding the pass was beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333764656_XFpPP-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333764656_XFpPP-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />But the geography was a little confusing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333757308_KaM3X-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333757308_KaM3X-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My bike at the top of the pass thanks to the microfiber cloth and zip tie patch Bobby had made. 55 miles north of Wiseman, and the patches are working well. I think we'll make it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333768661_nB65P-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333768661_nB65P-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I was enough ahead of Bobby that I got this picture of him coming up the pass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333758647_ayGNU-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333758647_ayGNU-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On the other side of the pass looking north through the valley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333771887_6a9MH-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333771887_6a9MH-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On our way out we came upon this,,,,,Dude is gonna have a lot of sweeping to do on this gravel road....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333772204_oK2ES-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333772204_oK2ES-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A gentle reminder of what the roads chews up and spits out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333774043_YAi3C-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333774043_YAi3C-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The North side of the pass started out looking like Montana or Wyoming range land.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333770373_TtdvQ-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333770373_TtdvQ-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333774976_FQZBA-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333774976_FQZBA-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We never needed to use our sat phone, but we posed for pictures anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333761580_pfQ4U-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333761580_pfQ4U-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The trucks, of course, own this road. If you are polite to them, they'll be polite to you. If you refuse to slow down and move over to the side of the road, they'll blast past and cover you in dust and thrown rocks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333770592_pXcam-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333770592_pXcam-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Time to check the patches again. The left side is getting a bit wet so we replaced it and all was well the rest of the way into Deadhorse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333775600_xBDML-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333775600_xBDML-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />200 miles from anywhere and this mailbox cracked me up.... I should have put the flag up<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333775895_wTRd2-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333775895_wTRd2-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Life's little choices. Wet or dry? I chose wet....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333776929_mLky6-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333776929_mLky6-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I don't think it looks soft.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333780819_kjnxP-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333780819_kjnxP-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The farther North we go, the flatter it gets. Now it looks more like Kansas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333776032_L66sK-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333776032_L66sK-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The eskimo cotton dots the tundra everywhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333778816_6EMs6-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333778816_6EMs6-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We had a moose run out in front of us just out of Wiseman, and a few muskox were off in the distance. We didn't get pictures of them, but we did stop for these two swans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333783211_hZUNb-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333783211_hZUNb-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Finally, we have arrived. And the low fuel light comes on just as we enter the parking space.<br /><br /><br />When we got to Deadhorse we stayed in a camp that is still actively used by slope workers. The "room" we stayed in was in a trailer that they hook together into trains and pull onto the tundra during the winter when everything is frozen and won't be damaged.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333784861_R6USa-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333784861_R6USa-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The last 50 miles into Deadhorse was deep gravel.....uuggghhhh. At one point Bobby thought he had lost the bike while trying to transition into a different track closer to the edge of the road. He was weebble wobbling back and forth pretty bad when the bike started to lean over hard to the right. While preparing his mind for a low side fall, he somehow stayed with it and continued to steer. The front tire found some solid ground in the track he was trying to get into and with a little throttle,,, the bike returned upright. Scary! The last thing we need is Bobby injured or his bike broken down and me running on borrowed time on my fork seals!<br /><br />to be cont.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-84214110766203476352009-05-29T18:21:00.002-08:002009-05-29T18:42:06.742-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip - Day 2 continued...We had planned to eat lunch at Yukon River crossing, but after talking to the people in the visitor center decided to go a little further and eat at the Hot Spot, instead. I had heard of the Hot Spot, but didn't realize where it was. We drove about 15 miles North of Yukon River crossing when we saw the sign. What a cool place! Anyone who misses this spot has missed a major high point of the ride. I'll let a few pics tell the story why.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333723856_Putqd-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333723856_Putqd-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333727385_79nf9-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333727385_79nf9-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333729198_i7FFw-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333729198_i7FFw-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The burger is as big as my head!<br /><br />After we ate Bobby looked more closely at my bike's fork seals. He did not like what he saw. He tried to downplay his concern, I think. But I could tell from his face that the rest of our trip was in jeopardy. Nonetheless, after we ate we got back on the bikes and continued North.<br /><br />Bobby decided that the main road was too easy. Let's try this, Karen!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333728969_DEiVr-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333728969_DEiVr-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Back in 2004, this region was hit by one of the worst fires in Alaska history. 706 fires burned a total of 6.6 million acres. In 2005, another 4.6 million acres burned. The trees of the taiga were reduced to ash with only a few charred poles remaining of what had been the boreal forest. Jump ahead to this summer. Fireweed is a flower seen everywhere in Alaska, but it gets its name from being one of the first plants to grow in areas that have been burned by forest fire. We timed it so that vast mountain sides were covered in the pinkish purple blooms of this beautiful flower.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333729718_mum2F-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333729718_mum2F-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333730226_2NPNt-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333730226_2NPNt-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Along the road sides in the areas with fireweed we saw this plant. I don't know what it is, but it has the most beautifully intoxicating scent of any flower I have ever smelled. The closest I can come to describing it is a mix between jasmine, plumeria, and chai tea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333732157_Mwcb7-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333732157_Mwcb7-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />As we climbed in elevation we came to the area of finger mountain, another well known Dalton Highway landmark.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333733646_hs57u-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333733646_hs57u-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Upon leaving Finger Mountain we continued to head further North. I was scooting along watching the road when I passed a sign that said "Arctic Circle" with an arrow. Surely there would be more to the arctic circle crossing than that! I turned around and followed the area a short distance off the road. And there it was! Proof that we'd crossed the circle!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333734767_s2VPt-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333734767_s2VPt-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />You'll notice that the sign is well kept, and clean. The back side of the sign, however, is full of graffiti.<br />and what is this?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333738002_rYYBo-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333738002_rYYBo-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yep, TwoWheelFemales.com is now represented at the Arctic Circle, baby!<br /><br />We hit pavement again, and had a relatively easy ride almost all the way to Coldfoot. Coldfoot is an ugly nasty place. I am very glad we didn't stay there. The visitor center on the other side of the road, however, is a very nice place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333745918_JDcm4-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333745918_JDcm4-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />From Coldfoot it was only a 15 mile dirt ride into Wiseman where we spent the night at the Arctic Getaway Bed & Breakfast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333746338_s4V2c-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333746338_s4V2c-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333747802_d9jEb-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333747802_d9jEb-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Our cabin was fantastic, and the folks who run this place are the best!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333748569_c3TjG-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333748569_c3TjG-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Had we stayed in Coldfoot we would have slept in a closet on narrow hard twin beds. Here, for the same price we got a cabin to ourselves with tons of books to read, and comfortable beds with real down comforters. We also got a yummy breakfast and some great conversation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333748763_QSaNZ-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333748763_QSaNZ-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The owner's cabin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333749212_kVxPP-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333749212_kVxPP-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The cabins are on a river, and there would have been some great photo ops, but we were tired. After Bobby did some work on my bike, we showered and crawled into bed for a great sleep. Then we got up and closed the curtains because here North of the Arctic Circle the sun would have been shining in the window all night. Once the cabin was dark we slept like logs until the next morning.<br />__________________Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-49443936464593117652009-05-28T09:36:00.002-08:002009-05-28T10:11:43.552-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip - Day 2The next morning we woke bright and early to the sound of birds chirping in the bushes behind our tent. The sun was already up and warm. A man in a car stopped by to chat. He and his girlfriend were driving to Prudhoe Bay in their car. We talked a bit, and he took a picture of us behind our tent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333712053_nWiAG-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333712053_nWiAG-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We broke camp and set off for places further North!<br /><br />It took only a few minutes to wind our way through the morning traffic in Fairbanks to where we hit the Steese Highway out of town. I went to college in Fairbanks, and even though the area has changed a lot, it was nice to drive this road. We passed an overlook that I spent many hours sitting at during college as I thought about life, living, and my latest boyfriend troubles.<br /><br />Just outside of town we came to an informational wayside next to the Alyeska Pipeline.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333709018_u6EKP-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333709018_u6EKP-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />From the Steese Highway we turned onto the Elliot Highway for a short time until it intersected with the Dalton Highway, the infamous Haul Road!<br /><br />The true adventure begins!<br /><br />The road immediately turns to gravel and climbs a long steep hill with winding curves. It's as if the road is telling you from the start, this is serious folks, I'm not playing. We'd only been on the road for a short time when a lynx ran across in front of me. Cool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333715346_ejjv7-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333715346_ejjv7-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />25 miles or so into the ride the road turns back to asphalt. Unfortunately the asphalt is broken and frost heaved, so it is not necessarily easier riding than the gravel.<br /><br />The road was bordered in pink grass that grows everywhere in Alaska. It is very pretty, but also very sharp and will cut you if you handle it carelessly. The views are impressive from the beginning, but the road requires full concentration. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333717087_8cBto-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333717087_8cBto-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Even a momentary lapse can cause major problems.<br />Shortly after stopping for that photo op, we came across a section of asphalt. I relaxed more than I should have and didn't see the HUGE step when it turned back to gravel. It was a momentary lapse, but it almost ruined the rest of our trip. When I hit the step it caused my bike to totally bottom out on the front forks. Nut hit it too, and shortly after we stopped to talk about it. Almost immediately we noticed that my left fork seal was leaking now, in addition to the one on the right. "We'll have to watch that," Bobby said. Uh, yeah!<br /><br />We continued on toward the Yukon River crossing at mile 56 of the Dalton. On the way we rode some beautiful road. We rode through beautiful country on a not so beautiful mud road. Then we got right behind the water truck that was spraying water and calcium chloride on the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333723159_RKioQ-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333723159_RKioQ-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The infamous wooden deck of the Yukon River bridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333725727_oe24h-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333725727_oe24h-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Yukon River and bridge from the visitor information center.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333719844_sdgzB-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333719844_sdgzB-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The fins on the supports for pipeline are designed to let off heat. The pipeline runs through a lot of permafrost that would be damaged, and could cause the pipeline supports to collapse if it melted. The fins help keep the temperature down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333720057_q8yJ6-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333720057_q8yJ6-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There were several other bikers in the visitor area, but we only waved and didn't really get a chance to talk. For those heading South, they were reflecting on their trip and taking a moment to relax as it neared its end. For those heading North, we were wondering what the road would bring us, whether we'd soon be sitting here with a dirty bike, a big smile, and a sense of lifetime accomplishment.<br /><br />We had planned to eat lunch at Yukon Crossing, but after speaking to some more experienced travelers, we chose to eat the Hot Spot instead.<br /><br />to be continued...Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-51708796982111167242009-05-26T06:08:00.000-08:002009-05-28T09:35:56.197-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip - Day 1I have been lazy and haven't been keeping this blog up for the past year. I will catch up on some of these older rides, and then keep up with what we are doing now. This ride took place in the summer of 2008.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333707585_YUM5B-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333707585_YUM5B-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333580206_f5edY-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333580206_f5edY-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333581964_PuBaC-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 396px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333581964_PuBaC-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333579660_gVTiX-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333579660_gVTiX-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333577285_REagy-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 450px;" src="http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/333577285_REagy-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The first day of our ride to Prudhoe Bay dawned cold and rainy. I had all my heated gear on and was wondering whether riding North in this kind of weather was really a good idea. I had visions of snow, ice, and misery, but since I'm not one to back down from an adventure, we were off.<br /><br />Our first stop was at the store to pick up our satellite phone. We sincerely hoped we wouldn't need it, but we would rather be safe than sorry! I agreed to take pictures of us using the phone along the Dalton Highway (mockup photo's) for the company to potentially use in its advertising.<br /><br />The rain continued until we got to Denali National Park. I was enjoying the ride, but the clouds and drizzle were beginning to get old. We stopped at one of the overlooks where on a nice day you can see Mt. McKinley, but on this day we could only see banks and layers of cloud.<br /><br />Soon after crossing the pass however, it began to get warm. I turned down the electrics and was buzzing along without a care in the world. There are some pretty views in the area and I was enjoying all of them. Then I noticed a light come on. What the heck? Why would my ABS Brake light be on? I pulled over to the side of the road and waited for Bobby to catch up. "Do you think there is something wrong?" "What?" I turned off the bike and re-asked my question. He wasn't sure why the light would have come on either, but we figured we could ride into Fairbanks and check the bike there. I tried to restart the bike, and nothing happened. Not even a sound. "Uh, Bobby, My bike is dead." He tried to start it. Nothing. We tried to jump it. Nothing. We tried to bump start it. Nothing. My battery was as dead as it could get. (We figured out later that my aux lights and heated gear had completely drained it) So there we were 150 miles from Fairbanks in the middle of no where. My bike was dead, and was late afternoon. Bobby called the Harley dealership in Fairbanks and found out they would be open until 5:00. If he rode like a crazy man, he might make it before they closed. So, off went Bobby to get me a new battery. I spent the next several hours sitting on the side of the road watching all the people go by. <br /><br />There were 11 dual sport bikes that passed me-a 40 something woman by myself, my bike on the center stand, seat on the ground, and not one of them stopped to help or even ask if I was ok. Then a state trooper pulled up and told me I needed to move my bike. Gee Thanks! I'll get right on that! Finally two guys on Harleys came by. They stopped and asked if I was ok and if there was anything they could do to help. Thanks guys. For anyone out there holding on to the motorcycle brand stereotypes, GET OVER IT! These guys were the only caring people who passed me in the VERY long time I sat there.<br /><br />Finally Bobby came roaring back up the hill. We replaced the battery and were back on the road. We pulled into the campground along the Chena River later than we had hoped, but the midnight sun kept us warm and lit the evening so putting up our tent was a breeze. We had planned to cook on the Jet boil, but decided after the rocky start to our trip that maybe a restaurant dinner and a couple glasses of wine would be a better idea. <br /><br />After a delicious meal we walked back to our tent, relaxed and visited with other campers for a while, then went off to bed.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-50434051969595141052008-07-10T16:15:00.002-08:002008-07-10T16:37:18.492-08:00Bikes are Packed and Ready to Ride!Today we made sure the bikes' tanks were full, and that everything was ready to go. Once we knew the bikes were ready we started packing. SInce we've changed our mind about motels, and will be doing quite a bit of camping, our load has increased a bit. Bobby has extra gas in his panniers, as well as extra fuel for the jet boil, WD40, a tarp to cover the bikes, tools, 2 spare inner tubes for my tires, and a tubeless tire patching kit. His extra camp pillow and an extra blanket for me are also in the panniers. He is carrying a dry bag with our sleeping bags, and a collapsable cooler for some liquid refreshment when we are done riding for the day. Tomorrow morning we'll pick up our satellite phone that will also go in his panniers. <br /><br />I have our emergency kit, gravel plates, tire pressure gauge, glasses cleaner, cell phone, camera and extra lens in my tank bag. In the top case are our tent, both air mattresses, a can of Off, baseball caps, and a supply of Power Bars. Farkle will be riding sweep on this trip. I have Mountain House dinners in one dry bag strapped to my bike, and our extra clothes in the other dry bag. I'm carrying a two liter bottle of water with a squirt nozzle to spray my radiator down to keep it a little cleaner, and our camp towel.<br /><br />So now we are ready. LET'S RIDE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329493897_qD4Wc-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329493897_qD4Wc-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329494110_styp7-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329494110_styp7-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495978_Ei3dv-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495978_Ei3dv-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495045_9zBTj-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495045_9zBTj-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495267_rJyKA-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329495267_rJyKA-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-88107635513511475852008-07-06T15:38:00.002-08:002008-07-06T15:51:21.826-08:00Prudhoe Bay Trip is less than a week away!Well, our plans have changed a little. We are now planning to camp as we pass through Fairbanks. We have reservations at a campground on the Chena River. It's the same campground I stayed in back in May. We also changed our plans about staying in Coldfoot. We are going to go to <a href="http://www.arcticgetaway.com/">The Arctic Gateway B&B</a> in Wiseman instead. I am very excited about this change. I feel like we'll get a better night sleep here, and am looking forward to meeting the family who runs the place.<br /><br />We have also gotten our emergency plan into place. Two friends will have all of our itinerary information and Iridium phone number as well as the numbers to call for emergency personnel if we aren't back home when we are planning to be (with a 48 hour cushion).Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-18028940039281308822008-07-04T18:04:00.002-08:002008-07-04T18:10:39.784-08:00TKC 80's On the RoadI understand that TKC 80 tires are primarily off-road tires, but they do a fine job on-road as well. We rode about 100 miles today to scrub in our new tires and I came home impressed. If these tires make the kind of difference off-road that they are claimed to make, the slight increase in vibration on-road is well worth a little tingle in the hands. At slower speeds I could feel the knobbies, it felt like the front tire was bouncing. Honestly, I enjoyed the feeling. It made me laugh. The real test will come when we take the TKC 80's off-road, but so far I am very pleased with our choice to use them on our trip up the haul road to Prudhoe Bay.<br /><br />Here are some pictures of Portgage from today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325566912_sPUqA-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325566912_sPUqA-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325568455_Se5Zm-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325568455_Se5Zm-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325569719_HpiCj-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325569719_HpiCj-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325569475_tJXoV-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325569475_tJXoV-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325570784_gmqPr-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/325570784_gmqPr-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-80782762127505144122008-07-02T12:28:00.002-08:002008-07-02T12:41:26.643-08:00Preparations Begin!My husband and I are planning to ride our motorcycles to Prudhoe Bay the weekend of July 11! For anyone not familiar with the route, we will ride the Dalton Highway, otherwise known as the haul road, about 500 miles on gravel from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. The last 250 miles are completely isolated, with no services of any kind. It will be by far the most challenging ride for us to date. <br /><br />So how are we preparing? The first step was to replace our street tires with TKC 80's. My husband has already made that change on his bike; we'll pick up the tires and do the switch on my bike this afternoon. It will be my first time riding this bike on knobbies, so I'm excited to see how it will change how the bike handles.<br /><br />We are also going to replace the right front fork seal on my bike. It has begun leaking, and we want everything to be 100% when we are on the Dalton. We'll be putting the panniers back on Bobby's bike, and I'm going to ride with just my top case and my tank bag. Since we are staying in motels in Coldfoot and in Deadhorse we don't need to carry as many supplies.<br /><br />I spent today reading everything I could find about the road, and feel like I'm mentally prepared. As we make more plans, I'll keep them posted here so anyone else planning a motorcycle trip up the Dalton Highway can follow along! I'll also post pictures as I get them.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-61827922401473931152008-07-01T15:06:00.002-08:002008-07-01T15:24:03.766-08:00Visit from Dakar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/319589967_UMp4Z-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/319589967_UMp4Z-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />During our Spring 2007 tour we met Dakar and became good friends with her. This year she is doing her big tour and we were fortunate enough to have her stay with us for a few days. Her ride report is posted in TwoWheelFemales.com under the title "Dakar's (Top Secret) Grand Tour..." She has traveled so far from Kansas City to New York, to Maine, back to New York then across the Northern U.S., up the Alcan Highway to Tok, and now she's working her way South. <br /><br />I met her in Tok, abut 320 miles from where I live. It was a fun ride up even though I wasn't sure what time she would arrive. As it turns out, I had just enough time to get checked into a motel room and change out of my riding gear when she pulled up. The good news was that she had made it without any real problems. The bad news was that there was oil coming out of the final drive on her motorcycle. Uh Oh!<br /><br />We didn't have internet access where we were staying so I called home and had my daughter post up a "SOS" on ADV rider. Within 7 minutes a guy called us back and said he'd be passing through Tok the following day about noon, and that he'd bring parts if we could order them in Anchorage. We immediately got on the phone and got a new seal ordered. Whew! <br /><br />The next day a few people passing through on their way to D2D wished us luck and reassured us the seal replacement would fix the problem. A little after 1:00 a different guy from ADV pulled into the parking lot of our motel. He had also brought the seal, and since he's a motorcycle mechanic, he offered to do the work. As soon as he pulled the seal, however, we knew it was more than a seal as we heard chunks of metal falling into the pan we put out to catch the oil. Her final drive bearing was shot. We called Fairbanks - no bearings that would fit, sorry. We called Anchorage - same answer. Anchorage, however, said they could order the parts and have them in the next day.<br /><br />I immediately got on my bike and rode back to Anchorage, hoping the parts would be in early enough to make the trip back to Tok, and still get through before road construction closed the only road back to Anchorage at midnight. We got lucky, and everything worked out, but what a way to start her time in Alaska!<br /><br />We spent the next week exploring and enjoying the company. It was sad to see her leave yesterday, but her tour must go on! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/320113036_vvsRW-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/320113036_vvsRW-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/322851393_HsCjd-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/322851393_HsCjd-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/320114631_nCqXW-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/320114631_nCqXW-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-41251272023352243622008-06-07T20:03:00.004-08:002009-05-31T11:26:58.473-08:00Saturday Ride to Eklutna LakeEklutna Lake is a glacial fed lake less than an hour from our house. Today was a perfect day for a ride, so off we went.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308996916_np6rH-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308996916_np6rH-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308997531_uehiD-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308997531_uehiD-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308997847_JdWfS-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/308997847_JdWfS-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The mosquitoes were eating us, so we didn't stay long, but how wonderful it is to live so close to such a beautiful place.Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-35649727182654286172008-05-21T13:48:00.006-08:002008-07-01T14:01:17.639-08:00Spring 2008 Ride to FairbanksI got up early on Friday because I was too excited to sleep. I love riding, and the chance to do a new (to me) road on the bike was too much! I was curious whether I could get everything in my tank bag and top case. I almost succeeded, but the sleeping bags wouldn't fit. For the record I had my tent, jumper cables, emergency blanket, air mattress, jet boil, two Mountain House dinners, extra gloves, extra jacket, flip flops, a book, farkle, and mosquito dope in the top case. My change of clothes, comb, purse, camera and extra lens, kickstand plate, and various stuff was in my tank bag. I took two bags just in case the weather turned cold on me.<br /><br />I had planned to stop at the Anchorage cemetery for a pic on the way out of town, but it was drizzly so I decided to go there another day. The rain continued all the way to Denali, so there are few pics on the way up. It was pretty chilly at elevation. I was surprised how much snow there was on the side of the road. Lakes still had ice and the smaller creeks were frozen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301108140_dmNPf-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301108140_dmNPf-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301110569_iiiet-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301110569_iiiet-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After I crossed the pass the sun came out and it warmed up to the mid 60's. It was heavenly! I stopped in Nenana for gas and a couple pictures. The Tanana River is still widely used for transportation to and from many of the interior native villages.<br /><br />By the time I pulled into Fairbanks it was in the low 70's! I drove 350 miles from early spring into summer. <br /><br />I walked to the nearest grocery, and bought some Mike's Hard Lemon-aid to go with my Mountain House dinner. Farkle decided he needed a suntan so he hung out with me for a while enjoying the glorious afternoon and evening. Being Fairbanks, it hadn't gotten dark yet when I went to sleep at midnight.<br /><br />I was thankful I had the two sleeping bags since it dipped down into the 30's overnight. Saturday morning the sun was shining though, and I stayed in my sleeping bag until it had the tent nice and warm. It was a pretty morning. After making myself coffee I packed up camp and headed off to the high school where my daughter was running in the State track championship.<br /><br /><br />Here she is carrying the Alaska flag after her team placed first in the 4x800 relay.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301118363_45eL7-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301118363_45eL7-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301111991_2qXEM-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301111991_2qXEM-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I left shortly after the awards were given because it was starting to cloud up and I didn't want to ride late in bad weather. I did stop for one classic Alaska shot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301114263_H5hon-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/301114263_H5hon-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I was glad I had left when I did. As it was, I ran the last 100 plus miles in heavy rain, wind, and 37 degrees. I'd have been in big trouble had I not had a heated jacket and grips. As it was I got mildly hypothermic before I stopped and switched into winter gloves and my extra fleece neck gaitor.<br /><br />Total mileage on the trip: 763 miles<br />Wildlife Count: 2 moose, 3 rabbits, 5 swans, 3 beaver, 1 ptarmigan, and a lot of ducks and geese.<br />__________________Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-34765703070034897202008-05-01T15:00:00.003-08:002008-07-01T15:05:40.259-08:002007 Tour - To Tok, Then HomeSo after a really long and exhausting day in horrible riding conditions, followed by a night on an uncomfortable bed with noisy neighbors, you take it easy, right? You don't know my husband!<br /><br />We set off early and rode the 175 miles or so to the Alcan/Cassiar junction before be stopped for breakfast and fuel. During the first 30 minutes out of Muncho Lake we saw 8 bison on the side of the road, 2 black bears and 1 brown bear, a handful of elk, one of which did NOT want to give up the center of the road, and more rabbits than we could count. Before the day was out we saw another BIG black bear, moose, a porcupine, and two birds had committed suicide on my bike and person. (one hit the left front fork, the other literally dove into my boot. OUCH!)<br /><br />As I said, we gassed up at the junction, then went across the road to Sally's Cafe. We ate there last year and had high expectations that were not disappointed. If you ever ride to Alaska, and have the opportunity to have the sausage patty breakfast at Sally's, you will have passed up a treasure if you don't stop. Like last time, the conversation was as good as the food. Two truckers and a kid from Alaska who is hitchhiking from the North Slope to Oregon were eating when we were. The stories were soon flying. It's hard to leave a place that is so welcoming.<br /><br />We hit Whitehorse in early afternoon and were on a roll. We were driving fast and making good time, and finally found our break in the weather. At Kluane we hit wind and bad blowing dust through the construction area, but that was only about 5 or 6 miles. We stopped again for gas at Haines Junction, thought about calling it a night but decided to push through, pulled into Beaver Creek for gas, but Bobby decided to push on and I didn't argue. Finally around 7:00 we pulled into the Westmark Hotel in Tok, Alaska. The last 150 miles were over a highway with major frost heaves, and worse it was split lengthwise by an earthquake a couple years ago. It is now pretty much an obstacle course. But we made it. Then we looked at the door to the Hotel. Closed, open back up tomorrow! WTF!!!<br /><br />We turned around and found another, smaller motel we'd driven by many times and never noticed. It even had a restaurant attached. So, after too many hours, and 830 miles on the Alcan, we finally called it a night. I have to say, my knees were sore after the beating they took on the last 150 miles, and my elbow was getting sore, but even after all that my butt never ached in the slightest. If that isn't a tribute to Rich's Custom Seats I can't imagine what would be.<br /><br />No photos on this run. I thought about stopping, but when everything is so beautiful how do you choose? <br /><br />The next morning we slept in. :happy And knew we had an easy 350 mile ride home. We stopped in a few places for pics, stopped in a few places for road construction, and made one little detour to play in the mud a little, but basically we just enjoyed a laid back ride. As we entered Palmer (50 miles or so from Anchorage) neither of us was ready to take the fast route back. Instead we turned off on the old Glenn Highway and meandered through the forest and along the river before we rejoined the main road. We stopped just before hitting the Glenn and just looked at each other. 6 weeks, a lot of roads, a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes, and it all came down to this. We both acknowledged at that moment that no matter where our lives take us, no matter how difficult the struggles, as long as we're together, we'll get to where we need to be.<br /><br />So, 18 states, 3 Canadian Provinces, and 10,346 miles later we're home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155104954_5raSR-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155104954_5raSR-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155098643_WyuCe-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155098643_WyuCe-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155088967_WTPP4-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155088967_WTPP4-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155092085_iKUfu-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155092085_iKUfu-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-83517622866399592882008-04-26T17:54:00.002-08:002008-07-01T15:00:06.358-08:002007 Tour - Hinton, Albera to Muncho LakeWe left Hinton the next morning and rode into a late winter/early spring storm. Not long after we left Hinton we started gaining elevation. Soon we were in heavy fog, then very cold rain, then sleet, then snow... Before long we were reduced to following in the tracks of an 18 wheeler. It made for slow going, but when the road is building up with snow, what are your choices? We finally made it down to Fort Saint John where we stopped for gas. A guy came over to us and said there was worse weather to come, and said if we could make it, we should try to hole up in Grand Prairie for a few days until the weather improved. We buckled down and kept on going through more of the same, pouring rain at lower elevations and accumulating snow higher up. <br /><br />By the time we got to Grand Prairie about lunch time, I was soaked through and frozen to the core. I had blown a hole in my raingear, and my waterproof boots weren't. My feet were totally wet and I had a moderate case of hypthermia going. We found a Best Western and asked if they had any rooms. They did, but we really wanted to get home on the 21st, and stopping that early in the day, there would be no way to do it. In fact, at that point we didn't think we could get home before the 23rd. So, we agreed to have lunch, ( this was a FANCY Best Western with a scrumptous lunch buffet) and watch the weather channel. Though I'm sure with our weather worn appearance they would rather have sent us packing, the hotel let us use the lounge tv to check the weather and bring our food in there. Maybe they were just trying to keep us away from their other guests...:lol Anyway, we decided holing up wouldn't really do us any good, since another front was on the heels of the current one. Our goal was to suffer through the storm and get North of it if possible. <br /><br />After making our decision to continue on, we asked for directions to a sporting goods store (for water proof socks since my feet were still wet) and a motorcycle shop for new raingear. Turns out there was a motorcycle shop on the same street as the motel, and a kayak shop nearby. We went to the motorcycle shop first. Yamaha dealership if I remember right. Anyway, the people in that shop acted like we were INSANE to be out riding. They were the least encouraging people we met on the entire trip, but at least I got a new rainsuit. And I'm sure I look real cute wearing a Victory Motorcycle rainsuit riding down the road on my BMW...:lol :lol :lol <br /><br />When we pulled into the kayak shop, surprise, there was a BMW 1200 parked out front. Turns out the guy works at the shop, but also teaches motorcycle safety! The folks here were unbelievably helpful and soon had me rigged up in neoprene kayak socks. So long cold feet!<br /><br />We got back on the road and not far out of town the weather began to break. At least the snow and sleet stopped, and at that point even icy cold rain was an improvement! We made it to Muncho Lake about 5:00. Bobby kind of wanted to go further, but my endurance was at an end. All I wanted was a hot shower and bed. Unfortunately the new part of the lodge was full, so we had to stay in the old part that only had a bathtub, a not so great bed, and BARKING DOGS in the next room. After a hot bath and a good dinner I really wanted to sleep, but the folks next to us let their dogs bark until sometime around midnight.:mad <br /><br />The only photos today were taken around Muncho Lake Lodge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155113033_DPksX-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155113033_DPksX-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155111950_CqZDK-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155111950_CqZDK-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155107638_CNb6g-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155107638_CNb6g-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155110679_K58bu-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155110679_K58bu-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155106531_tjbjL-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155106531_tjbjL-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3177831923177213881.post-42211964403281486122008-04-21T14:47:00.002-08:002008-07-01T14:53:26.344-08:002007 Tour - Cowboy Trail and Banff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155134051_CYRvp-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155134051_CYRvp-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The following morning we backtracked a little to find a secondary route that was closer to the mountains and hopefully less windy! We rode out of town on asphalt that quickly turned to gravel. Had I been faster with the camera, or more comfortable riding in loose gravel I would have gotten some great photos along that road. There were old time farms, stunning river valleys, and a herd of deer in the middle of the road!<br /><br />After a while we hit asphalt again, and realized we were on the Alberta Cowboy Trail and had the pleasure of watching a real cowboy cattle round-up. Unfortunately they were too far off the road to get a good shot. We also drove by a truck flinging $hit all over a field, fertilizer I guess, but the smell was nasty! Also passed by a fence where every post for half a mile or more had a baseball cap on it. Strange, but cool!<br /><br />Today we also rode the Icefields Parkway through Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper! This is mountain scenery not to be missed. Some of the photos would have been nicer with less snow, but oh well. It reminded us that we are still travelling pretty early in the season. After a long spectacular ride, we called it a day in a KOA in Hinton, Alberta. It was cold and rainy when we pulled in, so the cabin looked to good to pass up. We ate dinner and showered then reloaded the bikes for an early departure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155131858_XRiiB-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155131858_XRiiB-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155120981_uf7qG-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155120981_uf7qG-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155129535_RHfFc-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155129535_RHfFc-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155118786_8RNjL-M.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://AlaskaDualsport.smugmug.com/photos/155118786_8RNjL-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Karen Weimer-Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529427954097393568noreply@blogger.com0