Long Way Up...and Over! 2011 Alaska Motorcycle Trip: INTRODUCTION

The plan started in 2004.

Mick had just bought his cousin's 2001 BMW F650GS "Enduro" motorcycle. He read that it was a favorite ride for Alaska because it could run all day at 70 MPH on the highways and would also hold its own on the dirt roads.
Knowing this + 3 weeks vacation = Mick's first ride to Alaska, solo.

The trip lasted 23 days and covered 13,000 miles. 4000 miles were dirt roads.

Note: Each number represents a "near miss" of losing control on the muddy road. The higher the number, the closer he came to going down.
But he never did.

The "dirt" was found on the Dalton Hwy heading to Prudhoe Bay and heading to Inuvik in the Northwest Territory.

There was also plenty of dirt on the bike!

Oh, there were also rocks in that dirt.

If it wasn't for this picture, we may have not believed him!

He called me from Skagway and told me I had to ride to Alaska with him.
13,000 miles in 23 Days? Your Crazy!!

It took awhile, but he talked me into it.

In the summer of 2005, there was not enough time or money for a big ride all the way up, but we could get from Pittsburgh to Hyder, Alaska, and back, for about 7500 miles and 17 days.

I rode my 22 year old
750cc Honda Magna V45

Since I don't do dirt, Mick left his Enduro at home and decided to ride his 25 year old Honda CB750F.

Did you notice the luggage? I bought a set that had a hard plastic back. Mick used the smaller pieces and made "saddle bags". I drilled holes through the back wall of the larger suitcase and bolted it to the sissy bar. No bungies. No Straps. No Shifting! Worked great, but we didn't get any Style Points.

It was a Great Ride!