PLAN & PREPARATIONS

The Bikes:

When we finished the 2005 trip, I was convinced a longer trip was going to require a bigger bike . . . with a bigger seat, and other "stuff".  The Honda V45 performed well, used barely a drop of oil and started everyday, (Mick's CB750 lost its starter and leaked 2 gallons of oil out the head gasket.  The starter wasn't a big problem since he had me to push). 

But bottomline, the V45's seat just wasn't big enough for 12,000 miles in 32 days!

Unfortunately, the "bigger bike" had to wait until 3 daughter's college educations were completed.  So, for the past 6 years, I've been writing tuition checks and dreaming of the day.

Last spring (2010), I was checking out Ebay for grins, and just happened across an auction too good to be true.  A 2009 Victory, 371 miles, Midnight Cherry, and lots of chrome!
 
There was less than 36 hours left on the auction and I was in agony.  It was a year too soon.  Had one daughter still in school.  Had never bought anything off Ebay before.  Heck of a way to start!

Judy (wife), said "Do it", and I did.  That's when my wife earned her new title of "Best Wife in the Whole World" (BWINWW). 

2009 Victory Vision Premium Tour
1731cc V Twin engine.














About a month later, Mick had an opportunity to "upgrade", and bought another BMW from his cousin's ex.  They like to keep their bikes in the family.

2001 BMW K1200RS
1200cc In Line 4 Cylinders
130 HP and will Fly!













The Plan:

The goal is to travel every paved main road in Alaska. No Dirt, at least not intentional.
We depart Pittsburgh @ 3:30 PM, on June 24, after work.


 Outbound and Tour around Alaska.

Day 1 - Mississauga, ON
Day 2 - Sault Ste. Marie
Day 3 - Thunder Bay
Day 4 - Winnipeg
Day 5 - Saskatoon
Day 6 - Whitecourt
Day 7 - Buckinghorse River
Day 8 - Watson Lake
Day 9 - Whitehorse (our hub)
Day 10 - Oil Change, then Skagway, then Destruction Bay
Day 11 - Fairbanks
Day 12 - Denali Park
Day 13 - Seward
Day 14 - Homer, then Anchorage
Day 15 - Chitna, then Valdez
Day 16 - Destruction Bay
Day 17 - Whitehorse
Day 18 - Dawson City
Day 19 - Whitehorse
Day 20 - New Tires, Oil Change, then to Haines
Day 21 - Catch Ferry to Prince Rupert at 1:30 pm
Day 22 - All Day Ferry Ride!



Return Trip - Prince Rupert to Pittsburgh

Day 23 - Arrive 6:30 am, then to Quesnel
Day 24 - Seattle
Day 25 - Coastal Road to Springfield, OR
Day 26 - Reno!
Day 27 - Delta, UT
Day 28 - Salida, CO
Day 29 - Pratt, KS
Day 30 - Branson, MO
Day 31 - Terre Haute, IN
Day 32 - Pittsburgh, PA

Piece of Cake!


Unlike a few of Bud's and Mick's vacation trips taken over the past several years:

1.)  There will be no camping.  No room for the gear, and . . . motels have showers . . . and toilets . . . and beds . . . and electricity . . . and running water . . . and internet access!

2.)  There will be no 25 year old Toyota pickup truck with two bikes on the trailer. (There's a "camper" on the back, just in case it rains or bears invade the camp!)

3.)  There will be no eating beans out of the can with a plastic "spork". (Ok.  I'm spoiled.)


Preparations:

Mick finished rebuilding his engine about 6 weeks ago (lost his alternator and starter motor last fall in Texas. How he rode it all the way back to Pittsburgh is an amazing story for another time.)

I needed a way to strap down the duffle bag without hurting the finish.  Plastic wire ties did the trick!

We took a "full pack" dress rehearsal ride on Memorial Day weekend, up through the "Wilds" of PA. Around 450 miles. No mechanical issues, everything fit, and the packs rode well. 

Both bikes have new tires and oil.  I installed a new battery, just in case.

Sunday "Bath and Buff". 













Stuff Being Packed:

10 sets of T shirts, socks, undies, and a few pairs of pants.  That's it.  All in plastic bags.
Tools, including a large Torque wrench that doubles as a personal protection device.
DUCT TAPE
Service manuals
Passports
Tire patches
Fix em Flats
Oil & Filters
Rags
Bungies, straps, and strap anchors
Bug Spray & Suntan lotion
First Aid Kit
Gas Can
Octane Booster (Yes, I did read the MSDS!)
Rain Gear (Frogg Toggs)
Battery Tender and extension cord
A couple GPS
Laptops
Cameras
Air hawk (butt pad)
5 Lbs. of power cords, chargers, data cords, for computers, phones, GPS, cameras, MP3.

and . . .

my most prized provisions!
















I think we're ready!