Roads in Alaska

[Big Dave UK]

Hello everyone, this is my first time on here so be gentle and forgive the odd typo!

I am currently in the early and exiting stages of planning a potential solo July-August-September trans Canadian trip travelling west to east (to eventually meet up with friends in Ottowa) using my own bike (a T300 Triumph Daytona), which i will get shipped over from the UK. Initially my idea was to begin in Vancouver and follow the Trans Canadian Highway across. However after doing some reading I am also looking into the possibility of beginning my journey in Ancourage instead, and heading down to Vancouver (phase 1 of trip) and then after spending a short while there follow the route from Vancouver to Ottowa (phase 2 of trip). (a more detailed route itinary is to follow soon)

The horizons unlimited website has already been a brilliant wealth of useful information covering most topics such as shipping costs and insurance and realistic mileages for cover etc but as always a nervous 1st timer has a few questions of his own and any help would be welcome.

Q1. I understand from research on the web that the Trans Candian Highway is made up of good quality tarmac roads but i am not sure about the roads from Anchorage to Vancouver. The bike i have is a sports tourer road bike with no off road ability, will my bike be ok for the main routes heading south during July-August-September? Also what weather can i expect for these months - anyone out there with local knowledge?

Q2. I intend to get heated grips, scottoiler and also a fender extender fitted to the front mudguard, any other mods i should make for my trip ?( i will be getting the bike fully serviced in the UK including getting a durable set of touring tyres fitted to last the distance - probably conti milestones)

Q3. Also i have the usual concerns about fuel stops, although my bike has a decent size fuel tank as standard (with touring style riding should get 150-170 miles to a tank). Are the number of gas stations plentiful along the trans can and also are the number of campsites plentiful ( i will be 90% camping to keep costs down, meet other people and also because i enjoy it)

Any help with the above questions would be welcome

A smile appeared on my face when i read on HUBB there are like minded individuals out there planning something similar, if we all end up going ahead would be great to potentially meet up.

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The Journey is the destination... see you there...

[Riq]

Welcome Dave,

I think with some research on these pages you will find detailed answers to your questions.

The short answers are;

1- I have not ridden on the Dempster highway however it is ridden frequently by people on all sorts of motorcycles. I have ridden on the Alaska highway and it is paved end to end while there is always some construction on a highway of this length you should not have a problem.

The trans Canada when you get to it is a multi lane high speed, posted at 110km/hour, highway which will get you there quickly however is not designed for sight seeing.

Weather should be nice at that time of year with the usual rainy periods in costal areas. Bring rain gear.

2- You shouldn't need any special gear on your bike. If you are passing through Edmonton let me know and if the timing is right maybe go for a spin with the local RAT pack.

3- You should have no problem with fuel stops especially along the trans canada.

Camping in the western provinces is easy to access with the occasional problem on a long holiday weekend.

Contact the HU communities that you will be traveling through and you might be suprised at how cheap it can be to pitch a tent and maybe even have a cold thrown in for free.

Enjoy your ride.

Rick

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[Namron]

Go to this web site and you will find out more about Alaska than you will need

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Or go to this site and get a break down of every highway in the area
http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/highways.htm

Norm

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Namron '04 F650GSA, '03 Yamaha Venture, Calgary, Alberta Canada.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

[This message has been edited by Namron (edited 24 March 2006).]

[tor1150r]

Big Dave,
I will also be travelling through Canada, west to east, roughtly the same time you are. We are starting in Toronto, to BC and Yukon, than back to Toronto. We expect to be back in Toronto by mid/end of August. By the looks of your travelling window, we may be a little ahead of you heading east. Riq is correct. The Trans-Can has the reputation of not being the most picturesque. My route east, from southern BC is via Hwy 3 through Alberta and Sask.

We are planning to reach Dawson City, and maybe run up the Dempster, time permitting.

I'd be happy to share my eastward route if you're interested, or answer other questions.

Note: this is my first time crossing Canada too. This link has plenty of info on the Trans-Can.

http://www.transcanadahighway.com/index.htm



[This message has been edited by tor1150r (edited 24 March 2006).]

[Big Dave UK]

Hello All,

Been a while since i logged in and with good reason. I have spent the last two months manically preparing for my trip! My bike journey for various reasons including, timescales, cost and practicality have now changed since my original posting, but hey, at least I am still out there doing it right?

My adventure begins in Ottawa end of July. My idea is head off in a North Westerly direction from Ottawa then head in a westerly direction for Calgary, stroke the edge of the Rockies, and the head back East via Winnepeg, Thunderbay and back to Ottawa. Got four weeks, a Cruiser, tent sleeping bag, wallet full of dollars and a candian road map. Mad? Yep possibly, but too much planning can spoil the surprise!!!

But...

I am open to suggestions route wise. Interesting roads, good campsites, potential free accomodation that kind of thing. I am riding solo so glamour and comfort are not essential. Any help appreciated! dave_ram2000@yahoo.co.uk

[ssa2]

Hi and welcome. Not sure just where you are from but the distance you are talking are great. I have ridden from Prudhoe Bay down to the states. The Alaska highway is not that senic as it stays on the east and north side of the mountain range. Lots of trees and you do need to watch the gas. One good suggestion is never pass a gas station that you do not fill up. It has served me well as I have a bike without a big tank but even when I rode it on gold wing the same advice was good. Most gas stops are about 150 miles apart so why chance it. I would suggest going to Anchorage for sure and then drop down into Valdez. Not to sure just what you want to see but if you are going where you are going senery is what there is. It is big and it is beautiful but it is vast. I would also suggest taking highway 37 south from Lake Watson. It is the Casiar highway and is about 450 miles long. Only one or 2 gas stops on it so again never, never, never pass one. It has about 50 miles of gravel, 50 miles of gravel with a dust retardent sprayed on it, and about 50 miles of construction usually each year. Depending on when you get to Anchorage I got there in Sept. and drove non stop pretty much to Minnesota on this route. I was on the road 7 days and averaged 639 miles a day for all 7 days. I would not recommend this speed but I needed to get my bike back.