 |
|
10 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
Experienced world traveller got unexperienced
Hi guys,
Gionata here. Been almost 8 years on the road with my old rusted Honda Transalp and after a long await here in Santiago the Chile, I am planning to head up north in January to get to Alaska and finish my journey in Italy, aftert shipping from somewhere in the east coast of CANADA-USA to Portugal.
Would anyone from Alaska know if around March the weather allow riderds to ride all the way to the top of the continent?
How many kms will I have to ride from Panama to Alaska, including the nice bits?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Gionata Nencini
|
10 Oct 2012
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
|
|
|
In March? In the northern half of the continent you'll definitely be dealing with ice, snow, and cold temps until late spring.
I rode the Alaska Highway in early June, and the conditions ranged from warm and sunny to cold with heavy rain.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
|
10 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by brclarke
In March? In the northern half of the continent you'll definitely be dealing with ice, snow, and cold temps until late spring.
I rode the Alaska Highway in early June, and the conditions ranged from warm and sunny to cold with heavy rain.
|
Hi BRClarck,
thanks for your hint. Cold shouldn't be a problem as long as the roads are being cleaned by showplw.
Does that work during that time of the year?
|
11 Oct 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 60
|
|
|
I'm about as far south in Alberta Canada as you can get. I wouldn't want to go to Alaska in March. I'm not really comfortable with riding on icy roads and sliding under a semitrailer truck doesn't strike me as a productive way to see the world. Your mileage may vary... If you'd like a video perspective of riding up north in late February, do a search on You Tube for "Curbsyde Productions" and look for "The North" videos. There are clips from a series they sell on their website available. March in southern Alberta can be extremely unpredictable, anywhere from -30 C to 25 C, the farther north you go, the more likely you can expect to see worse weather. Just my opinion but I'd be awfully cautious about planning that trip then.
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by roger2002
I'm about as far south in Alberta Canada as you can get. I wouldn't want to go to Alaska in March. I'm not really comfortable with riding on icy roads and sliding under a semitrailer truck doesn't strike me as a productive way to see the world. Your mileage may vary... If you'd like a video perspective of riding up north in late February, do a search on You Tube for "Curbsyde Productions" and look for "The North" videos. There are clips from a series they sell on their website available. March in southern Alberta can be extremely unpredictable, anywhere from -30 C to 25 C, the farther north you go, the more likely you can expect to see worse weather. Just my opinion but I'd be awfully cautious about planning that trip then.
|
Roger, thanks for the post. I don't really know if I should thank you for helping me understanding how tough conditions get up there or is I should thank you for inspiring me even more to do that in March, being able to see all that show and beauty and animals and peace.
What are the main cities i can find fuel in to make my way north to the tip of Alaska?
Can I buy nailed motorcycle tires somewhere there?
Cheers
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
|
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 60
|
|
|
I've heard that some motorcycle shops will install "studs" in to your tires to allow you some semblance of traction on ice. You may have to bend the truth and tell them that you are not going to be riding on the roads to get them to do it though. You should investigate thoroughly the road closures before arriving. I believe some roads are not passable in early spring after the ice melts and before the roads dry enough for traffic. Dress warmly and best wishes!
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by partireper.it
Hi guys,
Gionata here. Been almost 8 years on the road with my old rusted Honda Transalp and after a long await here in Santiago the Chile, I am planning to head up north in January to get to Alaska and finish my journey in Italy, aftert shipping from somewhere in the east coast of CANADA-USA to Portugal.
Would anyone from Alaska know if around March the weather allow riderds to ride all the way to the top of the continent?
How many kms will I have to ride from Panama to Alaska, including the nice bits?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Gionata Nencini
|
Never mind Alaska, you'll be lucky to make it out of BC in March.
Pretty dangerous and unpleasant weather for a motorbike - why not wait a couple of months and enjoy the ride? Find a nice beach down in Central America and wile away the time until about May, then turn north...
Just sayin'....
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by roger2002
I've heard that some motorcycle shops will install "studs" in to your tires to allow you some semblance of traction on ice. You may have to bend the truth and tell them that you are not going to be riding on the roads to get them to do it though. You should investigate thoroughly the road closures before arriving. I believe some roads are not passable in early spring after the ice melts and before the roads dry enough for traffic. Dress warmly and best wishes!
|
I thought the same too, but according to the video I watched these guys rode on a pretty flatten snowy /ice road. I didn't see them entering deep and soft snow trails at all... or am I missing something?
|
15 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsherlock
Never mind Alaska, you'll be lucky to make it out of BC in March.
Pretty dangerous and unpleasant weather for a motorbike - why not wait a couple of months and enjoy the ride? Find a nice beach down in Central America and wile away the time until about May, then turn north...
Just sayin'....
|
Hi Sherlock,
it is an inviting idea, but I am running late with time and I guess if I want to see something or the whole thing I'll have to feel the cold. I have a friend that got to Ushuaia in late winter on a transalp like mine. Wasn't easy, but he got there....
If roads are open to trucks I can make my way there too I guess.
Could you specifiy where is "OUT OF BC" just to understand how far north that would be?
|
20 Oct 2012
|
|
RIP: 5/3/21
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Onalaska, Washington, USA
Posts: 335
|
|
Crazy idea, but it can be done, and has been. You will need good prep, maybe even air tube down the jacket to pre-heat the air. You are talking about an environment that can be brutal so plan well.
On your way up be sure to stop by here, Chehalis WA, for a warm up  and swap some stories.
Bob
|
20 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by partireper.it
Hi Sherlock,
it is an inviting idea, but I am running late with time and I guess if I want to see something or the whole thing I'll have to feel the cold. I have a friend that got to Ushuaia in late winter on a transalp like mine. Wasn't easy, but he got there....
If roads are open to trucks I can make my way there too I guess.
Could you specifiy where is "OUT OF BC" just to understand how far north that would be?
|
BC=British Columbia in Canada - first province after you cross north out of Washington State.
Good luck and ride safe.
|
20 Oct 2012
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
|
I once rode a bike to the north of Finland in late March. Very wintry, lots of snow & ice, also on the road. I had studded tyres, and they were a must. Also choosing correct riding gear will be critical, it can become extremely uncomfortable and also very dangerous, if your gear isn't up to the task.
But although latitudes may be somewhat similar to Alaska, over here in Scandinavia we have the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. So I'm thinking Alaska will probably be even colder.
|
20 Oct 2012
|
 |
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
Have you ever experienced -40c ? and wind chill ? 
If you have you will know that temperatures that low HAVE to be taken seriously , you can die very quickly .[ But it's supposed to be a pleasant death ]
If you really want to go to Deadhorse in March , take a 4wd vehicle and a survival kit and "enjoy" the very short ,very cold days .
Your buddy went to Ushuaia in winter , but that's not Alaska or northern BC or the Yukon and it's not a good reason to embark on something as foolish as riding a motorcycle in winter in unforgiving territory.
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
|
20 Oct 2012
|
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,957
|
|
|
Yes, Alaska will be colder. Ushuaia is warm and balmy by comparison--all winter long.
To get to the far north, you've got to spend a lot of time in the interior--Yukon, Alaska, BC. It'll be cold and potentially quite dangerous. Don't do it if you're expecting it to resemble Tierra del Fuego, which is an island with weather tempered by the sea.
On the other hand, of course it's been done, and it'll get done again. Just don't get too uppity about what you know or don't know.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Experienced world traveller got unexperienced
Linear Mode
