Milestones

Along the Seward Highway on my way to Whittier

Almost a year ago I took this picture of the odometer on my KLR. It reads 500 miles, which is the end of the break in period for the motor.

I saw the millage getting close and pulled over near a boat launch along the highway. Right after I snapped this pick someone politely, but annoyed, asked me to move so they could back they're trailer down to get their boat. But in my defense it didn't look like a boat launch to me.

This more or less is a good marker for the beginning of me riding. I could now spin the KLR up past 4ooo rpm which meant I could go faster than 60 mph. :D which meant that cars wouldn't be as upset with me on the highway!

Since this day I've put a lot of good miles on the KLR, most of them over 4000 rpm. Thank goodness the break in period is only 500 miles.

Cantwell Gas Station

OUCH!

I stopped in Cantwell for some gas. Even with the KLR $4.51/gal still hurts! And I didn't put $78.00 if gas in the tank. It was more like $11 :-D

While I was filling up two locals pulled up in a truck to ask me about the motorcycle. Turns out they both had KLR's too and were interested in my Corbin seat (the only reason I can ride more than an hour an day). We chatted for a while and during that time they gas station ladies turned my gas off because they wanted to go home.

After telling me that it was going to get warmer just up the road the two took off and I was on my way again.

Note to self: Get gas in Cantwell before 10:00pm

Wide Pass

Wide Pass on the Parks Hwy on my way to Fairbanks
(At least thats what I think its called :D)

Friday evening, after work, I loaded up and headed off to Fairbanks for the weekend. This is about halfway there. It looks dark but really it isn't, it was just the way the camera took the picture.

This is one of my favorite spots along the Parks Hwy. When your headed South you come around a corner and things just open up for you. A broad valley with short sparse trees and grasses, the train tracks passing through, and mountains on each side. Its really hard to capture the beauty that is there.

That spot is close to Cantwell, the coldest spot on the ride. (If you don't count the temperature inversion I hit going down the hill into Fairbanks)

In fact I picked up a Sheepskin Buttpad for the KLR at Alaska Leather on Thursday. Barb said I was going to need it so I didn't freeze my butt off in Cantwell. It worked! My butt is the same place it was when I left and there is no apparent frost bite.

Congratulations!!!

My Sister Candace Cutting Up Veggies for Pastys

This may or may not be the only digital picture I have of my sister. :-D

She called me yesterday to say she passed her Motorcycle Safety Foundation class and will be getting her license any day now.

Good Job Candace!

Have fun and keep an eye out for teenagers on cell phones.

Train

AK Railroad Tracks

My Landlords cabin is on a bluff above the RR tracks, which are down by the river. We were getting the water pump accessories situated, and when he had to go get some tools I took a stroll down the tracks.

I got a ways down, looked at the river and started back when I heard a rumble from around the corner. Sure enough the train was coming, so I hopped off the tracks and got as far away as I could. The swamp was right there so I could only go so far.

There were a lot of tanker cars. I"m assuming for heating fuel or diesel. It took a lot longer to go by than I figure it would. When it finally passed the tracks rang with a high pitched tone. There were no vibrations of the track that I could feel but thats the only thing I could think of that would make that noise.

This is part of the line that has the Flag Stop service. Maybe one of these days I'll take advantage of that.

Suck It In

Railroad Bridge Across the Talkeenta River in Talkeetna

My landlord has a cabin out the tracks from Talkeetna. Sunday he recruited me to help him with a project out there. Since it was still a little wet Four Wheelers were the transportation of choice.

The bridge is pretty narrow and its a squeeze getting the wheelers across. The one I was on is actually a little wider than the railings. But with its Independent suspension and four wheel drive it was possible to squeeze it across. The tires were actually squeaking along the railing as I went.

1 Year Anniversary

The Mount Denali Lookout in Talkeenta

Saturday was my Official 1 Year Anniversary for living in Alaska. This means many things, but most importantly I can get my resident fishing licenses. And let me tell you, its a lot cheaper to get them if your a resident!

The weekend had a great start with Friar's Annual BBQ at the Abbey (His shop). After some brats, beans, and BS I headed towards Talkeetna. As I rounded the corner going in to Houston Mt. Denali reviled itself. There was a little haze but you could definitely see it.

This picture was at the lookout right outside of Talkeetna. A guy who is repairing a bridge on the Parks Hwy took the picture for me. He was my first disappointed person this summer.

After he snapped the picture he made his way to the rear of the bike to look at the license plate asking where I was from. When I told him I was from Anchorage a look of disappointment came over him. This is a scene that will play itself out over and over this season, same as it did last year.

Oh well, just because I live in Anchorage doesn't mean any of my trips are less Epic.

Turnagain Pass

At the Turnagain Pass Rest Stop

It was supposed to be rainy all weekend but instead, like a Christmas Present you weren't expecting, it was sunny and warm!

I posted a new thread on ADVRider saying I was going for a ride if anyone wanted to come along. Jim replied and we headed out at 3:30 for a run down to Hope.

We stopped at the gas station in Girdwood to stretch our legs and ran into AKDuc and his Ducati. Turns out the little strip mall there is the place to hang out on nice Saturday afternoon.

This turn out is maybe another 20miles down the road at the top of Turnagain Pass. Its a snowmobile (Snowmachine up here) hot spot in the winter. There were still Snowmachines running around that day.

Mother's Day Breakfast

Being the good son that I am I called my Mom to wish her a happy Mothers Day. After we talked a while she and my Dad had to go power wash the boat and I needed to get ready to meet Jim and Whitney for a ride up to Hatcher Pass. But before i got off the phone my Mom asked for me to make sure to at least eat something before I left.

I was in quite a hurry so I forgot to eat something before I left. But luckily I had a little time at the gas station where I grabbed this turkey sandwich and bottle of water.

The KLR makes a pretty good picnic table.

Hope you had a happy Mothers day Mom.

Invasion

Man, its been a long weekend/week. I got two rides in and on Sunday night a bunch of Rathbuns came to visit.

From left to right is Matt, Aimee, and Walt sitting on my futon. Doing something computery.

Matt and Walt came up to visit Aimee and were finishing up their whirlwind tour of Alaska. They drove from Fairbanks to Valdez, and then to Anchorage. I hear they saw moose, bear, and Caribou, which is pretty good in such a short time.

On Monday they took a trip to Seward for a glacier cruise to spy on the whales and other ocean critters.

I think they had a good time.

Looking towards the Chugach Mountains from Wasilla

I went out the to Abbey to check out a BMW Friar had for sale and peruse the tire selection. While I didn't come home with an extra bike or a tire it was a nice chance to get out. And I'm glad I did because the next day we got our 18" of the white stuff.

This little gravel/sand pit was just off a road that parallels the Glenn Hwy on the outskirts of Wasilla. I couldn't resist playing around in it a little bit. Things were good until I stopped for the picture. It took a little getting started again but was able to come through without falling over.

Weekend in Fairbanks

This weekend I Drove to Fairbanks (I know, I should have ridden the KLR but I had tire issues to work out) On Saturday morning Aimee and I ran in the Chena River 5k, which was a lot of fun and not as bad as people may think. Then in the afternoon we picked up Chuck and did the things that are fun to do in Fairbanks.

We went to visit the famous Pipeline

That is Aimee standing next to a retired Pig. This pig was sent through the pipeline to scrape off wax buildup that deposits on inside of the pipe as the oil flows through.

We also went to Pioneer Park, which used to be called Alaska Land, and everyone still calls it that. While we were there we walked around a confusingly constructed building and saw a very impressive paddle wheel river boat.

Today I drove back to Anchorage, wishing I had more time to stop and smell the Rosses, I mean pine trees


This is along the Parks Hwy, if I had to guess around mile 200ish.

I had a really good time this weekend and even though I didn't get to ride I think it was a good start to this years travel season.

Perfect Day, Perfect Ride

Palmer Creek Road mid August

This was the day many of us on different types of motorcycles got together for a ride to Hope. The more street bikes had turned around but we still had most of the Dual Sport guys.

There were a couple switch backs and after another corner or two the valley opened up just wide enough to make you feel small. I knew Dave wasn't that far behind me so I sped up until I saw a nice background and waited for him. Since he's a nice guy he was slowing down to see if I needed anything but after I waved him by I snapped this picture.

The road a head was a little more bumpy with lots of holes holding lots of water. It wasn't the worst I'd seen and you could pick your way around most of the bad stuff. Someone told Dave to go right through the middle. I'm not sure if they were joking or not, but he found a couple that were about 2 feet deep. I think he had wet shoes for the ride back.