R1 Sjaak Polar Ice Ride (Official Thread) - Page 5

jgrooms · 02-11-2013, 10:04 AM

See how strong the sled's shell actually is. And then some road miles with the sled in tow. Video #14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55pR4Z4rOw4

jgrooms · 02-11-2013, 10:17 AM

The adventure begins! Vid #15 And our first view of the ice at Barrow. Sjaak: "We will succeed!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YL-GESLDTI

jgrooms · 02-12-2013, 06:20 AM

From Sjaak overnight:

I have the sledge ready and today did a successful cold start. The way I prepared the bike with the engine preheater works fine. I still have some minor problems to solve but tomorrow I plan the test pull on the ice. If this goes well I will soon be on my way.

Best,
Sjaak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cNvMSEt5ZI

Frederic_Shiffer · 02-12-2013, 11:05 AM

This will be a very special trip.
I will be following that closely.

Go go Sjaak!!

AKDuc · 02-12-2013, 11:37 AM

One very cool pic.

jgrooms · 02-12-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKDuc

One very cool pic.

Thanks for posting! Keep it up.

Here is some more prep in Barrow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShTUv4iI68

jgrooms · 02-13-2013, 10:58 AM

Sjaak getting ready to roll out on the ice. Video #18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCvR07wiDKg

Throttlemeister · 02-13-2013, 11:56 AM

Looking forward to seeing how the ice surface is this year

This is going to be something unique for sure.

AKDuc · 02-13-2013, 10:45 PM

A positive update and new photo:

"Yesterday I got to see the polar ice where I will start the ride. When I got there it was too late to take the wheels of the sledge and try it. Because some very helpful and friendly locals who are helping me had a four wheel drive with them to pull me out if necessary, I went on the ice with the wheels on. The wheels of the sledge where digging in the deep snow and I got stuck a few times. But it went much better than I had hoped. It looks very promising. The R1 had no problems at all riding the terrain. The big wheels rolled strait over it. Today the plan was to tow the sledge to Point Barrow. Due to ice in the fuel system and a coolant leak this it set to tomorrow."

Contevita · 02-13-2013, 11:01 PM

Great photo!

A few questions. What happens if he breaks down, what are the plans to rescue him? How's communication between him and "home base"? If there is an encounter with a bear, what are his plans? How's he going to navigate crevasses and cracks?

AKDuc · 02-14-2013, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contevita

What happens if he breaks down, what are the plans to rescue him? How's communication between him and "home base"? If there is an encounter with a bear, what are his plans? How's he going to navigate crevasses and cracks?

I asked Sjaak what model R1 he prefers and he answered "a '99 or 2000" because he was so familiar with them. I think he's serviced every part of that model bike by himself over they years in different parts of the world.

He plans on sleeping in the tailer. Not sure if it's totally Polar Bear proof but it seems pretty sturdy being made of laminated lexan over an aluminum frame. Sjaak said he planned on talking more with the locals about bears once in Barrow. I'm sure they'll almost all recommend a firearm which is probably kind of out of the question for Sjaak.

Polar Ice doesn't have crevasses like a glacier but because of constant movement there's a real possibility of pressure ridges that cause the ice to bunch up in a jumbled mess. In some places he may have to zig zag around to find a smoother route.

And if worst comes to worst, he has a satellite phone.

Mark H.

jgrooms · 02-14-2013, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKDuc

I asked Sjaak what model R1 he prefers and he answered "a '99 or 2000" because he was so familiar with them. I think he's serviced every part of that model bike by himself over they years in different parts of the world.

He plans on sleeping in the tailer. Not sure if it's totally Polar Bear proof but it seems pretty sturdy being made of laminated lexan over an aluminum frame. Sjaak said he planned on talking more with the locals about bears once in Barrow. I'm sure they'll almost all recommend a firearm which is probably kind of out of the question for Sjaak.

Polar Ice doesn't have crevasses like a glacier but because of constant movement there's a real possibility of pressure ridges that cause the ice to bunch up in a jumbled mess. In some places he may have to zig zag around to find a smoother route.

And if worst comes to worst, he has a satellite phone.

Mark H.

Check out the video testing the Lexan shell. With the frame and shell a bear isn't getting directly through it IMO,

Can a group of bears wait him out? That'd be my concern.

CappyRidesAgain · 02-15-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contevita

Great photo!

...what are the plans to rescue him?

We dont have any aircraft up there during the winter months and we dont normally fly up there because our fuel will freeze. The ANG might have a plane with those capabilities. If anything , there is an amphibious tracked rescue rig in Barrow.

dave6 · 02-15-2013, 11:29 AM

Very cool, get it??? I hope things go well for him.

jgrooms · 02-15-2013, 03:42 PM

Testing.

View Results: IS IT POSSIBLE?
Yes, Sjaak will make it to Canada	29	76.32%
No, Sjaak will not make it to Canada	3	7.89%
Maybe.	6	15.79%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

02-11-2013, 10:04 AM	#61
jgrooms ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Oddometer: 485	Polar Bear Proof See how strong the sled's shell actually is. And then some road miles with the sled in tow. Video #14 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55pR4Z4rOw4 __________________ https://www.youtube.com/ClymerManuals

02-11-2013, 10:17 AM	#62
jgrooms ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Oddometer: 485	The Flight to Alaska "We will succeed!" The adventure begins! Vid #15 And our first view of the ice at Barrow. Sjaak: "We will succeed!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YL-GESLDTI __________________ https://www.youtube.com/ClymerManuals

02-12-2013, 06:20 AM	#63
jgrooms ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Oddometer: 485	Uncrating the R1 and Sled in Barrow Ak From Sjaak overnight: I have the sledge ready and today did a successful cold start. The way I prepared the bike with the engine preheater works fine. I still have some minor problems to solve but tomorrow I plan the test pull on the ice. If this goes well I will soon be on my way. Best, Sjaak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cNvMSEt5ZI __________________ https://www.youtube.com/ClymerManuals jgrooms screwed with this post 02-12-2013 at 01:47 PM Reason: fix video

02-12-2013, 11:05 AM	#64
Frederic_Shiffer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Paris, France. Oddometer: 100	This will be a very special trip. I will be following that closely. Go go Sjaak!! __________________ Ride report: Don’t tell my Mom I rode 17,000kms from China to France on a stolen proto Yam XT250X.

02-12-2013, 11:37 AM	#65
AKDuc Alaska Born Ducatisti Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 6,043	One very cool pic. __________________ My Ride Reports of Alaska & The Yukon

02-13-2013, 10:58 AM	#67
jgrooms ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Oddometer: 485	Tire Studs Sjaak getting ready to roll out on the ice. Video #18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCvR07wiDKg __________________ https://www.youtube.com/ClymerManuals

02-13-2013, 11:56 AM	#68
Throttlemeister Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Okie near Muskogee Oddometer: 3,204	Looking forward to seeing how the ice surface is this year This is going to be something unique for sure. __________________ www.throttlemeister.net

02-13-2013, 10:45 PM	#69
AKDuc Alaska Born Ducatisti Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Oddometer: 6,043	A positive update and new photo: "Yesterday I got to see the polar ice where I will start the ride. When I got there it was too late to take the wheels of the sledge and try it. Because some very helpful and friendly locals who are helping me had a four wheel drive with them to pull me out if necessary, I went on the ice with the wheels on. The wheels of the sledge where digging in the deep snow and I got stuck a few times. But it went much better than I had hoped. It looks very promising. The R1 had no problems at all riding the terrain. The big wheels rolled strait over it. Today the plan was to tow the sledge to Point Barrow. Due to ice in the fuel system and a coolant leak this it set to tomorrow." __________________ My Ride Reports of Alaska & The Yukon

02-13-2013, 11:01 PM	#70
Contevita Cigar Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Gulfport, MS Oddometer: 1,099	Great photo! A few questions. What happens if he breaks down, what are the plans to rescue him? How's communication between him and "home base"? If there is an encounter with a bear, what are his plans? How's he going to navigate crevasses and cracks?

02-15-2013, 11:29 AM	#74
dave6 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Oddometer: 167	Very cool, get it??? I hope things go well for him. __________________ dave6

02-15-2013, 03:42 PM	#75
jgrooms ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Oddometer: 485	Testing. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/ClymerManuals

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode