Tiny Bike to Alaska 2016 (Planning and Bike Prep)

Thanks. Like everybody else it's a work in progress for sure.

On your ride to Alaska, if you get near north west Nevada or north eastern Ca., you will be in my neighborhood. If you are passing through, maybe I can tag along for a day or so, or offer you a secure overnight spot with lots of tools, a good meal, a shower, laundry, and a beer.

Howdy. Thanks for the offer! I am planning on riding out as far as Death Valley before I start wandering back north/northeast towards Montana. You anywhere near there? I'll send you a PM and give you my email/phone number. Much appreciated.

Watching the weather....was planing on leaving this Monday the 2nd. Winter storm warnings around the Pikes Peak area. The summit is on my list of stuff to see again. May sit here on the porch and drink beer for another week ....we will see. Sucks
Anyone riding a Super Tenere with a wench that wants to follow me if I decide to tackle the snow

Winter Storm Watch
Issued: 8:56 AM MDT Apr. 27, 2016 – National Weather Service

... Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from Thursday afternoon
through Friday evening...

* locations... the Continental Divide and all of Lake County... the
Wet Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Mountains... and Teller
County.

* Cause and timing... a strong Spring storm system will move into
The Four Corners region Thursday afternoon... then move through
eastern Colorado on Friday. This system will bring a period of
heavy Spring snow to the higher elevations.

* Snow accumulation... one to two feet possible by Friday night.

* Impact... travel over the passes will be hazardous due to icy...
snow covered roads. Heavy wet snow may result in tree damage
and scattered power outages.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow... sleet... or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

This was taken in late May of 2009 near Ouray, CO:


This one was near Steamboat in late May of 2002:


Be careful out there!

Mike

I skipped a few pages along the way so I might have missed your route, but if it takes you through the Casper, WY area and you'd like a free burger, place to sleep, shop to catch up on maintenance, etc. just give me a shout. I'm fairly busy in the summer, but if the dates are at all possible I'll make it work out to be there. If not I'll point you towards a free place to camp and a good place to fill your stomach.

George

Yep...my buddy and I got run out of CO last year the middle of May. I'm gonna play it by ear....I'm all set and going bat shit crazy wanting to get on the road.

Hi George. Many thanks for the offer. I attached a tentative image showing the lower 48 route I'd like to ride...but all is fluid and can change instantly like my mood

I'll surely keep your info. If it doesn't work out on the ride up then maybe I can stop by on the way back. Either way I'll be sure and get with you a few weeks in advance to see if you're gonna be around.

I hear that. I'm getting ready to ride my CRF250L from Sandy, Oregon to Michigan and back over the whole month via Hwy 2 through ID, MT, ND, Minn, WI, and through the UP of Michigan.
Plan to leave this Sunday (May 1st) and other than a couple small details I'm all ready and just itching to leave.

Been filling my time adding camp spot waypoints on my GPS from Freecampsites and doing weather/road condition checks over and over (Planned for cold and wet but it looks like 80's for most of my ride, I'll still plan for some cold and wet...)

Howdy to a fellow crazy little bike rider! Have a great time! I hope you have temps in the 80s and a wind at your back.

I've decided to go ahead and leave Monday morning and to hell with the weather. I can always hold up in a cave or another inmates backyard shed somewhere

I'm taking my 250 out to Boulder in my truck to keep from riding across the plains again in the winds. From there I've got 10,000 miles to ride so missing 1400 miles of stuff I've seen for decades will not make much difference. I guess I'm turning into a pussy .

Keep me posted on your ride and maybe our routes will cross as I head north at the end of the month and you are headed back west. I'll buy you a beer or three

Yeah the winds on the plains can be a pain even in a 4 wheeled vehicle. One reason I'm going more north and hoping to avoid them a bit. All I know is I drove through Nebraska last spring and had to fight to keep my 4x4 in the lane.
I say skip 'em if you can.

I'll try to keep an eye on things as I go and maybe we'll cross paths. Would make for a good lunch break or something and share tall tales of little bikes on the road. hehe
Not sure that I'll be keeping anything going on here as far a ride report goes until after the trip. I'm planning on keeping a sort of simple journal along the way to keep track of any interesting moments though so I can put something together.
But I should be able to keep an eye out on here on the phone (Just don't want to take the time to do ride reports on the phone, though I guess if I get to camps early enough and have a signal.....)

Looking forward to seeing you on the road TEWSTER2, stay in touch, once on the road I'll probably not have my phone on in Canada, too damn expensive, but will be in AK on the 16th of June and in Fairbanks on the 17th.

Yep...I've been traveling on bikes since the early 70's and have crossed the plains many times. I love Oklahoma with its history regarding the Dust Bowl years and have enjoyed seeing places I learned about in school and talking to folks that lived through that nightmare. But...I do a bit of cussing everytime the winds try to kill me. I've got many miles to ride on this trip and will enjoy the 1400 out to Boulder in the truck just chillin as the miles go by with the winds blowing like hell. Then...when I'm done with Alaska I can hit Boulder again, stick the WR in the truck, and have a relaxing decompression ride back home.

I too won't be doing indepth post each day during the ride. I will post a highlight or two and try to answer other inmates questions as I hate to let folks think I'm ignoring them. After I'm back home and on the porch with my laptop and coffee I'll try to post something that won't put anyone to sleep

I guess the best way to keep in touch is here on the thread. I'll check it every day or so and hope our paths will cross, take care and ride safe.

Good morning Ron! I will try to cross into Canada around the 1st of June. I plan on being in Dawson City YT on June 15th for a few days then on to Alaska.

Do you have the WHATSAPPP app (free) for your phone? I use it to talk and text (I have regular texting blocked on my phone to save the monthly charges) to my friends around the country and world. You can use cell data or WIFI to make calls or text. Totally free, is encrypted end to end, and is cross platformed so it works on any smart phones. I will turn off my cell data when I enter Canada and make any needed calls over WIFI which is just about everywhere these days.

For anyone who is interested here is my final basic route out and up. I haven't planned anything regarding the return home. Also...all the final updated waypoints and legs of the route are available in the attached file below the image.

Best of luck on your adventure....
Wave as you pass thru Knoxville...

I was in the OK panhandle in the Fall of 2014. You just think the foliage in the NC mountains is pretty; you won't believe the panhandle:



I know, I know, you're jealous, aren't you?

Mike

I'll be watching for you. It sounds like you and I will be crossing the boarder and in Dawson at the same time. I'd like to get a better look at how you have your bike set up. Just so I can steal some of the ideas for my TW200.

Will do thanks!

Wow what stunning foliage! The depth of the trees and hills is amazing

That will all be good. Just look for the WR rebranded with the BMW emblems and the guy who looks like Brad Pitt

Just found a great article about traveling light. Well written and informative. Enjoy.

https://www.bikeminds.com/thethrottlestop/packing-for-a-motorcycle-journey-around-the-world