Alaska Route Help from North Carolina

[bmwgreenrt]

I am in the process of planning a ride to Alaska 2-up.
Departure will be around May 25th on my RT, and I am allowing 9 full days for an arrival in Anchorage on June 2.
From there it will be 10 Days riding/seeing Alaska and the Artic Circle, then Ferry back to Bellingham, Wa. out of Valdez or Seward?
We will then head down the West Coast to LA and across the lower tier of the US back to home. My only appointment will be with the Ferry on June 12th or whenever I make it for. Other than that it will be leisurely riding.

Now for the Help part.
Anyone who has done this before, what would be the better route through Canada to get to Alaska. There are a few roads, but I am not familiar with any of them. Also, will weather on an average be OK that time of year to get up there, or are there roads that should be avoided because of elevation and snow etc...

Any help is appreciated, and also, anyone having any experience with the Ferry system would also be welcomed.
Planning on getting a cabin as it is supposed to be a 5 day ride with stops. (I figure the stops should be good, allowing us to see the inner passage cities and rest up a little.)

Thanks in advance for any assist.

[basketcase]

I've not done the ride but would like to, and asked a similar question last year.

The main thing that stuck with me on the answer was to get a copy of The Milepost.

The particular book is carried in the travel section of most big retail bookstores, and contains a wealth of information. I browsed it, but decided I would wait on buying one until I am ready to set a date.

Be sure and make good notes (and pictures) so you can come back later and post a trip report!

[BMWRich58]

recently discussed here
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8279

[BubbaZanetti]

i'm looking to do a trip like this myself within the next year, try googling "Hubert's 10 year adventure" its a guy doing a 10 year round the world trip and he started in the winter, so he could ride the artic ice roads on his 92 R100GSPD w/sidecar. if i remember correctly, there's some good route info

i'll post the link when i get home tonight.

[Bokrijder]

If at all possible, I would push the trip back one month. Lived and worked in Fairbanks in the mid seventies. June 2nd, arctic circle, it will be an adventure. Anchorage and south can be cold and wet. Don't be too optimistic on daily mileage goals at this time of the year. I'd buy the best rain gear available and chose electric heated items. I would not be surprised if you lose some time to snow showers in higher altitude areas. Nothing which can not be coped with, but with a tight schedule it might be trying.

Motard
R1150GS
R50

[94867]

I made this trip in '05 and left June 1st, and was OK despite being on a bare bike with no electric gear. Good rain gear is what you'll need, as it can rain all day for several days at times (but usually not very hard). Behind an RT fairing you should be OK with a late May departure, but if you're sensitive to cold, bring electric gear. As for route, I'd say don't miss Kootenay,Banff, and Jasper Nat'l. Parks (including Lake Louise). These are next to each other in Canada (near Calgary) and were the best part of my trip, better than the American Rockies without any doubt. When you get to Prince George, going north is the Alaska Hwy., going east leads you to the Cassiar Hwy. The Cassiar is more scenic but has more unpaved stretches, but the Alaska Hwy. is also not 100% paved due to long construction zones (sometimes 10 miles long) which can be muddy when it rains. You'll have to decide how you feel about unpaved surfaces two-up on an RT, because you'll encounter them on either route. Also, they cover the dirt with stuff (calcium carbonate?) to keep the dust down. This will cover your bike and clothing and is easier removed sooner. I'd suggest not taking the top-of-the-world hwy. through Dawson City. It's dusty, boring, and very rocky when you cross into the U.S. Nine days to Anchorage is doable but more daily miles than I'd want. Many people say guide books are "essential". I completely disagree, but if you're the planning type, get one.For gas,just expect to top off before you run low. Expect lots of skeeters.Leave with fresh rubber, and expect to need tires at some point. It's a long way, longer than people realize. The ferry ain't cheap, but if you can afford it, it shows you the best part of Alaska which is the coast. This will also reduce miles/wear on the bike. Hope some of this helped! The scenery of the Alaskan coast and the Canadian Rockies is spectacular! Enjoy your trip!!

[bigfoot105]

Ride to Seattle or Prince Rupert ship your bike to Anchorage to the Motorcycle Shop (Anchorage BMW Dealer) they will have it serviced and ready to go when you get there, and then you take the inland passage cruise. See Skagway, Juneau, Sitka and the other pandhandle coastal towns. Start your Alaska bike adventure from Anchorage tour Alaska and then ride out. This way you will see all that Alaska has to offer and won't see the boring crap twice. :thumb

Bug dope is a must....don't leave home without it!

[bmwgreenrt]

You have all been a great source of Information. Thank you for all the helpful advice. I take it all into consideration.

If you have any other advice please pass it along to me. There is nothing better than learning from other people's experiences.

Thanks again,
Jim

[travelingman]

I was stationed for 2 years in Alaska in the late 50s and then a friend and i rode up to Alaske and back in 98.
We entered British Columbia on Hwy 93/95 out of Montana. Took 95 to Jasper and then 16 to Prince George and from there we took 97 to Dawson Cr. which then turns into the Alaska Hwy. I would highly recommend that route. We took it up and back and it was beautiful both ways. The roads are good all the way with the exception of the areas under repair.
On the haul road from Fairbanks to the Artic Circle you will either have a very dusty ride or it will be wet and when it is wet you will have very slow going. It took us 7 hours one way. If it is raining i would reconsider riding double as the road is really slick and the mud is about 3-4 inches deep in places.There is a place (Rustic) that rents cabin space about 5 miles south of the Aritic Circle called Old Man Camp that we stayed at instead of trying to make it up and back on the same day.
We camped on the way up and used motels on the way back. Never had a problem with gas or motels. Just use reason and keep the gas tank full.
Don't miss the ride south of Anchorage towards Homer, it is outstanding.
I rode a R1100RT and my friend rode a R100RT and we had no problems.
Our trip was 5 wks and 10,000 miles.
If posible, i would set the trip back a month as summer does not come around very early there.Bring warm and wet weather clothes.There is more i could share if you are interested. you can contact me at Mcinroy35@msn.com

Good luck and enjoy, you have a great trip ahead of you.
mac