| Author | Message | ||
     Supertoon |
We are leaving for a 9 day loop from Anchorage this coming July 23rd and I sure would appreciate any hints, comments or suggestions from fellow Buellophiles. Pick up a 06 650 v-strom from Anchorage on the 23rd and ride north to Cantwell/Healy for first nite then on the Fairbanks for 2 nites (spend a day at the Cheney Hot Springs). On to Tok, then the next day south and back north to Paxson. South to Valdez via Hope for the night. Next day, west to Palmer / Anchorage and then down to Seward. Seward back to Anchorage for the flight home! Unfortunately, my riding buddys will be on Electra glides and the rental company does not want them going on any dirt  Will be cool to spend enought time on a 'Strom to compare it to the Uly.... We are not doing huge mileage days, so dirt road excursions on my own are a definate possibility! | ||
| 2_spuds |
Supertoon, you will love AK! I was up there last year on the Uly and I'am going back again this year. None of the pictures I've ever seen prepared me for the beauty, you MUST see it in person.The road into Valdez is one of the BEST rides up there in my opinion,and not to be missed.If you have the time I would suggest stopping in Talkeetna and taking one of the flights to Denali and landing on a glacier, it only takes a few hours and was well worth it. You will also love Seward, my wife flew up for a week and wanted to move there  .We took a day cruise there and saw killer whales,hump backs,sea otters,sea lions, and calving glaciers. Be sure your rain gear is up to snuff and I would suggest having a couple of head nets in your tank bag for when you have to stop for road repair or forest fires. Here are a couple of pics, the first is from the road into Valdez and the second is from the plane on the way to Denali...   | ||
| Supertoon |
Wow! Great pics, we also have a cruise set up out of Seward before we pick up the bikes! As soon as I can try one on I think both my wife and I will go for the Olympia AST setup. Thanks for the comments.... | ||
| Retired_cop |
Supertoon, Good choice on the Olympia AST. I have been living with and in the jacket for the past year and except for it getting dirty ( I have the bright yellow) there have been no problems. The new Ranger 2 pants are set for release the end of March/beginning of April so if you can wait a few more weeks do so. They have more features than the Ranger ( pockets etc) and are equal to the jacket in performance. A friend and fellow MSF instructor and his wife both use Olympia and were in Alaska last year on bikes. Both bikes had problems but the gear did not. | ||
| Supertoon |
Interesting, they are adding new models to their line-up all the time. It would seem we are getting a dealer in the Ottawa area, here in Canada. Feel better about buying gear if I can try it on first and especially sit on a bike!. Went thru 3 different Roadcrafter jackets before getting the right fit. Good to know you are happy with your suit! BTW how is the venting on that sucker..... Thinking about it had me looking at the "Bushwacker" jacket as well.. | ||
| Retired_cop |
S/T, I wear a large in most jackets and am using an XL in the Olympia AST. It fits tight and I want a bit of room to layer under it. The pants are cut the same way, a 36 is a true 36 with no room under it for jeans. If you want to wear them as over-pants, get the next larger size. The length is more than enough on all of them to cover completely to shoe/boot tops. The venting is as good as I expected based on the size of the front chest vents, but the arm and back vents allow more than enough air flow to be comfortable in 80-85 degree weather provided you keep moving. I have worn it with the liner down to 40 degrees with just a long sleeve t shirt under it and been comfortable. With a fleece shirt and sweater it has been good into the 20's. Water penetration is non-existant ( as long as you remember to close the sleeve vents) except for an occasional drip on the back of the neck from my helmet. | ||
| Snub13 |
Supertoon; My wife and I will be up there from 6/9 to 6/23. We are renting a Uly from AK Tours. We also purchased the Olympia AST gear, it is in but we can't pick it up until Saturday. All we need now are some REAL waterproof boots! If you haven't already checked it out go to advrider.com and in the "regional" section go to "great white north". | ||
| Flynuly |
Going to be a lot of Uly's in AK this year.  Leaving North Carolina 17 May and must be home on 26 June. Hope I can keep tires on her. SNUB13: maybe we will cross paths in the GWN. | ||
| Kuuud |
Damn Tim, just last year you were a Buell Newbie, and look at you now!!! I spent a couple summers working in AK and go up to fish every August. Here are a few random thoughts... Supertoon, Definately do the Anchorage to Fairbanks to Glenallen loop. Take the extra time to take the long way thru Tok if you can. DON'T MISS the ride to Valdez. It one of the best rides in AK. Day boats go out from here (and Seward ) to fish. They will clean, freeze and ship your fish hope if you're willing to pay! After that, take the ride past Girdwood towards the Kenai. Lots of photo ops along Turnagain Arm. The route to Seward is nicest. If you have time (you'll need to backtrack) go to Soldotna. Homer is a long way south from there and not as scenic. There isn't much in the way of accomodations between Wasilla and Fairbanks. There's a bar in Talkeetna with rooms upstairs (and a shared bathroom). Princess Cruises has a big lodge near the Denali cutoff, and there are a several camping/fishing lodges along the way. Right at the Denali cutoff, there are several seasonal motels, eateries and gift shops. Spend a little time around Palmer/Wasilla to stock up on supplies before you head out. Last Wal-Mart, Home Depot HD shop, etc. There is a Buell stunt team called Arctic Attack. Ask about them at the Anchorage HD/Buell dealer. I'll be going back in late August when the 'silvers' are running and when the State Fair is happening. If you haven't seen a zucchini as big as your leg or a 100 pound cabbage, well... ...and you MUST try the reindeer sausage for breakfast!!! Bret | ||
| Snub13 |
Hey Bret, what's going on? Thanks for the info. I think I'm still a newbie, I guess I just have an adventurous spirit   This was taken yesterday, sporting our new Olympia Motosport jackets. The only thing I don't like about the jacket is the collar. It's very stiff and rough, it made my neck sore. Hopefully it will soften up a little, until then I guess a bandanna or something to that effect is in order. | ||
| Jammaster |
Supertoon, My Mothers whole side of the family lives in Anchorage. I just visited for the first time in about 11 years this past August. Luckily the weather was beautiful the first week. Unfortunately I didn't have a bike at the time but I did take my Cousin's 03 Wide Glide for a spin! Anyways WOW! that is a lot of riding you are talking about! That time of year is usually pretty nice but it does have a tendency to rain a lot in Alaska during the summer months. Bring your rain gear. Everywhere in Alaska is absolutely beautiful so I'm sure wherever you go you will have the time of your life!! I only wish I could take my new bike up there but getting a bike shipped from Virginia to Alaska is pretty costly! And no I am not riding for 4000 + miles even though that would be awesome I don't have that much leave @ work.  | ||
| Supertoon |
Finished my final room booking today. Tangle River Inn in Paxson! I was surprised how full most hotels where and how expensive too. I am not complaining, they must have a really short season! I wish I could have taken the Uly, it would have been cool, but riding a different bike from the same segment will be interesting. Retired Cop, that is good to hear about the AST stuff I don't want to get wet. Kuud, good suggestions, sounds like we will be doing all the routes you suggest! |
