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I don't have 23 days or 30 days or 60 days to tour around anywhere, too busy at home with work and family. When you go, please post your travel experiences and a few pics so I (and others like me) can enjoy it vicariously.
Alaska or Bust! (10k+ miles).
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749 Posts
This is exactly why fly'n to destination (Alaska) and , and totally enjoy the tour, without putting a single mile on your own machine, is best ............. (fly'n from your hometown (no matter where you live) only takes less than a day), and rent'n instead of using your own bike puts the mileage.on someone else's machine, and now you have more time to enjoy the tour, and you don't have to worry about the 1000's of miles ride'n back home again also.. So much more relax'n.......
Yep! I toured Alaska, and enjoyed my(our) selves..
Ronnie
1/20/23
This is exactly why we are flying to our next vacation and renting bikes there. Besides, our next vacation is on Maui and it would be very hard on my bike to ride there! 😂 The salt water is murder on the aluminum parts! 😂
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16,419 Posts
Do it the way you want. Flying and renting is an option, but I make going to and from a part of the adventure. A few years ago we all went to Cody, WY. My wife flew into Rapid City, SD where I picked her up. After Cody I took her back to Rapid City for her flight home. The ride to and from there was a big loop for me and I enjoyed every part of that ride.
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139 Posts
Did this ride in 2017 from Ball Ground, GA. There were six of us on Goldwings. I have a writeup of our trip if you would like to see it. We did not camp although we were prepared to do so. We called ahead each evening and made motel reservations for the next evening. Fuel stations can be far apart, so take advantage when you can.
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749 Posts
Ride'n "there" sure is fun (IF YOU HAVE THE TIME) but like in "Goldwing love" (above) case, as well as 99% of everyone else's case, time, is not always, on our side, so the fly ~n~ rent, makes much more sense...........and why put all that extra mileage into your personal bike, if you have the option not too...Sure makes life, much easier, that's for sure...
Ronnie
1/23/23
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83 Posts
We all would like to see. (Blue Ridge, GA)
You were right, my intent was average day/time for planning. When you hit full retirement age, and there is nothing holding you back (job, family, life/health events) and you have no real timetable to stick to, 30, 60, or even 90 days isn't an issue. So, we plan to take the trip slow and steady. No rush to get there and no rush to get back. May spend day or two if something is extra-ordinary in the area. Traveling and scenery is the ticket. We are looking at Mid June start with ~ mid Aug-Sept being PCH down to I-10 then returning to the East. Least that is the plan A.. LOL
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Yes, you are right, that does make sense to travel like that. Nothing wrong with that line of thinking and I don't think anyone is disputing it. Just saying there are different situations for different folks.
And I've reached the point in "my" life that traveling in that manner isn't that important to do. When you hit retirement age (me @ 62), with nothing holding you back (Job, Family, Health, Friends, mortgage), you tend to start looking at doing things differently. Long term thinking is, we (wife and I) probably only have 20 years give or take, remaining to enjoy this planet, if we are lucky. The first 18 yrs. were taken up by School. Second 22 yrs., taken by the Military. Third 22 yrs. by work. Looking back, time has flown by. Being focused on working for retirement, saving, building, raising a family, building a home, and paying mortgages. These are certainly time constraints that influence travel itineraries. During these years, we've traveled, toured, did the jet set thing. Among traveling to many U.S. States, we've been to Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Hawaii, Mexico, Hati, Bahama's, Israel, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Wales, Scotland, and even lived in England for 4 years. Spouse and I are certainly not against touring that way. Fly in, tour and get back to work. Now we are looking not so much touring in that way. And at our age, not really worried about a timetable or saving mileage on a bike. Heck, that's what I purchased the GW to tour for. Life is much easier when you are not constrained by those life events for sure.
Appreciate the comments,
Ride with Pride,
fb
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4,994 Posts
I also spent 20 years in the military and then another 19 working to be able to enjoy retirement so I completely understand how you feel. We did a couple of long trips with the motorcycle but the wife wasn’t happy with it. We’ve always had an RV of some flavor and decided to get a small class A. I also have an enclosed motorcycle trailer and we tour like that sometimes.
![Plant Bus Vehicle Motor vehicle Tree]()
We’ve found that having our “home” with us makes traveling much more fun. We’ve done several trips across country like this.
![Sky Plant Road surface Asphalt Land lot]()
We have kids/grandkids all over the states (one son still in the Army) so it allows us flexibility in visiting them and friends for extended periods of time but still have a place to escape for our own time.
Just another option.
Steve
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We’ve found that having our “home” with us makes traveling much more fun. We’ve done several trips across country like this.
We have kids/grandkids all over the states (one son still in the Army) so it allows us flexibility in visiting them and friends for extended periods of time but still have a place to escape for our own time.
Just another option.
Steve
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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966 Posts
Our Goldwings only require regular gas. The Canadian refineries make their fuel to the same specs as ours. So low octane is not an issue for us. My Harley buddy who made the trip had a few problems. Fuel availability is also not a problem if you only ride during normal working hours and don’t pass stations. One of the issues is the days are long and stores close in when it is still light. But that said. Everyone can do what they feel comfortable with. I saw bikes from Argentina with extra tires tied to the luggage rack. Probably a real good idea if you need a tire. It would be a hassle to get one in some locations.
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83 Posts
Nice.
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190 Posts
Hi
I might be coming late to this discussion.
You have to make the trip you want to make and no one knows better then yourself if you are up to it.
Lets say up front that the British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska part of your trip are spectacular.
I would like to bring a few things to your attention from my experience and you do with that what ever you want
I made the trip into Alaska in 2018 the last 2 weeks in June and the first 2 weeks in July
I always travel solo.
All my rooms were booked in advance for the simple reason that the smaller towns I wanted to stay in would be booked in that time period.
If you are camping most of the time this should not be an issue.
The following is not meant to scare, just something to be taken seriously.
In the Yukon and Alaska, if you are camping, you need to be aware of all wildlife.
Bears are real and nosy, they will smell food many miles away and will pay a visit if they deem it necessary.
Have bear spray handy at all times after you park the bike and go for a walk, set up camp etc.
I was in Alaska again last Summer and it has been my experience on both occasions that the bugs are not nearly as bad as mentioned.
I of course come from Alberta and we are used to bugs here.
That trip by the way I saw 36 bears. Black and Grizzly
The roads were fine for the better part, with the stretch after Destruction Bay towards Tok AK
being the worst.
In the Summer time they will always be working on the Alaska Highway, fixing stretches.
In those areas you will have to wait for oncoming traffic and can only ride on gravel behind a pilot truck for sometimes 5 - 10 miles.
In those instances it can be very dusty and in case of rain, very slippery.
The gas situation is as mentioned, fill up when you can.
Do not waver from that philosophy.
Be aware that half your riding days in Alaska, don’t have to be, but can be rainy.
Those are the miserable days that you want the ride to be over and if camping is at the end of those days, the misery will continue.
Everything will be wet and be hard to dry for the next day.
Even if you were to hotel it, your gear would have a hard time getting dry.
Riding to Anchorage starting in Dawson Creek BC all the way to Anchorage going through Fairbanks is both wonderful and very scenic with plenty of opportunity to watch and view wildlife.
I would like to suggest when coming back from Anchorage, ride up to Watson Lake and then take Highway 37 South to Highway 16
This is a beautiful ride about 450 Miles long.
This stretch has the least amount of gas opportunity, however, I have ridden it 3 times and if managed properly should be no issue.
If you have the chance and time, take the road to Stewart BC.
It is 35 mile ride in, ride out with spectacular scenery.
After you hit Highway 16 you are pretty well into a more populated area.
I hope that you do make this trip and have as good a time as I had.
I might be coming late to this discussion.
You have to make the trip you want to make and no one knows better then yourself if you are up to it.
Lets say up front that the British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska part of your trip are spectacular.
I would like to bring a few things to your attention from my experience and you do with that what ever you want
I made the trip into Alaska in 2018 the last 2 weeks in June and the first 2 weeks in July
I always travel solo.
All my rooms were booked in advance for the simple reason that the smaller towns I wanted to stay in would be booked in that time period.
If you are camping most of the time this should not be an issue.
The following is not meant to scare, just something to be taken seriously.
In the Yukon and Alaska, if you are camping, you need to be aware of all wildlife.
Bears are real and nosy, they will smell food many miles away and will pay a visit if they deem it necessary.
Have bear spray handy at all times after you park the bike and go for a walk, set up camp etc.
I was in Alaska again last Summer and it has been my experience on both occasions that the bugs are not nearly as bad as mentioned.
I of course come from Alberta and we are used to bugs here.
That trip by the way I saw 36 bears. Black and Grizzly
The roads were fine for the better part, with the stretch after Destruction Bay towards Tok AK
being the worst.
In the Summer time they will always be working on the Alaska Highway, fixing stretches.
In those areas you will have to wait for oncoming traffic and can only ride on gravel behind a pilot truck for sometimes 5 - 10 miles.
In those instances it can be very dusty and in case of rain, very slippery.
The gas situation is as mentioned, fill up when you can.
Do not waver from that philosophy.
Be aware that half your riding days in Alaska, don’t have to be, but can be rainy.
Those are the miserable days that you want the ride to be over and if camping is at the end of those days, the misery will continue.
Everything will be wet and be hard to dry for the next day.
Even if you were to hotel it, your gear would have a hard time getting dry.
Riding to Anchorage starting in Dawson Creek BC all the way to Anchorage going through Fairbanks is both wonderful and very scenic with plenty of opportunity to watch and view wildlife.
I would like to suggest when coming back from Anchorage, ride up to Watson Lake and then take Highway 37 South to Highway 16
This is a beautiful ride about 450 Miles long.
This stretch has the least amount of gas opportunity, however, I have ridden it 3 times and if managed properly should be no issue.
If you have the chance and time, take the road to Stewart BC.
It is 35 mile ride in, ride out with spectacular scenery.
After you hit Highway 16 you are pretty well into a more populated area.
I hope that you do make this trip and have as good a time as I had.
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139 Posts
There is constant work on the ALCAN and it is never all paved. Frost heaves keep breaking up the pavement.
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139 Posts
I get it. I was lucky and the guy I worked for for 9 years was also a motorcycle enthusiast and, though I only got 2 weeks paid vacation, he did let me take an extra week or two, without pay, for my longer trips. It was more of a hardship, financially, but was always worth it to me. After leaving that job, I started my own business so it was much easier to work around that problem, after my business had become established.
From the time I was 13 or 14 I dreamed of taking motorcycle trips and those dreams always had me riding my own bike to and from so that's how I always wanted my trips to go.
Now I'm 68 and the only state (other than Hawaii, of course) I haven't ridden to and from yet is Alaska. So, as long as I'm able to ride, that trip is on the horizon. I hoped it might happen this year but it will probably not be until 2024. That's rather fitting as it will be my 70th year (I was born in Oct. 1954) and will be the 65th anniversary of Alaska officially becoming a state. After that, I'll be waiting for the bridge to Hawaii!! 🤣
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16,419 Posts
Nelsress,
I'm behind you a bit, both in the states and age, but also enjoy riding to and from. I'm going to retire this coming May and Alaska is on my radar for 2024. I'll turn 68 that year. Just have to decide if I'm going to cheat and only go to Hyder, AK or all in and make it to Fairbanks.
I'm behind you a bit, both in the states and age, but also enjoy riding to and from. I'm going to retire this coming May and Alaska is on my radar for 2024. I'll turn 68 that year. Just have to decide if I'm going to cheat and only go to Hyder, AK or all in and make it to Fairbanks.
I don't know if I'll get to Fairbanks, depends on the weather and how much fun I'm having in McCarthy, in the midst of Wrangell-St. Elias NP! If I get to Fairbanks then I'll want to at least ride up to the Arctic Circle and that's nowhere near as scenic as Denali NP, Kenai Fiords NP, and Lake Clark NP. That said, I think I'll forgo Fairbanks and opt for as many of the aforementioned NPs as I can fit in.
Wow, that is ambitious! About 10 years ago, my hubs and I took our 2007 wing and rode up to Washington state, to visit family. We went through Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks. That was the biggest reason for taking the bike. We'd been through the parks several times in our 4 wheeled vehicles, but every time, we said "this would be so great on a bike," so we did it. That was, and still is my favoritest vacation ever, and we had done cruises, and gone to Europe, etc. Of course, traveling on the bike with my favorite person was always wonderful. That trip was truly awesome, but we took 6 days to get to Washington, and 6 days to get back. A couple of those days were pretty warm, and we were really glad to find a motel with a pool to cool off in. Nowadays, my 'long' trips are 6 days total. I'm getting freaking old! If you think you can handle the trip, and 2 months is a long time to be on a bike, I say go do what you want. That would be totally awesome to do. If you do it, please take plenty of pictures, and post them for all of us to enjoy! What I saw of Alaska, from a cruise ship, was spectacular. If I were you, unless you just want to say I've been to Seattle, I'd find a way around it, maybe down the Washington coast, or through the cascades. Seattle traffic is, in my opinion, horrible, although I'm sure that most cities are like that. That was the one place we were almost run over on the bike.
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749 Posts
My birthday is Oct. 4th 1950 so were all the same ages...........I was in my garage, working on my bike this morning
(It's still cold, and salt on the roads where I live (Springfield, Massachusetts) so I can't take it out till April 1st.. I'm a total "clean" freak with my bike and hate to see salt build up on it....
Ronnie
1/30/23
Fireball, two of us rode BMW K1600 GTL bikes from Los Angeles to Fairbanks and return, in 2012. Had a great time. We stayed in motels. June 25 to July 25. Layover in Anchorage for 3 days at a B&B. Recommend ordering new tires and having them sent to Anchorage. Also recommend making reservations with Anchorage dealer to mount the tires. June and July are very busy months. Would have had to wait a week for tires to be mounted if I hadn't had advance reservations Roads through Canada and Alaska are rough on tires. Did 9000 miles in 30 days. No problems with gas but we did fill up whenever we hit the 1/2 mark. No reservations made except for Whitehorse...made at recommendation received on the trip. Plenty of mosquitoes so carry bug spray and consider net coverings for hats. No problem while riding. In Fairbanks, we stayed at University dorm, cost then was $40 for bed and towels...toilet and showers down the hall. Available at that time to motorcycle riders only. Get Milepost, the Bible for Alaska riding. Saw plenty of other m/c riders, also a lot of bicycle riders. All paved roads except for the occasional construction site. Note; if stopped at construction site, if you are rear vehicle, pull bike off road and get off. Saw driver completely fail to stop (no braking at all) and hit stopped car. Would have ruined the bike. Weather was fine, occasional rain and occasional high winds. Not really a problem. No snow. Nights cold, days comfortable. I was 75 when I did it. Great time. [see Alaska and Back on BMW 1600- wrote a book about it}
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