Alaska

[James III]

As Gil mentioned, they are doing rather well. What's a real road trip without the pics?













I'll let Gill pass the comments on this fine photo!



The million dollar photos!!!!





That sez it all. Our man Billyboy is a lady's man across the continent!

Gil and Randy are a long way from home. Lets keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a
continued safe journey.

James

[larue]

Great Report James. Safe trip Gil and company 

[reclaimerroger]

I'll bet those girls stole that sign from the sweetie 5 pics up.  More Billy's speed.

[billyboy]

Man you guys just aint right!    Looks like I better start packing or maybe not.    Glad you're having a great trip. Be safe out there and keep the pics
coming.      

[IamGCW]

Gil, guess I missed it somewhere but what is the tire you're running in front. I'm on the verge of needing a new one and you seem to be having good service with yours on the trip.

John
Dunlop rear 404 backwards.  Now in the Yukon and did many miles of gravel and it handles great.  Some roads have a thick wide band of tar that is slick when it is cold.  I suspect any tire would slip a little.  Got the size from Bert and Billy.

Gil

[IamGCW]

Well, the girls up here love Billy Boy.  This morning Bobbie Lynn wanted to sent her best.  She was waiting for us at breakfast and posed with the Wolf.  The B&W picture is reported to be Billy's first love.  I just love the peaceful look she has.  The F6B rider was from Illinois.  Nice ride, he test drove it and fell in love with the machine.  A common story.

Stopped for  the night in Watson Lake Yukon.  Slower now that we are north.  Roads are gravel coated in placed.  Very thick in some patches.  People here are just like the group in Florida.  very friendly and always willing to offer help.  Truckers are kind and give room.  Truckers report they make $100K/Month.  The fuel tankers (tandem) make more.

Ride report
Warm day 72 - 68 - 80.  (at 7 AM it was 55)
Animals
Wolf, Black bears, Grizzly Bear, Bison (lots)
Roads are pretty good, some gravel stretches.  Light traffic.
Made 175 miles to empty.  Dead stick landing on shoulder.  3 riders passed by, no help.  But I have 4 gallons strapped on the floorboards.  So dropped in two gallons and off to gas station.  The spare gas was from WY.  It runs like crap compared to the Canadian gas.  The riders were there.  They said they were worried, but had to get fuel themselves.  Will send James a pic of the refueling.  The scenes out here are great, people friendly (except for the old lady pissed I parked in HC).  Fatigue is setting in and we are slowing to be safe.  Bikes are filthy from the dirt in the gravel.  So are the leathers.  Missing our familys, friends and ride to Berts.  Gas and food, well expensive but good. 

Gil

[John Schmidt]

Gil, Bobbie Lynn probably looks at Billy Boy the same way she does her grandfather.    BB's honey in the black/white photo reminds me of an old neighbor years ago. She also had so few teeth she could eat an ear of corn one row at a time.  

Some years back my wife and I stayed at the Glacier Park Lodge on our trip through the Park. Always wanted to go back, beautiful scenery.  

[IamGCW]

John

That lodge is still there and popular.

Today we almost completed the Yukon.  After seeing a Grizzly (at a distance) we took a room at Destruction Bay.  The roads were great.  Randys Vulcan lost a nut from the windshield so a stop at a local hardware store in Whitehorse he got a replacement (not SS) for $4. 

On the way out we were stopped for construction.  Frost heave repair.  Those things will launch you in the air.  Oddly, the girl that held the stop sign asked about Billy Boy.  He is famous in the Yukon for his Daisy Dukes.  Sent James her photo.  Guess the word travels via CB radio about BB. 

Ride report
Temp 73 to 84
Low wind, some heavy gravel, dust and more dust.  Headlights mandatory.  A firefighter from California was heading in the opposite direction and a stone shattered his headlight.  It still worked, just no face glass.  We have rock shields.  Stopped to help a lost BMW guy.  His GPS tried to put him up a logging road to Skagway.  I think everything he wore said BMW.  Got him straight and blasted down the road to catch Randy. 

Animal List
Grizzly (huge), black bears, chip monks, eagle.  No Moose! No Elk! No Caribou!

Burgers cost $12, but they are big and good.  Buying gas is different.  Oh, Billy Boys Stop sign girl makes $22.50 to stand there and hold the sign.  Maybe James will get the picture to Penny for editing.   

Gil

[Westsider]

Very interesting, Yellowstone area is still on my list let alone Alaska   

[IamGCW]

Alaska. Feels good, feels right.

Gil

[Westsider]

Look up,, right now 17:47  CST daughter and   tarting to skirt Alaska en route

 to Hong Kong, daughter on graduation trip. Great pics.

[BCoy]

Gil,
Thanks for the update.  I will have to give it some serious consideration, I just put the new tire on front so I will have plenty of time to follow your wear schedule and ride reports. I really enjoy reading your posts keep them coming.
Be safe, did you guys take a few moose steaks when you stopped to inspect the carcasses?  LOL!!
Ride safe,
Bill

[IamGCW]

Well we are now in Fairbanks.  The road to the Alaska border was not so good.  Slowed us some.  Got some shots at the International border.  Strange how there is  a tree line cut exactly down the line for miles.  You can look across the marker and see the line cut through the trees.

Bikes are not bad.  At the Border I put up my kickstand and headed for CBP.  Scrapping sound, lost the spring.  U turn and find stud and spring.  Broken stud.  So lasso the kickstand and redneck tie it up.  At the border we were welcomed to the USA with respect.  Very nice.  Down to TOK and Randy reports my lights were out.  Just the Triple Whammy running lights.  Blinkers in rear work, but both for right or left.  Fronts are normal.  Some work for tomorrow.  Food here, air here, just the way it feels is better than Canada.  Canada is great, but we noticed the USA was different.  Guess it is an American thing.  Gas and food is more affordable. 

Ride report
Rainy start at about 52 f.  Couple hours later the sky is blue and it was great to the hotel (maybe 83 f).
Ran into a rickshaw dude walking from Dawson City to Fairbanks, pulling a rickshaw.  He was cool, limited English.  That guy over packed compared to us.  LOL  James may post his picture.  Many riders spotted in both directions.  Brush on both sides of the road, cut back some.  Bear hiding areas, they sit there and feed.  Several Moose in the lakes/ponds.  One had his head underwater for some time.  Stopped and got a picture of a female and she dropped her Billy Boy sign, but did seem to know him.  How the females gravitate to Billy.   

Tomorrow
Maintenance and explore the lower road to the Arctic circle.
Laundry
Check out the local F6B.   

Gil

[James III]

The guy's progress is going faster than photos! Let's get up to date with the sites!





























Great photos! Congratulations on your Alaska arrival Gil and Randy! Your weather looks and sounds
better than our 95+ degree temps here at home!

James

Update: 11:26EST
We are headed for the Artic Circle.
Will contact on return.

Gil

[FloridaValkRyder]

Wow, just an amazing trip. Thanks for keeping us up to date Gil and James. I love the daily "Diary" of this ride. I bet many of us are keeping track of events, and not just the Florida group, judging by the nearly 1000 views of this thread. Praying for a safe trip.

[HayHauler]

I, for one, check it daily.  On the bucket list for sure.

Thanks for the updates and awesome pics!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Flrider]

Way to go GIl and Randy.

You know you are making a lot of us jealous 

James, thanks for posting the pics

[Grumpy]

I am green with envy, looks like you guys are having a great trip. Wonderful pictures.

[billyboy]

Great job you are doing James.    Gil and Randy keep it coming. What a great trip
you are having. Love it. I hope to grow up to be just like you. Be sure to say hello to all the
girls up there for me. I really miss them, I think. It must have been the 60's. What?  

 

[John Schmidt]

I am green with envy, looks like you guys are having a great trip. Wonderful pictures.

Hey Bill, wanna take a trip north? I'd love to make the trip, just think....two old farts getting lost in the tundra, never to be seen again. 

[Jo k]

Love the reports and photo's!  It so beautiful, and love seeing the wildlife! SOME day I will get there....

[Grumpy]

I am green with envy, looks like you guys are having a great trip. Wonderful pictures.

Hey Bill, wanna take a trip north? I'd love to make the trip, just think....two old farts getting lost in the tundra, never to be seen again. 

Really, if I had the funds would do it in a heart beat.Last time I made it to Alaska was in a c124 in the late 60's great views, but did not get to see much on the ground, we only landed to refuel. The old Globe masters sucked fuel at one hell of a rate.

[flsix]

Wow what fantastic views. Seems to be the trip of a life time. You guys enjoy every minute of it while the rest of us live vicariously through the photos.

[IamGCW]

Arctic Circle and back.  Yep we are the Ice Road Bikers.  I have had an amazing experience with a Moose.  That story will be later, tired just now.

Truckers were great.  Making room for us as we wove around the dirt and gravel road.  The tires worked perfect, darkside haters get over it.  Got gas at the Yukon river and had lunch as well.  Bet you people know what happened next, ANOTHER of Billy Boys gals sent him a message.  Rite misses him.  Pictures to James who is the perfect ground control Captain.  I suspect he will post later, thanks James.  So this dirt road was packed with tourists.  Leaving the diner we found worse roads and slow conditions.  I announced our being North bound on the CB ch19.  That helped.  The Circle sign was occupied with 3 from Oklahoma.  These guys were all retired.  One has a Goldwing trike.  Trikes are a bad idea here, you can't get around the hazards.  As we all did pictures the mosquitoes attacked.  For fun I went to the back of the sign and took a picture of all the graffiti.  Seems Billy Boy Rules here also.  The girls giggled at his mention.  The ride back was difficult.  Rain hit and the roads turned to mud pudding.  Billy Boy mud wrestling mud.  On a 10% downhill, with speed building sliding sideways I thought of Jaymi grabbing at bicycle riders spandex (why that I'll never know) and fought the machine left then right.  Randy was behind me doing a similar maneuver.  We never dropped our machines, but it was close.  We did find the front mud flaps gone when we returned to the hotel.  Returning to the hotel and the homeless hovering over our bikes, we took trophy photos and headed to the room.  Mud baby's.

Ride report.
Temp 52 to 80 to 65 f.  Roads bad, food perfect. Gas scarce.
Blue skies then rain and small hail after 2 PM.
Dust, rain, hail and fun with fun added.
Animals, morning wolf (cool dude), Moose and baby.  No eagles (WTH).
People, just nice good people bonded in the experience of the Circle.  We road ours!!!

Missing the VRCC Florida crew.  Wishing John and Grumpy could make this trip.  Some riders rented BMW's and saved their bikes.  They paid $180 for the day and $100 cleaning fee.  Nice guys from Quebec.  Also chatted with a ADV rider.  He was doing the USA solo.  Retired firefighter. 

We will be headed home after repairs and cleanup. 

Bill, North Pole tomorrow. Will notify you via email when it is done.
Having ridden with each of you I am confident most could make this trip, "James base" is a must.  His watchful eye has keep us focused on tasks.  And a special call out to my wife Crystal.  She has encouraged me to get this done and sacrificed her trip to the Glacier to train with a Dog Sled team here in this area.  Next year she will be doing that. 

73
Gil

[James III]

  "Made It"
Congratulations Gil and Randy!! That is Outstanding!!!


The "money" shot!


Jeeze, "Billy Rules", He's gonna be bigger in Alaska than Sarah P.


Gil's caption: Mud Dogs

I'm sure the next leg of this journey will be as fantastic as the first!

James

[Tundra]

Congratulations, what a memorable accomplishment

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Thanks Gil For Such A Great Ride Report . It Is Great To Be Able To Experience Your Journey Through Your Report And James Posting The Awesome Pictures Along The Way. Keep The Adventure Coming !

Ride Safe,
Bert

[Pappy!]

LOL all I can think of to say that hasn't been said is ...."Here I sit (or stand actually) in the sweltering heat and humidity drooling and dreaming about doing that while those guys are actually doing it and lovin' it"
Rock on, guys!
We are all back here living vicariously through you at the moment and enjoying it! Keep up the good work!

[IamGCW]

Strange how we seem to be uncomfortable with the heat here.  it's 80 f and we rush to get on the road and turn on the air conditioner.

So the story about the Moose (plural)
Heading out for the Arctic Circle it was cool.  Chaps, jacket, and heated vest.  Get gas and loose the heated vest, went to fingerless gloves.  10 miles into the back country on a nice paved road there was a huge Moose with its baby.  Call on comms "Moose, fast stop, full stop." Randy and I get stopped.  Momma disappears into the woods.  Quickly start firing shots with the GoPro.  Can't get to the main camera as it is buried under the leather coat.  I didn't want to get tied up with photos in the event Mom shows her dark side.  Baby looks at the Yellow Valk and falls in love.  Starts trotting to me.  Making eye contact with that think and it was clear we were the target, I suspect it was another Billy Boy harem member (or want to be).    Panic sets in as we have no place to go, my kickstand is still held up via a rope, landing gear deployment is a two minute deal.  Mom is nowhere to be seen.  I am thinking when her baby gets to me she is going to stomp the hell out of my GoPro and the helmet/head attached.  Well these things trot in a funny gangly manner.  More like a camel running than a horse, just cute with that nose.  It was so cool. Big ears up (good sign) and what actually looked like a smile this dude came very close. Got a look at the two of us and turned around heading back to Mom.  She never showed.  Baby headed in to the woods about where Mom went.  Slowly were proceeded on.   I have fallen for the Moose.  Each sighting has been special.  But these things are pretty big, everyone warns us about hitting them.  We had just seen a wolf so out game watch was on alert. 

Also wanted to thank Daniel Meyer who posted a similar trip and books to help with the planning.  He helped plant the Alaska seeds and continues to write interesting stuff.  His work can be found on the Texas chapter and the main board.

73
Gil

[James III]

  Here's a few photos toward the Artic Circle.

First, Billyboys morning call.






This might be the real "money shot"!




On the return: note the kickstand application/retraction devise


Our silent Hero: Randy  


These Guy's have been movin', and don't look like their going to take "s**t" from anybody!

Say "Good Nite" Billyboy! (Billyboy Fan Club Fairbanks, Alaska)


Clean em up', check the oil, kick the tires & light the fires, meander on back toward home Guy's!

James

[Daniel Meyer]

Also wanted to thank Daniel Meyer who posted a similar trip and books to help with the planning.  He helped plant the Alaska seeds and continues to write interesting stuff.  His work can be found on the Texas chapter and the main board.

Oh sure! Blame me!

Been watching your trip. Seeing some familiar sights! Sure wish I was there (again).

Be safe! (or at least, fun!)

[Hoser]

That's great,I'd like to do it someday. I heard all about dirty dan's ride up there, from a couple years ago. Hoser
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,48890.0.html

[IamGCW]

Dan helped in my last minute planning.  I just love his quad saddle bags.  But the blame, well really the key to the ignition switch is in my pocket.

73
Gil

[IamGCW]

Well another update.  Cold and rainy.  We got the bikes de-mudded.  Then to the Harley, Honda, BMW dealer.  Ran into the guys from the Arctic Circle.  They were getting Harley oil changes.  $150 each bike.  WOW.  Randy and I are doing our own for $40.  Doubt we won't die rich, but we won't make the dealers rich.  Asked about reclaimed oil.  They don't do it. There are centers that will take the old oil and they actually burn it.  No problem.  The dealer did not have the kickstand screw I needed but there was a post in the Tech section about a 6 x 1.0 x 50 bolt repair.  So bought some Honda snow blower bolt/nuts.  Climb on the valk, retract and stow the landing gear (kickstand and rope) and drive off.  About a mile away hit deep water and flood my shoes, warn Randy then he does it as well.  Then disaster.  Bike starts sputtering. Out of gas, hit reserve on way back from AC.  Checked miles and should have 15 miles left.  Check fuel valve and some jackHarley switched it back to ON.  So switch to reserve and recover.  Why do people touch others bikes?  The kickstand thing has me off base, normally I touch the valve and switch it off for long term parking.  Water in the boots and sputtering bike woke me up.  Back to base and then dinner.  Life is good.  Repairs tomorrow and then North Pole for Grumpy.

73
Gil

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys are making me homesick . Glad you're having fun and enjoying my home state 

[James III]

While Gil and Randy are doing some general service to their iron horses, here are a couple of photos to keep us all addicted.

Here's Gil's moose friend he mentioned earlier.


Randy refueling; not shown, Gil pumping the handle...


They can't say they didn't pass anything!


The Alaska Pipeline


Gil takes part time employment delivering Pizza's to the pilot trucks in Artic circle.


Couldn't resist!


The headline in the Fairbanks newspaper: Gil's byline
Randy Arrested for too few cylinders!

I smell a setup!!! (No break for the big V twin)

James

[IamGCW]

Woke up to sunrise and got up made coffee.  Opened laptop and it was 3:20 AM.  WTH!  Turned off the coffee and back to sleep.  

Well today the Valk needed some work.  Used a 6 MM bolt to fix the side stand.  Then the issue of the fog lights, they turned themselves on and ran down the battery.  Seems one is blown out, vibration, impact, age or whatever.  But why did they turn on without the key.  Just pulled the fuse and will replace the relay for them when I get back.  Pretty sure the relay is bad since the switch for them was off (verified) and cycling the switch did not help.  Also the bike was parked with key out.  Perhaps gremlins.  Opened the side cover and found it pretty dirty inside.  Reset the connections and the blinkers are normal.  With the rain I set the side cover to catch water and panned for gold, but none found.  The quarter trick for the side stand worked.  I did remove the safety switch since the bolt let the spring hit the switch.  That will get proper repairs when we return.  Changed oil and the hotel recycles so they let us set it at their tank.  The hotel had a charger and after getting the bike started we were ready for a ride.  The tech section helped in all these tasks.  All good.  Off to North Pole and Grumpy task.  Completed in the rain, but feeling good.  Returned from Santa's (he was there and said Billy had been bad, perhaps Mrs Claus and Billy Boy).  

Parked the Valk and noticed a tourist building across the street.  Usually homeless or pan handler hang there.  We walked over and it is the headquarters for the Iditarod race communications.  The race starts or ends here (I think).  Pretty young couple from Maine were watching the last race DVD and needed answers about dog sled tours.  Shared my experience with them (Crystal and I have done the tourist ride several times, it is a blast) and saw the same look in her eyes that Crystal gets.  They are now hunting the dog sled tours.  So now I am home sick and will be pushing off for the Yukon tomorrow.  We hope our return will bring further adventures.  

73
Gil

[BCoy]

WOW!!  Awesome, what a great life experience ... So glad you guys are having a good trip, be safe an keep the reports coming. I like everyone else (or so it seems) look forward to reading your posts and putting the pics from James' posts to your posts.
Bill

[FloridaValkRyder]

Great pics and great ride updates!! Thanks for sharing the adventures. So, Gil, Why do all these women seem to know Billyboy, or will they tell?

[IamGCW]

Well we are heading home.  Last night looked out the hotel window to check the bikes and the sun was still up at midnight.  Midnight sun ... check.  Packed the bikes and departed in perfect weather.  Passed Santa at the North Pole fueled in Tok and off to the Canadian border.  We passed their 20 questions and headed into construction.  Mud and gravel, for miles.  Room booked at Destruction Lake, but checking in no room.  WTH.  Had the booking guys name and we were given a room.  As I parked a rider was backing his bike up and fell over.  When he spied us he tried to lift the bike without help, embarrassed.  I yelled to just wait and help will arrive.  Got off the Valk and helped him right the bike, a scooter that was heavier than Randy's machine.  Helped him finish parking it and unpacked the bike.  Feel good helping others.  Two cool guys are in the next room.  They have the new Indian bikes.  They're returning from Glacier.  Wow do they love those bike.  Even better than Victories they used to own.  Chatted for about an hour about bikes and bikes.  

Ride report
Weather
58 to 76 f, some clouds

Animals
Several Moose
Momma bear and two babies in tow crossed in front of me.   Very cool.
Grizzly just chilling and munching on the flowers at road edge, wow.
Billy Boy Harem House, Yukon CA.  Found it.

So how do all these women know Billy Boy.  A theory.  Fairbanks is like any tourist town.  People from all over visit.  The legend of Billy Boy and his wild Daisy Dukes is like Buffalo Bill or Cazenovia.  It carries on the north wind and shines like the northern lights.  He is legend in the North.  He is our legend to share, we are Valkyries fear us.

73
Gil