Transitions…
There are few ‘typical’ days in the far north, but each day does seem to bear a remarkable resemblance to the day before and the day after… sort of… Rounds of moisture seem to crop-up every few days and sweep across an area, and those, of course, can be rather soggy. The days in between those not quite predictable rain rounds frequently have a rogue sprinkle or two that can pop-up out of nowhere then quickly disappear: Usually not worth the bother to even consider ‘suiting-up’…
Daily temperatures can also vary widely over extended periods. On this trip, however, the temps so far have remained quite cool requiring ‘layers’ daily plus the use of ‘electrics’ to supplement body heat. This Florida boy, who frequently refers to himself as a ‘Heat Refugee’, has been mindful of his conscious choice NOT to bring along gear more suited to the range of temps being encountered. There have been absolutely no instances of ‘heat exhaustion’ at all…
The weather is not the only thing occurring worthy of note. For example, a number of ‘transitions’ frequently unfold during visits to this mysterious land of contradictions, contrasts, and conundrums. Take our group of riders on this most recent excursion…
Three of those riders have transitioned from ‘Alaska Virgins’ to ‘Alaska Rookies’. The fourth member of this distinguished gaggle has transitioned from an ‘Alaska Veteran’ to the status of ‘Near Alaska Junkie’. A full fledged ‘Junkie’ would be someone like Eric West (Valker), who has ridden there four times already and will likely return yet again. What they all have in common, obviously, is the fact they have done far more than talk about such a ride: They’ve actually paid their dues by making the very long and often challenging ride…
Another transition occurred on July 15th… Our girl rolled 800,000 miles on her odometer, thereby elevating her to a very unique status. She is a rugged, dependable, solid piece of motorcycle artistry superior to any others, in the humble likely biased opinion of her devoted partner.
She is so much more than simply a great machine, though. Most riders own motorcycles and develop a special fondness for them. A few, like this rider for instance, actually have affairs with mechanical beings, with the affection and bond going much further than pride or enjoyment…
However, even with all her innumerable virtues, this milestone would not have been reached without the help of many of her friends… two of whom are along on this ride. Dennis Scott and Mitch Oehmke have labored tirelessly on numerous occasions to keep her fit and rolling on her mission. They’ve both even made ‘house calls’ and rescued her in far away places, and/or made repairs on motel parking lots and alongside highways.
Of course, her complete story cannot be told without mentioning Terry Nickel, tman403, who ‘bought’ her on a handshake deal back in 2013, then made her whole again and rode her from Calgary, Alberta, to Asheville, NC, the following year to InZane to reunite her with her most eager lover. Mere words are entirely inadequate to describe the emotions and heartfelt joy that resulted from that most self-less and generous gesture!
Many others also have played a role in keeping this story from ending. As if that weren’t enough, the countless friends I’ve made over the years we’ve been together have enriched my life far beyond anything I could ever have imagined. It seems ironic, and to this humble devotee of our girl inappropriate, that I’ve received so much attention for the accomplishments we’ve shared together. She is the real story here, I’m just the lucky guy who gets to ride her…
A five-leaf clover! I’ve seen two of these in my life, both found by Sweet Cheeks on this trip… A very good omen, I think…
There’s a sight you don’t see every day… The eclectic crew arrived!
The crew: The old guy seated in the middle is the charity case of three excellent riders, L-R: Dennis Scott (Trout Dude), old guy, Mitch Oehmke (MitchO), and Janice McVey (Sweet Cheeks) standing…
Old guy napping near the four Valkyries that brought the crew…
The crew and their rides…
At this mile marker on Route 2 between Tok, AK, and Delta Junction, AK, on the way to Fairbanks, the 800,000th mile rolled up on our girl’s odometer…
The couple who’ve shared so much life together…
The luckiest guy I know with two of his dearest friends…
Other pictures taken along the way…
Another funny thing… This trip has turned out to be one of the highlights of my riding career. Sharing such an adventure with three very special friends, meeting all of the challenges and cumulative effects of a lengthy road trip, and feeling the sensations that can only be earned through effort that produces lasting wonderful memories, is a payoff beyond belief. I almost didn’t make this trip, but my friends kept after me to join them, so I acquiesced… And now I’m grateful for that too along with all the rest that goes with this…
DDT (12)
P.S. All pictures courtesy of Sweet Cheeks...
