HELP WITH TRIP PLANS TO ALASKA

[vicnelson]

I am planning a trip to Alaska from Arizona on my 99 Tourer. I have to admit that I am cheating and only just getting inside Alaska at Hyder, next to Stewart, BC. I have time restraints that do not permit me to go deeper into Alaska. Anyway, I have searched and see that many have made the trip and I was hoping to pick their brains for info on several conditions that I might encounter.
My concerns are:
How is the availability of GAS/FOOD/LODGING between Prince George and Prince Rupert?
What kind of road conditions can I expect ?
What kind of weather can I expect in late May and June?

Any info you can add for a trip from Vancouver, BC to Stewart, BC would be appreciated. Also, info on going from Hyder to the glacier regarding road conditions.
I have not done any bike traveling in Canada, only auto, so the issue of how close gas stops and lodging are a concern in BC.  I am not doing any camping, motel/hotel only. I only get about 100-130 MPG at highway speeds. Which begs the question, can I drive 70-75 MPH in Canada.

[RainMaker]

This may belong in the General Board area versus the Tech Board area.  I know Daniel Meyer has been there (one of his books is written about the trip).  Might PM him.

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I've been to Alaska twice.  Once to Tok, Fairbanks, Anchorage etc.,  and the second time to Hyar.  Be glad to talk to you.   Gary  314 541 1453  or garyheskett@yahoo.com

[Pappy!]

Here ya' go!
Get ahold of these guys, the information will still be fresh.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,69160.0.html

[Rio Wil]

Get a 2015 Milepost Alaska/northwest Canada, cost about $25 bucks and it gives all the info you want on roads you would travel...

http://www.themilepost.com/

[icandoitfaster]

You will have no problem finding gas or lodging throughout your entire trip in BC. My father-in-law has travelled from Vancouver to Alaska and Yukon six times on a 1500 Goldwing and has never had an issue finding either. His strategy was always; carry a good map, know where the next fuel stop is and fill up often.  That said, I always carry a 2.5 gallon can of gas in my trailer when I travel just for piece of mind.

You're going to love this trip.....pleasant temperatures, amazing scenery and good roads. Take loads of photos to share with us.
paul

[gordonv]

Do you have an idea of your route yet up to Prince George? Coming through the interior through the Okanagan Valley, or along the coast? Which board crossing?

How fast are you trying to go? Up Hwy 1 through the Fraser Canyon is nice, but so is Hwy 99 up the coast past Whistler/Pemberton/Lillooet connecting to Hwy 97 to PG.

Cross the boarder at Osoyoos/Princeton/Merritt/Cache Creek, going from the desert to the Cariboo desert. Every June fathers day weekend, we had rain in the eastern Okanagan. Temps are nice around 70' F May and June.

I've found most towns around 100 miles apart, but there is gas between those.

I'm sure if you are in Vancouver Sat/Sun, we might be able to get a little ride together and follow you for a few hundred miles.

[Dusty]

You might try looking at       Destinations Highways B.C.       It's a motorcyclist guide to the best roads in B.C. Well worth the money. It's my road map when I travel in the province.

Enjoy your ride

Dusty

[DirtyDan]

bring mosquito netting

I s#@$ you not



that's a flagman {women} in Alaska

they will pick you up and carry you back to the nest

dan

[BnB Tom]

  ... leave your gun at home. 

[IamGCW]

  ... leave your gun at home. 

You can ship your gun to Alaska and back.  If desired you can get a shotgun permit to bring it through Canada.  If you have a DUI you will not get into Canada without a hassle. 

A good rain-suit and good gloves.  Carry spare gas, slow down for the frost heaves, watch for animals, bring a camera for distance shots, expect allot of daylight (best rideout before 6 AM and grab a hotel before 6 PM).  Food and gas are pricey.  Camping is everywhere and hotels are easily found.  Milepost is good for the trip.  Carry some common bolts and nuts, spare bulbs, and bug spray.  Headlight shields are worth it also.  Last year we only hit about a billion bugs, usually it is worse.  ND and the Circle were the worst. 

Consider the Alaska Marine Highway (Ferry), very scenic. 

Post your trip and enjoy the ride.

Gil

[vicnelson]

Thanks for your input Gil. Just finished reading your trip report - It was great!

Some of your points -

I learned many years ago - NO GUNS CROSS THE CANADA BORDER

I have the rain gear and the cold weather gear.

Liked the way you carried the extra gas - will consider that method, better to be conservative.

No camping for me - hotels all the way - my bones are to OLD


Thanks all for your input. I just need to pick a date to go.

[icandoitfaster]

Like Gordon said, keep us posted and maybe we can meet you at the boarder and ride a few hundred miles with you.
paul

[John Lane]

My wife and I made the trip on our bikes (Shadow Tourer and VTX). We did the entire Northern BC Rockies Loop. Lots of fun!!If you run north of Stewart/Hyder there is some gravel stretches before the Alaska Highway Jct but no big deal. The loop down to Dawson is a great return trip. Have a great time!

[IamGCW]

Daniel Mayer has some excellent writings on his Alaska adventure.  He also can be found in the Texas forum.  There are others, DirtyDan (I think) from New Jersey really provided great awareness for me.  Check out his loaded bike pictures.

BTW noticed you're in Prescott.  Did some work out there at Embry Riddle.  Love the area, surveyed several area mountains as well as several vacations.  Crown King is one of my favorites.

Gil 

[Black Pearl's Captain]

The roads from Hyder-Stewart south are all great. I rode to Fairbanks AK just last July. The good part about your "cheat" is the valley from hwy 37 to Stewart is one of the best valleys I rode last year. Loved it, beautiful.

Gas should not be a problem, just fill it if you're over 75 miles and see a station. FYI there was a new station open right at the corner of 37 to 37A 30 miles inland from Stewart. There are 2 or 3  stations in Stewart. The road out to the glacier is a good road. I think you'll be too early for the grizzlies at the hyder bear viewing site.

Enjoy the trip.

[DirtyDan]

thank you IAMGCW I do admire a man with a well filled in map

I try to be helpful

I missed hyder so I cant help you with specific details of that area

the bugs will still be realy bad so again bring netting

NETTING NETTING NETTING

and check....... I do like the picture game



dan

[vicnelson]

  ... leave your gun at home. 

A good rain-suit and good gloves.  Carry spare gas, slow down for the frost heaves, watch for animals, bring a camera for distance shots, expect allot of daylight (best rideout before 6 AM and grab a hotel before 6 PM).  Food and gas are pricey.  Camping is everywhere and hotels are easily found.  Milepost is good for the trip.  Carry some common bolts and nuts, spare bulbs, and bug spray.  Headlight shields are worth it also.  Last year we only hit about a billion bugs, usually it is worse.  ND and the Circle were the worst. 


Gil

Gil, curious about how you mounted your spare gas tanks. I have the Tourer model so the bags tend to angle forward more than the Leatherlyke bags. Did you have floorboards or pegs to mount on? Did the tank cause any wear damage?  If you had pegs how did you keep the tanks on?

[IamGCW]

They are on a sheet of aluminum bent 90* attached to Transformer floorboards.  The Transformers have 3 mounting holes, but only one is used.  I attached a coupling nut to an unused hole and a flat bar of aluminum stock that I pop riveted to the back of the 90* plate so the gas cans are held away from the side covers.  The cans are 2 gallons each held on by first a bungee net and second a bungee strap.  It worked great, just don't fill the gas cans to the limit, thermal expansion resulted in leaked fuel.  I thought painting them black would help hide there was 4 gallons of fuel to steal while at the hotel.  We were warned about theft many, many times.  Seems license plates are stolen and then used in thefts, like fill up drive off.  The spilled fuel made a small mess of the paint (plastidip rubber spray paint).  Twice I ran out and had to dump two gallons in the tank.  If needed I'll send you some pictures, it was pretty raw but worked great.  Another rider spotted in the Yukon did the same thing with 1 gallon cans on a Kawasaki.

Gil

[vicnelson]

Thanks for all the help guys. I have begun making a list of things to do or take with me because of your great input.
First on my list is a new front tire. I was going with the one I had but feel much better if I had new rubber based on what I have heard.
Second, I think I will be removing the right side passanger foot peg and will be manufacturing some sort of platform to allow the bunging of a spare gas tank.
Even though I should be on paved roads, I will look into finding/making some sort of Head Light and running light protection.
Also on my list I will be putting together a bag of misc. nuts and bolts to take with me just incase.
Oh yeah, bug spray and netting.
Right now it is my intention to begin the trip in early June. That way I would home for my 70th birthday.
Getting old is not for sissys.

[Gryphon Rider]

I have not done any bike traveling in Canada, only auto, so the issue of how close gas stops and lodging are a concern in BC.  I am not doing any camping, motel/hotel only. I only get about 100-130 MPG at highway speeds. Which begs the question, can I drive 70-75 MPH in Canada.

At 100-130 MPG, gas shouldn't be an issue, but I'm sure I could only get that with an 80 MPH tail wind.  If what you mean is 100-130 miles to reserve, I think you should get your bike checked out because you should be getting better mileage than that.  Highway speed limits in BC are typically 90 or 100 km/h (56 or 62 MPH) and 10 km/h (6 MPH) over is typically safe with regards to speeding tickets.

[Daniel Meyer]

My Alaska adventures are here:
http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/23/alaska2004index.html

Well...most of 'em anyway...the rest are in the book.

My book is NOT...however...a travel guide...it's about the experience, not the nuts and bolts of traveling. I don't recommend travel guides...except updated maps that show all the little fuel stops/etc.

If you don't know already, you do need a passport.

Also, your liability insurance card is NOT valid in Canada even though your insurance IS. Call your insurance company and tell them you are going. They'll send you free of charge a "yellow card" that will cover that.

Gas was only an issue on the roads to Inuvik and Prudhoe Bay...and I think you indicated you're not headed those directions. Everywhere else (as long as you have an updated map and don't skip a needed stop) there are stations at least every 100 miles...usually closer.

The little mom&pop eateries and lodges were fantastic on my trip. Have fun. Stay away from the chains. Ask for "the special".

I went in late June/early July...later is the wet season...too much earlier will still be quite cool.

Start with NEW tires, front and back...and NEW brake shoes. The gravel roads EAT tires (particularly the back) and the dust eats brake shoes (particularly the back).

The roads are generally good. The Alaskan highway itself is 100% paved...but...summer is "FIX EVERYTHING" season and when they are fixing frost heaves or earthquake damage they simply plow the entire road up...sometimes in 20+ mile stretches...then they grade, oil, water, gravel, grade, etc till they get it like they want it...so...depends on what stage of that you hit as to what condition that road is in.

Even the unpaved roads (parts of the road from Prince George west are not paved) are usually pretty decent...you get used to riding on gravel...

[Daniel Meyer]

Also...don't fret (too much) warnings about problems "up the road"...a quote from one of my stories...

"It took me some time to get used to the distances out here. The warnings about conditions up the road always had to be taken with a grain of salt, as they usually were not accurate. "The next town" might be 100 miles away. The warning might be about a place 1000 miles away. Imagine asking for road conditions for Denver, Colorado…from Shreveport, Louisiana. The distances involved were similar. Unless the warning was some sort of official closure, I would just try to get as close as known conditions and fuel stops would allow and re-check conditions from there. That strategy had paid off handsomely, getting me places others were bypassing just on rumor alone."

[IamGCW]

This is where I go the rock shield from.  http://www.ceebaileys.com/honda/index_hdlight.html

It just sticks on the headlight and after the trip I removed it.  For my driving lights I just got lucky.  Spare bulbs were carried and we did use them.  I carried some Dawn soap and we found several places that provided a hose and rags.  Kept the pictures clean.  I get 120 mile to reserve and twice ran dry.  Once because a gas station had closed months before and once because I filled up before entering a town and knowing I carried spare gas did not fill up at stations about 50 miles later.  Yep 176 miles to dry (9 miles to the next station).  People stop and offer help, as I did for some lost riders.  Seems buying a GPS does not mean you can use a GPS. 

Post a picture of your ride so we know it's you needing help when we drive up.   

Gil

[art]

Wish I were going but things have changed over the years and being 72 I don't ride any more. I moved to Or from Prescott Valley in 05 and have been back twice. Do miss Az. riding.Is the honda dealer still in Prescott,I had lots of service done there and bought three bikes from him. I knew of two Valk riders from Prescott, don't know if you were one of them. Been so long that I don't remember their names. Have a safe ride and enjoy.

[vicnelson]

The Honda dealer in Prescott sold out to the Victory Dealer in Prescott Valley (just ordered a new front tire from him today).  I find it hard to believe that the front tire is costing me more than the rear tire did a couple of months ago.
I did not buy this Valkyrie until 2013 so I don't think we have met. I did own a 99 IS when I moved here in 2000 but sold it due to some prior health issues.

At near 70 YO, I have thought many times this maybe my last big trip, but as I prepare I still think of the trip to the Northeast that I could not get to last year. The biggest hurdle is the weather during riding season. Going through the mid-west is risky at best with the storms. Perhaps next year I will make it to Maine in Sept.

To the other post, 130 miles to a tank is not bad mileage, it may not be great but I get that mileage going 75 minimum on the Interstate. If I am going to be going slower in BC then perhaps I will get better.

[DirtyDan]

go up mount Washington in NH and the allagash waterway in maine

dan

[vicnelson]

Daniel Meyer -" Also, your liability insurance card is NOT valid in Canada even though your insurance IS. Call your insurance company and tell them you are going. They'll send you free of charge a "yellow card" that will cover that."

I find this statement contradictory with the link below. To save you the read it states have your proof of insurance.  I hate calling my agent, he is a waste of skin, but I will to check out the "yellow card".

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/documentation-needed-to-cross-border/

Certainly, a passport, registration, Drivers license and proof of insurance should be enought. What do they want BLOOD.

[vicnelson]

Daniel Meyer -" Also, your liability insurance card is NOT valid in Canada even though your insurance IS. Call your insurance company and tell them you are going. They'll send you free of charge a "yellow card" that will cover that."

I find this statement contradictory with the link below. To save you the read it states have your proof of insurance.  I hate calling my agent, he is a waste of skin, but I will to check out the "yellow card".

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/documentation-needed-to-cross-border/


Certainly, a passport, registration, Drivers license and proof of insurance should be enought. What do they want BLOOD.

My appologies Daniel, I tried to call my agent (as usuall he was not available) so I called the corporate office and they indeed know of a "yellow card". Evidently, it is proof that your US insurance will cover you in Canada. Close but not quite the same as Mexican insurance, although Mexican insurance must be purchased this is just acknowledgement that your insurance is valid outside the US border.
So now I sit and wait for my agent to call back to type me up my Yellow card and mail it to me.

[Daniel Meyer]

Daniel Meyer -" Also, your liability insurance card is NOT valid in Canada even though your insurance IS. Call your insurance company and tell them you are going. They'll send you free of charge a "yellow card" that will cover that."

I find this statement contradictory with the link below. To save you the read it states have your proof of insurance.  I hate calling my agent, he is a waste of skin, but I will to check out the "yellow card".

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/documentation-needed-to-cross-border/

Certainly, a passport, registration, Drivers license and proof of insurance should be enought. What do they want BLOOD.

To clarify...you don't need the yellow card liability insurance proof to cross the border. You need it if you have to show proof of the required insurance to any leo or in an accident situation. You would be covered, but they will not accept the standard US card as proof.

Could turn a simple "speed achievement warning" into a "you don't have insurance" ticket...that you would then have to work to obtain the documentation (try getting anything overnighted into Canada LOL!), and then appear to contest. In my experience the Canadians (and their LEO's) were very friendly, but no proof of insurance on a out-of-country vehicle is not really a "pay the ticket and drive away" issue.

Get the yellow card.

[Daniel Meyer]

Heh, ya ninja'd me while I was typing the reply.

[Gryphon Rider]

FYI, the fine for no insurance in Alberta is $2500.

[nerider2]

I made the Hyder, AK trip a few years ago, the roads were perfect, until you cross the US/Canadian border at Hyder, where it turns to mud.  Gas and food is not a problem.  It did rain every day, mosquitos and biting flys, and the temps did not get above 60.

Do not plan to use your cell phone or pay phones (if you can find them).  The cost is prohibitive.  I used a SPOT Personal Satellite Tracker, http://www.findmespot.com/en/, so the folks back home could follow me.  I did make Skype.com calls when I had internet service.

The trip to "real" Alaska, was quit different.  Even though they say the are 100% paved, 10% to 20% were under construction at any point in time.  This was like riding on 4 inches of marbles.  I had headlight shields, which got broken from the rocks.

On gas stop, the gas station ran out of fuel, one of the truckers gave us a couple gallons of gas out of his fuel can so we could make it to the next gas station.

Of the 4 bikes that went, the BMW was shipped home from Fairbanks, the Kawasaki Concours was fighting electrical problems, and one Goldwing had several burnt out lights and melted his heated grips.

As Daniel said, start out with new tires, I used Avons, new brake pads, new oil, carry extra critical light bulbs, and get a Plexiglas shield for your headlight / driving lights.

[DirtyDan]

another thing

do not expect ANY help form the local Alaska Honda dealers

they are TOO busy working on the locals bikes to help the tourist's

find the local mom and pop bike shops

had a Honda dealer tell me they could change my rear tire in 3 weeks............3 weeks OMG LOL giggle

yeah its the opposite of Honda dealers in the rest of the country

stand warned

dan

[vicnelson]

Well, I made the trip to Hyder and back without any significant incidents. I did carry extra gas although I never needed it. There were plenty of places to buy gas. However, Cache Creek was experiencing a complete town power outage due to a power pole fire and I had to go an extra 39KM for gas which was not a problem. I still had my two gallon gas can strapped to the bike with its one gallon of Arizona gas on my return home from Prince George. It did give me comfort a few times knowing that I had that extra gas. That is until Williams Lake when I stopped for a fill up and managed to kick the can just one to many times and broke my mounting device. I just drove  50 miles and poured in the one gallon to use it up and be able to mount the can more securely. I have to agree with someone elses post that Canadian gas really makes these Valkyries perform well. I actually got as much as 150 miles without going on reserve. I believe it is because they do not use ethanol in their gas.

My worst weather was from the Oregon coast to Billingham WA. in the rain for the first of a two days of driving in the rain. From Billingham to Prince George, about 500 miles, 450 were in rain. From drizzel to out right down pour out side of Prince George, it was misserable. Luckily I was able to make the return trip in perfectly clear weather.

It took me four days to get to Prince George at which time I got the news that my 94 year old mother had past away. Due to a recent fall before her death, the Medical Examiner wanted to determine actual cause of death which would take 4-5 days before her body could be released to the funeral home. These extra days gave me the chance to complete the trip to Hyder and back to Prince George in the next two days. I then made the 4 day trip back to Arizona in the next 3 days.
Needless to say that my speeds were in excess of 85 mph and still produced mpg in the low 30's.

There was some fantastic scenary in BC and I had my only bear encounter just outside Kitwanga about 16 miles from the junction. I was lucky to see her first. I say HER because as usual, females see me and run the other way, even if I am honking at them.

I may be in an after the ride funk, but I am considering selling my 1999 Valk Tourer in excellent shape with less than 26k miles with a number of extras. The Calif and AZ desert took a big toll on me physically. I have now ridden from Key West, FL to Alaska and to the midwest 3 times on this bike and it was flawless on every trip. They are a fantastic bike but I am getting long in the tooth. I will be burying my mother on my 70th birthday this week.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. But don't make any rash decisions about the bike just yet. This friggin desert is hard on everyone, don't feel bad.