Alaska

[IamGCW]

Tomorrow we leave for the Artic circle.  The bike is loaded, fueled, and checked over.  I will keep James updated as we travel.  Should be back in a few weeks.  Our first relaxing point is Glacier Park MT.  Yep, they just got snow.  I will try to post updates from the Nexus. 

73
Gil

[Tropic traveler]

Be safe & keep us updated!! 

[_Sheffjs_]

Take care go-pro globe trotter

[Daniel Meyer]

WooHoo! Have a blast! A life-changing trip!

[Pappy!]

Keep a good stream of photos coming please!
Good luck and good riding to you! Be safe!

[Flrider]

Be safe and have fun, keep us posted as much as you can 

[James III]

  Let the journey begin!
You and Randy have fun and be safe. Looking forward to following your progress and updates.

James

[R J]

WooHoo! Have a blast! A life-changing trip!

You better believe that statement.

[Tundra]

Safe Travels Gil. Very much looking forward to this report.

[Thunderbolt]

Be safe send pictures. 

[Bronxboy]

Safe Travels,  Wish I was going 

[Scoop171]

Have a safe and fun journey!   

[billyboy]

Have a great time Gil.     Be safe out there.

[Jo k]

Can't wait to see the photos! Safe travels!   (I'm jealous)

[Dragon Valk]

Safe travels Gil and enjoy the wild ride!

[BCoy]

I am very excited for you!  We are all envious and will be living vicariously through your postings and pictures.  Keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride!  Woo Hooo!!
Ride safe
Bill 

[James III]

  A quick note from Gil, doing well, a couple of cooling showers on the way. Looks like Gil and Randy were overnighting in or around Vicksburg, Mississippi for their first night.(NW of Jackson, MS).

James

[reclaimerroger]

Be safe and enjoy the trip Gil.  We will all be enjoying it through your reports and pictures.

[Westsider]

I ran into 2 long riders today at the gas station I was checking out that said they carried the Copenhagen Mint (but didn't) Gil and Randy, from Florida going to Alaska artic circle. Pretty cool, you guys have a safe trip.

[FloridaValkRyder]

God's speed to you both. Keep us posted James.

[IamGCW]

I ran into 2 long riders today at the gas station I was checking out that said they carried the Copenhagen Mint (but didn't) Gil and Randy, from Florida going to Alaska artic circle. Pretty cool, you guys have a safe trip.

While getting gas (25 mpg towing) we ran into this great looking Interstate.  And we chatted about Grumpy, John Schmitt, Bert and others.  Without reservation he offered help should we need it.  What a family of owners we have.  I sent James his picture, maybe he will post it. 

Currently in Amarillo TX.  Next Laramie WY.
Weather hot
No rain today
Bikes running well
One breakdown, trailer light exploded.  10 minutes, one ice cream, and the bulb was replaced.  Think water dripped inside the housing and exploded the bulb.
Trailer tires were low so we went to pump them ($1 at pump) and a stranger came over hooked up his pump and we got free air.  Great people here.

Several girls stuck out there tongue at Randy (Sherry style) and waved at me.

Crossing the Mississippi river I thought of Billy Boy Finn rafting in his Daisy Dukes hunting Yepper Do.  Maybe the heat.

Randy reports tractors in Texas are boring and green. 

Gil

[James III]

I've been following our men pretty closely, they are making great progress on their western trek.
Here's Westsiders photo as Gil mentioned.
His caption, "We are family"!


Our guys are packed like NJdan; everything including the kitchen sink!
(Gil's preflight photo)


What ever Gil doesn't have in the trailer, Randy has.


Randy looking relaxed after a fuel stop. Cool as a cucumber!


As Gil mentioned they overnighted(2nd night) on the West side of Amarillo, TX after really clicking off the miles. These boys are moving, considering pulling the trailer.
This is one ride I wish I had signed onto! Throttle up!

[John Schmidt]

Those bikes look clean now, but just wait.    Just curious as to what they may have taken along as spare parts. The bikes look so overladen in back that a good bump hit by the front tire would tip it over backward. It's a trip I wish I could take someday but time is running out.

[flsix]

Safe travels guys. Looking forward to the full ride report in a few weeks.

[BCoy]

Great job!! You guys are doing great, I too wish I could've made the time for this ride. What a great experience, can't wait to hear all the road stories of your adventures!!  Stay strong and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Ride safe.
Bill

[IamGCW]

We made Laramie.  Love it out here.  We have been on super slab and country.  Give me the country roads. 

We packed bulky but light items.  Looks heavy but 200 in the trailer (100 each) and about 75 each on the bikes.

Weather
high 98 low 54
Sun, cloudy, some snow in NM on road edges. Bad rain through Colorado Spring to Denver.  Icy cold, temp dropped 20 degrees.
In WY we hit snow on I25, Ft Collins area.  Got a mud wash from a truck where the snow melted and made a three lane pool. 
On 287 to Laramie (some backtracking cause I missed Karen saying exit here, snow stress) hit more snow.

Next stop Cody WY.  Bypassing the Tetons due to weather reports.  Into Yellowstone after dropping the gear at a hotel. 

Double Darkside (reversed front) has done well in all weather.

Thanks James for keeping us moving safely.

Gil

[Flrider]

That is great Gil  

Look forward to the stories when you guys get back.

Have fun

Say HI to KAREN 

[John Schmidt]

I call my GPS lady Bettie, after Rita's sister. That woman is the worst back-seat driver in the world. 

[IamGCW]

John: Karen is the Garmin name of the voice.  One of many choices (squirrelly is funny).  She is preferred by the Feds so we name the GPS's Karen.  Often the comment is "Can I borrow Karen".  To find remote sensors at the airports.

We made Cody early.  Started out at 44 and ended at about 74 degrees.  Love my heated vest.

Weather was great.  Skirted some storms.  Since there is only one road it was just pure luck (and speed).

Antelope and Elk.  Antelope react to the air horns, they look then run away.  Won't count on that.  Comm's are working and we warn each other of animal, scenery, etc.  Came around a bend and there was a large Antelope in the path.  Slowed to 5, Randy slowed behind me.  Got about 20 feet away and hit the horn.  They run fast.  Love their cool looks.  Keeping the speed down to stretch the fuel.  Usually hit the gas stops with less then a gallon left in the tank.  Carrying 4 gallons extra now for the longer runs.  the Vulcan gets better mileage and usually has plenty of gas.  Fuel injection is the way to go.

Getting away from the hotels and gas stops is getting difficult.  The Valk is a magnet.  Then the trip is discussed.  Delays packing.  Thinking of charging for answers to help finance the trip.

Cody is pretty cool and the ride here was amazing. 

Tomorrow Yellowstone and Glacier park (entrance at Kalispell).

73
Gil

[reclaimerroger]

Sounds like the trip is going well so far. 
Thanks for the reports. 
Watch out for that wildlife.

[FloridaValkRyder]

I'm hoping Gil is taking some pictures and videos with his GoPro. This would make a great "Trip Night" when they return. I look forward to the posts when I hop on the board to follow the exploits of the ride. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date!

[James III]

Communicated this morning with Gil. All seems go. The guys were overnighting in Kalispell, MT. tonight (Tuesday); just south of Glacier National Park; one of their layover points I believe Gil mentioned. They have really laid down some miles. I'm sure he'll chime in a post when possible.

James

[IamGCW]

Update Kalispell, MT

Weather
57f to 78f
Winds varied some high.

Yellowstone was nice but gobs of traffic and people.  The geothermal pools were pretty cool, but loaded with tourists, like us.

Montana is perfect.  Rode 287 then I90 (just a short hop) and north 69, 12 etc to Kalispell.

Critters sighted
Bison, Wolf, Deer, Elk, Chickens, Prairie Dogs, Farm animals, and a Yeti.

Near the end of the ride and close to sunset the Deer were everywhere.  Slowed for safety.  Air horns spook them also.

Bike failure of the license plate (stress cracks) required a new plate frame (never had one before) from Autozone. 10 minutes.

Next stop Edmonton, AB via Glacier.   

73
Gil

[Thunderbolt]

Keep up the great reports Gil and Randy.  Godspeed and good luck.  Sounds like a wonderful trip so far.

[reclaimerroger]

Sure hope you got lots of pics of the yeti.

[IamGCW]

Update

Weather perfect. 
Glacier passes closed due to snow.  We did a trek up the west side to the barriers then drove around the park and went up the east side.  13 miles of gravel up and 13 back.  Park is amazing. 

I made it across the Canadian border in a few minutes.  Randy was detained.  For an hour.  No reason given.  Getting gas up here is weird.  liters, funky credit card readers.  Got some Canadian money for the  small stops.  Just did a withdrawal from the ATM.

Checked into Edmonton Courtyard.  Security came out and said lock it all up.  Crime is very hi here and he had a vehicle stolen in the last few days.  They also were concerned about our safety.  So the bikes are chained, locked forks, covered, and parked in front row handicap spot.

Next stop Summit Lake, BC.

Gil

[Flrider]

Thanks for the report Gil, you and Randy keep safe.

That is a lot of gravel road, I am sure you are glad you have the car tire on there 

[flsix]

A few years ago we went to Glacier in the last week of June and the Road To The Sun had just opened that morning. The drifts were still around 8' tall. I didn't realize the snow stayed around that long up there. The kids had a blast.
You two stay safe.

[IamGCW]

Dawson Creek and beyond.

Weather perfect.  Roads great, plenty of fuel.  And this stuff is rocket fuel.  Both bikes love it.  Getting great mileage and lots of power. 

One wolf, an eagle, two dead moose.  Seeing the moose we decided to stop.  We are now in BC and one more time zone.  Mosquitoes are out.  Windshields have a full load of big bugs, like chicken eggs.

At the Sasquatch Inn.  Two girls asked about Billy Boy.  James has the proof.  Billy, when I get back I will give you their notes.

Riding until we drop tomorrow. 

This country is just amazing. 

BCoy, front tire is great in gravel and wet.  Will do it again when the time arrives.

73
Gil

[John Schmidt]

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.