Saturday, March 24, 2012

Five More Weeks, Then Alaska Here I Come

Five weeks from now, I will be making the last minute checks to the bike. Saying goodbye to my wife and rolling away on my SV650. I can hardly believe the departure time is coming so quickly. So much to do! 

The bike has been at the mechanic the last few weeks as he gives it a thorough check and upgrades the aging suspension. He’s also replacing all the wear items I didn’t replace last fall (chain, sprocket, brake lines, brake fluid, etc).

I’ve been reading my two guide books: Guide to the Alaska Highway and The Milepost 2011: Alaska Travel Planner. The two are a good compliment to each other. The first talks about how to get to (and from) the Alaska highway which is more than a thousand mile journey in addition to what to expect when you get to it. The second is supposed to be the “bible” of the Alaska highway. It has some good stuff, but a tad too many ads for me. I like the pull out map it came with. I have it hanging on my wall, so I can stare at it every day. I also like that it has a digital edition which I can put on my netbook.

To break up reading about my trip, I’ve also been reading a couple photography books which will hopefully improve my ability to share some of the great scenery I expect to see. The books are: Within the Frame, Photography Field Guide, and Photographer’s Eye. I really like the first one, and have only scratched the surface of the other two.

20 comments:

  1. Only 5 more weeks. I bet you are excited. Wait until the few days before - you'll have a hard time sleeping you'll be so excited.

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    1. It is a mix of anxiety and excitement. I'm usually not anxious before a trip, but the massiveness of this one is getting me.

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  2. I wish I had time to read, been busy trying to start my own business and reading blogs, I think I'm following too many. I think I'm going to look for books at Barnes & Noble tomorrow.

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    1. I am so behind on blogs it isn't even funny. Clearly, i'm having trouble keeping up with mine. lol.

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  3. Alaska by motorcycle. Dr Gregory Frazier is the smartest traveler on two wheels. With four circumnavigations he know whereof he writes.

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    1. Yup, love his stuff, but his AK book was published in '96. It feels to out of date for me now.

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  4. Thanks Chris for the pointers on the books...if things continue to worsen at work...you might be reading about my own trip to Alaska as I'll then have the time....

    Dom

    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

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    1. uh oh. I hope things get better for you soon!

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  5. Alaska is calling out to me, too. I have planned for such a ride for quite a while and it keeps getting pushed back. Until my GS is headed to Deadhorse, I will read about the experiences of others (like you).


    Can't wait to hear how your ride progresses.

    http://ineverfinishanyth.blogspot.com/2011/07/ah-alaska-you-call-to-me-like-mentally.html

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    1. I love watching the ride videos and reading about others going there. AK was lumped into the plan once the time off presented itself. I am really looking forward to it.

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  6. You may run into some cold weather but hopefully no snow through the Canadian Rockies. And you're right, way too many ads in the Milepost but copying the PDFs onto your laptop, tablet or phone is a good alternative. Being able to look ahead and see where the next gas or campground is pretty handy though you may run into a lot of businesses still closed for the winter. May is pretty early in the season.

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    1. Way too many ads. Yes, going to put it on my phone and laptop. I am have tempted to bring it with and burn it along the way ahaha.

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  7. This is so exciting, Chris!
    Not that I have to tell you that, but you know what i mean :) I can't wait to follow along with you~

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  8. Chris:

    this is very exciting that you are venturing into our area. IMO you are missing the most beautiful scenery British Columbia has to offer.

    consider changing your route from Calgary head West on HWY1 to Banff, and then take HWY 93 up to Jasper. It would be a real shame for you to miss the Icefields Parkway, Columbia Glacier, Lake Moraine & the slot canyons, Lake Louise but circumnavigating a longer route through flat prairie land.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. Thanks again for the tips Bob, but there isn't a hard route set. I'm sorry i didn't make that more clear. I do have ever intention of trying to go to the Banff area.

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  9. Dang dude that's an ambitious route you've planned. Good luck.

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