Saturday, May 12, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 14–Tok to Fairbanks

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

I woke up refreshed today. I think being exhausted and the great location helped. The log cabin was comfortable and quiet. The conversation with the owner over breakfast was nice too. She explained one of the terms the Alaskans use “outside”

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

No, it’s not walking out your front door into that big room with the blue ceiling and mostly green carpet (except Alberta lol). Outside for Alaskans means going to the “lower 48”.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

It mostly makes sense because you have to go outside the country, through Canada, to get back into the US. I was happy she explained that phrase as later in the day it came up. As in “Every summer I like to take a trip outside for a couple weeks.” It could be confusing if you didn’t know. Now you learned something. lol.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

The ride from Tok to Fairbanks was short – 200 miles. The wind was blowing very strongly, but I was fortunate it was behind me the whole way. It raised up some strong dust storms in the middle. You couldn’t see more than a 1/2 mile down the road at times. At one point, the GPS noted a lake to my left, but all I saw was tan sand.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

About 100 miles from Tok is Delta Junction. Delta Junction is the official end of the Alaska Highway 1422 miles from Dawson Creek. I was happy to see the sign. I’m glad to have made it.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

When I got to Fairbanks, I went straight to Thunder Road.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

It was one of the shops Richard found that had a tire for me. They have a whole bay dedicated to tires. They also try and squeeze in travellers as often as possible to get them back on the road quickly. I waited for about 15 minutes before they started on my bike, and I just showed up. Good service. I ended up buying a ME880 for more than I wanted to pay, but when you need a tire, you need a tire.

My rear tire was showing the cords, so it was past due in my book.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

This was the first chance I had to change it. As I mentioned yesterday, I would use the Q2s again, but have one waiting for me. While at the shop, I noticed my oil wasn’t at the full line anymore, so I added about 400mL. It is an acceptable amount considering I rode 4,000 miles. I would visit Thunder Road again. If you need a tire in Fairbanks, check them out.

Randy removing my tire. I want his machine!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

Computer balancing in just a few seconds.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

It is nice to have a fresh tire. It has a different tread than the Q2, and I think I can feel the difference.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

It feels likely rougher, more bumpy. It may just be the tire I have has tread now. hehe

When I was at Thunder Road, I realized I missed a great opportunity today.

No, not going to North Pole, AK.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

But getting a photo for my SV650 crossing over 40,000 miles!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

 

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

Tomorrow, I get to meet Richard. I’m looking forward to it.

 

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 14 - Tok to Fairbanks

 

 

Day 14 – Full Flickr Album.

 

Today’s Route:


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22 comments:

  1. Chris:

    congrats on reaching the end of the Alaska Highway. Now you will be able to relax for a day or so . . . and possibly have Richard lead you on some local roads.

    It's nice to finally go into an efficient tire shop

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bob. Yes, nice to relax for a couple days. Enjoying lazying around fairbanks.

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  2. Yay, you made it to Fairbanks. Have a good time with Richard. He is a great person to hang out and visit with.

    And 40,000 miles on the SV, nice job. Just think how many will be on it by them time you get home.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes, YAY!

      i'm looking forward to meeting him tonight.

      yea, 40,000 on the SV, and with the stock seat too! hahaha. I think I'll be close to 50,000 when I get home.

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  3. Great timing on the jump in the Alaskan Hwy. marker photo!

    I can imagine how much you want that tire changing machine.

    Second post in a row that I've loved the very first photo. Loved the moose in the previous post.

    Ride on!
    ~k

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. took a bunch trying to get the shot I wanted. I almost got it, that one was close. I hoped for a bit more air under my feat. maybe white guys really can't jump. hahaha.

      that tire changer would be sooo cool. all mechanical and hydraulic. over $1500 too. lol.

      glad you're liking the photos. don't know if I can do it three days in a row here.

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  4. That cake looked bigger than your dinner! Congrats on reaching the northern point on your journey!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. an illusion of the camera. the brownie was the size of half of the sandwich. I ate the brownie first hahaha

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  5. Welcome to Fairbanks. When you mentioned you missed something my first thought was the muffler man Santa Claus out in North Pole. At least there used to be one there. See you this evening.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks! happy to have made it. So far away!

      if you squint, I got a pic of me driving past the muff man. i might have to go get a proper one for fuzzy.

      see you tonight!

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  6. Well done. You made it. (and take a picture with that crossroads sign to prove it)
    And you get to hook up with Richard! I hope you guys have a great time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yup, I made it. a long ways up here.

      looking forward to richard tonight. I'm sure we'll have a blast. motobloggers are good people.

      Delete
  7. Good update Chris, and yeah, that rear tire was more than due for replacement!

    Nice term, "going outside".

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, it was due, but this was the soonest I could do something about it. not many moto shops between whitehorse and fairbanks.

      yea, they have all sorts of expressions up here.

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  8. Great pics--the sky is beautiful in these pictures--one could easily dream of a warm spring/summer day with perfect riding temps. I know the reality is colder. Loved your jump for joy at the end of the highway. I found this in wiki: "The Alaska Highway is popularly (but unofficially) considered part of the Pan-American Highway, which extends south to Argentina." I think I knew that but may have forgotten it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yes, the reality was a bit colder. It is 60F today in fairbanks. A nice change from the last week of cold. I'm sure in a few weeks, you'll see me complaining about the heat. lol.

      you trying to encourage more roaming? i think the rest of the pan-american will have to wait a while.

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  9. Beautiful photography! Glad to hear its warming up for you.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm glad it is a bit warmer too!

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  10. So was that rear tire new when you left on your trip, meaning it lasted about 4000 miles?

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    Replies
    1. yup, moto tires don't last long and the road surface up here was very coarse. I usually get 6000-7000 from those tires.

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  11. Zooming out of your daily Google maps put the length of your ride into perspective. The distances are huge.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Huge is an understatement. Alaska is far away, and is a giant of a state. It has a park that is the size of VT/NH in it. AK is about 1/3 of the size of the lower 48. Just massive.

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