Thursday, May 17, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 20–Tok to Whitehorse

I tried to leave Tok early this morning, but only partially succeeded. The bed was so comfy I slept longer than expected. I am on vacation, so no alarm clocks allowed! I just wake up when I do.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

After a tasty breakfast of Marion jelly and bagels and a friendly chat with the inn keeper, I headed toward the Canadian border. The sun was shining bright with a cool breeze. It was great riding weather. During the 90 miles to the border, my mind kept drifting to the excited thoughts I had when I was riding this stretch the other way the week before. Alaska was better than I thought it would be, and I thought it was going to be awesome. I exceeded all of my expectations.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

The border crossing was quick and easy. I was surprised the guy actually wanted me to remove my helmet. When I asked the other two, they said no. This guy told me to remove it after saying “Hello/Bonjour”. He asked a couple questions, muttered a quick “welcome to Canada", and slammed the window shut. There was no one behind me, so I took my time putting my helmet and gloves back on.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

The Canadian side of the Alaskan highway is a shock from the US side. It is in much poorer condition with frost heaves and potholes everywhere. They mark them with cones, red triangles on sticks, and just red ribbons on sticks. The first chunk to destruction bay is the worst, but today it felt easier than last time. I think part of it is that I ignored my speedo/gps/tach and just focused on the road. I quickly found my own rhythm. The miles melted away. I was in destruction bay before I knew it, 140 miles from the border.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

I was rained on off an on for a little bit. It wasn’t enough to get wet; it was just enough to be annoying. I eventually found a lunch spot. When I passed the one I used on the way up, Pickhandle Lake, it was raining, so I kept going. This spot on the Kluane River worked out great. You can see the dark clouds in the background.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

And a small snow storm across the river:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

This little guy and his buddies were stalking me at lunch. I think they wanted some. They were almost as silly as the Lake Louis birds. I enjoyed watching them.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

When I got to Destruction Bay, I got gas just like on the way up. I chatted with the clerk for a while. He thought I was riding a Ducati and got excited when I pulled up. He was slightly disappointed when he saw Suzuki instead. So many people on this trip have had that reaction. It is kinda funny. They see the silver trellis frame and think Ducati. Only SV’s from 99-01 use the tubular one, the newer ones are all angular and not as sharp looking to me. He told me about his previous boss who just sold his house. The guy and his wife were going to bicycle from Prudhoe bay to the tip of South America. Wow. He sold me a gas can for the Cassiar too.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

On the way out, I was chatted up with a guy from Florida driving a Mercedes car. He had just spent a month in Alaska including driving to Prudhoe Bay and was on his way back to Florida. A long drive! He also thought I was on a Ducati. lol. He has some good intel for the Cassiar for me. I am excited to ride it, and I am slightly nervous. It is very desolate. Even more than the Alaska Highway. It will be an adventure.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

The rest of the ride to Whitehorse was mostly uneventful; it was just a long day riding with nearly 400 miles. I stopped at Kluane Lake to get some photos and video since it wasn’t snowing this time! haha. Apparently it did snow just two days ago. They had 2 inches in Destruction bay and over TEN inches a few miles on either side. I was lucky when I came up and went back, that I missed that much snow both times.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

Tomorrow, is more Alaska Highway and likely the last day on it before I start down the Cassiar. Today, was also the first day of the next three that I will be generally riding south. wow.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 20 - Tok to Whitehorse

 

If you didn’t get enough gratuitous mountain photos, check out the full album below. There are a bunch more. A Video is being uploaded to youtube now, so check for that later.

 

Day 20 Full Flickr Album with 44 photos.

 

Today’s Route:


View Larger Map

14 comments:

  1. I still enjoy the gratuitous mountain photos. Wow, 400 miles today even with the time change at the border. That is one thing that usually catches me by surprise when things are closed in Whitehorse. I'm looking forward to the Cassiar Hwy as I hadn't taken that route in years. I used to take it every time as it was more scenic than the southern end of the Alaska Hwy. After all the fires, I stopped going that route.

    In this post, I think my favorite photo is the last one.

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    1. I like the mountain photos too. Yea, 400. Guh. The time change threw me even though I was expecting it. I stopped a lot, and made slow time.

      :)

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  2. The border guard probably asked you to remove the helmet due to a notice published about some renegade hooligan riding a Ducati....just a theory, mind you. :)

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

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    1. rofl! THAT has to be it.

      More surprising to me is the lack of consistency at the borders.

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  3. Good stuff. Ha, I agree with Dom. ANd maybe the border guard just wanted to see what a crazy American was doing so far from home without a windscreen on his bike.

    I laugh when people think my SFV is a Ducati - and then I point out the big S on the tank. Funny they get disappointed. Not sure why everyone thinks the Suzukis are Ducatis. Our maintenance costs are way less, ha ha.

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    1. No windscreen? I'm enjoying the silence of no buffeting. lol.

      Maint costs are less, and so is the cost of the bike! I only paid $2,000 for my SV650 about 4.5 years ago.

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    2. That's why I call them "Ducopies", imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

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    3. Never heard that one before. Glad they didnt copy the maint schedule!

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  4. Ducati wouldn't like to the fact that your bike has been mixed up with one of their models.

    I have not been down the Cassiar Hwy, so I will await your pictures with great anticipation.

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    1. hehe. maybe it'd be good for them. I hear they have a lot of debt.

      You should add the cassiar to your list. So far I am liking it. We'll see how I feel when get to 16.

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  5. "silver trellis frame?" Ah dude, you're going to be so disappointed when you melt that thing down for the "Cash for Jewelry" guys and they tell you it's just anodized aluminum. Bits of the Cassiar can be rough if it's wet. Otherwise, it's a great, beautiful road and you should take as many turnoffs as you can tolerate. My back tire was vanishing when I was on the Cassiar and I have always regretted not stopping to visit Stewart and a couple of other stops along the way. I went to Prince Rupert and took the ferry to Vancouver Island. I suspect you're going the other route (to Prince George).

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    1. I hope to see Stewart tomorrow. So far no gravel either even though it is indicated on the map. hmm.

      I am going to prince george indeed. I'd like to see Vancouver Island, but will have to see how things play out.

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  6. I will be going up and down this road soon

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