PAGE 20 www. FavoriteRidesAndDestinations. com | ridermagazine. com
SPRING 2017 ISSUE 01 / VOL. 02
I rode a bit with a couple from the UK who were in their third year of an around the world tour. The rain fly is topped with solar panels to help run the on-board refrigerator.
For more motorcycle camping tips, visit ridermagazine. com sharp rock found its way between the knobs of my fresh tires. I was also very glad I had mosquito netting to go over my hat. Very glad.
Prior to hitting the Dalton Highway, a 900-mile round trip with legendary goo and constantly watered gravel that bonds to everything, I used a tip from a dirt-biker friend and generously coated my bike with spray cooking oil. It made cleanup at a coin-operated car wash upon returning to Fairbanks much easier, although far from effortless. And my concern about not being able to get the 89-octane( mid-grade) fuel that the R 1200 GS requires was solved by getting a bottle of octane booster and augmenting the regular-only fuel dispensed in the remote areas. I was only caught once without the coveted tonic, but the fuel-injected bike still ran fine.
The sights and scenery were spectacular. Every day I would come across a spot worthy of a“ National Geographic” cover. I kept my expenses down by camping as much as I could, only eating in an upscale restaurant twice in 10 weeks, and by avoiding upscale hotels when I wanted a roof over my head. I used my“ saved” money to take a boat trip in Valdez to view marine life and the Columbia Glacier; to take a flightseeing trip to a wilderness area so I could photograph bears hunting for salmon; and to go whitewater rafting in Denali National Park.
Although the riding and the scenery were breathtakingly beyond expectation, the most outstanding part was meeting people from all over the world. When you’ re on a motorcycle, you belong to a fraternity of riders; you share a bond of commonality. Sometimes you meet someone who you will ride with for a few days or even weeks. I can now say that I have open invitations to visit folks in the U. S., Canada, South America, Holland, Germany, England, South Africa, Austria and France. Camping together, sharing a fire and a brew with those who have a common love of travel and motorcycles, makes for an international family of friends.
Even people who were not on bikes contributed to the adventure through gratuitous acts of kindness. There was the couple in the Jeep on the Dalton who left me a can of Fix-a-Flat when I wasn’ t sure if my plug would hold; the woman just leaving work on a commercial fishing boat who gave me a fresh salmon; the guy at the next campsite in the Yukon who came running over with a red-hot glowing log to help me start my campfire; and certainly the folks at House of Harley and the MotoQuest headquarters in Anchorage, who welcome and help all motorcyclists.
I returned home refreshed and invigorated. I also came away from my trip with a better understanding of myself and a new respect for our ancestors who lived off the land. Meeting people from other parts of the world, I learned to open my eyes and heart to appreciate these new experiences. I also learned that the adventure motorcycling bug is infectious and delightfully addictive.
As for the final question folks asked:“ What would you do differently?” The answer is simple:“ I would leave sooner.”