All is Ready

I think that we have finally bought everything that we are going to for our vacation this year. And here I thought it was going to be a cheap vacation!

Here is a list of what we are taking (photo to follow later):
1-Motorcycle cover
1-Package cigarette lighters
1-Slime tire tackle repair kit
1-Rubber cement
1-Slime "Tire Top Off" inflater
1-Box "AA" batteries
2-Camp towels
1-Repel (40% Deet) 8.125oz
1-Repel (100% Deet) 1oz
2-Emergency blankets
1-Pack "Wet Ones"
2-Small toothpaste
4-Disposable razors
1-Pack Campers Toilet Paper
1-"Turtle" pocket tool
7-Glo light stycks
1-First Aid Kit
1-Pepto Bismol tablets (30 ct) ....ya nefer know!! :)
1-Old Spice Body Wash
1-Rinse Free shampoo (8oz)
1-Camp soap (4 oz)
2-No rinse shampoo (2 oz each)
2-No rinse body ways (2oz each)
2-Hand Sanitizer
1-Shampoo
1-Lotion
2-Shampoo (hotel size)
1-Mini Mag Light
1-Coleman LED lantern
1-3 person tent
2-sleeping bags
1-2 gallon gas can
--Assorted tools
1-Duck tape (always!!...Learned from my Aunt Wanda!!)
2-Boxes Granola bars
30-Zippered plastic bags (gallon size)
2-Passports
2-Rainsuits

We are packing everything either in the saddlebags, trunk, or one of three rain-proof bags from Bass Pro. We found the boat bags to be the best deal...waterproof and reasonable in price. We first went to Dick's Sporting Goods to find them, but they did not have any. One older worker there suggested to my wife that she go to Bass Pro. It is good to know that there are still good people out there who place doing the right thing above making a buck.

Tomorrow, the plan is to pack what we can (sleeping bags, saddle bags, etc...). This is a picture of the stuff that we are taking....minus clothes, personal items, and sleeping bags.

This is gonna be fun.....heck, it already is fun!!!

Closer and Closer

Our motorcycle vacation to the West is getting closer. On Friday I will post pictures and a list of things we are taking. This should be a fun experience (posting things, etc...).

We are getting more and more committed to going into Canada to Banff and Jasper National Parks. Glacier is a definite now. Yellowstone looks like a resting place. Too many people there. And I want to get away from peeps! Just Wilma, me, and the bike. Yep. A true vacation.

As far as the Alaska trip. Well, we are thinking this one through. We may go with a larger bike such as the Yamaha Stratoliner. It is air cooled, (I like that!) and has fuel injection (also good). Plus, I can get a better bike for less $$ than a Goldwing. So, a couple of years out. We'll see what happens. I like the Stratoliner because it is a Yamaha and because it comes in at 1900cc's. Big is good.

Of course, if  I had my druthers, I'd have a bike like this:

18 Days and Counting

I am counting down by days...will be hours shortly! I have 10 days left before we go on our mission trip to Colorado. That week will fly by....then motorcycle trip here we come!!!

I have been reading websites to find out what is "out there" that I want or need to know about. But, other than campsites, I think I'll just let the road unfold in front of me.  The only part of the trip that I dread is the heat in the Midwest as we leave St. Louis. I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures in the mountains and the challenge that riding in the mountains will bring. I am also looking forward to turning off the phone and not having a computer for a couple of weeks.

Now, for the Alaska trip....we are seriously considering purchasing our first KLR650. I think what makes me nervous is that once we purchase the bike, we are one step closer to really making the trip. Suddenly it becomes less fantasy and more reality.

We have thought about riding the Continental Divide next summer as primer for the Alaska ride. We are thinking if we can ride 2800 miles in the mountains then riding to Alaska will not be a problem. The website that really got me excited about the CDR is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0NMABAul-w&feature=related.

Not to Trailer

Alright. So, after doing some wicked internet research, I decided not to trailer. Several reasons popped up for this. First, the bike has a 458 lb. weight limit. I come in around 240 and my wife much smaller :)  So, even thought we and our luggage come in under the weight limit, adding a trailer would bounce us over the magic number. Plus, as one guy said on an undisclosed website, "If you need a trailer, you're carrying too much stuff. Travel light. Travel fast."  Good advice. So, no trailer for the V Star 1100.

Speaking of this bike, what to name her is the question of the day? Our old GPS was "Maggie" after the Simpsons character (and it was a Magellan). Our new GPS is "Midge" after what Moe calls Marge. (It too is a Magellan). So, now the bike needs a name (one that preferably I can use in public and around polite company...if ya know what I mean!!).

I was also concerned with the altitude. The bike has a carburetor and is not electronically fuel injected. So, after once again doing copious internet research, I found that my only problem should be a fall of of power over 9,000 feet in elevation.  That said, it shouldn't be too bad even then. Plus, we won't be at elevation for too long at a time. So...only time will tell about that.

We did some more shopping today. Got some tire repair stuff and a portable tire pump that will work off the power port we have. Also got a small LED lantern, some more bungee cords, a camp hatchet, some lighters, and other odds and ends. I think we are getting close to being ready!

To Trailer or Not to Trailer

I know that when we do the trip to Alaska, we will pull some type of camper behind the bike. But, the question of the day is: Do I invest in a trailer for this summer's trip? I have found a local trailer for a very reasonable price. I do not have a hitch, ball, or wiring. But, I know that I could have those in by this weekend and have time to have them installed. So, the question is, do I do it or not?

Advantages: can carry more stuff (like camp chairs, more clothes, etc...); keep the bike more balanced; able to lock most everything up.

Disadvantages: Can carry more stuff; more cost; lower fuel mileage.

So, I don't know. If my wife is agreeable, I may plunge ahead and get one.

A Bit More

I realized that I left out some really good information about myself and the trip. First, I am a PhD student and hope to take the trip as soon as I finish my coursework and before I hit the dissertation full-on. I think 4-5 weeks away before I start serious research would be a healthy break for me. So, that makes this trip look like perhaps the summer of 2012...just a few months before the end of the world. I guess then, if I'm gonna make a trip like this, doing it before the world ends is a good thing.

I have been to Alaska before. In 2007 my wife and I, along with her parents, drove the Alaska Highway. It was a good trip, but I still want to do it on a motorcycle. Take my time and see the sights and smell the smells (and run from bears, and...well, you get the picture). 

We are excited about our test trip to the West this summer. I have thought about, and may, go into Canada just so I can get the experience of crossing the border on a motorcycle. Plus, then I can say that I have ridden in two countries. 

I do love me some Canada!!!!!

Test Run This Summer

Well, this summer we are taking off on our first long motorcycle trip. In essence, this is to get us ready for the long trip to Alaska. We will be going from our house to at least Yellowstone National Park. Google tells me that it's about 1300 miles one way. That's a bit over 25% of the way to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I think this will be a good test run for us. Of course, we will be using a different bike when we go to Alaska and will have some type of tent trailer or something like that to pull behind us to sleep in and to store all the stuff we need.

So far, we have spent quite some $$ getting ready for this trip. However, from reading all the blogs of others, I know that you do not want to go on a motorcycle trip unprepared. So, in the coming couple of weeks, I will list everything we are taking as well as take a picture of everything before we pack and after we pack.

Hang on, this should be fun!!


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The Start of the Adventure

Hi. My name is John. I am planning a motorcycle trip to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I do not have a firm date set yet, but it will probably be at least two years. I think it will take that long to plan. So, you have the enjoyment of following my rambling thoughts as I get prepared for the trip.

I plan to take four weeks (maybe most of 5) off work for this trip. I will ride from St. Louis, Missouri to Prudhoe  Bay, Alaska. This trip is approximately 4,300 miles each way. I am thinking about what motorcycle I will need to take on this trip. If I do not take a KLR650, I will rent one in Fairbanks for the Haul Road portion of the trip.

I would like to take a larger bike with a pull-behind camper so I can stay along the Alaska Highway.

I also think I would like to do the ride for a charity. I am considering charities now. So, if you read this and you know a charity who would like to work with me, please contact me. I have some time, but I think it would be great to do this, get sponsors and raise some money and awareness for a need.

Until next time....