Vladimir's Alaska Ride Report

Bonnie and Vladimir's Alaska Ride Report

Bonnie and Vladimir have graciously agreed to allow the rest of us to be vicariously involved in their trip to Alaska through a series of trip report entries they plan to make along the way. Stay tuned for future updates...

Entry 1 - Posted Thursday, 28 May 2009

It was Tuesday, and the weatherman called for rain. But we did not get any that day when we left for Alaska. The first Stop was Madison, WI. We sure got lot of it today when we left for Fargo. We rode first 250 miles in good rain. Then after lunch it was all clear. Tomorrow we'll be crossing into Canada, riding only 274 miles to Portage, La Prairie. We will send this e-mail from there, ya. We are here drinking good Canadian water (barley and herbs). Beer sure tastes better here. I have really never liked corn, but now it is ridiculous when they put 10% of the starch into the gas. As a result, my Goose only gets 35 mpg with 91 octane. I was planning to get a big gas can until we got here and found out they are not adding ethanol here. I hope Alaska is that way, or we will get stuck there. Riding to Saskatoon tomorow. Here are some pictures. My English got me in trouble on the border when I said "yes" when the officer asked if I carried more than $10,000. What I heard was "$1,000." No arrests were made, and we got through there in about 15 minutes.

Entry 2 - Posted Saturday, 30 May 2009

Left this morning at 6:45 and 42°F. Got to Saskatoon 3:45 and 74°F. All sunshine all good except this huge wind. Got tired keeping the bike up; my arms are really tired. Hope the wind is gone when we leave tomorrow for Grande Prairie. Will send this from there.

We are here. Left 5:50 and 44°F. Got to Grande Prairie 5:30 and 67°F. All sunshine and wind. Really good ride first four hours before the wind came. Meeting lot of nice people on the way, and the scenery now changed from farmland to forest. We are leaving tomorrow for Fort Nelson and are only 80 miles away from Dawson Creek, the beginning of Alaska Hwy. The rainbow picture is from Saskatoon at 5:00 AM.

Entry 3 - Posted Sunday, 31 May 2009

Left Grande Prairie 6:00 and 44°F. Jumped on Alaska Hwy at Dawson Creek. Got to Fort Nelson at 2:30 and 49°F. Temperature stayed in the 40s all day. 41°-49° with some very light sprinkles. We saw fox, lots of deer, goats, and a wolf.

Entry 4 - Posted Wednesday, 3 June 2009

We are now in Alaska, sitting here at Fairbanks. We cannot get over the last two days. Scenery was excellent, and the road sucked. Construction, freeze heaves, pot holes, and more construction. We left Fort Nelson Monday 5:45 and 44°F and got to Whitehorse 6:30 and 72°F. Temperature range was 36°-74°. Nothing but blue skies. This was a very scenic route...beautiful iced-up lakes and snow capped mountains. In the Westmark hotel we met people from Australia and England who were on a Holland Tour heading in to Skagway to catch their ship. Today we left Whitehorse 6:15 and 44°F, and we got here at 7:00 and 73°F. Temperature range 42°-80°. Again, blue skies and no humidity (about 45%), and good scenery. We are not traveling tomorrow. It is now 11:48. I will finish this then. Bonnie is taking lot of pictures and video, but did not bring USB cable for the video.

Later post, same day...
We are done with Alaska Hwy. We rode it three days and had wonderful weather. We will jump on it again to go to Skagway to catch our ferry.

Entry 5 - Posted Thursday, 4 June 2009

We are finishing our rest day in Fairbanks. Spending some time in North Pole and sending presents to the grandchildren from Santa's Shop. I never knew that salmon can taste so good without any seasoning. Tomorrow we will be leaving for Denali Park and will send this from there. Today is all sun and 76°F. We left at 7:45 and 61°F and got here 10:30 and 66°F. Temperature range was 59°-69°. A little hazy with some clouds. Tomorrow we will do the eight-hour Denali tour, and then on Saturday we are leaving for Anchorage.

Entry 6 - Posted Saturday, 6 June 2009

The temperature is around 50° at 6:30 this morning, as we set out to meet our tour bus to Denali Park. It is a little windy with a slight overcast. Our tour guide, Barry seems to be a very nice and likable person. As we go on through the day, we find out that he is a retired history school teacher. He likes to tell stories and is very knowledgeable about the park. We get a few miles down the main road and in front of us pops out a huge moose. Everyone is in awe. But it gets better and better as our trip scurries on. We got to see about ten or more grizzlies, 40 dall sheep, three eagles, 12 or more moose (one with a full rack), several caribou, and a little mountain squirrel which I got up very close to and took some good pics. What a great day! The scenery was just unbelievable, breathtaking. We took a lot of pictures and video. We got back at 3:30. It's beer time now. We have a little cabin on Nenana river. I'm sending this from Anchorage. It is Saturday, and we have just finished eating at an Irish Pub and drinking some good Irish brew. We left Denali this morning at 7:45 and 49°F. When we got here it was 1:30 and 55°F. The temperature range was 47°-58°F with a very fine drizzle. It all cleared within the first hour. Tomorrow is a rest day, and then on Monday we are leaving for Beaver Creek, Yukon. For some of you who may not know about our trip, we are on five weeks, 9000 mile journey to Alaska via Alaska Highway with stops in Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, and Skagway, where will we get on the ferry to float to Prince Rupert. We will then stop in several Hot springs and tour the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia before we head for Mount Rushmore and then attend the Moto Guzzi National Rally in Salida Colorado. Then we'll head home, where we will be back July 2-3.

Entry 7 - Posted Wednesday, 10 June 2009

After riding the Alaska Highway and going through Denali, I thought the scenery could not get any better. Boy was I wrong! Leaving Anchorage on Route 1 to Tok was little better, and then riding from Whithorse to Skagway on Route 2 was outstanding. It was as good as it gets. We left Anchorage at 5:50 and 49°F and got to Beaver Creek at 6:30 and 76°F. The temperature range was 46°-78°, with sun and a little haze. Route 2 was a mix of good sections and rough stuff. We left Beaver Creek at 6:00 and 50°F and got to Skagway at 4:30 and 66°F. The temperature range was 47°-78°. It was a good route with good weather and excellent scenery. Getting on line is very limited here, and we will be on the ferry the next couple of days. I will try to send pictures when I can. We are sailing tomorrow and will be in Prince Rupert on Saturday.

Entry 8 - Posted Thursday, 11 June 2009

Here are some pictures of the ride between Skagway and Anchorage. We really enjoyed downtown Anchorage. The town has a lot of history, and it is friendly there. Skagway is very cozy and scenic. The weather is very good. We had some early morning rain that cleared quickly to leave blue sky and white clouds.

Entry 9 - Posted Sunday, 14 June 2009

It is Sunday, and we are in Prince George. We rode today from Prince Rupert, and tomorrow we will drive to Kamloops where the Goose will get new tires and an oil change. We left Rupert at 6:00 and 52°F, and got here 4:30 and 79°F with blue skies and white clouds. Good road and very good scenery. Lots of lakes and mountains. The weather is the same since we left Skagway, low 50°s over night and mid 70°s in the day. We had a couple of challenges after we got to the ferry. First they had to switch the boat, and our confirmed two berth cabin with full facilities got changed to no facilities. Just as I got a visual of myself stumbling through hallways at 2:00 AM searching for the bathroom, I hear the attendant say as I was waiting for a refund, "Unless you upgrade to a four berth cabin with full facilities for $60." It was a no brainer, as we could then play musical beds with Bon-Bon. There was no internet on the ferry or in Rupert. So the second challenge is that while trying to upload the pictures we took on the ferry in Rupert, my laptop refused to communicate with the camera. I will work on it tonight. The ferry ride was excellent except the first day because we were so tired. Once we got to Juneau it was all eagles everywhere we could see. At times, five to six were flying at once. We had it that way till Rupert where they were flying around our hotel. We had stops in Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan, where we went to Saxman to see the Totem Poles cut by natives using all natural stuff.

Entry 10 - Posted Monday, 15 June 2009

We left Prince George at 6:45 and 56°F, and got to Kamloops at 2:00 and 68°F. Temperature range was 53°-83°. it was a nice ride through foothills with lakes and lots of horse farms and green pastures. After lunch we came down a big mountain and turned east. The temperature rose from 68°F to 83°F, and we were in what looked like a desert; very dry and dusty. This all within 5-8 miles...very strange. Then, while still sunny, this huge downpour came down, and the temperature dropped back to the mid 60°s. That lasted only for a couple miles, and when we got here it was all sun in the 80°s. It looks like I will need a card reader to get the pictures out of the camera. I don't know if the camera USB port is bad or my laptop, but it refuses to see the 16 GB memory card that by now is getting very full since the laptop also has only a 16GB hard drive. Bon is real trooper here and is taking most of the pictures while we are riding. She finds some really creative ways to get it done; ask her about the over the shoulder shoot. After the service work tomorrow morning, we will drive to Revelstoke.

Entry 11 - Posted Tuesday, 16 June 2009

The sage brush lasted for only about 40 miles, and then we again find ourselves in beautiful snow capped mountains full of waterfalls and lakes. We left Rivercity Cycle after the service at 12:00 and 75°F, and got here at 3:00 and 73°F. Temperature range 69°-84°, all sunny. The dealership sells Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, and Husqvarna . I was impressed they had six Guzzi's on the floor. Tomorrow we are off to Radium Hot Springs for two days and then on to Fairmont Hot Springs for two more days.

Entry 12 - Posted Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Hot Springs are wet. We got here at 1:30 and 58°F with light rain that we ran in the last 60 miles. We left at 8:30 and 59°F. Temperature range was 53°-60°. We had a very good ride through Glacier National Park to Golden where I bought a card reader. When we turned South and the rain started. Now it is 7:30 and the rain is all gone. We had good scenery from the hotel. Tomorrow is a rest day. We will hit the mineral hot springs and relax. The card reader fixed my problem, and I can open all the pictures we have taken so far. Bon just got out of the hot tub while I'm acquiring a taste for British Columbian wines.

Entry 13 - Posted Thursday, 18 June 2009

We had little rain overnight and some drizzle this morning. And just like that, it cleared right up and what a wonderful day we had at the hot springs. Temperature of the hot pools were 108°F with air temperature in the low 70°s and very hot sun. We could only handle about two hours around the pools, then we hit downtown for some lunch. On the way to the hotel, we saw a herd of rams just resting by the road. Bon took nice video of them. Tomorrow we are moving South 16 miles for two days in Fairmont Hot Springs where we have body massages and wraps scheduled for Saturday.

Entry 14 - Posted Saturday, 20 June 2009

We are water-logged and are ready to pull out tomorrow to Great Falls, MT, USA. The Fairmont Resort Spa was a good stop. Mid 70°s, sun, no humidity. We have enjoyed the hot pools, saunas, massages and walks through the grounds. We will take two days to get to Mount Rushmore where we will spent two nights. Can't attach any pictures.

Entry 15 - Posted Sunday, 21 June 2009

Yes, we are back in USA. It was all good until we got to Great Falls when we had to go through two restaurant to get our dinner. There is a story behind that. We will tell you all later, and sorry, I could not finish my first American beer. We left the spa at 7:00 and 53°F, and ran through three small showers through Columbia Valley before we got to US Customs. Once in the US it was all clear, but that quickly changed when we went through Waterton Glacier. The scenery was excellent, but once we got to elevation it started to rain lightly. During our dissent rain was mixed with barley size hail. The road was not very good in that section so we were taking it easy. We got here 4:00 and 64°F. Temperature range was 50°-67°F.

Entry 16 - Posted Tuesday, 23 June 2009

We are at the Presidents. We got here at 6:00 and 87°F, and left GF at 6:30 and 52°F. We drove the first hour in rain, and then it cleared and was hot. Montana roads got the best of us. Six constructions and two detours that made our route 30 miles longer. Temperature range was 50°-89°F. It made for a very hard day. Scenery was very good, but everything else not so good. We had a plan to stop at Sturges, but just could not do it. But it is all good today. What a day at Mt. Rushmore. Carolina blue sky, 78°F and 37% humidity. We are leaving tomorow for Fort Collins, CO. So far we have traveled 7,235 miles. I had a Buffalo burger for lunch that was served to me by a Czech college girl that is here for the summer to earn some bucks. So I got to speak some home slang.

Entry 17 - Posted Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Left Mount Rushmore at 7:15 and 67°F. Got to Fort Collins, CO, at 2:00 and 82°F. Temperature range was 63°-87°F. Got out of SD, to WY, and then to CO. This would really be nice ride if it was not so hot. We had a hard time adjusting to the heat. Tomorrow we drive to Salida where the Guzzi Rally is. The forecast there is for 70°s. We will stay there three nights.

Entry 18 - Posted Friday, 26 June 2009

We just spent the day at the Guzzi Rally, and we drove a Stelvio up to a 9,100 feet elevation pass. This bike rocks! The weather is good. Mid 70°s with a short midday shower. We are here at 7,000 feet elevation. We will tell you more about the rally, but let's back up to our ride from Fort Collins. This was a perfect day for two reasons. One being we rode one of my favorite routes, South 119 from Boulder. And second, the bike averaged 51.5 MPG. Fort Collins' elevation is 4,700 feet, and we left there 7:15 and 62°F. In an hour we were in Boulder, over 9,000 feet elevation. From there we never dropped below 9,000 feet, with three passes over 11,000 feet, with lunch in Breckenridge. This kept the temperature in the 60°s and the Goose not using much gas. And it was not until we dropped to 7,000 feet about the last 80 miles when the temperature got hot. We got here at 2:30 and 85°F.

Entry 19 - Posted Monday, 29 June 2009

We are in St. Louis and will be riding home tomorrow. Our son Bruce will meet us in Mt. Vernon, IL, and ride wing with us on his 1055 Sprint. We enjoyed the Rally very much. It was at the Salida fairgrounds. A vintage Chevy club had their show beside us, and right next to it was horse training facilities. And it was all surrounded with mountain tops.

Entry 20 - Posted Wednesday, 1 July 2009

We are at home. This was an incredible ride. 9,026 miles, exactly 5 weeks. Weather was unreal. The bike did outstanding, combined with excellent scenery, and meeting nice people. Timing is everything. Driving home to cooler weather was just icing on the trip. We rode only 300 miles in the rain, and the lowest temperature was 36°F. I must say I did spend a lot of time on preparation, but someone else was pulling the strings. I know our neighbors at home and friends from our dancing club were all praying for our safe return, and I must thank them all. From all the tools we had, only the compressor was used to keep the tires inflated, and duct tape was used to a seal a box of dirty clothes that we mailed home from Mt. Rushmore. The bike got a new rear tire and oil change after the first 5,800 miles. The front tire made the whole trip and is good for other ride. We left St. Louis at 7:15 and met Bruce for breakfast at Mt. Vernon, IL. Then we had an easy ride home as we were watching how quick 135 HP (mph?) is. Luckily, all the troopers were busy when we approached the Indiana border. Thank you all for giving us positive feedback and keeping us in your prayers.

Vladimir Roznos
May-July 2009