An earlier start was called for from Lake Louise as we’d booked to stay in Glennallen a whole 20 miles away. The ride down to Valdez and back though made the day about 270 miles.....and there was the daily glacier to stop and look at.
First stop, petrol. Something that happens most days. Oh the excitement.
With the bikes topped up we headed south. The roadside entertainment was about what we’d come to expect. Hills, mountains and trees. Lots of trees. No wildlife though. When I say none, there were small birds and the odd chipmunk type thing running across the road.
There were a couple of road construction sites for us to go through. A short wait for the pilot car to arrive and through we went.
They do seem to keep most of the surface suitable for the traffic and also well watered to keep the dust down.
Soon enough we were at the daily glacier. That’s not it’s name, I’ve forgotten that, it was just the glacier for that day.
The ride over the pass was indeed very nice as we’d been told. Add in more glaciers, Bridal Veil Falls and some other waterfalls and it made for a great ride.
Unlike the lunch we ended up with in Valdez. Probably the worst waiter, sorry, server we’ve experienced in the whole of North America. The food was second rate at best as well. 20% tip? I don’t think so!
Then we rode back to Glennallen. A long ride to get lunch with the lunch being as described above. It was one of those “what was the point of that” moments.
The same question can also be applied to the whole trip.....being me I’ve always got an answer...apparently.
A quick visit to a supermarket in Glennallen and the day was done. The stress level in saiid supermarket was kept to an acceptable level and then we did a couple of laps of the small town as the roads on my Satnav didn’t seem to bear much resemblance to the roads on the ground.
We got there though.
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
It rained heavily during the night. We really must start camping again was something neither of us thought it said.
Although it does seem daft/a waste of space carrying all the gear if we don’t use it.
Never mind, we were warm AND dry. Works for me!
A leisurely start was the order of the day as we were only going to ride to Tok. Just under 140 miles. The first thing I noticed was the fresh snow up on the surrounding mountains. Was the weather starting to change for the season?
The Tok Cutoff, that’s the name of the road from just outside Glennallen to Tok Junction. They like to use road names rather than numbers up here. Although road numbers are posted in signs and in maps people speak in road names.
The ride was as we’d expect. Broken up by a long stretch of road construction that saw us waiting a while for the pilot car. 16 miles later we were out the other end. Top Box Raisin bread for lunch in a lay-by along the way. Comments in the colder weather and Sarah trying out the heated vest that Tracy and MaryLee has donated to our equipment source.
At the next stop the words “why the hell didn’t I already have one of these” or similar would have been heard by everyone in the lay-by had there been anyone else there.
Sorry!
Back in Tok again. The last town before the Canadian Border on the Alaskan Highway.
Fast Eddies for dinner. Salad AND vegetables are served there. A rare treat sometimes in the road.
Another apology, no glacier today.
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
Although it does seem daft/a waste of space carrying all the gear if we don’t use it.
Never mind, we were warm AND dry. Works for me!
A leisurely start was the order of the day as we were only going to ride to Tok. Just under 140 miles. The first thing I noticed was the fresh snow up on the surrounding mountains. Was the weather starting to change for the season?
The Tok Cutoff, that’s the name of the road from just outside Glennallen to Tok Junction. They like to use road names rather than numbers up here. Although road numbers are posted in signs and in maps people speak in road names.
The ride was as we’d expect. Broken up by a long stretch of road construction that saw us waiting a while for the pilot car. 16 miles later we were out the other end. Top Box Raisin bread for lunch in a lay-by along the way. Comments in the colder weather and Sarah trying out the heated vest that Tracy and MaryLee has donated to our equipment source.
At the next stop the words “why the hell didn’t I already have one of these” or similar would have been heard by everyone in the lay-by had there been anyone else there.
Sorry!
Back in Tok again. The last town before the Canadian Border on the Alaskan Highway.
Fast Eddies for dinner. Salad AND vegetables are served there. A rare treat sometimes in the road.
Another apology, no glacier today.
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
That’ll be snow up there then!
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Chicken!
Who is?
No, chicken!
No thanks!
Not very funny was it. We would only stay on the Alaska Highway for a few miles before turning north on the Taylor Highway heading for Chicken and then Dawson City.
For those of you that don’t know, legend has it that the town of chicken got its name because the choosers of the original choice of name were unsure of how to sell it.
Hence what was to be the town of Ptarmigan was named Chicken!
Even if it’s not true it’s a good story.
The Taylor Highway and getting to Chicken. Cold. The other resounding memory is that it was cold. Even with a heated vest it was cold. Not that I’d know. We’ve only got one. I’m not complaining, it went down to 2.5 degrees so it could’ve been worse.
At Chicken we found a cafe and had an early lunch. Inside the cafe was colder than outside I think. I reckon it’s the owners way of getting people to eat quickly and clear off as there aren’t many tables and plenty of customers.
The food was tasty, the hot drinks not very hot but it did the job. $50????? Alaska isn’t cheap.....it is stunning though and worth the effort and expense.
Not much more of it remained for this trip, the Canadian Border was just a bit further along.
The Top of The World Highway was next. It turned out to be a total Wow!
The road is unpaved for about 90 miles I think. There is a 20 mile section of billiard table like tarmac in the US side as you approach the border.
Above the tree line the views are endless. Of course the few photos I took don’t begin to do it justice. That’s not the only reason I didn’t take more, when 1.5 degrees is showing as the temperature keeping gloves in and any heat therein seems more important than photos. To me anyway.
Blue skies and dry roads made the ride very pleasant. I think that rain and wet roads would put a totally different slant on the journey.
After a long descent to the river, the temperature had risen to 11 which was much nicer.
A short wait for the ferry to town and our day was done.
Very much...
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
Who is?
No, chicken!
No thanks!
Not very funny was it. We would only stay on the Alaska Highway for a few miles before turning north on the Taylor Highway heading for Chicken and then Dawson City.
For those of you that don’t know, legend has it that the town of chicken got its name because the choosers of the original choice of name were unsure of how to sell it.
Hence what was to be the town of Ptarmigan was named Chicken!
Even if it’s not true it’s a good story.
The Taylor Highway and getting to Chicken. Cold. The other resounding memory is that it was cold. Even with a heated vest it was cold. Not that I’d know. We’ve only got one. I’m not complaining, it went down to 2.5 degrees so it could’ve been worse.
At Chicken we found a cafe and had an early lunch. Inside the cafe was colder than outside I think. I reckon it’s the owners way of getting people to eat quickly and clear off as there aren’t many tables and plenty of customers.
The food was tasty, the hot drinks not very hot but it did the job. $50????? Alaska isn’t cheap.....it is stunning though and worth the effort and expense.
Not much more of it remained for this trip, the Canadian Border was just a bit further along.
The Top of The World Highway was next. It turned out to be a total Wow!
The road is unpaved for about 90 miles I think. There is a 20 mile section of billiard table like tarmac in the US side as you approach the border.
Above the tree line the views are endless. Of course the few photos I took don’t begin to do it justice. That’s not the only reason I didn’t take more, when 1.5 degrees is showing as the temperature keeping gloves in and any heat therein seems more important than photos. To me anyway.
Blue skies and dry roads made the ride very pleasant. I think that rain and wet roads would put a totally different slant on the journey.
After a long descent to the river, the temperature had risen to 11 which was much nicer.
A short wait for the ferry to town and our day was done.
Very much...
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
-
OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
An old Gold Mining dredge. Gold is why Chicken came to being.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
One from The Top of The World Highway.
I thought that the name was going to be an over the top “American” type thing. I was wrong.
A couple from the ferry.
I thought that the name was going to be an over the top “American” type thing. I was wrong.
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DavidS
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Re: North America, First and Second.
I wondered how you got to Lake Louise so quickly....it’s not the one in Alberta!
You had a better time in Tok than we did. Also, they must be on another road mending cycle but it was 21 years since we were there.
Are Diamond Tooth Gertie's and the Theatre still going in Dawson?
We went to a melodrama at the Theatre and, being the only Brits there, we got the audience cheering the Mountie and booing the baddy. It seemed wrong just sitting and watching.
Just outside Dawson you can get a tour of an old gold dredge. It was very interesting and worth it if you have time.
Still loving the memory trip.
You had a better time in Tok than we did. Also, they must be on another road mending cycle but it was 21 years since we were there.
Are Diamond Tooth Gertie's and the Theatre still going in Dawson?
We went to a melodrama at the Theatre and, being the only Brits there, we got the audience cheering the Mountie and booing the baddy. It seemed wrong just sitting and watching.
Just outside Dawson you can get a tour of an old gold dredge. It was very interesting and worth it if you have time.
Still loving the memory trip.
2023 Husqvarna Norden 901
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
