San Francisco to Alaska and back 2012

[Sgt Bilco]

I'm sure you all read Skygods excellent and somewhat amusing report from a trip up to Alaska in the summer, I thought I'd post a report and some pictures from a different angle to keep us all drooling during the long winter months.

With apologies to those who came along, the pictures and overall report come from 2 separate trips of 10 bikes each which I led and have just about recovered!! I'll keep the text to a minimum so you can enjoy the pictures which really speak for themselves

The bikes were shipped in a secure 40ft containers to a brilliant BMW/Triumph dealer in Santa Rosa CA which is an hour north of San Francisco. Nothing was too much trouble for these guys and the bikes arrived safe and sound

Opening the container is always a scarey moment but they were all where I left them a few weeks earlier.

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Enjoying their first taste of California sunshine

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[Sgt Bilco]

After a coupel of days acclimatising to 35 degree heat and weird US driving habits, everyone is all hopped and ready to go as great Joey Ramone ones said.

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We ride across the the coast and head north on the Pacific Coast Highway. This road is a great as you think it is and this northern section is simply stunning.

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After a few hours of riding bliss we call into Fort Bragg for a proper burger and milkshake. It's been said that I can sniff them out from 50 miles and my expanding waistline would confirm this!

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[Sgt Bilco]

At the north end of the PCH, you run through teh giant Redwood Forest which is very humbling. These trees are simply enormous and pictures just don't do it justice.

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From there we headed inland and although we left the coolness of the coast and into the heat of Central California, the roads are superb and the views just as good.

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And just to make my day complete, my 2006 1200ADV, "The Angie B" passed through 80,000 glorious miles.

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[Sgt Bilco]

After a short run up the Interstate we stop for a supeb breakfast and if you have never had Steak and Eggs for Breakfast, you've never lived!

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On both trips, the weather closed in and it was cold but the road up to the summit of Mount St Helens is spectacular and stunning.

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[Sgt Bilco]

Now, I've been up Mt St Helens 4 times and only seen the summit once but believe me, it's lurking behind this sorry bunch of riders!!

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[Sgt Bilco]

Despite teh weather being naff up on the mountain, spirits were still high so north it is past the great city of Seattle. It sits on the East side of Puget Sound so we rode up the west side on some lovely scenic roads along the sound

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Of course a milkshake was in order

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Before catching the ferry back across to the mainland.

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[Sgt Bilco]

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A morning wouldn't be right in the US without a great cup of coffee and the little coffee booths you see offer a proper kick start to the day. Smiles all round help as well.

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So refuelled we head up to the Canadian border which is always interesting. Canadians are top people but the border guards seem to have their sense of humour as well as their be civil genes surically removed at training. Anyway, Canada doesn't open until 8am.

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So we skirt Vancouver and head onto R99 which is called the sea to the sky road and is absolutely stunning. It starts off by following one of the big inlets and it's very hard to concentrate when you see thse views to your left.

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Once you get the hell that is Whistler, the road turns into a very dramatic series of curves and although the surface can be rough in places, it is a very satisfying and dramatic ride to Lillouet.

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[Sgt Bilco]

A couple more from the R99

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Lillooet is a mining town and road runs high out of the town.

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After Lillouet, there is a choice between a dirt road and the main drag. On trip 1 we took the dirt because it was dry....ish!

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On the second trip we took the road because it was wet but great riding and views.

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[corbine]

great pictures and great story- do have a blog connected for more?-thanks-corbs:-)

[Sgt Bilco]

We are way into Canada now and hell, it's a big country so we head north to Prince George and turn left, through Vanderhoof (overnight stop) and a quick fire 400 miles later we turn right onto the Cassiar highway and the first signs we are heading towards Alaska

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The Cassiar is a lovely road and we start to see a bit of wildlife which is exciting.

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We turn left and head to Hyder Alaska and come across our first Glacier. This is called the Bear Glacier.

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We always stop at this fantatic little hotel in Hyder which is a lot of fun.

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