It had rained quite a bit the night before so I was glad to see the sun this morning. This was going to be the day that I entered Alaska. This was going to be an early birthday gift to myself. I got up early, shaved, showered, dressed and had breakfast. I was ready. I had been riding for two weeks and this was my big day.
I had had some conversation with a couple in a huge travel trailer next to me because they were also from Ontario. Small world eh? They pulled out before me and we said our goodbyes but 30 kms. down the road at the Yukon Alaska border they were there taking pictures so I stopped and they offered to take mine.
You forget that it's not just another province until you see road mileage signs in miles instead of kilometres. I had to switch to American cash and credit card. Alaska is also in it's own time zone so I'm now four hours behind Muskoka.
My destination today was the North Pole and Fairbanks. Here are a few photos I took along the drive.
After passing Tok, about a third of the way to Fairbanks, the roads became strangely flat and straight for about 100 miles and then I got into the twisties which always make riding more fun.
The roads in the Yukon were downright treacherous but Alaska must have more money because their roads were very good with far fewer frost heaves and potholes.
I couldn't go to Alaska without visiting the North Pole. It's a small town just before you get to Fairbanks. As you drive through the town even the street lamp posts are painted like giant candy canes. Apparently when kids send letters to Santa and address them to his workshop at the North Pole they come here.
As happy as I was that it was sunny instead of rainy, it was nearly 30C (90F) but felt much hotter. It will be interesting to see if the sun actually goes down tonight since I'm so much further north than any other time on this trip.
I really wanted to ride up to the Arctic Circle just to say that I had but it's another 175 miles and then to turn right around and ride back just for bragging rights doesn't make a lot of sense. So, I got to Fairbanks and turned around and came back to the North Pole instead and will take a run down to Anchorage in the morning.
Feeling hot and tired I wasn't much interested in cooking dinner and a gal at the RV park where I'm staying suggested The Badger's Den just down the road a piece. I changed out of my hot riding gear into shorts, t-shirt and crocs and started walking. I hadn't gone far when the same woman driving by stopped and offered me a lift. The people are very friendly every where I go and I'm always pleasantly surprised at the kindness in the world despite the headlines to the contrary.
It was one of those biker bars and I struck up a conversation with a couple of local guys, a roofer and a carpenter. One guy was into motocross so we instantly had something in common to talk about. I ordered a delicious fresh hamburger and fries and washed it down with a ice cold Corona. I was surprised that they allow smoking in bars still up here and they don't have a helmet law for motorcycles. It does feel a bit like the wild west still. I wonder what it's like living here in the winter. Perhaps some day I will find out.
Yes, not advisable to head for Prudeau Bay on your type of bike...each year someone dies on that part of the road....if it rains the type of gravel and calcium mix make it super treacherous for motorbikes, especially cruisers......I turned back at the North Pole as well. I don't know your route but you should try and take in Skegway ..... I missed it and regret it....also the top of the World Hwy east of Fairbanks.....1st part is asphalt then good gravel to Dawson City...a campground in town which is just stone and a Provincial Park a few k further out but it is primitive camping...don't recall a shower station but that may have changed since 2012....Chicken is worth a stop it is along the route.
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