Americas Ride 2006
Northern Portion
I have been planning this ride for the last two years. It's hard to plan something so far in-advance because it never seems real. It is now becoming real. I'm leaving Prosper on June 23rd, Friday at 5 pm to head north. The Americas Ride is an Iron Butt ride that starts in Prudhoe Bay, AK and goes to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina which is at the bottom of South America. I'm going to do the northern portion now, then come back home and leave later in the year for the southern portion. Money is always a big factor and this will help me break-up the expense. It will also be more ideal from a weather standpoint.
I will try to keep you posted on this site as my travels allow. I'll just use an internet computer along the way as I can find one. We'll see how it goes.
I have a satellite antenna on
my bike and you can follow my travels by logging on to: www.star-traxx.com
Logon:
Name: griffin
Pass: griffin
June 23, 2006
Here I sit, at the office, ready to go. I look to the west and see some
dark clouds. Some folks would say that somebody is trying to tell me
something, and I would agree. However, we'd probably disagree on what
it's telling me. I see it as an opportunity to find a silver lining
on the other side. I'll be looking for that silver lining this afternoon.
My friend, John Hargis from Gun Barrel City, TX, will be going with
me. We plan on leaving this afternoon on the journey. John rode to Prudhoe
with me in 2004 so we're not approaching this totally unprepared. However,
every trip is an adventure.
Ok, we just completed our second and our first full day. I started out real nice with the temps in the 60's however we soon ran into some rain with high winds. The rains were brief but the wind continued. It made it hard to enjoy the scenery and there was plenty of it. I certainly enjoyed the trail. We spent last night in Newton, KS and now we're in Sturgis to stay for the night. My room cost $40 tonight, but during Rally week it is $235. I'll have to work on the pictures later because I'm borrowing a computer in Sturgis with no time to waste. I'll check back soon..
What a difference a day makes. The temps started in the 40's and went to the 80's. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and absolutely no winds. Today was a wonderful day to be riding. It is great to be 16. I felt great all day. These extra probiotics, folic acid and B-12 vitamins have me feeling good. My equipment is doing great too. My BMW has started every time, my gps hasn't missed a turn, and my nano hasn't missed a beat. I may be able to walk on water by the time I get to Prudhoe. The wildflowers across Montana and Alberta have me aroused with scent good enough to make a return trip some day. I'm in Lethbridge, Alberta for the night.
Today didn't go as well. The ride from Lethbridge to Fort St. John is not a very nice ride, but we knew that. However, I didn't know it would be as bad as it was. The traffic was much worse than expected in and around Calgary. Once we got to 22 going north, things didn't improve much. Still too much traffic including lots of trucks. Once we turned left on 43 it only let up during the four-lane areas and it was brief. We met two guys from Illinois in Whitecourt. They're going to Prudhoe also. In fact, I took their pictures going down the road. Once we got to Dawson Creek, John decided the temps were too hot (in the 90's) to continue to Fort St. John. He decided to take a break at Dawson Creek. If anyone talks to John, tell him I'll be coming back through Prince George in a few days and we can ride south together.
Today was a long day too. It started early so I could get across that mundane 225 miles between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. There is absolutely nothing across there. Once past there, I can start seeing the Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are very nice, but I had off-and-on rain showers all the way through. The temps today ranged from the mid 40's to the mid 50's. I couldn't make very good time because the pavement was wet most of the time. I attached some pictures to share with you some of my sights. I saw bear, buffalo, deer, fox, sheep, moose, etc, etc. There were quite a few animals out today. I'm in Whitehorse staying the night. I'll make an early morning departure. I hear there's quite a bit of gravel between here and Tok. We'll see.
Last night I received news that another one of my cousins passed, Mike Griffin. Mike was a great guy and a pillar in the Frisco and Denton County communites. He will be missed greatly. I encourage each one of you to seek health. If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for your family. Life is precious. I will begin my departure in the rain this morning, however I'll find that silver lining even if I have to go as far as Fairbanks.
June 29, 2006
I've decided not to continue north. The fun has run out of this deal. I'm going to take a slow trip home. Should have more pictures and info later.
I couldn't get computer access in Fairbanks, so I got Joy to post my news about not going north. I'm now at a Truck Stop at the Alaska/Canada line. I couldn't get access in Fairbanks, but yet, I could in the middle of nowhere? Anyway, I had a miserable day yesterday. My day started out at 34 degrees by the time I got to Haines Junction, plus it was raining. This got multiplied by gravel sections of construction. I've ridden several enduros, motocross and cross country races. I've also been the pit guy for Tate's Motocross racing for several years. I was reminded yesterday of how sick I am of sand, grime, and mud. It wasn't fun. By the time I got to Alaska the roads got better and the weather was much better. I didn't take any pictures yesterday, because it was so miserable. By the time I got to Tok, I was having fun again. This is the riding I really like. I love traveling. I love passing through small rural towns and countrysides. I love seeing the different animals across varying landscapes. When I saw the weather prediction for things up north of Fairbanks, I agreed with John Hargis. it's not fun any more. However, I've turned around and headed south. I have a reservation on the Ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert. I'm having fun again. I've got about 100 miles of bad road ahead of me, but it doesn't seem to be raining. It shouldn'e be any problem. I'm loving the bike, and I wouldn't want to scratch it. This thing is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!.
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday's ride was wonderful back down the same road that I had been on the previous day during the bad weather. The ride from Haines Junction to Haines is a great ride across varying landscapes and mountain ranges. Today, I have spent my day lounging around Haines, and it's been a great place to do it. My pictures will reflect the neighborhood.
There's an eagle up in that tree.
July 1, 2006
Today I am on my 40 hour trip to Prince Rupert by ferry.
Plenty of pictures to come as soon as I can get to a computer that will
cooperate.
July 2, 2006
Still on the ferry. Got held up 3 extra hours in Ketchikan.
Another ferry broke down and we had to take on some addtional passengers.
I will be late getting to Prince Rupert. After that, I'll be in hot pursuit
of Spokane Wa. I am going to visit Rob, Nomi and Ann on the 4th of July.
From there I am going to Hailey, Id to visit Cassi, Cami, Buzz and Gus
before heading home. I'll see you on the net.
Today was just a work day in the saddle. I'm covering 1150 miles in 25 hours to get to Spokane. I need a rear tire and this is a place I can stop to get it. My only problem is the 4th of July Holiday? The temps today ranged from 44 to 101 degrees, and I felt every bit of it. Most of the roads were grueling because of the heavy (bumper-to-bumper) traffic most of the day. It is a holiday in Canada also. However, there were some very fun roads too. Hwy 8 from Spence's bridge to Merrit (BC) was a nice fun road with no traffic. Hwy 97 from Okanagan south into Washington was nice. It was way too crowded, but there were some beautiful and interesting sights. I've been to Napa Valley, but this area was much more beautiful and larger than Napa. It was also fruit and wine country along many lakes and rivers. I've never heard of it, but I was glad to get to experience it. I wished I would have had more time, because there was a fruit stand on every corner. I would have enjoyed spending at least a full day coming across that section. I do regret that I didn't take any pictures. I just had too much traffic and not enough time to see it all. I'll have to come back some day.
I'm
in Spokane today at Ann's house. I'm not sure if we're going to do anything
or not, but I'll start looking for a rear tire for my bike. I don't know
if anyone is open today or not? My satellite tracker is back to working.
I don't know why it stopped, nor could the satellite guy give my an explanation.
We'll see how it goes from here. The rest of the day turned out great.
I did not find a place to install a new tire, and I'm not going to worry
about it. Ann took me to Huckleberry's for breakfast and it was nice.
It is a natural food store and cafe. We then went by Rob's office to check
it out. Rob is my nephew, Nomi is his wife, and Ann is Rob's mother and
a friend of mine from school. Ann and I then drove south of Spokane to
see the countryside in which I added pictures. That evening, we had a
cookout at Ann's house (pictures added).
I've had two scary experiences so far. The first one was when a wolf came
up in my path in Northern Yukon on a gravel road during a rainstorm while
I was only traveling about 20 mph. I've seen bear and other animals, but
they always seem to mind their own business. This wolf, on the other hand,
did not. he came up in the road in front of me, turned around and faced
me until I got nearly to him. Then he wondered off. He looked hungry too.
I'm glad I wasn't his next meal. The other time, was when I was crossing
the Sawtooth mountains on a gravel road just before I reached Cami and
Cassi's house (my cousins). It was raining much more than I expected and
the road got much nastier and higher in altitude. I wished I could have
taken pictures, but I was too focused on the road. I took pictures before
and after the peak, but it does not do it justice. Anyway, I caught Gus
(my aunt) and her grandkids walking down the road as I eased into town.
We first went to a nearby coffeehouse to visit and later went to eat Mexican
food that night. We had a great visit and I was very glad to get to make
the stop. Late this evening I left their home for Burley, ID for the night.
Today has been a great ride the temps are in the 60's through 80's so far. They're having some kind of Iron Butt rally in northern Nevada and I've seen numerous Iron Butters on the way. In fact, I saw Ardy's Kellerman leaving a gas station in Provo, UT on her way too. I'm in Moab for lunch right now, and I'll continue on to southern Colorado or Northern New Mexico for the night.
July 7, 2006
I love to ride! This was another great trip for me. Although there were a few spots that were less than fun, I made necessary adjustments and had a great trip. In addition, I had time to stop by and visit some family and friends along the way that made it that much more fun.
I have started my "Americas Trip", however I won't have my paperwork for the Iron Butt certificate. It was the right decision for me at the time. I used to love to fly, but now I don't. I'm not sure "why" that is, but it's beside the point. I don't want that to happen to "scooter riding". Therefore, I'll try to keep making adjustments to allow myself to fully enjoy this recreation as long as I can.
My bike has been wonderful, and I continue to enjoy it. The only thing I'm thinking about changing for the South American trip is my hand protectors. They make an extension that will fit on my existing ones that will give me what I want. Other than that, I don't think I will change anything. I would like to have a different seat as well, but it's not bothering me enough to make an immediate change.
The nano did great, and I'm real glad I didn't get the regular ipod. Tate has a 30g ipod that I had tried several times, but it couldn't handle the constant jolting. The nano did great. The GPS, on the other hand, will have to be sent to the shop because the housing has broken again (it's been replaced before). It couldn't take the bumps on one of the more "fun" (?) roads of Alaska.
I'm probably going to switch tires next time. These Anakee's don't last very long, although I made the complete trip on them. I had talked to an Iron Butter in Idaho that said Dick Fish and a few others have been trying the ME880's on the GS with lots of good luck. I may have to try those.
Next time, I will definitely have to get me a laptop to carry. I stopped at Vega, TX today to use their library computer, but had trouble doing any ftp (file transer protocol) work or USB picture transfering. This was a common problem along the way. I could find computers, but couldn't always use them. I will definitely see if I can get a small cheap computer for my South American trip.
I'm at home now planning my trip to South America. I hope
to leave in December. I hope you will follow along.
July 8, 2006
At home