Alaska 2018....out of adversity..!!!

Good to have you back, Chris

Good stuff, weather looks good as well. Mozzies?

Hunter has travelled, looks like impala, gemsbok and a Scottish stag up there amongst others

Great pictures (again) Chris

Valdez is a great little town stuck on it's own on the coast. It's predominantly a fishing port and the end of the Alaska pipeline so lots of tankers loading in the bay.

There is a great Salmon breeding farm which is purely there to make sure millions of Salmon are released each year to keep up the population for fishermen and the environment. It's a great project and a fairly simple process. The eggs are hatched then released into the bay and teh Salmon go off and do their thing before returning to the hatchery to spawn. It's a bit macabre as they fight there way up the artificial runs straight into the factory where the eggs and sperm are mixed for spawning and the fish then used for animal feed as they don't make good eating at that time of their lifespan. Along the way they will have provided food for natural predators and our food chain so I reckon it's a superb thing to do.

Here's the entrance to the factory where they follow their natural instincts to return:

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Allsorts of animals get down here including Eagles and Bears and today we saw 3 Sea Lions having a snack. These beasts are huge and pretty noisy!!

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Then is was into our hotel in Valdez and a walk around the working port:

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In teh harbour we ran into a couple who had been out fishing and caught 6 huge Salmon and some huge shrimp. The guy was cleaning the Salmon on teh dockside before freezing the fillets. As a private fisherman, you are allowed 3 per day per person and they said they come to Valdez for a week every year to get the freezer stocked for winter. They looked superb eating.

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We were then told this place did the best fish taco's in town and they weren't kidding!

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We then had a stroll around town and stumbled upon these. A Harley built by Orange County Choppers which was apparently $130,000 new but he didn't pay that for it. I think I prefered the little Honda which his mate had.

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And then to the bar which has to have one of the best views of any bar that I've been in to.

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We roll out of Valdez early doors and it's a bit wet and overcast. One thing for sure in Alaska is you will get every type of weather going

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A small reminder on the hotel wall about how snowy it gets in the winter:

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A quick stop on the road out to look some reminders of life at the turn of the 20th century when this was a trail to the interior and the elusive gold. This tunnel was hacked out of the canyon

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A quick stop at the Thompson Pass and a great view of the mountains. There is something magical about Alaska when the clouds hang around the mountains and I always think it's teh way it should be:

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The F800GSA looking resplendent in her natural environment:

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And it was on to Kenny Lake and a coffee:

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Possibly the longest Ford truck I've seen.

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We made a last minute decision to go to Chitina as there is a deserted mine at the end of the track which is well worth a visit. It's about 65 miles down a gravel track but we really didn't have time to go all the way there. Shakey hadn't really ridden on gravel before so I thought it would be a bit dodgy riding the whole thing so we did about 20 miles down the track. Well worth it as the views were spectacular

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ShakeyBMW feeling confident in his new found dirt skills. It's called on trip training and to be fair he's picked up the basics well.

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At the 20 mile mark there is a fantastic bridge over the Kuskulana River with the sign full of the customary bullit holes!

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The bridge is a brilliant structure and god knows how high we were but it was a long way down. Anyone who has been on my trips knows I'm terrified of heights so it was a tough gig walking across for pics:

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Keith on the other hand has no fears of heights

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The front yard of a locals house because you have to have a small plane to go shopping

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Back at Chitina, we stopped for lunch at this hotel. Keith was chatting to the owner about it's history and she said it was a whorehouse back in the 70's. "1870's" asked Keith? Nope, 1970's she said. The Alaska pipe line comes close to here so it was used for the workers delectation back then. Very popular it was by all accounts:

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A couple of old cars just abandonded here many years ago.

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A quick trip across to Tok and a stop for a picture of the high snow capped mountains. Funny thing about the US is they have plenty of lay bys for picture opportunities but most of them are overgrown which is bizarre:

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A gratuitous shot of a big truck.........because I want to.

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Superb job yet again!

My thanks are due to the Bilco Academy of Dirt and Similar Surfaces (BADASS) riding.
Although I didn’t really get it till we went up to the Salmon Glacier; of which, more anon

After a night at Fast Eddies in Tok and a beer at a bar with the worlds most miserable barman, we head off south to the Yukon and the Candian border. A helthy breakfast to start the day:

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We arrive at the border to be confronted by a long queue of RV's waiting to get into Canada. Waited about 45 mins accompanied by hoardes of Mosquitos trying to feed on fresh English blood:

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Quick check of the passport by a friendly border official and then we headed off into the huge and empty Yukon. We topped the tanks at every opportunity as there are long hits between stops on the Alcan. Fuel in Canada works out at about 80p per litre so not too bad.

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The Alcan Highway winds it's way around Destruction Lake which is enormous. Lovely and warm today but I've been past here many times in the wet and cold and I know which I prefer.

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A quick stop in the shade for ice cream. It was ridiculously hot and no one up here is set for it so everyone grabs shade where they can. No point in places having air con as summer is short up here. We bumped into some French canadian HD riders here who just refused to speak to us. Some of them are an odd bunch and are on a crusade to make the whole of Canada speak French as the first language. I suspect they weren't happy bumping into the old enemy in the middle of nowhere.

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Checked into our hotel in Whitehorse and they have underground parking which is cool.....infact it's the coolest place in the whole town!! A quick snap of Shakey who rode around teh block with no Attgatt and his air bag unattached!! One for the album here because no one has ever seen him on a bike without full kit.............

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There were a couple of guys from Brazil in the hotel and although we didn't bump into them, had a good look at their bikes. Fully tooled and loaded for adventure. As an aside, we saw a lot of South Americans up here so things must be good down there or it's a great exchange rate!!

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Then it was beer thirty and a great little bar called the Northern. The sign says it all and me and Keith felt right at home

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This was the Northern Bastard pizza which I have to say was one of the best I've ever tasted.

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So after a night in the hottest motel room since Pappillon was filmed, we had brekkie at a great little cafe around the corner and enjoyed the morning coolness

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We were heading south on the Alcan to Watson Lake but diverted off to a great lake I know called Mineral Lake. Absolutely stunning view and it's something to do with the algae and rock in the water which makes it so been:

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Then it was don to Carcross to a big inland desert which is bizarre and stunning.

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Heading down to Watson Lake we stop at Teslin for a brew. Teslin is famous for it's half mile metal bridge which makes for an interesting ride across but it's no problem. I had spent the last few days scaring the bejasus out of Keith and Shakey but I do that to everyone on these trips.

As is my want, I always check the trucks out and was chatting to Joe who was the owner of this old school beauty. For those half interested it's a 1981 Kenworth with a 450 15 litre cummins and 15 speed Fuller box. He runs it everyday and still earns it's keep. It's geared for speed and he reckons it's good for over 100mph and will cruise at 80mph all day .

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Joe joined us for a coffee and told us of a great little track which takes you above Teslin for a great view of the area. he wasn't wrong.....

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He told us that there were plenty of Bears up there so we didn't hang around long but the track was a great little change to the long Alcan.

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For those interested, SkakeyBMW managed it no problem and was probably driven along with the knowledge that if he binned it up here, he would be lunch for Yogi and Boo Boo.

Then it was down to Watson Lake and teh famous signpost forest.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-fX7gwVn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-fX7gwVn/0/fa88ee20/X2/2018-07-27%2018.10.16-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Nest morning it was up and at 'em for a big day down Hwy 37, the Cassiar Highway which is in my top 5 of favourite roads out of all the ones we do on US and Canada trips. There is something totally unique about riding a road through teh absolute ass end of nowhere and at every corner or hill there is a stunning view.

Yep, it really does mean the next turn in 387 mies.

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A few miles in there is some construction and it's always fun to have a chat with the guys and girls who operate the stop go signs. It's an easy old job but they spend 12 hour shifts standing there on their own surrounded by forests full of wild things which want to eat you.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-LLMd4gQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-LLMd4gQ/0/6e4fa325/X2/2018-07-28%2007.47.49-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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And then this........

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After a couple of hours we pull into Jade City for a spot of retail therapy. Got to by the girls back home a little trinket so we all dug deep. Jade is big around these parts and this family own a local mine.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-znrdVjn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-znrdVjn/0/08531520/X2/2018-07-28%2009.33.57-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

And then more of this........

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-Fvzpckc/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-Fvzpckc/0/e95bb1e9/X2/2018-07-28%2010.45.16-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Riding across a metal bridge. You can see the surface and your wheels track there way across no problem.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-pncvDFM/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-pncvDFM/0/f7ffc69c/X2/2018-07-28%2011.04.52-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Time for lunch and fuel at Dease lake at of the only fuel stops on the highway. It's always busy and there were queue's of RV's and trailers waiting for gas. I realise it could be 30 mins as although there are 4 pumps (2 each side) they are very close together and so these guys only use 2 at any given time. Now in my head, that means 2 are always free and being on bikes we could manouvre in and fuel alongside the bigger stuff with no problem. Spoke to a guy in a big RV and he was cool about us slipping in and fuelling. Other bikes waiting saw this so did the same until one Canadian took umbrage with this and came over ranting and raving abut us pushing in etc etc. He couldn't get it into his head that you couldn't fuel 4 RV's at a time so we weren't holding anyone up. It was pretty funny and apparently I'm a "very rude man"which I guess is a very strong term of abuse in Canada. Anyway, we all fuelled and had a coffee and break from the heat and mossies.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-SKtQ5tG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-SKtQ5tG/0/aea5056d/X2/2018-07-28%2011.14.55-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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And then it was off to lots more of this.......

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Stopped at a big lake for a drink and 5 mins break and it was a stunning spot with crystal clear water.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-8QTpH8H/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-8QTpH8H/0/35ffb212/X2/2018-07-28%2012.55.43-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Next stop for fuel at Bell 2 and watched a bit of trucking Canada style. These bush pilots are highly skilled and are the lifeline of some communities.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-hw4MFxw/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-hw4MFxw/0/aa4a87a7/X2/2018-07-28%2014.25.26-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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On the run into Stewart, we go past Bear Glacier which looks lovely in the sun.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-ND5RGWL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-ND5RGWL/0/d1bfddcf/X2/2018-07-28%2016.13.04-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Into Stewart and by golly it's beer thirty again.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-9NgNpGp/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-9NgNpGp/0/fb89f38b/X2/2018-07-28%2020.08.48-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Superb Chris, and thanks.

I’m enjoying this

After a nice leisurley start to the day it was time to head off to the Salmon Tail Glacier and you have to cross back into the US to get there. Hyder is the southernmost tip of Alaska and was a thriving little town at one point but there is not a lot going on their at the moment. A few of you who have been on my Alaska trips before know we used to stay in Hyder but there is really nothing going on there at the moment whereas Stewart which is 2 miles away in Canada is thriving. There are new mines up in the hills so everyone is hoping the whole area will get a boost but I digress.

Early morning sot across the inlet with the mist still on the surface

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-Pxcddtt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-Pxcddtt/0/33a685e9/X2/2018-07-29%2010.08.17-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

We have to ride about 20 miles on gravel to get to the Salmon Tail Glacier and this is where Shakey's dirt riding comes of age. He struggled for a while but I taught him a few tricks and he was soon feeling easier about the whole thing and actually standing on teh pegs. The presuure was worth it as the view of the Salmon Tail was stunning as always

It's one of the only Glaciers in the US where you can stand above it and get very close. If you want to see it, be quick as it's dropped 40ft in height in the last 8 years!!

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-hnQLrFm/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-hnQLrFm/0/59613add/X2/2018-07-29%2011.05.55-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Your heroes at the top with Keith keeping his helmet on as the black flies up there are a feckin nightmare

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The road goes on for another 30 miles or so to some mines high in the mountains so me and Keith decided to ride on a bit to see what was there. Martin had a steady ride back to base.

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A smaller Galcier just around the corner

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We got as far as a mine which is still in use so we weren't allowed to near.

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The scenery round here was nothing short of spectacular

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We decided to head back and stumbled across this old abandonded mine. Makes you realise just how hard it was for the guys all those years ago when there were no cars and trucks to get you to these places and you dug by hand.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-9gm7jxr/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-9gm7jxr/0/31ccd297/X2/2018-07-29%2012.03.58-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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A lovely ride back to Stewart

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Back to Stewart and the inlet is now clear as a bell. The stilts you see used to have houses on them as if you lived out there you didn't pay taxes in Canada and could trade freely with your neighbours in Hyder USA!! Must have been bloody tough that's for sure. They even built a railroad out there!!

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-FBF9jMS/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Stewart-2018/i-FBF9jMS/0/767d8a75/X2/2018-07-29%2013.18.18-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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As we are British and good bike renters, we gave them a wash and check over. Shakey making use of every quarter.

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Time for a little ride round the area and they have a big lumber business going on here;

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Local trucks of course. I call helicopters sky trucks up here as that is their main use.

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A back to our digs which are brilliant. The motel is called The Ripley Creek and they basically buy up old properties and convert them Superb place and full of character.

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And then the bar calls after a superb day

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A shot of the view from the hotel at about 11pm. It's about as dark as it gets up here.

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"Spoke to a guy in a big RV and he was cool about us slipping in and fuelling. Other bikes waiting saw this so did the same until one Canadian took umbrage with this and came over ranting and raving abut us pushing in etc etc. He couldn't get it into his head that you couldn't fuel 4 RV's at a time so we weren't holding anyone up. It was pretty funny and apparently I'm a "very rude man"which I guess is a very strong term of abuse in Canada. Anyway, we all fuelled and had a coffee and break from the heat and mossies."

Sgt Bilco. Great ride report but as a Canadian I'm offended that "very rude man" is the strongest term of endearment he used. We can actually be quite foul mouthed and enjoy our 4 letter expletives, especially after a few beers. You obviously ran into a poser whom you should have politely told to f*ck off and mind his own business.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers

I believe Chris told him to go and change his record

I joined the fuel queue behind Chris and Keith but visited the restroom before putting my $20 behind the till. When I got back, a Canadian on a Super Tenere who we’d bumped into a few times already had gone in front and was fuelling. No malice intended it was pure confusion. He’d put his credit card behind the till so he jus handed over the hose, let me fill up on his card and then I gave him my cash. All done perfectly equitably and no bad feelings. “Awesome”.

RV people sometimes just don’t have any situational awareness it would seem.

Respect to you all for a great ride report and the effort made to achieve the ride

So, after a fine evening in the pub, we headed off out of Stewart for a big day 0f 450 miles back up the Cassiar Highway. I've already said it's one of my favourite roads so it's hardly a chore to ride it again.

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During the day, we kept bumping into these HD riders but more of that later. At one point they came flying past us on the road but they were on a mission. Keith thought it was highly funny that we were passed by HD's but when I'm cruise mode I couldn't care less.

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Some nice views from the road

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A quick break

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We stopped again at Jade City and this time had a good look around with some interesting stuff just lying around.

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A chap told us all about the area and how this store and the local mine is family owned. Bloody hard work that's for sure. This block was worth about $30k and he showed us how the colour comes out when it's wet. This was a fairly low grade block but a top grade block this size would be worth around $1 million so it can be a luctrative business.

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He told us this mountain on the other side of the valley has big gold deposits and owned by the Chinese who seem to be encroaching everywhere up here. People are very unhappy about things as they bring labour in from China on work visa's then apparently take their passports of them so they can't leave. One can only imagine the conditions in teh mines and there will be zero health and safety going on up there. Seems modern day slavery is happening all over the world these days and the Chinese seem to be big culprits but have the money to get away with it. The more I see the Chinese in these places, the less I like them........

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This "small" motorhome and his runabout rolled in.......some of this kit is enormous and worth a small fortune.

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A few more pics along the way and note the fire damaged trees after a major fire which ripped through here about 10 years ago. It makes for wierd views that's for sure:

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At the top of the Cassier we stopped for fuel and ran into Kevin and Julie Sanders from Globebusters who were taking a group of 18 bikes down to Ushaiai in Argentina and were a few days into their trip. Of course we asked them about teh insurance issue and it seems that a few of their group couldn't get it so were risking it. I have to say they are braver than me up riding in the land of the lawsuit without insurance but each to their own.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-NZGw89R/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-NZGw89R/0/cebb67b3/X2/2018-07-30%2016.57.38-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

We rolled into the motel I'd booked at a small outpost called Rancheria and the 3 HD's we'd seen on and off all day were there.

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Wef all enjoyed this spoof cap and banknote.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-8mWrVGb/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-8mWrVGb/0/5d730e02/X2/2018-07-30%2019.08.15-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

So after a few of these during the evening......

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We had a great night of banter and stories in these place miles from anywhere. They were top guys and all ex bike cops from San Francisco. They do a big ride every couple of years together and just have a great time. They can ride those HD's for sure and we nick named the mild hogs.

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After a couple of headache pils, we headed out early again and headed for Teslin for breakfast. This lake was right outside the motel and was lovely and still in teh eary morning

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A cracking looking truck resting overnight in the truck park

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We stopped for a rest break along the way and a load of bikes pulled up along side us as often happens up here.

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These guys had ridden up the Dempster on their bikes and basically wrecked them. They were being taken down to Seattle on a trailer. There were a few bikes on the trailer and all had wheel damage and when we asked the guys how it happened one guy said "we were doing about 85mph on the dirt when we hit these huge pot holes and smashed the wheels". Hardly surprising really as they didn't have dirt tyres and would have been travelling way too fast but they didn't seem bothered.

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This Buell was with them and seem to have survived unscathed.

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One reason we left early was to get to a small town called Atlin which is one of the few places in Alaska I haven't been to. The 60 mile diversion was well worth it as Atlin is one of the most beautiful places in this part of the world.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-q3hrmRP/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Atlin-2018/i-q3hrmRP/0/d564593b/X2/2018-07-31%2011.45.44-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I enjoyed a very nice 15 minutes with a coffee looking at this view contemplating life

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Love these float planes

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You also need a fan boat with a V8 engine. Well it is America sfter all.

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The road to and from Atlin is a belter and well worth takingyour time and enjoying the views. I like the first pic as it looks like a Volcano erupting.

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S

Excellent pics and write up. Keep it coming.

On the other hand, the road to / from Atlin is a belter and great fun to let the GS have its legs on so whilst Chris was being all "Hullo Trees, Hullo Sky", Keith and I went for a Hoon

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After Keith and Shakey found the limit of their GS's and I ambled along enjoying the country, we had a steady ride up to Whitehorse and another stay in the hottest hotel in town. No air con up here and with temps around 90f, it's hard to keep cool. Nice to see the old DC3 being used as a weather vane at the transport museum.

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Headed off north towards dawson next morning and had a quick stop at this lake. The lakes up here are just lovely and the water was crystal clear.

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Stopped for fuel and was made painfully aware of where we were!! Saying that, Bear Spray is like an aperitif for the bears up here so the only sure way of stopping them if they are charging you involves either a 12 guage shotgun or .50 calibre revolver. As my pal Dan in Fairbanks says "If it's within 30ft of you and charging, you are about to have the worst 3 minutes of your life"!!

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Then it was on past Finger Rapids on the Yukon which is a dangerous set of rapids. Back in the day, the old paddle steamers used to go through these which can't have been much fun.

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Another stop for fuel and a great little cafe for a coffee and a bun

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They had a small shop and Shakey couldn't help seeing if an Ice Hockey shirt would suit him. I'll leave it to you to decide.......

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A quick stop at the start of the Dempster Highway but rental bikes aren't allowed on there even though it wat tempting to get a few miles up teh road.

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We then arrive in good time to Dawson City which is a great little place. The usual hotel we stay at were unbelievably expensive this year and luckily were full so we used this great place, Cheap, clean, in a great location and despite the bunkhouse name, you get your own room. Highly recommended if you ever go there.

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After a quick shower is was down to one of my favourite bars on the planet for a small libation..........!!

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After visiting a couple of other bars, we headed back to the motel at about midnight. The sun rarely sets up here at this time of the year.

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As we had a day off, a nice lie in ensued and then we headed up to the dome which overlooks Dawson and the area and is a great view.

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Then we headed off to the magnificent Dredge number 4. These were used to dredge for gold right up until the mid 60's and earned their owners millions of dollars over their life. Brilliant piece of engineering and it's staggering what us humans can achieve when there is money to be made.

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<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-zcR4qVW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-zcR4qVW/0/23a9e073/X2/2018-08-02%2012.46.40-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-KQcXW6w/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-KQcXW6w/0/6ddb46b1/X2/2018-08-02%2012.48.40-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-D96pXPC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-D96pXPC/0/b0172f1e/X2/2018-08-02%2012.49.52-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

There were 64 buckets digging the pay dirt and weighted around 2.5 tonnes a piece!!

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-pLCvH29/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-pLCvH29/0/d4c00583/X2/2018-08-02%2013.01.41-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Back to the motel and another wash for the highly impressive 800GSA kindly provided free of charge by the motel

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-ZfV6twV/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-ZfV6twV/0/327ffbc1/X2/2018-08-02%2013.54.16%20HDR-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Time for a walkabout this great little town and nice to spend a bit of time having a look around. They keep it looking like a mid 1800's type of town and it attracts loads of tourists but is a fully functioning community and a great place to spend a day or so.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-3kgngvZ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-3kgngvZ/0/df127bd1/X2/2018-08-02%2015.18.10-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-SwQKf9t/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-SwQKf9t/0/3dbcf0b9/X2/2018-08-02%2015.20.27-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-t2m33jj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-t2m33jj/0/984dc5d7/X2/2018-08-02%2015.20.47%20HDR-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-xnm6nsL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-xnm6nsL/0/ce181e33/X2/2018-08-02%2015.21.53-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-LWCp64C/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-LWCp64C/0/7a9e5060/X2/2018-08-02%2015.21.57-1-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-mzpvKW9/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-mzpvKW9/0/0299ac13/X2/2018-08-02%2015.28.07-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

Never a truer word spoken in relation to the Gold Rush!!

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-pj7TDkB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-pj7TDkB/0/87b7386f/X2/2018-08-02%2018.37.59-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>

And then to the best eatery in town and a magnificent burger.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-fBMCxpt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-fBMCxpt/0/319a469f/X2/2018-08-02%2018.38.18-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-bVTPS7v/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/To-Dawson-2018/i-bVTPS7v/0/9dfb9c98/X2/2018-08-02%2019.29.08-X2.jpg" alt=""></a>