Up date on my adventures:
The D-Day tour was fantastic but emotional. Being there really drove home the suffering that went on. I am so glad we were able to go.
We spent extra days in Paris. The city was much cleaner than I remember back in 1967. It is probably cleaner than most big cities in this country including Dallas. The people were friendly unlike what I have heard. I am glad I was not driving, the traffic was suicidal.
Normandy was awesome. The people there still love us. We did get to go to the Battle of the Bulge area. The fox holes are still there. It was another very emotional experience. It would sure be fun to ride a motorcycle around Normandy and Belgium.
We did rent a car in Munich to visit McGraw Kaserne where I worked in the commissary and went to college. We did get to see the apartments my family lived in while Dad was stationed there. Oh yes, I did revisit the beer halls for a man sized beer. I couldn't handle the five I did back in my college days. I am out of training.
As for the Prudhoe bay tour. I rented a BMW F750GS for three days to tour around. I went to Homer (not impressed) but a good ride there with a night in Seward. Also Valdez with a night in Chitina. It was very good and the GS was not bad even without a windshield.
I had the same GS for the ride on the Dalton. I secured a ticket along with 5 other riders north of Fairbanks. We got a group discount. It was knocked down from 15 over to 9 over. That 750 will do at least 108 mph.
The weather was extremely hot for up there. We did have rain at about the time the dirt thus mud started on the Dalton. Without a windshield my face shield got covered with mud so I had no choice but to run my glove over it to clean it. Yes, it is all scratched up now. I have another plus I am due for a new helmet.
I have had very little dirt experience and I was the oldest (70 and a half) on the ride. However, often I was the first to the next stop and never last. I was more ready to head out after a lunch or fuel stop than anyone else. Every stop was at least 30 minutes just standing around after eating or fueling. I wanted to get to the next overnight stop so I could clean up and relax. On one stretch of good road a marine in the group on a BMW R1200GS was hauling butt through the curves, I was right on his tail. We had a good spirited ride.
A some parts of the road was pure hell and other parts were good and a lot of in between with leanings towards hell. Some parts that were paved should have been dirt so they would be smoother. The wooden bridge at the Yukon River was a bit squirrelly while wet.
The Yukon Crossing is where we were supposed to get fuel. On the way north I did not see anywhere to fuel up there so I kept going. By riding the same motorcycle I had for 3 days I knew the range was about 180 miles at highway speeds. For the most part I was running around 50 or 60. Coldfoot the only fuel stop after Yukon Crossing was over 200 miles from my last stop. With 54 miles left showing on my range computer but 75 miles to go I figured I was screwed. Slowing down to 35 and 40 plus pulling the clutch in on the down hill I arrived at the Coldfoot fuel pump with ZERO miles left. The tank was supposed to hold 4 gallons, I put 5.1 in it. I am glad I always fill to the top.
Some of the road appeared very smooth and firm. No it was not. After grading it the surface is very soft and deep and very squirrelly.
We stayed at the Deadhorse Hotel or Camp whatever. Dump is more like it. The place needs to be destroyed. No locks on the doors. Community bath with 4 urinals and 4 toilets with only 3 of each working when we arrived. By morning only one of each worked. I did not use any of the 4 showers, just adult size wipes for me. The food was OK.
I know there are better places to stay, at least 3. One being the Aurora. Another my buddy stayed at when he went last year was about 300 a night (nothing is cheap up there) but they had an all you can eat buffet with prime rib and a all you can eat complete breakfast buffet. He is picky but he said it was very good food.
The Deadhorse stay made the Coldfoot Camp feel like a 5 star which was very, very basic. But we did have our own bathroom and shower. The people at the Cold Foot restaurant were very nice and the food was good.
I am very glad I went. I am very glad I used MotoQuest Tours motorcycle. I did not have to clean it. There was a chase truck for breakdowns and extra fuel between Coldfoot and Deadhorse, plus they made the hotel arrangements which I understand can be tricky at times. I just wish the Deadhorse stay would have been better.
I did go for a swim in the Arctic Ocean, 34 degrees, but no wind and an unusually warm 55 degrees on land.
My VTX could have made the trip with me riding it but it probably would have been a wreck when finished. I do not believe I would want to put a motorcycle of mine through that. I rode the rented BMW F750GS like I stole it.
My VTX as used
on Race Tech site.
I'm70 rode
07 Black Cherry VTX 1300R to
49 States+DC &
11 Provinces,
140,000mi+Yamaha RSV,
42,000mi,both w/aux tank & Race Tech Suspension
IBA:Mile Eater Bronze &Silver,SS3000,3xSS2000,EclipseSS1000Gold, 20SS1000,6xBB1500,3TX1000,NPT 29/76; Lake Superior Circle Tour 15 to 20K per yr between the two MCs