Anyone ridden from the States to Alaska?

For a number of years now I've wanted to travel to Alaska by car. Recently it occured to me that the trip might be even better on my VFR. My question is has anyone done this and what advice would you have about prepping for the trip and what i can expect whilst traveling.

 

go in the summer

 

Alaska? I might be up for that if it could be done in 7 days....

 

I could give a few suggestions for the Yukon/Alaska part of your journey. But, British Columbia on bike (I've done it by car) you'd have to wait until July. I'll be heading down to Wisconsin (on the VFR) with the BF (he has a BMW) and back up this way. What month are you planning your trip?

 

I would suggest going in the beggining of May. I went there a couple of years ago for two weeks at the end of May by plane. The weather was kinda wet when I was there but it was very pleasent outside when it wasnt raining. There was no mosquitos yet and at darkest it ever got you could still read a newspaper outside.

I would love to make a trip up there by bike one day. :smile:

 

I haven't been to Alaska but I have driven quite a few sections of the road. First it is a loooooong way, can't be much less than crossing the US and back if you go all the way to Anchorage. I doubt very much you could do it in 7 days round trip. Second, last I heard there were still some pretty big stretches of gravel road. Getting smaller each year but still significant. Hard on the bodywork of a VFR. Thats the bad news. The good. Most of the roads are great. If I was doing it I would probably ferry to Vancouver Island ride to the top of the Island and Ferry to Prince Rupert then ride over to the Alaska Highway and up. I would love to do that trip myself but can't get that much time and I doubt my back would stand up to it. Based on my experience on those roads you would want a minimum of two to three weeks unless you wanted to do it ironman style. Amazing country though lots of wildlife and wide open spaces and a few interesting towns like Whitehorse and Dawson on the way. A few not so interesting ones too. The Alaska Highway in July August, when you would want to go, is 75% trucks and rv's. That still not a lot of traffic mind you. I once counted three hundred vehicles total between Ft St John and Ft Nelson, 400 miles. Damn I want to go back up there. Should try and contact Viffergirl I think she lives up there and would know more about present road conditions than I do.

 

May is usually when I get my bike out to ride. The gravel has been cleared away on the roads, but mornings can be icy. True - less bugs. I found the stock wind-shield somewhat low and I'd get hit by bugs on the full face helmet and upper part of the leather jacket - but - no worries. But if you're worried about bugs - Deep Woods Off is a good spray to carry.

I rode through Alaska last summer. Yes, there are gravel parts. And quite a few between Haines Junction, Yukon and Tok, Alaska. I was told by other motorists not to attempt a trip from Tok, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska because the highway was torn up in chunks. But the road from Tok to Fairbanks was smooth. Road construction changes from year to year up here depending on the winter. And you can travel to Anchorage from Whitehorse. But - you will get gravel patches - some are quite long and others not. My dirt bike riding from when I was a wee girl came back when the gravel patches came up - so it was a hoot!

Here are a few websites that you can look up prior to your trip concerning the roads and also lodging/site seeing.
www.bellsalaska.com/canada.htm
www.gov.yk.ca/roadreport

The gov.yk.ca site give you up to the day road reports. Bells Alaska is a tourist site thats a good one.

Oh - and if you're traveling closer to June 21st. Remember that it's 24 hours of sun. So - stick to your usual schedule for ride/sleep and don't try to judge by the daylight. Lots of wildlife on the roads later at night and very early in the morning. Best to be off the roads at those times. If you have any questions you can PM me.

Good luck!