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July 20th, 2012 | Alaska

ALASKA…!! The Last Frontier…

After a long ride from Vancouver, we finally crossed the border into Alaska today…

After a mere 88o days since setting out on the GBWT, I have arrived in Alaska, my “Last Frontier”… With me are Trevor and Chenty Wilson, and Mark Piff…

We have covered over 3 300 km since leaving Vancouver, stopping in Whistler; 100 Mile House, where we stayed with my old friends from Swaziland, Shane and Christine Jordaan; Smithers, Stewart (to see Bear Glacier and the Salmon run at Fish Creek in Hyder; Dease Lake, Whitehorse (where we camped…and that’s a whole story on its own…!!), and today rode over the border into Alaska, and stopped in Tok…

Riding into Alaska… WISH YOU WERE HERE….!!

170 000 km and still counting…!!

Today was also a special day for the Big Fella… He celebrated yet another birthday on our journey… But all is not well with my companion…

His final drive assembly is about to give up on us, and a cracked rear brake hub has not had me smiling either…!! But with 170 000 km on the clock, and some of the worst riding conditions on the planet behind us, I can hardly complain…!!

We came across this Brown Bear on the road to Whitehorse….

Tomorrow we will reach Fairbanks, and I will hopefully get an expert opinion on whether or not he will get me to Prudhoe Bay and back…

We have had great weather, seen plenty of Black bears and a young Grizzly; as well as Moose, Elk, Cayote, Fox, and other smaller animals…

I saw my first Bald Eagle today, and we have been warned to expect a lot more wildlife on the road to Fairbanks tomorrow…

Internet and cell phone reception in the Yukon have been rather limited, but hopefully things will improve…

The last week, riding with my friends Trevor and Chenty, and Mark Piff, have been a laugh a minute…. Well not always…!! But those stories will have to wait until I can find cheap accommodation, a few spare days, and a strong Wifi signal…

Beemers all, on the road to Alaska….

“That ain’t no truck, Mister…!!”

See…!! I’ve been busy…!!

We have taken hundreds of photos, filmed hours of video, including one of me coming close to ending my journey… A small lapse in concentration saw me leave the road and hit the dirt doing over 100 km/h… After a 300 metre battle, I managed to bring the bucking Big Fella under control, and received a high-five from Mark for a “brilliant save”…!!

Not an experience that I wish to relive again…!! My Guardian angel was at work again a few hours later when I over-cooked a corner on a dusty gravel road, and came close to kissing the concrete barriers… Not my best day on the road, but then I’ve had a lot on my mind….

Together with my friends, we hope to reach Prudhoe Bay on Monday evening… This is about a week ahead of schedule, but there is still much to see in Alaska after that… We will visit Anchorage and then take either a boat or a plane to see some “calving” Glaciers, then ride the Top of the World Highway back into Canada…

We seem to have a good weather window available to us, so we have decided to make the dash to the northernmost tip of the Americas, before the rain starts up again… Some riders we have met coming down, have not had an easy time of it…!!

The Prudhoe Posse pause to admire Bear Glacier near Stewart…

With no internet signals up north, it may be a while before I can post news of our ride to Prudhoe Bay…

Stay tuned…and thanks for all the positive comments…!! Gave me a lift when I needed it most…!!

GB in Tok, Alaska.

 

9 comments to ALASKA…!! The Last Frontier…

  • Charmz

    And another awesome achievement. Well done on reaching Alaska. We are so proud of you. Please give Big Fella a happy birthday hug from all of us back home. He has taken you around the world safely, we too love him and am thankful for that. You will never ever be able to part with him…..
    Great to see Trev and Chenty again.
    Enjoy the bears and please take loads of pics for me.

  • Betsy & Derek

    Congrats on arriving in Alaska in one piece Ronnie. It was great to finally meet you at Sharon and Ian’s last week. We’re sure you are having a fun time with the Salt Spring gang! Be safe.
    Betsy & Derek

  • mannie

    Absolutely awesome Ronnie! From the bottom of Africa to the top of Europe! From the bottom of South America to the top of North America! And everything in between. What an epic ride! Well done!

  • Thanks Mannie…!! And all on the original rear drive, clutch and everything else that goes into that large steel, box-like structure under me… Think it’s called the “engine” or something…!! Ha…!! Take care, my friend… R.

  • Mark Behr

    Wow – you are almost there. I have a friend in the Yukon who has accommodation for you if needed. Stay safe.

  • Hi Ronnie,
    We met on the road to Alaska – we are in your photo of the BMWs at the North To Alaska sign. when you passed us a little later we were stopped on the highway – our shock absorber had snapped at the base. You told me earlier that this had happened to you. Can fill me in with the details? I’ve contacted Ohlins about the problem. I look forward to hearing from you. Brian – stuck in Smithers waiting for a new shock

  • Hi Brian, we just arrived in Prudhoe Bay this afternoon after a hard two day ride… My Ohlins shocks have been nothing but trouble from the get go…!! I never had them snap anywhere, but did have to replace a shaft, in South America… I do not believe that they are built to carry the loads that we have on the bikes…!! IF you guys are still planning a much longer ride, I would change to Wilburs, or just go with the original BMW shocks… Smithers is not the greatest place to be stuck…!! Hope all goes well with you…. Keep in touch… Ronnie.

  • Kim

    Yeah-ha!!! Champs on me tonight!!! Oh yes, you a bit far away – Oh well, I’ll have your champs!!!!!
    Well done, such a mile stone and I’m sure you can smell the final post….
    Almost there!!!
    BIG kisses
    K

  • silas moffatt

    Brothers! great outdoors.keep safe and god bless.

    Cheers.

    Silas
    From Papua New Guinea

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