Arctic Circle ride
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07-16-2009 | 10:40 AM
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From: Illinois
Arctic Circle ride
The riders - Larry (6 Matt (27) Aaron (37)
The bikes 08 Ulysess12XT 06 HD Street Bob 06 BMWR1200RT
Matt rode to my house in Cambridge,Il. Friday night from Chicago. We left the next am at 0700. Of course it was raining and cold. First use of the heated grips. We went I-74 to I-80 to I-35 north to I-90 and 852 miles later we got a motel in Sturgis. I have done the Strugis ride at least 6 times but I broke it up into two a two day ride.
Day 2- We headed west on I-90 and into the rain. Cold again so I had the heated grips on. We arrived after 582 miles at a motel in Butte Montana where we met up with Aaron and checked out his bike which we had not seen before. I nicknamed it Buick Park Avenue with all its features.
Day 3- We left on I-15 north to the border and after a one hour delay we were permitted to enter Canada. The temp was 45 degrees and we went through several rain areas. We stopped at 643 miles just short of Edmonton Alberta.
Day-4 Aaron's GPS got us through Edmonton to route 43 which I was please to see was a four lane with a 110 (70mph) speed limit. We reached Dawson Creek B.C. It was only 399 miles. We decided to get a motel and look around the town. It is the First mile post of the Alaska Highway.
Day-5 The official name of the Alaska highway in Canada is route 97. We stopped just west of town to see the original wooden curved bridge. The new section of 97 goes around over a new bridge which can carry larger loads. It rained on and off again. We entered the Canadian Rockies and came across big horn sheep, deer, elk, a brown bear, a black bear and buffalo along and on the road. On buffalo snorted shook his head and stomped the ground. I went down a couple off gears and gave it wot.
We stopped for gas at a staging area where 7 helicopters were taking crews to fight a huge several thousand acre forest fire. We made Watson Lake and stayed at a motel. This leg was 619 miles. This was the begining of the Yukon Territory. The road had many of the famous gravel "construction" areas. Did I mention that it rained again.
Day 6- We are far enough north for almost 24 hours of daylight. So we went through more gravel and rain. Made a very quick border crossing into Alaska. Encountered more Elk, bears and Moose plus wild horses. We pulled into Fairbanks at midnight and found a great B&B (Fairbanks Alaska lodging bed and breakfast - accommodations AAAA Care Bed and Breakfast)
The distance was 862 miles.
Day 7 - Matt took the Street Bob to the HD dealer not far from the B&B for a new rear tire. He had 14,000 miles on it and it was not quite to the wear bars but he didn't want to try to make it back. It was raining and since we were short one bike, we rented a 4x4 to make the 350 mile round trip up the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle.
Day 8- Picked the Street Bob up and loaded up for the return trip. With another quick pass through the border we made the 507 miles to a motel in Haines Junction. Rained of course.
Day 9- 36 degrees and heavy rain. After a half day we stopped at a gas station/pub/restaurant whose dinning area was heated with a wood burning stove. We ordered lunch and put our gear around the stove on chair backs. We stayed about 90 minutes and left as the rain was ending. This took us through the forest fire area again and there was a lot of elk, buffalo and black bears along the road. We made it to Fort Nelson at 695 miles.
Day 10 - 546 miles to Edmonton. Rain!
Day 11 - Edmonton to Great Falls Mont. Quick pass through the border after a drug dog checked each bike. 616 miles.
Day 12 -When we stopped for gas at Helena Mont. I noticed that my back tire was showing the steel belt all the way around. A Kawasaki dealer was just three block away. We went there and they had the size tire I needed and because I carried the service manual for the Buell they had no problem with changing it. We were in and out in less than two hours from pulling into the lot. We left and when we reached Butte, Aaron stayed on I-15 to return to Las Vegas and Matt and I turned east on I-90 until we reached Gilette Wy.
for a total of 639 miles and the second day of no rain. But, the area was having a heat wave in the upper 90's.
Day 13 - Gilette Wy. to Worthington Minn. Hot Hot Hot. 546 miles.
Day 14 - Worthington Minn. to Cambridge Ill. 426 miles.
We had winds that ranged from strong then brutal to extra brutal during the first nine days along with the rain. We hit a rare day at the Arctic Circle. It was sunny and 60 degrees which is considered a heat wave.
The Street Bob and Buell went the 8,300 miles without using a drop of oil. We both service the bikes before starting and put Syn3 in all the holes.
I have never had heated grips before but I now think that it is the best accessory to have on a bike. I used them each day for the first 9 days.
The Buell Ulysess 12XT is an incredible performing bike. It's 2003 cc engine has 103 hp and a very wide power band. Even with 85 octane and at high altitude in the northern Rockies, it pulled like a locomotive.
The riders - Larry (6 Matt (27) Aaron (37)
The bikes 08 Ulysess12XT 06 HD Street Bob 06 BMWR1200RT
Matt rode to my house in Cambridge,Il. Friday night from Chicago. We left the next am at 0700. Of course it was raining and cold. First use of the heated grips. We went I-74 to I-80 to I-35 north to I-90 and 852 miles later we got a motel in Sturgis. I have done the Strugis ride at least 6 times but I broke it up into two a two day ride.
Day 2- We headed west on I-90 and into the rain. Cold again so I had the heated grips on. We arrived after 582 miles at a motel in Butte Montana where we met up with Aaron and checked out his bike which we had not seen before. I nicknamed it Buick Park Avenue with all its features.
Day 3- We left on I-15 north to the border and after a one hour delay we were permitted to enter Canada. The temp was 45 degrees and we went through several rain areas. We stopped at 643 miles just short of Edmonton Alberta.
Day-4 Aaron's GPS got us through Edmonton to route 43 which I was please to see was a four lane with a 110 (70mph) speed limit. We reached Dawson Creek B.C. It was only 399 miles. We decided to get a motel and look around the town. It is the First mile post of the Alaska Highway.
Day-5 The official name of the Alaska highway in Canada is route 97. We stopped just west of town to see the original wooden curved bridge. The new section of 97 goes around over a new bridge which can carry larger loads. It rained on and off again. We entered the Canadian Rockies and came across big horn sheep, deer, elk, a brown bear, a black bear and buffalo along and on the road. On buffalo snorted shook his head and stomped the ground. I went down a couple off gears and gave it wot.
We stopped for gas at a staging area where 7 helicopters were taking crews to fight a huge several thousand acre forest fire. We made Watson Lake and stayed at a motel. This leg was 619 miles. This was the begining of the Yukon Territory. The road had many of the famous gravel "construction" areas. Did I mention that it rained again.
Day 6- We are far enough north for almost 24 hours of daylight. So we went through more gravel and rain. Made a very quick border crossing into Alaska. Encountered more Elk, bears and Moose plus wild horses. We pulled into Fairbanks at midnight and found a great B&B (Fairbanks Alaska lodging bed and breakfast - accommodations AAAA Care Bed and Breakfast)
The distance was 862 miles.
Day 7 - Matt took the Street Bob to the HD dealer not far from the B&B for a new rear tire. He had 14,000 miles on it and it was not quite to the wear bars but he didn't want to try to make it back. It was raining and since we were short one bike, we rented a 4x4 to make the 350 mile round trip up the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle.
Day 8- Picked the Street Bob up and loaded up for the return trip. With another quick pass through the border we made the 507 miles to a motel in Haines Junction. Rained of course.
Day 9- 36 degrees and heavy rain. After a half day we stopped at a gas station/pub/restaurant whose dinning area was heated with a wood burning stove. We ordered lunch and put our gear around the stove on chair backs. We stayed about 90 minutes and left as the rain was ending. This took us through the forest fire area again and there was a lot of elk, buffalo and black bears along the road. We made it to Fort Nelson at 695 miles.
Day 10 - 546 miles to Edmonton. Rain!
Day 11 - Edmonton to Great Falls Mont. Quick pass through the border after a drug dog checked each bike. 616 miles.
Day 12 -When we stopped for gas at Helena Mont. I noticed that my back tire was showing the steel belt all the way around. A Kawasaki dealer was just three block away. We went there and they had the size tire I needed and because I carried the service manual for the Buell they had no problem with changing it. We were in and out in less than two hours from pulling into the lot. We left and when we reached Butte, Aaron stayed on I-15 to return to Las Vegas and Matt and I turned east on I-90 until we reached Gilette Wy.
for a total of 639 miles and the second day of no rain. But, the area was having a heat wave in the upper 90's.
Day 13 - Gilette Wy. to Worthington Minn. Hot Hot Hot. 546 miles.
Day 14 - Worthington Minn. to Cambridge Ill. 426 miles.
We had winds that ranged from strong then brutal to extra brutal during the first nine days along with the rain. We hit a rare day at the Arctic Circle. It was sunny and 60 degrees which is considered a heat wave.
The bikes 08 Ulysess12XT 06 HD Street Bob 06 BMWR1200RT
Matt rode to my house in Cambridge,Il. Friday night from Chicago. We left the next am at 0700. Of course it was raining and cold. First use of the heated grips. We went I-74 to I-80 to I-35 north to I-90 and 852 miles later we got a motel in Sturgis. I have done the Strugis ride at least 6 times but I broke it up into two a two day ride.
Day 2- We headed west on I-90 and into the rain. Cold again so I had the heated grips on. We arrived after 582 miles at a motel in Butte Montana where we met up with Aaron and checked out his bike which we had not seen before. I nicknamed it Buick Park Avenue with all its features.
Day 3- We left on I-15 north to the border and after a one hour delay we were permitted to enter Canada. The temp was 45 degrees and we went through several rain areas. We stopped at 643 miles just short of Edmonton Alberta.
Day-4 Aaron's GPS got us through Edmonton to route 43 which I was please to see was a four lane with a 110 (70mph) speed limit. We reached Dawson Creek B.C. It was only 399 miles. We decided to get a motel and look around the town. It is the First mile post of the Alaska Highway.
Day-5 The official name of the Alaska highway in Canada is route 97. We stopped just west of town to see the original wooden curved bridge. The new section of 97 goes around over a new bridge which can carry larger loads. It rained on and off again. We entered the Canadian Rockies and came across big horn sheep, deer, elk, a brown bear, a black bear and buffalo along and on the road. On buffalo snorted shook his head and stomped the ground. I went down a couple off gears and gave it wot.
We stopped for gas at a staging area where 7 helicopters were taking crews to fight a huge several thousand acre forest fire. We made Watson Lake and stayed at a motel. This leg was 619 miles. This was the begining of the Yukon Territory. The road had many of the famous gravel "construction" areas. Did I mention that it rained again.
Day 6- We are far enough north for almost 24 hours of daylight. So we went through more gravel and rain. Made a very quick border crossing into Alaska. Encountered more Elk, bears and Moose plus wild horses. We pulled into Fairbanks at midnight and found a great B&B (Fairbanks Alaska lodging bed and breakfast - accommodations AAAA Care Bed and Breakfast)
The distance was 862 miles.
Day 7 - Matt took the Street Bob to the HD dealer not far from the B&B for a new rear tire. He had 14,000 miles on it and it was not quite to the wear bars but he didn't want to try to make it back. It was raining and since we were short one bike, we rented a 4x4 to make the 350 mile round trip up the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle.
Day 8- Picked the Street Bob up and loaded up for the return trip. With another quick pass through the border we made the 507 miles to a motel in Haines Junction. Rained of course.
Day 9- 36 degrees and heavy rain. After a half day we stopped at a gas station/pub/restaurant whose dinning area was heated with a wood burning stove. We ordered lunch and put our gear around the stove on chair backs. We stayed about 90 minutes and left as the rain was ending. This took us through the forest fire area again and there was a lot of elk, buffalo and black bears along the road. We made it to Fort Nelson at 695 miles.
Day 10 - 546 miles to Edmonton. Rain!
Day 11 - Edmonton to Great Falls Mont. Quick pass through the border after a drug dog checked each bike. 616 miles.
Day 12 -When we stopped for gas at Helena Mont. I noticed that my back tire was showing the steel belt all the way around. A Kawasaki dealer was just three block away. We went there and they had the size tire I needed and because I carried the service manual for the Buell they had no problem with changing it. We were in and out in less than two hours from pulling into the lot. We left and when we reached Butte, Aaron stayed on I-15 to return to Las Vegas and Matt and I turned east on I-90 until we reached Gilette Wy.
for a total of 639 miles and the second day of no rain. But, the area was having a heat wave in the upper 90's.
Day 13 - Gilette Wy. to Worthington Minn. Hot Hot Hot. 546 miles.
Day 14 - Worthington Minn. to Cambridge Ill. 426 miles.
We had winds that ranged from strong then brutal to extra brutal during the first nine days along with the rain. We hit a rare day at the Arctic Circle. It was sunny and 60 degrees which is considered a heat wave.
The Street Bob and Buell went the 8,300 miles without using a drop of oil. We both service the bikes before starting and put Syn3 in all the holes.
I have never had heated grips before but I now think that it is the best accessory to have on a bike. I used them each day for the first 9 days.
The Buell Ulysess 12XT is an incredible performing bike. It's 2003 cc engine has 103 hp and a very wide power band. Even with 85 octane and at high altitude in the northern Rockies, it pulled like a locomotive.
The riders - Larry (6 Matt (27) Aaron (37)
The bikes 08 Ulysess12XT 06 HD Street Bob 06 BMWR1200RT
Matt rode to my house in Cambridge,Il. Friday night from Chicago. We left the next am at 0700. Of course it was raining and cold. First use of the heated grips. We went I-74 to I-80 to I-35 north to I-90 and 852 miles later we got a motel in Sturgis. I have done the Strugis ride at least 6 times but I broke it up into two a two day ride.
Day 2- We headed west on I-90 and into the rain. Cold again so I had the heated grips on. We arrived after 582 miles at a motel in Butte Montana where we met up with Aaron and checked out his bike which we had not seen before. I nicknamed it Buick Park Avenue with all its features.
Day 3- We left on I-15 north to the border and after a one hour delay we were permitted to enter Canada. The temp was 45 degrees and we went through several rain areas. We stopped at 643 miles just short of Edmonton Alberta.
Day-4 Aaron's GPS got us through Edmonton to route 43 which I was please to see was a four lane with a 110 (70mph) speed limit. We reached Dawson Creek B.C. It was only 399 miles. We decided to get a motel and look around the town. It is the First mile post of the Alaska Highway.
Day-5 The official name of the Alaska highway in Canada is route 97. We stopped just west of town to see the original wooden curved bridge. The new section of 97 goes around over a new bridge which can carry larger loads. It rained on and off again. We entered the Canadian Rockies and came across big horn sheep, deer, elk, a brown bear, a black bear and buffalo along and on the road. On buffalo snorted shook his head and stomped the ground. I went down a couple off gears and gave it wot.
We stopped for gas at a staging area where 7 helicopters were taking crews to fight a huge several thousand acre forest fire. We made Watson Lake and stayed at a motel. This leg was 619 miles. This was the begining of the Yukon Territory. The road had many of the famous gravel "construction" areas. Did I mention that it rained again.
Day 6- We are far enough north for almost 24 hours of daylight. So we went through more gravel and rain. Made a very quick border crossing into Alaska. Encountered more Elk, bears and Moose plus wild horses. We pulled into Fairbanks at midnight and found a great B&B (Fairbanks Alaska lodging bed and breakfast - accommodations AAAA Care Bed and Breakfast)
The distance was 862 miles.
Day 7 - Matt took the Street Bob to the HD dealer not far from the B&B for a new rear tire. He had 14,000 miles on it and it was not quite to the wear bars but he didn't want to try to make it back. It was raining and since we were short one bike, we rented a 4x4 to make the 350 mile round trip up the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle.
Day 8- Picked the Street Bob up and loaded up for the return trip. With another quick pass through the border we made the 507 miles to a motel in Haines Junction. Rained of course.
Day 9- 36 degrees and heavy rain. After a half day we stopped at a gas station/pub/restaurant whose dinning area was heated with a wood burning stove. We ordered lunch and put our gear around the stove on chair backs. We stayed about 90 minutes and left as the rain was ending. This took us through the forest fire area again and there was a lot of elk, buffalo and black bears along the road. We made it to Fort Nelson at 695 miles.
Day 10 - 546 miles to Edmonton. Rain!
Day 11 - Edmonton to Great Falls Mont. Quick pass through the border after a drug dog checked each bike. 616 miles.
Day 12 -When we stopped for gas at Helena Mont. I noticed that my back tire was showing the steel belt all the way around. A Kawasaki dealer was just three block away. We went there and they had the size tire I needed and because I carried the service manual for the Buell they had no problem with changing it. We were in and out in less than two hours from pulling into the lot. We left and when we reached Butte, Aaron stayed on I-15 to return to Las Vegas and Matt and I turned east on I-90 until we reached Gilette Wy.
for a total of 639 miles and the second day of no rain. But, the area was having a heat wave in the upper 90's.
Day 13 - Gilette Wy. to Worthington Minn. Hot Hot Hot. 546 miles.
Day 14 - Worthington Minn. to Cambridge Ill. 426 miles.
We had winds that ranged from strong then brutal to extra brutal during the first nine days along with the rain. We hit a rare day at the Arctic Circle. It was sunny and 60 degrees which is considered a heat wave.
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