I am planning an Alaska trip for June 2025. I'll be riding an RG3 and traveling from Ohio through Canada to Fairbanks, the Arctic Circle, Denali National Park, Anchorage, and back to Ohio. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has done something similar on a trike and what the experience was like. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of?
I've done it on 2 wheels. The trike will be nice for gravel and mud. One issue is the frost heaves, I think I blew out my new progressive 944s. They were not leaking, but not the same after that.
With 5 gallon tank, as soon as I hit 75 miles i gassed up. Stops were about 100 miles apart. But things could be closed. I came back on Cassiar Highway BS37, most remote road I have ever been on. Going to Article circle you went mud. I had to wait for truck to go through and ride its ruts through a section.
In Canada when I went through was lots of short breaks in pavement. You would see sign about turning lights on for dust, nothing that would make you think construction. But going down a mountain in the rain, and all the sudden gravel.
Also keep in mind people live there. So stores closes at normal times, and gas may be an issue. I had problems in Canada, they did not have as many pay at the pumps as US. It was like northern WI 60 years ago. They would have a pump in the back with the numbers that roll by in 2010.
Frost heaves are something, it can get very rough,
I did my "retirement ride" to Alaska in 2000.
I'm pretty sure that the roads now are much better now than they were back then but IF I was to go again I'd do things differently than I did back then,
A bike (or a trike) can suffer a lot of paint damage on a ride like that and I'd highly recommend applying as much of the clear protective film as you can put on the painted areas of your bike.
I'd also recommend washing (spray wash) at every opportunity as the silt attaches to metal and it gets as hard as concrete!
My 2000 UC had less than 2000 miles on the odometer when I started my trip and when I sold it 2014 I swear that I could STILL see silt residue in many "nooks and crannies"!
I lost one antenna (somewhere) on the Al-Can Highway on my way up and had to have a new rear tire and rear brake pads replaced on my way home. I would think that you may need to replace your front tire on that trip but your rear tires should be fine.
Another recommendation would be to seriously minimize the amount of gear, clothing, tools, etc. to what you know you will need as many people "over pack" and take things they "may" need but rarely do.
The last thing that I would suggest is that you should consider (and check into) is renting a bike in Fairbanks for the ride going further north.
Those roads can be H**L on a bike and it may be worth the rental costs for a bike to protect your trike.
On my trip home I "cheated" a bit by catching the ferry out of Haines, AK down to Bellingham, WA.
That also may be something that you nay want to consider
Sure renting an adventrue bike would be nice, but then you wouldn't be taking a pic of your bike at the Artic Circle. Be like going to prom with your sister. He has a trike, so will handle the gravel and mud. He is going to go through the frost heaves to get there anyways. What is the advantage of once he is already there of getting an enduro?
I think a trike would be great for the mud and gravel. Down side is you will hit more bumps. But the frost heaves are the issue, not pot poles. So not sure.
Just returned from an Alaska road-trip in a car (flew in/out of Anchorage). 1,400 miles through much of the interior, from Seward and Anchorage up to Fairbanks and Denali.
I've toured through 40+ of the contiguous states on the bike and a ride to Alaska has been on my list.
About half-way through the trip I mentioned to my wife "we don't need to do this on the bike". It was a combination of the roads, the weather and the sights along the way that I didn't feel would be enhanced on 2-wheels (potentially the opposite). But that's just me
Regardless, here are some observations, and input from friends who have spent more time in Alaska than I:
- June is a great-time to start out; everything is done by September
- Days will be super long (14+ hours), and get longer the further north you go
- Be prepared for the weather; and it changes rapidly
- Lots of wilderness, not so much civilization - watch your fuel
- Overcast and grey is a common day; sunny-days are to be cherished
met a guy up there who, last time he went sold his bike up there and flew home. Broke even. Plus shaves a week off trip, if you got to get to work. Though if you damage bike on the way up, the deal may be off.
Did a loop around Alaska in 2019 on a Road King. Loved it but the AlCan is rough, the Dalton even rougher. Two wheels allow weaving around the worst portion of frost heaves - three wheels not so much. Be sure to adjust your rear suspension to have slightly more preload to protect your rims. The Artic Circle might ruin your back forever if the AlCan doesn’t. Neither are road quality like you find common in the lower 48. Take good rain gear - you’ll need it. It could be the coldest, wettest ride you’ve ever ridden. It can definitely suck. Early June is cold and wet. Later June a little bit less so. Watch the radar and sit out the worst days. It’s not worth being miserable. Good luck!
09-08-2024 | 09:34 AM
Alaska on a Trike
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