Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Alaska Caper -- Day 12

June 15, 2007
Posted by: Dick Wilson

Start: Coldfoot Camp, AK
Destination: Fairbanks, AK
Miles traveled: 246 challenging miles
I awakened at about 6:00 a.m. There was a strange noise outside. As I poked my head out of the door, I could clearly hear a pack of wolves howling. I would estimate they were no further than a couple of hundred yards from our room, back in the timber. We packed the bikes, ate breakfast, and then stopped at the Coldfoot Visitors Center. This is a modern building, unlike the bare bones style and condition of Coldfoot Camp where we had been staying. The displays there were quite enlightening with respect to climate and ecology above the Arctic Circle.

Packed to return to Fairbanks, we headed south on the Haul Road. We traveled approximately 60 miles south and when we arrived at the official Arctic Circle "Welcome Center," a parking lot with a large display sign, we then stopped to contemplate our accomplishment. We had a picture taken, proving to all witnesses that we had actually completed the ride as reported. We then proceeded south without incident. Overnight, the road had dried out, and travel was much easier. The bikes were surefooted. The BMW GS bikes, which are designed for this type of travel, handled without any problems. We stopped for gas again at the Yukon River, then it was back to Fairbanks. The only challenge was the short section of rocky road which we affectionately named "the rock garden." Returning south, it was a steep uphill climb of approximately one-half mile. This was accomplished without losing it. We were successful in keeping the "rubber side down," as they say in the motorcycle world. The remainder of the trip back to Fairbanks was relaxing and picturesque. As we hit pavement, there was a rain storm ahead of us with a wonderful rainbow. This was an appropriate culmination of a fantastic and challenging two-day motorcycle ride. In my 20 years of riding bikes, this was the most difficult and spectacular ride I had ever completed, bar none.
We unloaded the bikes when we reached the motel in Fairbanks and crashed without even wishing to eat dinner. We had completed our goal of riding the Haul Road north of the Arctic Circle and returning back safely.

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