HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

27 June 2011

Day: 17

From: Watson Lake, Alaska                                    To:  Pink Mountain, B.C.

Miles Travelled today: 461 Total Miles Travelled: 7614

Total Gas Used Today: 10    Total Gas Used: 166

Weather: Cold and Rainy (52-62 F)

It was a cold morning when we left Watson Lake and the Yukon Terrority.  As we entered British Columbia the clouds began to clear and the sun came out.  We saw several bears, mountain sheep, buffalo, and moose (see pixs).  We also saw clear blue mountain lakes and snow-capped mountains.  We ended the day at Pink Mountain, B.C. it’s called Pink Mountain because when the sun sets the mountain appear to be colored pink.

Due to the floods in the United States we’ve changed out route home.  We will head south at Edmonton, Alberta and enter the U.S. at Montana.  We will continue south until we reach Denver, Colorado and head east on I-70 where we will intersect our original route at Kansas City.  This detour should not change our arrival time at Key West.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

25 miles south of Watson Lake stopped to render assistance but victims had been evacuated.

Bear 30 miles south of Watson Lake

Buffalo herd

Mountain sheep grazing by the road

Leaving the Yukon

Lake off of the ALCAN in B.C.

I love Canada

Blue Mountain Lake

Remember this young lady. I posted her picture yesterday. She's has the big red truck and big black dog. We ran into her on the road while she was operating a back hoe. What man couldn't love a lady with a truck, dog, and back hoe

They have some beautiful road side flowers in Canada

Pink Mountain

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

26 June 2011

Day: 16 (Continued)

From:  Whitehorse, Alaska                                    To:  Watson Lake, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 272   Total Miles Travelled: 7153

Total Gas Used Today: 6         Total Gas Used: 156

Weather: Cold and Rainy (50-75 F)

After completing repairs to Optimus Prime we departed Whitehorse and encountered cold rain and cloudy skies all the way to Watson Lake, Yukon.  The good news is that my damaged bike held up very well and I am confident that it will hold up all the way back to Key West thanks to Jeff and duct tape.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

This young lady with her big red truck and dog wished all the best on the charity ride.

Meet the Pirates of the ALCAN Hwy

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

25-26 June 2011

Day: 15 and morning of day 16

From: Fairbanks, Alaska                                    To:  Whitehorse, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 586 Total Miles Travelled: 6881

Total Gas Used Today:

South Alaska

Total Gas Used: 150

Weather: Sunny (50-75 F)

Left Fairbanks at 0600 enroute to Whitehorse, Alaska.  It was a bright and sunny day and a great day for riding.   We ran into Roger, the bicyclist from Texas, at one of the gas stops.  As we rolled into Whitehorse we encountered extremely dangerous road conditions due the extra large gravel the work crews had laid down.  My bike hit a large gravel patch and went down causing no injuries to me, thanks to my protetective clothing but the bike was damaged and had to be towed into Whitehorse, which was 30 miles down the road.  I got checked out at the local hospital and the doctor said I was good to go.

The next day we call JASON ANDERSON owner of Capital Towing Services LTD.  Jason picked us up and open his impound yard to let Jeff work on the bike.  Jason did not charge me for the emergency tow.  He also donated $50 toward our cause.  THANKS JASON OWNER OF CAPITAL TOWING OF WHITEHORSE.

Jeff completed the repairs and we got underway for Lake Watson on Sunday afternoon.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG – RIDE WITH PROTECTIVE GEAR – AND LOTS OF DUCT TAPE

HOPERIDERS

Entering Canada

Ran into Roger again

Oh Canada

Flowers along the road

Accident scene where I went down

Jeff performs detailed surgery on bike

Jeff apply Duct Tape pressure to the wound

Lacy with Jason, owners of Capital Towing Service in Whitehorse. Thanks for the donation Jason.

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

24 June 2011

Day: 14

From: Fairbanks, Alaska                                    To:  Fairbanks, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 0 Total Miles Travelled: 6295

Total Gas Used Today: 0 Total Gas Used: 137

Weather: Sunny (54-78 F)

Today was a no ride day.  We rested up, wash our clothes, cleaned and performed repairs on the motorcycles.  I took Jeff’s radiator to S & W Radiator and they completed the repair immediately after finding out we were riding for charity.  They also did it free of charge. – THANKS S&W RADIATOR (see pixs).

On the way back to the base took a side trip to the North Pole (see pixs).

The journey continues tomorrow.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

Airmen playing football at 0700 on Eielson Air Force Base

Jeff assessing the damage to his radiator

Our friends at S & W Radiator who completed the repairs to Jeff's radiator free of charge -- THANKS GUYS

ENTRANCE TO THE NORTH POLE

OMG he really does exist.

It's 70 degrees at Santa Claus' House. I'm having too much fun I need to get Jeff's radiator back to him.

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

23 June 2011

Day: 13

From: Arctic Ocean                                            To:  Fairbanks, Alaska

Miles Travelled today:  535                             Total Miles Travelled: 6295

Total Gas Used Today: 11                                 Total Gas Used: 137

Weather: Cold, Rain, Fog and High Winds  (36-57 F)

Jeff and I decided to leave the Arctic Ocean at 1 a.m. to avoid most the road work that we encountered on the way up; however it was much too cold with the wind chill factor, our motorcycles would not start.  We finally got underway at 7 a.m.  It was still very cold with the bikes’ speed generating a greater wind chill factor, but all went well until we came to the Atigun Pass (see pix), which is where the road reaches its highest altitude.  This is were the Arctic and the Ice Trucker Road decided to strike back at these two Floridians trying to return home.

There are certain conditions you do not want to see if you’re crossing the Atigun Pass, they are; rain, high winds, or fog.  We encountered all three at the same time for the perfect storm.  It tested our metal trying to hold the bikes on the road with the wind and raining whipping around us.  The wet road was very slippery, and at times the visibility less than 10 ft.  Factor in a 6 to 8 degree grades up and down the pass it made for an extremely challenging morning. We finally made it through the pass and headed for Coldfoot Camp where we gassed up, had lunch and decided to push on another 240 miles to Fairbanks.

When we were half way between Coldfoot and Fairbanks the Ice Trucker Road struck again by send a rock into Jeff’s radiator causing his bike to overheat.  Every few miles we had to feed the radiator some of our drinking water and when that ran out we had to retrieve water from nearby rivers and streams.  Everything was going well in spite of our radiator problem and then the Road struck again by send a rock into the my chain completely severing it.  Lucky I had a spare and while Jeff made the repair I stood watch since we were in grizzly bear territory.  A curious arctic fox (see pix) approached us and quickly disappeared into the woods.

Finally 15 hours after we left the Arctic Ocean we limped into Fairbanks.  We were finally free of the Arctic Ocean and the  Ice Trucker Road.

Tomorrow will be a NO RIDE DAY.  We need to rest, repair Jeff’s radiator, clean and perform much needed preventive maintenance on the motorcycles.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

Departing the Arctic Ocean

Alaskan Pipeline Cross the Frozen Tundra

Fog lingers behind Jeff on the Antigun Pass

Antigun Pass awaits

Jeff pours water into his bike's damaged radiator

Ice Trucker Road strikes again -- 2nd broken chain

As Jeff replaces the chain a fox approached and heads back into the woods

Lacy and Optimus Prime mudded up after a very hard day

Jeff and The Bike mudded up after a very hard day

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

22 June 2011

Day: 12

From: Coldfoot Camp, Alaska

To:  ARCTIC OCEAN at Deadhorse, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 241   Total Miles Travelled: 5760

Total Gas Used Today: 5 Total Gas Used: 126

Weather: Cold and Sunny Rain  (36-44 F)

After witnessing the summer solstice we departed for the Arctic Ocean at 2:30 a.m.  The summer solstice is when the sun does not set in a 24-hour period and happens north of the Arctic Circle once a year.

On this night with the sun illuminating the Arctic Desert and its creatures the ride to the Arctic Ocean seemed spiritual.  We reached the Arctic Ocean at 9:30 a.m. and checked into the Arctic Caribou Inn in Deadhorse, AK.  Later that afternoon Jeff and I jumped into the Arctic Ocean (see pix).  Congratulation to Jeff who finished his qualifications as an Iron Butt Association (IBA) rider and is now an official Hope Rider.

On day two I posted a picture of a young Army Officer and his wife (MAJ and Mrs. Crist).  MAJ Crist gave us his command’s insignia and requested we deliver it to the Arctic Ocean.  Well Sir we’ve completed the mission you entrusted with us, your command’s insignia is now on display at the Caribou Inn’s visitor center at the Arctic Ocean.

For all the South Dade High School JROTC Cadets your very own Master Sergeant Jeff Garcia did indeed dive into the Arctic Ocean as promised.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

View of Arctic Desert at 2:30 a.m.

150 miles south of the Arctic Ocean at 5 a.m.

Deadhorse, Alaska (Prudhoe Bay Oil Fields) Arctic Ocean

ARCTIC OCEAN

A dip in the Arctic

South Dade High School JROTC Cadets here is proof of Master Sargent Jeff Garcia's dip into the Arctic

Jeff with one of the Oil company workers at the Prudhoe Bay Oil Fields

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

21 June 2011

Day: 11

From: Fairbanks, Alaska                                     To:  Coldfoot Camp, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 284   Total Miles Travelled: 5519

Total Gas Used Today: 6 Total Gas Used: 121

Weather: Cold and Rain  (57-70 F)

Departed Eielson Air Force Base on the first leg to the Arctic Ocean. Headed north on AK-2 for Coldfoot Camp, which is the half way point and the only gas between Fairbanks and the Arctic Ocean.  The road was great until AK-2 changed into the Famous Dalton Hwy better know as the Ice Trucker Road.  This road has a little something to offer for everyone to include gravel, dirt, huge potholes crushed pavement, and numerous road crews ripping up old road and laying down new road (see pix).  Add a little rain to the mix and you’ve got a very challenging situation, however the vistas remained breathtaking.

We reached the Arctic Circle (see pix) 200 miles down the road and continued another 60 miles to settle in for the night at Coldfoot Camp.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE STRONG

HOPERIDERS

Extra gas slashed onto Jeff's bike for the final push

View from the Ice Trucker Road

Arctic Circle

Welcome to the Ice Trucker Road - just for fun you can throw in its 6 to 8 degree inclines and declines

Lacy bonds with Bear who is a member of a sled dog team.

Jeff and the sled dog team

Coldfoot Camp lodge. $200 gets you a World War II Army barracks era suite, but the view can't be beat.

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

20 June 2011

Day: 10

From: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory                  To:  Fairbanks, Alaska

Miles Travelled today: 586    Total Miles Travelled: 5235

Total Gas Used Today: 13  Total Gas Used: 115

Weather: Cold and Rain  (45-75 F)

Got underway from Whitehorse enroute to Fairbanks, Alaska at about 0600.  Much of the road was being repaved which mean you’re riding across dirt and or gravel.  It was great when we crossed the border into Alaska –  The roads were great, the sun came out and the temps went up to 75 degrees when we rode into Fairbanks.

We rolled into Eielson Air Force to the sound of Jets thundering across the sky as they executed touch and goes with pinpoint accuracy.  Stacy and Daniel (see pixs) were working the front desk at the lodging office and they were simply outstanding.  We got two very nice suites for the night.  — THANKS GUYS

Tomorrow we will embark on the toughest part of our journey.  We will leave Fairbanks and head into the frozen Alaskan tundra for the Arctic Ocean.  We will be using the Ice trucker Road most of the 500 + miles. On this road the weather can change in a second from sunny to cold rain to snow.  If this road gets wet it will be like riding on ice and many a biker will turn back.  The trip should take 18 hours with good weather.  If the weather is bad we may have to set up camp or turn back.  We will loose all phone and GPS tracking services for the next several days.  We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE SRTONG

HOPERIDERS

The road ahead from Whitehorse to Fairbanks

Canadian Rockies

Jeff at Discovery Bay

Alaskan border

Jeff poses with Stacy and Daniel. These two guys far exceeded our expectations by delivering superb service as representatives of the Gold Rush Inn to these two tired HopeRiders.

HOPERIDERS’ DAILY JOURNAL

18 June 2011

Day: EIGHT

From: Grande Prairie, Alberta To:  Stone Mountain Forest Preserve, ALCAN HWY (KM marker 422)

Miles Travelled today:  475                                    Total Miles Travelled: 4153

Total Gas Used Today: 10                                       Total Gas Used: 91

Weather: Fog, rain, partly sunny (47-68 F)

It was a beautiful day in Grande Prairie when we departed but in less the 15 minutes we were riding in the fog.  Visibility was about 50 feet.  We rode very slowly because there was no room for error when you’re riding in the mountains with no guardrail and huge trucks bearing down on you.  The fog lifted when we reach Dawson Creek, B.C, which marks the beginning of the Alaska-Canadian Highway. .

We rode in and out of fog and rain all day but when the sun broke through it was breath taking.  The Canadian Rockies was all we hope for and more.  The vistas were magnificent and the highway was a bikers dream (see attached pictures).

We checked into a cabin in the Stone Mountain Forest Preserve on a beautiful lake on the ALCAN Hwy.

RIDE SAFE – RIDE SRTONG

HOPERIDERS

Canadian Rockies taken from the ALCAN Hwy

Toad River Lodge, ALCAN HWY make 422

Canadian Rockys