The bikes scheduled for the container early June, And things are starting to gather pace.. insurances & breakdown cover, servicing in Fairbanks Alaska still to sort out!
With Upwards of 500 miles of The dalton highway to cover, and thats only the way up!! The questions that are needed to answered what tyres? What level of servicing will the bike require, before and mid travel.. luggage...jeez I give up! and on the back of that,work has been incredibly busy..
So the timeline..
I signed up for the trip early 2011 through UKgser A great web site that offers fantastic information for the budding Motorcycle adventurer.
The Trip was touted ALASKA 2012..I read the details
San Francisco to Alaska's Prudoe Bay and back a total of 8000 miles in 4 weeks!!!
So long days in the saddle..wilderness..wildlife..and some of the best biking the world has to offer..!
I asked the boss.... well she said ? just go for it!! But make sure I get flowers!!
And at that the trip got the green light!!...."Back of the net"....
I had limited touring experience so last year set myself a tester of touring for a least a week..
Up to Scotland the destination Highlands, as well as taking in the Outer Hebrides, and a great experience it was...Scotland was totally beautiful!
We experienced all the four seasons in one week! fantastic warm sunshine..cutting cold.. coupled with torrential rain and brutal winds!
My mates Triumph struggled with the conditions and on day five, the weather horrendous and the Triumphs continued problems eventually caused us to call it a day.
My heavy GSA never missed a beat although it wasn't happy with being dropped it on a 1 in 5 incline..
So when I got back I needed to put a plan together!!
With 500 miles of the Dalton Highway beckoning each way and thats after 1000's of miles to get there...I needed some training.
In October 2011 I booked and completed the Level 1 of BMW off road skills school in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales and earlier this year I backed up the level 1 with another trip to BMWs ORS at the Walters Arena to complete level 2.
So please join me as I try to enjoy the rain and the mud and give a master class in colourful narration.....
I researched and found much debate as to the level of rider skills needed for the trip!, I know its not the most difficult or technical out there..but I also know that when wet, the Dalton Highway in Alaska definitely isn't the easiest!! and would be a well regarded assessment of rider skill and commitment.
For me I don't think you can prepare enough for this type of adventure... I'm sure I'll know soon enough! but for now I think I'll give myself a good pat on the back..!
Its now June and the bikes prep is all but complete.. new this..new that.. upgraded..tweeked.. oiled and greased.. tool kit at the ready..panniers..stuffed!
So without further a-due peeps..I say a fond farewell to my
Diamond Jubilee GS1200 Adventure Edition.......(very limited edition)
Actually...It was Diamond Jubilee bank Holiday.. the local down the road was having a Jubilee celebration and I could hear that they had a band playing..! as well as the radio coverage of the queens procession at Bucks Palace, so what better inspiration for a name!
On June 7th the bike was delivered to the logistics company for container shipping to the US
5 weeks in total where it will be delivered to the Santa Rosa BMW dealers in California for the start of the trip on the 20th July.
Although I fly out on the 17th enabling a few days for me to get the bike ready for the 20th as well fitting in a bit of sight seeing beforehand, in and around the San Francisco Bay area and Nappa valley wine region....Nice..
View Alaska 2012 Route in a larger map
