Ride the ALCAN Highway

June 4 2010 by Jason Fogelson
Comments (22)

I've got plenty of dream rides on my agenda. One that I'm sure I'll get to soon is to ride the ALCAN Highway.

The Alaska-Canada (ALCAN) Highway was constructed in the 1940s, and ever since then, it has represented a significant challenge to long distance motorcyclists. Though it is open year-round, the wise biker will not attempt to travel the length of the ALCAN Highway in any season other than summer. You may be able to make it from the southern end of the route in Dawson Creek, British Columbia to the northern end near Delta Junction, Alaska, but the trip is sure to be challenging in ways that will not be rewarding.

The ALCAN highway is about 1,600 miles long, and traverses some of the most beautiful scenery that North America has to offer. It also passes through or near some of Canada's great small towns, and gives glimpses of what life might have been like for the early settlers in the area. Unlike many motorcycle trips where I would say that the journey is the point of the adventure, the appeal of the ALCAN Highway for me is the raw accomplishment. I want to be able to say that I have ridden from one end to the other.

And there's the first part of the equation: will I ride from north to south, or from south to north? Or will I do a round trip, starting from one end of the highway and reversing course at the other end? I've thought this one through.

I think that I will ship my bike to Fairbanks, Alaska, which is about 100 miles northwest of Delta Junction. I'll fly in, and stay at the Best Western Chena River Lodge, then start my trip southeast.

I don't know where I'll wind up along the way, but I do know that I'll shoot for the Best Western Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory at the midway point in my ride. Whitehorse is the largest city in the Yukon Territory at 20,000 inhabitants, and I'm very curious to see what life is like in a subarctic climate. I'm guessing that the internet and satellite communications have made life less remote, but the temperatures keep things a bit different.

At the end of the ALCAN Highway, I'll rest up at the Best Western Dawson Creek Inn before having my bike shipped back home. I'll fly home, too, with another story in my pocket and the knowledge that I conquered the ALCAN Highway.

What's your dream ride? When are you going to saddle up and go?

Categories : Are We There Yet?

0 TrackBacks

http://www.youmustbetrippin.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/541

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry

    22 Comments

    By Polarhawg on June 18, 2010 12:42 PM

    Your trip sounds like a commercial for Best Western......ride up and back....and camp along the way.....don't be afraid.

    By Juan Carlos on November 1, 2010 5:29 PM

    I just participated on an incredible trip tour kind of things on the desert of Chili. We passed through parts of Argentina an Bolivia too. I used this rental service that provided everything. I just had to concentrate on riding and enjoy the view. These guys are located in Santiago: check them out: http://www.rent-motorcycle-chile.com . The desert and mountains are just too good to miss.

    By Mattingly on June 23, 2011 2:05 AM

    Your article was excellent and eurdtie.

    By PEARLIE35NIXON on March 1, 2012 10:52 AM

    Thank you, it's very amazing description it might be very hospitable for students. For example last year when I had a difficult of time at the end of semester with a endless flow of academic assignments and drill, I had a brilliant idea to buy it somewhere and than use online plagiarism. I was so crippled that I did not care for what can appear when my academic work was written by different person. To my adroitest surprise, research paper was estimable the price I paid for it. I was so charmed with the quality and now everytime i use this service.

    By dissertation on March 2, 2012 4:01 PM

    This is possible to buy dissertation sample at the custom thesis service, nevertheless people have to see a trustworthy custom dissertations writing service.

    By literature essay on March 3, 2012 9:51 PM

    Usually strive to be at the paramount? Are you ready to create business essays paper? It is more difficult than essay writing. Therefore, be prepared to the worst.

    By thesis service on March 5, 2012 9:04 PM

    This column is very useful! One day, article writing company helped me with writing research paper, which I was unfit to terminate due to private causes. I recommend you dissertation writing service that will support you in your university life. All the best!

    By essay papers on March 6, 2012 5:28 AM

    The college essay writing company should have great experience to approach the prestige. Students who are lack of time generally select experts.

    By buy custom essay papers on March 8, 2012 7:19 AM

    What are custom essays writing services? These corporations help college students to cope with academic writing and that ought to be available to buy essay written by experts.

    By resume writing service on March 8, 2012 7:59 AM

    The clients count on this resume service cause they are very trustworthy! Our corporation performs resume company to suit the precise range of science you wish.

    By Online writing on March 10, 2012 12:48 AM

    The author of this page is a real professional. I think that students who order Lab report writing , envy the author!

    By mortgage loans on March 21, 2012 9:51 PM

    Some time ago, I needed to buy a house for my corporation but I did not have enough money and could not purchase anything. Thank goodness my fellow adviced to get the business loans at creditors. Thus, I did that and used to be happy with my auto loan.

    By thesis writing service on March 31, 2012 3:55 AM

    Your article connected with this good post seems to be fantastic and different students would use this for their thesis abstract. But some of students very often take the assistance of thesis writing service.

    By buy a essay on April 8, 2012 11:40 PM

    There're a lot of cool things in the world, however a writhing is not a cool one. Nevertheless, a professional cheap essay writing service service is able to change this releasing research papers. So, university students can enjoy their free time.

    By essay papers on April 9, 2012 1:15 AM

    Wow, I'm very affect. Custom research paper Company have bring a great essay writing! The excellency of term papers and text is glorious. I now feel I have something solid to compose my own research paper on, with such expertise to commend me in the actual path I can only get up and get better grades. I will be advise this firm to all my class mates and collegues.

    By buy essays on April 12, 2012 9:12 AM

    That is practicable to order essay and buy custom essay papers at the essay writing organization just about this good topic.

    By buy essay on April 12, 2012 9:14 AM

    Students can order already written essays and buy essays about this topic, choosing the custom writing services.

    By blog posting services on April 12, 2012 12:20 PM

    We generally offer the best blog posting services. We developed the most effective link building methods. With our service your site will be more effective!

    By business loans on April 13, 2012 4:28 AM

    People deserve good life time and personal loans or consolidation loan would make it better. Because freedom bases on money.

    By term paper topic on April 14, 2012 10:20 PM

    You never know what may become afterward. But must for always be adopt for it. Thats why I buy only professional research paper summary from outstanding writing service online.

    By Essay Guide on April 17, 2012 9:39 AM

    I do not mind if some specialists aid me with academic papers writing. I really require Research Paper Tips. I want to cooperate experts.

    By loan on September 10, 2012 6:12 PM

    According to my analysis, millions of people in the world get the credit loans from various banks. Thus, there's good chances to get a auto loan in any country.


    Leave a comment

     

    Your comment may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.