This all looks too easy!

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Today was the start of our journey up the Dalton Highway, we would only be travelling around 270 miles so decided not to have too early a start. For people back home that distance is similar to that from Harrogate to Dover on the south coast, that journey would normally take approximately 5 hours if you click on the link above (View Larger Map) you'll see that the same journey from Fairbanks to our overnight stop in Wiseman takes an estimated 11 hours.

Sue chilling out

The Elliot Highway that links Fairbanks to the Dalton is superb both for riding and scenery, it even has lines in the middle of the road.

The reason why the journey might take 11 hours became apparent about an hour into the run, not all the highway is paved and where it's not they keep it in shape by 'grading' this involves skimming the hard packed gravel and dirt, filling the holes and then flattening it out. All of this involves waiting at road blocks until the pilot car takes you through.

Time for a pose.

73 miles out of Fairbanks is the official start of the Dalton Highway or the 'Haul road' as it is affectionately known. 414 miles long, it was originally a private road built by the oil companies to supply workers at the oil fields on the Arctic Ocean, click on the link for more details and history. http://wikitravel.org/en/Dalton_Highway Getting a team photo was going to be difficult without a tripod. so let's improvise.

Right Tony when I nod my head, you hit it

Nearly done....

Tadaaa!

After almost 12 moths of planning and research I had seen so many photos of riders stood here, this was my first 'must have' photo.

The road condition of the Dalton varies greatly from tarmac to gravel to dirt and finally mud all with the usual potholes and subsidence due to frost/thawing.

Tarmac turning to gravel at the start of the Highway (click on the photo to read the sign, kind of strange for us because the sun doesn't set from May to September)

Gravel

Dirt

Worse dirt

And the worst kind, wet dirt/mud (followed by cursing and swearing!)

When riding this stuff, the secret is to pick a spot 200 yards down the road and concentrate on that point and not worry about the bike moving around underneath you. We had been warned about the road conditions by bikers we met that had done the trip or were on their way back down, one guy left us saying "Yaall have a safe trip and watch out fer that muurd, it's slicker n' toddler shit!...Thanks Randy!

Time for a photo opportunity while we're still clean!

Our first real look at the Alaska pipeline, this runs for 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic ocean to Valdez on the north pacific coast the oil in the pipeline travels at a temperature of 120 °F (50 °C) to stop the pipeline melting the permafrost there are air cooled heat exchangers mounted on top of each leg. (more info) http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/pipelinefacts.html

Tony and Andy crossing the Yukon river bridge.

The mighty Yukon river..........

We stopped for a quick coffee/fuel break at Yukon camp before heading for our next scheduled stop at the Arctic circle.

Finger Mountain (so called because it looks like, well a finger?)

The weather at the Arctic circle was a balmy 20 degrees.

Sue talking biker chick type bike stuff.

Folks heading North or South.

Let's give the locals something to laugh at (forgot about the bloody mosquitoes!)

Isn't she pretty, What a guy!!

20 miles down the road we suffered our first mechanical damage, Andy failed to miss one of the fist sized rocks that are conveniently located on your driving line (probably placed there by bears, hoping you'll fall off!) It took out his rear mudguard, BMW 1200GS - 0 Dalton Hwy- 1

Couldn't resist this one, yes.. I know it's childish (but I bet you laughed).

The serious side to this place was the road condition, Gobblers knob had claimed another biker the week before we came through. Read about it here-http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/061108/reg_289119601.shtml

More stunning scenery

Finally arrived at Coldfoot Camp 13 miles south of Wiseman, the journey including breaks had taken roughly 7 hours to do 260 miles, not bad.

The building on the right is the Hotel where we would stop on the way back, $200 a night Ouch!

These bad boys rule the road, literally, they have legal right of way and everyone else is roadkill, if you see one coming slow down, indicate to pull over,wave nicely and they may slow down. If they don't, then you need to keep your head down to avoid getting 'rocked' it's sort of like being hit by a catapult!!

The most essential thing before leaving Coldfoot.......Fill her up fellas.

HERE'S WHY!

Pulled into our digs half an hour later, if you click on the photo to make it full size you can see a pack of huskies in the trees, up here in winter your 4X4 wont get you anywhere.

BOB and his friends took a well earned rest.

Our pad for the night, Sue and I had the two storey cabin and Tony and Andy had the attached shed.

These two were daft enough to go for an evening stroll, remember the film Deliverance?

Tommorow it's off to the top of the world................