Blackie Blog - Day 11 - All Alaska

This being our 11th day, we've now stopped at a few interesting places (11) after the day's journey. Some of the places were just a stopping point, many lacked identity or personality. Whitehorse YT was a good and interesting place. Yesterday, Tok was a gem. As mentioned in the morning blog, P-Rock and I happened over to the Tok Lodge Bar for dinner and a few ales. Turns out, they don't serve food, so ales it was - dinner was "interesting" (see P-Rock post for details). We met some great people, heard some great stories about winter (50 below is common for long spells). Walking back to the motel at 11:20pm:




Further cementing the good Tok feeling was an Alaska-size breakfast at Fast Eddy's (thanks Rob) and the ride that materialized between Tok and Fairbanks. We underestimated it - sections were fantastic (I did get video today as well).



Short riding day (225 miles) to Fairbanks - mostly good road. A few good frost heave dips, made more exciting by said quantity of ale at the Lodge the evening previous. First big stop - Delta Junction - the official end the the Alaska Highway. About 1 mile to go, we saw this, and had to turn around and grab a photo:



Representing the cause, your author at mile 1422 - the end of the Alaska Highway:



Rolled into Fairbanks about 3pm - which gave us a chance to relax a bit, and treat the bikes to a wash (it will take 3 or 4 to "debug"). Fairbanks, so far, lacks that aforementioned personality - looks pretty much like an average size US town - malls, Home Depots, etc. We're here for 2 nights - we'll see more.

Tomorrow - the challenge ride to the Artic Circle - weather was great today, expect better tomorrow - we're back to mesh riding gear and loving it.

I plan to catch up on pictures tonight - please check out the SmugMug site tomorrow for more pictures of the rides:

http://http//jrpimages.smugmug.com/gallery/8654567_ByKRt/1/571278936_DfRP4

Blackie out.