Yes, Motorcycles Make You Pee

P-Rock, Biologically Correct

Day 17 - Seward, AK to Tok, AK







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Today was a riding day. We had a total of 460 miles to trek from Seward, AK to Tok AK. Other than our finishing run through Ohio and PA, this is the most amount of backtracking we will be doing on this trip. Today we will do a total of 10 miles of backtrack, and on Monday we will have around 100, but other than the finish, that's it. I do have to say that this backtrack was some of the most scenic and beautiful, so well worth the re-hash. In particular, the travel around Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage is breathtaking.

Following that we had a nice ride down the Glenn Highway from Palmer to Glenellen, AK. It was a nice curvy twisty road that made for some good performance riding. A fun change. Blackie is detailing our stop at a Glacier, which was also very memorable. After leaving the glacier, we blasted up to Tok (this was another 4 hours of riding) and a very tasty dinner at Fast Eddie's. I think we'll be doing breakfast there before we leave town too.

So, anyway, on to the real topic of this blog, which is some of the "non sightseeing, non adventure" part of the trip. I had been thinking about this for a few days now, and after I talked to Mrs. Rock this morning she helped me gel this topic. She had asked me a few questions like these:

"How's the motorcycle? Is it comfortable?"

Well the motorcycle is awesome. The combination of performance - both engine and handling makes it quite a package. It literally is FUN to ride, and I mean this after almost 6000 miles in 17 days. I do not have the feeling of "Oh God, another day" yet, and I don't anticipate getting it. The first few days I was getting a bit of a tailbone ache at the end of the day but that is even gone. One thing you do, is learn a lot about shifting positions to keep any particular pressure point from bothering you. For instance, I tend to switch from upright riding, to a slouch with feet on the highway pegs (Dave, we hope you know what that means now? If not post up a comment and we'll shoot some pictures for you), to an upright posture with the feet on the highway pegs, bracing my butt off the seat. Then when I need a bigger change I will either sit up on the edge of the passenger pillion for awhile (This is more comfortable than you might think) or even stand straight up while riding through a small town (This is also a welcome change). If I had to rate he bike, I'd give it a 10 out of 10.

"Don't you get sick of riding every single day?"

No. We have something new to look forward to every day, and the things we've done on the spur of the moment (As my cousin Chuck said much earlier in a comment here) have been some of the most memorable. Our schedule changes and last minute re-routes add spice to this adventure. Riding is certainly not a chore. The ability to just be immersed in the environment is way cool. The sights, smells, and even at times the feeling (wind, rain, sun) enhance every mile.


"Do you miss home? Aren't you wanting to get back to where you can just open the cupboard and have a bowl of cereal?"

Most certainly so. I do miss home and my family, my job and co-workers, and absolutely look forward to the day we get back. But in the meantime I don't let that get in the way of having a great time while we're here. Today is our last day in Alaska and in some ways that's a downer - but we have lots more to see and do. And besides, it really isn't our last day in Alaska as we'll be spending a few hours in Hyder, AK (the southernmost town in Alaska) later this week. But now we will be heading to the Yukon today and back to Pacific Time - the first clear signal we'll be on our way home. So yes I do miss home.

Now for one other comment.

Motorcycles DO Make me Pee.

Blackie, it seems - not so much. Now mind you that at the risk of providing you with way more biology than you care to know I have never been known for the size of my bladder. In tavern parlance, I am a "one beer - one pee" person. But the motorcycle - I'm not really sure what - vibrations, bouncing, sitting position? - gives me what I call a 125 mile bladder. We regularly push this to up to 175 miles, even 200 a couple of times - but I get the calling sooner than we stop almost always. So it's something I deal with and Blackie has to tolerate (what other choice does he have when I'm stopping anyway?).

So today it's off to Dawson City, YT. Should be a great ride and we hear Dawson is a fun town. I am not sure of our internet access capabilities there, but hopefully we'll be posting up the damage tomorrow.

I will leave you with this follower participation question, which I just learned about in the Men's restroom at our hotel (I apologize for the restroom theme peeps). Funny how little things posted above a men's room facility get attention. At any rate, how did TOK get it's name, and What day is considered TOK'S celebration day?

P-Rock - Excuse me, I have to hit the Rest Room.