Ratcheting Up The Granite, Searching for a Brake Line

P-Rock - Tok-Posting

Day 10 - Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to Tok, AK






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The big news today was that we crossed the border back into the good ol' United States. Of course we forgot to take the obligatory "one cheek on each side of the border" shot. Mind you this definitely would have been Blackie's well sculpted bum as mine would require a wide angle lens and probably cover up "SKA | YUK" in the photo.

As mentioned earlier today, Blackie and I blew up the existing plan which would have taken us to Tok via Skagway, Alaska to the ferry to Haines, Alaska then back up to the Alaska Highway. This was due to yet another ferry schedule change over the past few weeks that made Skagway impossible. Blackie has filled you in on those details and I have to say that the new alternative gives us everything we wanted, just at different places and times.

I don't have any pictures, but the Kluane Lake, - which is HUGE! - is one of the most picturesque lakes I have ever seen. Very high mountains in every direction and a pristine lake I'd estimate is at least 30 miles long and 5 miles wide with the only civilization being a widening in the road called "Destruction Bay" Blackie and I had a nice lunch there (Chili, for the gas wars later this evening) before heading out for the Alaska border.

Given the road conditions today between Destruction Bay, YT and the Canadian border, it was probably a good thing we had the route change. We had a few hundred miles of pure vertical massage due to road construction and frost heaves.

However, even with the crappy roads - today, like every day, did not disappoint. We saw another fox (this one Alaskan, not Canuck), the mountains got bigger - and I mean a LOT bigger - and it finally DID NOT RAIN! Instead we were treated to some world class dust storms in the construction areas which were some of the craziest yet.

Your P-Rock took lead from Destruction Bay all the way to Tok, and once we crossed into Alaska I turned up the heat and we rolled past a couple of Ohio bikers (on a Gold Wing and a Yamaha) who then trailed us into Tok. We were briskly rolling through the turns (marvelous road by the way) on a great stretch of pavement for the last 75 miles before tooling into town for some much needed downtime. If you have ever doubted the size of Alaska, check this out. Keep in mind that these are the "close" destinations!

I was able to confirm with The Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage a replacement brake line and time to install it next Wednesday when we are there... In the meantime I have a good handle on how far I can push the rear brake before I have to stop and reload the reservoir with fluid. That my friends is a huge load off of my mind.

We are now 4 hours ahead, on Alaska Daylight Time. To give you an idea of just how far west we are, the next timezone is Aleutian-Hawaii Time (!!). If you are one who has gone to Hawaii you may remember a 6 hour time difference in summer, which is because Hawaii does not participate in Daylight Savings. We've come a long way baby!

Next Stop: A short day to Fairbanks to prepare for our Arctic Circle Run.

P-Rock - Reporting Braking Action Adequate.