Good suggestion from Darryl Petrack: "Items to take suggestions: not really items to take as such, but packing suggestions: Be sure to pack tools in an accessible location, esp. if they may be needed for access to cargo -- like the screwdriver I borrowed so many times from Dave because mine was BURIED! DO NOT PACK FULL! One can pack so much better at home with lots of time, but on the road, packing may not be done as well, and overflow becomes a problem. Also, you may accumulate things (souvenirs, if nothing else) and then you will need a "bag stretcher" which does not work on hard bags!"
New from Darryl -- posted June 13 -- Thoughts for '08 -- especially for the Haul Road Fairbanks to Deadhorse -- voice of experience -- be sure someone has toilet paper or kleenex or the like in case of a call of nature -- after the end of the Elliott Highway, it is 420 miles with only three fuel / restroom stops! (approx. 55 miles to Yukon Bridge, 175 miles to Coldfoot, and Deadhorse -- oh, yes, there is a facility at the Arctic Circle (with picnic tables as well) between Yukon and Coldfoot).
Do NOT pack saddlebags tight. You may not be able to pack that well each time on the road.
Dress in layers -- one or two extra shirts in the cool-cool-cool of the morning. These can be shed at fuel stops and transferred to the saddlebags.
Initial pack should have these in the saddlebags so you will have room for them when shedding them.
Initial pack can be flat and snug, suitcase style works well. When repacking soiled clothing, or fresh laundry, put parts -- like T-shirt / shorts / socks combinations in a coil like a sleeping bag, and you will generate some free space for souvenirs, sloppy packing, snacks.
Double bag spillables like vitamins, laundry detergent. I had both containers leak.
My anti-motorcycle but Darryl-loving incredible super-wife had another observation last night -- it should be obvious, but some people like me blithely assume that we will be able to ride between patches of rain! Everyone should have a GOOD rainsuit that they can operate in for all day! And it should be packed where it is easy to get at! And hopefully easy to get into on the roadside . (Mike's comments -- so true! One year, just thee hours of rain, another year, 4 straight days of rain).
(Mike Tuccelli) On my first three trips, I used a large plastic file storage box that had a lip all around the upper edge (which allowed me to use bungee cords to put an ice chest on top of that) and put that on my passenger seat. That is a huge storage area and is waterproof. You may want to consider a Givi case ... the kind that has a quick disconnect and you can carry it into the motel like luggage.
I plan to bring a large ice chest so you may want to get a quart leakproof tupperware container for your snack foods.
Things to consider:
Credit cards ... you should be able to charge everything on this trip though I bring $50 Canadian for things such as a cup of coffee, etc.
Ride-On Tire Sealant most likely will donate tire sealants. I got over 30,000 miles on my tires with this stuff. If you check their link for motorcycles, and scroll down, you will see a photo of Patrick Henry at Alaska!
Cup holder for your drink
MOSQUITO REPELLANT! There will be some areas where we need to stop for road construction and the mosquitoes up North are huge! Make sure you check Consumers Report to get the ones that really work. I like Off! Deep Woods kind.
Pepper spray ... you can get bear repellant en route ... especially if you plan to amble up Dalton Highway and maybe want to take a nap.
Passport and Canada insurance card (your insurance company should give this to you for free)
An electrical outlet installed on your bike so you can plug in a electric coffee mug (Bed, Bath and Beyond has a thermostat one for $19.95 and you can dump in a can of soup and have it hot and ready to sip in a few minutes).
Lip chap
Sun screen and skin lotion
Lightweight nylon long sleeve windbreaker (to keep the sun off your arms and neck)
Sleeping bag (only if you plan to economize by sleeping on the floor in hotels)
Spare chain; TWO spare master links; Spare tubes, front and rear, Set of spark plugs, air pump to fill tires, tire irons or items to serve as such, for changing tires. (one biker didn't have a spare link and fell behind two days!)
Throttle adaptor so you can keep throttle open with the heel of your palm (or a throttle lock) or an electronic cruise control. On my former '02 Silver Wing, I had one installed by Joe Wolfe in Kingsport, TN
Sun glasses/goggles
Powdered laundry detergent and dryer softener (suggest laundry every 3 days)
Rain clothes! Waterproof shoes or boots.
I found that a couple of jump suits was all I really needed. These breathable cotton suits block the sun from the legs and arms. With laundry every three days, you don't need to take along so many clothes. In fact, pack lighter than you think you need and you can always stop at a Wal-Mart and get more if needed.
Gloves
List of motorcycle service at every location we stop.
A warm jacket (weather unpredictable ... in July 2004, it was 40 degrees all the way across Quebec!) And then it was 95 degrees at the Arctic Circle!
Extra headlight and taillight bulbs (and know how to change them!)
Good idea to have accessories installed, duffel bags, etc. packed and carry all that stuff around for a couple of weeks BEFORE the trip to do a good "shake-down". For example, I had to have a couple of things re-welded and/or re-tightened such as a new tank bag. You may find that you need more bungee cords. Bring duct tape also. Nylon ties.
Any service, new tires, etc. should be done a month before the trip. Debbie had fuel system problems for a whole week and a mechanic found out that her dealer did NOT clean out her carburetor as she requested. Maybe a new tire will have a defect which will show up within the month. Darryl had windshield problems which was ultimately fixed in British Columbia. My trailer hitch had the wrong pin coupler. Bottom line is ... any changes you make to your bike, do it a month early so you can catch any problems while you are home.
I suggest synthetic oil ... my '02 Swing had it for 133,000 miles and when I sold it, the mechanic said it had great compression. Bike runs cooler, better MPG and based on Chilton's book, you will save 90% of wear and tear on the engine ... and synethic oil doesn't break down, varnish or sludge as regular oil does ... and the service interval is twice as long. I've done the entire trip without changing the oil. My favorite since the ealry 1970s ... Mobil 1. Make sure if you have a wet clutch, get the one that does NOT say "energy conserving" per owner's manual warning.
Camera and tripod (though I will have this)
Darryl sent this to me April 18, 2008 concerning Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay):
VERIFIED: man cannot put water on the surface, but there are ways around this as some places can wash inside or on a catch basin and put the water into the sewage system rather than on the surface.
Airport Rentals ( 907 659 2000) can do some vehicle washing, i.e. radiators
The Post Office ( 907 659 2669) is located in the General Store Building
The Arctic Ocean Shuttle bus tour is booked through the
24 hour advance notice, with drivers License Number for security check, Cost is $38.00. Tours run at approx. 2 hour intervals and often book up, so reservations are worthwhile.
Lodging:
Arctic Caribou Inn 866 659 2368 Room with private bath: $235 for 1 or two persons Meals available, NOT included
Arctic Oilfield Hotel 907 659 2614 Room $125 / person, includes meals, CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
Prudhoe Bay Hotel 907 659 2449 CALL FOR AVAILABILITY, rates INCLUDE MEALS Private room, dorm style restrooms Single $110, Double room - 2 persons - $90 each person / night Private room with TV, phone, restroom Single $125, Double room (two people) $100 each person / night
No tent camping in Deadhorse No dump station in Deadhorse
This is all from my data sheets as obtained at the Ranger Station at Gates to the Arctic National Park in Coldfoot, plus a phone call to the Deadhorse Post Office this afternoon. Post Office Hours are 1pm - 3:30pm and 6:30pm - 9pm, Alaska time, 7 days Alaska time is 1 hour earlier than Pacific Time (which you already knew, but others that you just pass this on to might not)
Arctic Inter-agency Visitor Center P.O. Box 9079 Coldfoot, AK 99701 907 678 5209 Fax = 907 678 2005
Please email me at DrASL@aol.com if you have other suggestions.
