July 2/3 - gw

So, we made it to Prudhoe Bay and back over the last two days! After making this trip, I continue to ask "Who's idea was this anyway?" Problem is I think it was mine so I am to blame.



So here's the deal...

July 2 -Temps in the 50' s thru 70's. Lotsa rain in the a.m. turning to clear mid day.

July 3 - Temps in the 30's going up to the 70's as we get closer to Fairbanks in the p.m.



If there was a list of all the obstacles one can encounter on this trip, we hit them all, with exception of snow. We departed Fairbanks at 7 a.m. on July 2 and early-on ran into a steady rain. This was ok for the initial 80 miles but then the roads changed from blacktop to dirt. Good part is no dust, bad part is the roads is very slick due to calcium chloride they use to keep the dust down. (The tire change to knobbies was key in my book). We ran in rain all the way North (330 miles) to Coldfoot Camp. Rain ended, good roads (this is relative, still very rough in places where road construction was in play) to Atigun Pass. About 10 miles out of Atigun Pass we hit washboard roads, then losta loose gravel, then a 15 mile section where they dumped new rocks on top of the road for repairs (golfball to softball size!). Arrived at 8 p.m.

July 3 - departed 6 a.m.at 38 degrees, got lost in Prudhoe Bay, finally left at 6:30; saw a herd of Caribou about 10 miles out. Ran into fog and had to ride for approx 3.5 hours with about 50 ft of visibility to Atigun Pass. From there on in, it was dry, but had to stop for road construction. Avoid stopping if you can - lotsa big mosquitos attack you! The rest of the way in, very dusty conditions. Also, I had a flat tire due to something cuting my new tire, putting a large gash in it. Had to stop for repairs twice. I guess the first one didn't take. Anyway, finally made it back at 8 p.m. Then took the bikes to the shope for washing and tire changes to new Tourances for the trip home. Got back into the our cabin at midnite - looonnnnnggggg day.

If ever you are asked to do this Prudhoe Bay trip; think long and hard. Think about taking two days up and two days back rather than 1 day each way like we did. It is a very difficult ride given the road conditions and weather. If wet, very slick. If dry, very dusty. Either way plan for a 10 - 13 hour trip each way! Am glad I completed it, but not for the faint of heart

Tomorrow is a much needed down day.