UPDATE: Bethel is officially out... Fairbanks is in! I just got back from a 5 day trip / job interview in Fairbanks, and I am officially hired. I think Fairbanks is great, and they made me an awesome offer. It looks like within the next month, I will be living in the coldest city in the U.S. It was -27 degrees F the night I got there, but warmed up as the week went on. Since it's not practical to drive to Fairbanks this time of year, I will just fly up with a few bags to get me by until spring, and then will fly back and drive up with my possessions. It's going to be a pain in the arse getting my bike up there. There is a chance I may just sell it and buy another bike next summer.

Any other members from Fairbanks? I would be interested to hear your opinions and your favorite places to ride during the short riding season.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow

Grats on Fairbanks! I don't know where exactly (the batcave?) but strompilot lives up there. If you're going to drive up, why not throw the bike on a trailer and bring with? Before you leave, be sure to enjoy the sun

edit: a relatively cheap alternative would be shipping the bike via alaskan ferry from bellingham to valdez or whittier. I bet southwest or alaskan airlines has cheap flights from seattle to bozeman *cough*

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Congrats Fairbanks has good biking. You'll be much better off than the remote Bethel location. This is a very good spin for you. Sweet.

Now, go make yourself a list of cold weather clothing and related farkels.

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2009 DL650 'Prime Mover'

"It is better to live alone in the desert than with a nagging wife" - Proverbs 21:19

Looking out the door I see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners.
Parading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water. - Jeff Buckley, 1994

http://photobucket.com/mid-life-crisis-tour

I lived in Barrow for a number of years in the previous decade. It was the most unique place I've ever lived. Fairbanks was a great place to get back close to the real world. Bethel is best described as "If the world ever needed an enema, Bethel is where they would insert the tube." You made a great choice with Fairbanks. Make sure you go to the Cookie Jar and have the smoked salmon linguini. Also hang out on the deck at Pike's.

That is my current plan. The only problem is that I am going to have to figure out how to get my small amount of household possessions, my motorcycle and mountain bike, and an enormous amount of tools and woodworking equipment up there with a Ford Ranger and small trailer. My wife will also drive a truck and pull a trailer, but she will need an 18-wheeler to haul all of her stuff.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow

Well it's obvious the solution is to put the bikes in the back of the Ranger, add your bags, and leave your wife at home. Simple! Ok, well maybe she could drive the Ranger with strom and mtn bike and you could drive a Uhaul van with everything and 10mpg.

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Sounds like it's a good time to downsize the "stuff".

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Rich Desmond
'07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '99 SV650 (race bike), '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350, '08 Ducati 848

Congrats on the decision and the job!!! There seems to be an active AK community on ADV rider. I lived in Anchorage many years ago and didn't ride at that time. I've touched base on ADV rider with a guy I knew back then (AKDuc). I'm willing to bet of you reach out to him he'll put you in touch with some guys from Fairbanks.
Tell him fire fox/Todd who worked at REI sent you.


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com App

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Eastern Gathering 2013

Thanks for the scoop. It looks like I will have to start browsing ADV rider.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
- C. P. Snow

Congrats on the job! I'm in Anchorage, rather than Fairbanks, so I can't point you to too many rides in your new digs, but definitely take the time to do the Denali Highway sometime. I did it summer a year ago, and it's a beautiful trip!

Oh, and +1 on the Adv Rider tip. It's under regional forums, then Alaska. They are a great, fun group of people (at least on-line -- I haven't hooked up on any trips with anyone yet).

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DL650 K9:

• SW-Motech crash bars, skidplate, side carriers, 12V power outlet,
• Pelican 1430 cases,
• Tech-Mount PDA holder,
• Oxfords Sport heated grips,
• Axio tail bag
• Shinko 705 front and rear
• Richland Rick fork brace

1977 Yamaha XS750 -- project bike