Hi Guys,
I am considering / hoping to ride my 2005 Wee from Lake Tahoe (Northern California) to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska next summer. I am reading through many threads on this site, but am curious if any of you know of a consolidated information site, book, etc. I am looking for lists to start with: pre-trip maintenance, tools to bring (and repairs to practice), sites along the route I can't miss, clothing suggestions, tips for packing a bike, etc.
Thanks in advance,
JP

The Adventurous Motorcyclist's Guide to Alaska is out there.

If you've done any longer trips in the lower 48 you already know everything you need to know. Alaska's a long trip, yes, but it's not qualitatively really different from riding in the western half of the USA. Just more days strung together.

That said, some thoughts:

Unless Prudhoe Bay is a big bucket list thing for you, consider spending that time elsewhere.

Related to the above, don't miss the Kenai Peninsula.

Also don't miss the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper.

Tools and spares, pretty much the obvious stuff. I like to have levers, brake/clutch/shift, so that if I break one in a drop or minor crash I'm not stranded. I make sure that I can get either wheel off the bike, can plug a flat and pump the tire back up, and can get the tank off to poke around if needed. Some zip ties and electrical and duct tape too.

Rain gear. Really good, no-shit, ride all day in rain and stay dry rain gear. That includes boots and gloves that work all day in a cold, miserable, driving rain.*

Be prepared for big variations in temp over the course of the trip. If you haven't done much cold weather riding before, make sure you do some before the trip so that you know your gear is up to the task. Include long, all day rides in that test.

Most of all, just relax and enjoy. The roads are good (although there will be some construction) the towns aren't all that far apart and the scenery is amazing.

*If you read a lot of Alaska trip reports you'll quickly figure out that rain is the dominant topic. I was actually very lucky, only had 2-3 days with significant rain, but some friends who did the exact same trip the next year had rain almost every day. Be ready for it, otherwise you'll be miserable.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/haul-...part-1.943656/

Here's a good read.

The Milepost has a lot of info - https://www.themilepost.com/highways/alaska-highway/

The Alaska Highway is paved unless there is construction and there is always construction.

Thanks guys! I'll dig in. I am hoping to test myself this winter, when roads are not icy, here in the mountains where i live. I have spent time in Alaska as a professional landscape / nature photographer. However, I've never ridden far or in bad weather. I'll get to it.
JP

Tires get good 50/50 tires. Rain (that has been said) I have also seen snow in August. Heated gear, Fuel carry some extra. Poke around on this site. Many have done the trip. You will find all sorts of little nuggets to help you make the trip yours. Also don't carry to much. Let your hair down and enjoy the people. I rode with people from 6 different countries on different days and different legs of the trip.

Thanks again. I'm leaning toward Heidenau tires. I'll figure out how to minimize what I carry while bringing a 4x5 film camera kit (minimized) for "work".

Before I even went I purchased my Heidenau's from Adventure Cycleworks and had him throw them on the night before the Dalton.

Went to Dawson City this past summer. Roads are quite good, will always find some construction.

Do all the maintenance you can think of before you go. If you think you'll do something after you get back, do it up front. New tires before you go - think about a new chain and sprockets. Not a lot of choice up north. Take your passport even if you have an enhanced driver's licence that allows you into Canada. Need a passport if you have to fly out.

The milestone is a good guide. There are sufficient gas stops on the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek to Dawson City. If you can do 250 Kms per tank you'll be fine.

The road from Hinton Alberta to Grande Cache is approximately 250 Kms and there are no services in between. There are road signs to this affect. In Grande Cache, you crest the hill. There are services on your right. Stop there as there is nothing after this until you get to Grande Prairie some 250 Kms later.

Take a personal sign with you to post at the sign post city in Dawson Creek.

The Milestone has been mentioned and there are a lot of blogs regarding this trip. Lots of scenery to see, not a lot of variation in between stops - nature of the beast.

Great trip to do and strike off the bucket list.

Good luck. Cheers

In Canada, Grande Prairie and Whitehorse are your service points.

If you see a gas stop after some 100/150 Kms gas up, take a break.