I’m committed to this trip now…. I went out and bought a bike just for this. I picked up a brand new 2016 Triumph Tiger XCA just before Thanksgiving.
So far I’ve put just over 900 miles on it, not a lot at this point but given it’s winter here and there is snow on the ground it’s not too bad. I am really loving the bike. The Sprint was a nice bike, but this one is awesome! So more about the bike!!!!
Specs:
Triumph Traction Control (TTC)
Switchable ABS High level front mudguard
WP 43mm USD forks with adjustable rebound and compression damping
Adjustable WP rear suspension
Radiator guard, Hazard Lights
Switchable riding modes: Road, Off-road and Rider
ABS with On /Off-Road / Off , TTC with On / Off-Road / Off, 4 Throttle Maps , Cruise control
Advanced Trip Computer
Aluminium sump guard & Engine protection bars
Hanguards
Centre Stand
Heated Grips & Heated Rider and Passenger Seats
Updated 650W Alternator complete with 3 auxiliary sockets
Aluminium panniers and top box
Fog Lamps
Even if the trip is months away, winter is a great time to start working things out. I’m already planning things out for it. It’s a long time to be on the road, it’s a great deal of miles to cover, especially alone. Which it’s looking like I will be doing most of the trip on my own. Jaime and I had started out planning this together, but she and I both have different things we want the trip to be about. It’s looking like we will meet up in a couple spots rides some miles together and then go our separate ways. What can I say we are both loners…
So far I’ve worked out a rough plan for the route. The route for heading up to Deadhorse Alaska.
This route would be roughly 4,839 miles. I say roughly since I will likely stop and check out things along the way so I’ll be doing more miles then I list for each section. This leg of the trip has me in Anchorage, so there will be trips around to see family and friends. If time allows I’d like to do a side trip over Hatcher Pass. Since I have some fond memmories of the place from High School. Don’t ask… As I’d rather not incriminate myself.
This next section is the start of the ride back to NM. It’s one of the hard dates I have for the trip. I really want to hit the Dust 2 Dawson weekend in Dawson city. It’s close to the solstice day so there will be plenty of daylight to help tick off the miles I’ll need to cover. It’s a huge party, I do love parties. When I was up there a couple of years ago it was all everyone talked about doing. So I decided to plan a trip around that event so I could join in the good times. For what ever reason, google maps won’t let me map the return trip using the TOW (Top of the World Hwy) So I had to plot the return trip out in two maps. This leg is around 885 miles.
This section of the trip is around 3605 miles. That makes for a rough mileage total RT of 9330 give or take. So I’ve got to work out at least one oil change in there, along with a tire swap in addition to general maintenance along the way. Can’t ignore the chain…. I’m thinking that I’ll have roughly 30 days to do the trip. Currently, I’m planning on camping more than 90% of the time. It’ll be easier to find places to stop, since this is the height of tourist season, resorts, and motel/hotels are harder to find without planning and making reservations. Something I hoping to be able to avoid. It’s also cheaper on the pocket book.
Now if I can make things work out with my job…. I could be out for 40 days and than I’d have time to add in the Dempster Hwy… Making the RT mileage ~10,250…. Hum…
