Was a long long long day of hard riding, pounding wash boards and loose gravel. Got a lot of great photos too, but let's start with the best shot of the day......
WE DID IT!!!!!!! Da'mit and I arrive in Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay Alaska on June 14th, 2013 at 1:30 pm. Twenty-three days after leaving Key West,Florida. This is not an official certified completed Iron Butt ride until the paperwork and receipts have been submitted and certified. No other Ural has completed the Ultimate Coast to Coast Challenge according to the most recent IBA records.
Now to rest a day or two then start working my way back home. Not sure of the route yet, but that will evolve.
Here are the photos of today's ride......enjoy
The start of Atigan Pass in the background, going up to 4799 feet, not high by most standards but we are far north of the Arctic Circle. One has to cross the Brooks Range in order to reach the tundra.
Da'mit is loving the road, eating up the miles and miles of bone-jarring washboard, stones, dirt, dust and cold in the Pass. The temperature today warmed up, in the 70's. Dry, not a drop of water. gentle wind from the north all day. Could a street bike have made the ride today, yes if they can ride loose gravel, but the miles and miles of washboards would beat any machine mercilessly.
The two extra gallons of gas I added for insurance in Fairbanks were not needed after all.
The arctic fox has lost his winter white coat already.
Two of the more than 74 caribou seen this day.
Some have said that the Ural is fine about-town rig, but not a serious long distance ride. Da'mit's and my little adventure puts that myth to rest. Da'mit has been trouble free from start to finish. She has more than proved herself to be a reliable trouble-free machine capable of eating up the miles. The issues I had were with after-market items or operator error.
Those who thought that the machine design, the technology or the rider were too old to accomplish this challenge..... well, we proved them all wrong.
Those who say it cannot be done should not stand in the way of those doing it.
Hope you enjoyed following along on this ride. Will post more of the return ride as it develops.
Nite ya'll
Posted with Blogsy
Well done, Da'mit, you have done a great job.
ReplyDeleteCCJon, an outstanding achievement! One for the record books...make sure you let the folks at URAL know, for the Irbitz Newsletter and the FB page! PM me on advrider for contact info on Jon Bekefy if you don't have it.
ReplyDeleteObo, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your encouragements.
ReplyDeleteCharlie6, you are the one who promted me to learn to take better photos. I was envious of your beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteTiming is everything in what you see up here, that and luck helps too.
Congratulations, Jan! I'm here with Mom and Dad, and Dad has enjoyed reading all your recent posts. What an accomplishment. We're all so proud of you! Love, Peggy
ReplyDeletePeggy, thanks for sharing the blog with Mom and Dad. I know Dad always wanted to visit Alaska. Hope he enjoyed the photos of the Last Frontier.
ReplyDeleteLove to you all
Way to go Jon. When they put this in the record books it should be recorded along with your age. Give them yonguns something to think about.
ReplyDeleteContinue on a safe journey.
Harry
An amazing adventure, Jan! I am so jealous! Now I will have to start planning my return trip. I have been following your progress all along and I can't imagine your elation after such a long journey.
ReplyDeleteOne question - how do you rest and relax in Prudhoe Bay for a day or two???
Now turn around and look to the south and try to imagine how far it is all the way back to Houston!
Jerry M
Harry, the calendar may say I'm 68, in my mind I'm still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up.
ReplyDeleteLiving life the best I can.
Jerry, the road up never gets boring. Everytime you see new things, see old things differently and the weather is never the same.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you made it safe and accomplished what was set out to be done! Really enjoyed reading the blog and am looking forward to some day sharing it with Adrián. Happy travels home!
ReplyDeleteThenille, I look forward to the day I can personally tell Adrian about some of my adventures. Love you, Alan, Adrian and Andrew.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely a Fab Photo Essay. Will continue to follow as you continue your journey. Did Flushing Michigan to the Arctic Circle up the Dalton on a 2006 Harley Ultra Classic back in 2011. Spent two days getting the frame supports(for the rear Fender)welded back in place when I got back off the Dalton. You are right - Street Cycles don't belong on the washboard. It will be a BMW R 1200GS for the next trip up the Dalton to Prudhoe Bay Next Summer early with Jack G. from Glennallen Ak.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Jan. I don't know if you'll remember me but we met briefly in Homestead the night before you were getting up early to head down to keywest and turn around and head north. I was staying at the hotel and got your card/blog from you. Your pictures are amazing! Glad to see you made it!
ReplyDelete-Chris