The Arctic Circle
I woke up early as usual. It was raining, but I decided to ride up to the Dalton Highway sign and see what the conditions were there. It wasn’t raining when I got there and the weather seemed to be breaking so I kept going. Before I knew it I was at Mile 9, then Mile 12 and I realized I was riding the Haul Road with relative ease.
I’m too tired tonight to write about my conversations with the tour-van driver and the couple form Australia. I’ll write about those conversations and the rain and the mud later. For now, here are some pictures.
More mud in places you didn’t know were there. It will be fun washing !!! Great pix, by the way. Glad you found the road to be passable, though I am sure it took a lot of attention to negotiate.
Found a car wash nearby with super high pressure. Did a good enough job.
I don’t know many riders who could make it down that road with those conditions on a heavyweight touring bike shod with street tires. You should feel a great sense of accomplishment.
It’s almost sad to wash the dirt off, as it’s like a badge of honor.
Thanks. I talk about the value of planning. I didn’t do enough research. I knew it was gravel. Didn’t know how bad.
The mud at the pumps look like it would have been a challenge in itself. I think of myself as a seasoned rider but I’m sure THAT would have been a challenge getting to the gas pump!
It was a challenge. The “parking lot” is 200 yards of mud in all directions. You have to park at the pump, walk 50 yards to the office to leave a card, walk back to the bike, fill up, back to the office, back to the bike. And you can say, “Hi” to the dog.