Date:         Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:56:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Mike Stewart <mikestew@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Stewart <mikestew@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Spare tire
Comments: To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+az7_5aQPrif7J-f94w=neueNJZrS_tU2njxhwsBXWmD8ADpQ@mail.gmail.com>
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On Sun, Apr 10, 2016 at 4:28 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:

> I may add the western approach
> - Vancouver - thru the Rockies- to the get to Dawson City, the beginning of
> the ALCAN. Never have driven that, but understand it is beautiful and
> rugged. Definitely a dual spare route from what I understand.

Was up that way just last year on a motorcycle on the way to
Deadhorse. If you're referring to the AlCan, the entire length of
which I covered last year, it's all paved (save construction areas)
and kind of boring these days. Now, I did get a flat on the bike but
it was a chunk of metal that took me out, not road conditions. The
only part that's even remotely rugged, IMO, is the toward the
Yukon/Alaska border where the frost heaves get a bit rough. Still
paved, shouldn't take out tires, just an uncomfortable ride I'm
guessing. On the bike I just stand on the pegs and don't notice. :-)
Regardless, it's been many years since the AlCan was worthy of those
"I survived the AlCan" bumper stickers.

If by "rugged" you mean getting from Vancouver to Dawson City, man,
you'd have to go out of your way to find roads that would take out
tires. The most reasonable routes I know of are all smoothly paved and
kind of boring.

For you nuts going to Deadhorse, I didn't think the Dalton was all
that bad (granted, a BMW bike built for the task on dual sport tires).
The vast majority is just dirt with some gravel sprinkled on top,
though after Antigun Pass the gravel got a little thicker. Conditions
will change, of course, by the time you get there. I'd be more worried
about my windshield than tires, though I'd bring a couple of those,
too. And extra gas: bring some. I know our '81 stands no chance of
making it the 240 miles from Coldfoot to Deadhorse on what the stock
tank carries. (The BMW holds 8 gallons and gets 45mpg; I just needed
to top off with a few gallons when I got to Deadhorse. <g>)
--
Mike Stewart