The author rides a 2008 Victory Vision Tour

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Part 4 | Motorcycle to Alaska's Independence Mine

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A favorite Alaskan motorcycle day ride is the route from Anchorage to the historic Independence Mine. This is Part 4 of the Independence Mine Ride series.

After your motorcycle adventure to Eklutna Lake, a couple miles of travel on the Glenn Highway is unavoidable. The good news is the turn to Palmer via the Old Glenn Highway is only a few miles down the road! Take this route for a more leisurely and scenic road trip through the Matanuska Valley. The Old Glenn Highway is cut along the foot of the Chugach mountains, and follows the Knik River until crossing it on a new span that recently replaced the old open-girder bridge. If you choose not to turn and cross the river, you will be treated to another top-shelf 20 mile side trip.

This side trip is the Knik River Road, which continues on along the river for another 10 miles or so of paved motorcycle goodness. The pavement ends at another bridge, over a Knik River tributary, and turns to gravel for a few more miles of fun for the more adventurous motorcyclist. The rest of us turn around and ride the 10 miles back, turning right when we meet the Old Glenn Highway and crossing the bridge over the Knik River there.

Check back to Motodometer later for Part 5 of this post.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Part 3 | Motorcycle to Alaska's Independence Mine

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic-motorcycle-route

A favorite Alaskan motorcycle day ride is the route from Anchorage to the historic Independence Mine. This is Part 3 of the Independence Mine Ride series.

About 25 miles from Anchorage is the exit for Eklutna Lake Road. This recently paved route clings to the edge of Eklutna River valley, and takes numerous slow curves and twists as it makes its way to Eklutna Lake. At the end of the road you'll find the Eklutna Lake Campground, hiking trails and the glacier-fed lake from which Anchorage draws its drinking water.

This is a must-ride motorcycle side trip. The lake is only about 10 miles from the Glenn Highway, but plan about an hour for the round trip with a quick stop at the lake.

Check back to Motodometer later for Part 4 of this post.
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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Part 2 | Motorcycle to Alaska's Independence Mine

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic-motorcycle-route

A favorite Alaskan motorcycle day ride is the route from Anchorage to the historic Independence Mine. This is Part 2 of the Independence Mine Ride series.

A few miles after you leave Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, take the Hiland road exit, right on Eagle River Loop then right on Eagle River Road. This route winds through some scenic motorcycling along the Eagle River Valley for 14 miles, until it terminates at the Eagle River Nature Center . Photo credit Laura Hillary. Take time to explore the nature trails or view salmon in the river from the observation deck. Remember, if you see a bear, slowly, quietly back away careful not to crack a twig or make the faintest sound and then run like hell!

On your way back towards the town of Eagle River, take a right on Eagle River Loop Road and a right on Old Glenn Highway. This route will avoid the interstate-like Glenn Highway as long as possible, and increase your enjoyment of the ride to Independence Mine. Total side trip distance = 28 miles and a bit less than an hour on the motorcycle.

Check back to Motodometer later for Part 3 of this post.
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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Part 1 | Motorcycle to Alaska's Independence Mine

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic-motorcycle-route

A favorite Alaskan motorcycle day ride is the route from Anchorage to the historic Independence Mine. This is Part 1 of the Independence Mine Ride series.

The historic Independence Mine is less than two hours away from Anchorage. That's IF you take the highway as much as possible. Sure you can save some time motorcycling straight there and back, but this post will detail the scenic route, slower roads less traveled with less traffic, along stretches of old highway, back roads around farms, and finally winding up the valley along the Little Susitna River until you reach the Independence Mine State Historical Park. Once there, a good restaurant awaits as well as tours and exploring among the buildings of the old mining town, far above the Matanuska-Sustina valley near Hatcher's Pass.

Check back to Motodometer later for Part 2 of this post.
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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Motorcycle commute: Pros and Cons

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On the motorcycle your senses are much more closely in tune to the world around you. You might say riding the motorcycle is one way to get back in touch with nature. One major difference between riding to work in my car and riding to work on the motorcycle is the invigorating flow of air. On the motorcycle you are bombarded with the smells of whatever area you are riding through, and they cannot be avoided. Whether I am touring through a forest of douglas fir or motorcycling past a freshly-cut hay field, your nose tells you exactly where you are. On the down side, my commute to work every day takes me past one place I'd just as soon not be in tune with: An enormous dairy farm...! Read more!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Motorcycle to Whittier? Caution: Rough road

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If you are thinking about motorcycling the spur road to Whittier off of the Seward Highway, (see post entitled Part 3 | Alaska's Seward Highway), you might want to wait a week or so.... A massive rock slide covered the road on Saturday 4/11/09, and still hasn't been cleared as of 4/14/09. It could take several more days to open. Read more about the rock slide here.

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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Part 7 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

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My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 7 of the Seward Highway series. The end of the aptly named Seward Highway is the All-American city of Seward, just a few miles past Exit Glacier Road. Check out the Seward Chamber of Commerce website, especially if you plan to spend a couple days exploring the area. Good seafood and a spectacular setting make this city memorable. If riding is your only mission, motorcycling the entire Seward Highway from Anchorage to Seward takes about two hours. Whether your ride takes two hours or two weeks, you won't forget your scenic tour down Alaska's Seward highway.

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Friday, April 10, 2009

Part 6 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

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My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 6 of the Seward Highway series. scenic-motorcycle-tour-routeSoon after Tern Lake the road winds along the shore of Upper and Lower Trail Lakes, and past the Trail Lake Fish Hatchery. Numerous campgrounds and hiking trails are available along this stretch of the route, some along scenic Kenai Lake. The lakes in this area look a surreal blue/green, due to the influence of melting glaciers. A narrow canyon funnels the road from Kenai Lake down towards Resurrection Bay and the turn off towards Exit Glacier, another must-see side trip. The road to Exit Glacier a seventeen-mile round trip mixed bag, some gravel but smooth and paved for the last few miles. The dirt travel is totally worth it, as the road brings you within a few hundred yards of spectacular 10,000-year-old ice.

Check back later to Motodometer for Part 7 of this post.

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Part 5 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

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My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 5 of the Seward Highway series. scenic-alaska-motorcycling-roadOnce back on the Seward Highway after your side trip to Hope, the motorcycle rider is treated to a twisting climb up Canyon Creek gorge to the Summit Lakes. On the shore of scenic Upper Summit Lake, Summit Lake Lodge is a highly recommended place for lunch. Motorcycling past the Devil's Pass Trailhead, the road travels back down to Tern Lake, a wildlife viewing area and junction with the Sterling Highway.

Check back later to Motodometer for Part 6 of this post.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Part 4 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

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My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 4 of the Seward Highway series. motorcycling_scenic_roadsmotorcycling_scenic_roadsBack on the Seward Highway, about 60 miles out of Anchorage the route takes a turn away from Turnagain Arm and climbs into the mountains of the Kenai Penninsula. Turnagain Pass is the high point, a classic alpine meadow landscape locked between jagged peaks (top photo). The elevation is just under 1000 feet: While you can expect to see snow drifts on the side of the road into June, the Highway itself should be free of snow May - September unless a late spring storm has recently passed through.

A few miles after motorcycling out of the pass are bridges high over Granite Creek and Canyon Creek (middle photo). The road travels sweeping turns through the mountains, eventually coming to the junction of the spur road to Hope. This must-see side trip is a smooth, motorcycling touring gem that winds 16 scenic miles along a river valley until it reaches the south side of Turnagain Arm. Gold fever raged during the early 1900's in the towns of Sunrise and Hope (bottom photo), and still infects some today.

Check back later to Motodometer for Part 5 of this post.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

Part 3 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

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My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 3 of the Seward Highway series. The spur road to Portage and Whittier takes a turn ten miles past Girdwood. This scenic side trip winds through Portage Valley (photo), along the Portage River full of spawning salmon during the fall, past hanging glaciers and to the Begich-Boggs Visitor center. In order to get through the mountains that divide Portage Valley from Prince William Sound, you will need to ride your motorcycle on the modified railroad tracks through the Whittier tunnel, a long one-way toll-road open only during limited hours. Check the schedule before motorcycling there to avoid just missing an opening. Once through the tunnel, the town of Whittier greets you at the end of the road. Tucked on the shores of Prince William Sound, Whittier is a sleepy fishing town and a terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway system (photo). Whittier is the end of this route, 11 miles or so from the turn off the Seward Highway.

Check back later to Motodometer for Part 4 of this post.

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Sunday, April 5, 2009

Part 2 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic-motorcycle-route

My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. This is Part 2 of the Seward Highway series. Several small communities dot the highway as you motorcycle south. About 40 scenic miles from Anchorage is Girdwood, a small town tucked into a rain-forest valley. If you plan to spend a few nights in the Anchorage area while touring, one of the best places is the Alyeska Hotel, by far your best choice for lodging. The Hotel is 4 miles from the Seward Highway turn off, as far as you can ride on that particular route. Just on the other side of the hill is Alyeska Ski Resort. There are numerous good lunch spots in the valley, or maybe ride the tram from the Hotel to the top of the mountain for lunch with a view. Hiking opportunities abound in such places as the Winner Creek trail (photo). Girdwood has a decidedly funky vibe. Fuel up here before traveling on the 50+ mile distance (depending on side trips) to the next gas station.

Check back later to Motodometer for Part 3 of this post.

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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Part 1 | Motorcycle Riding Alaska's Seward Highway - National Scenic Byway

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic-motorcycle-route

My favorite motorcycle road of all time is from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska's Seward Highway. I have motorcycled all or parts of this scenic highway countless times. It is the most spectacular 120-mile stretch of smooth pavement I have ever encountered in my 30 years of motorcycle riding.

Starting in Anchorage, the Seward Highway drops down from the city and travels the shores of Turnagain Arm. Motorcycling around the first 40 miles of sweeping curves, you have the water on one side and mountains that rise straight up to the 5000' range on the other. The Arm is known for its tidal extremes, so the views on his route vary from expanses of glacial mud as far as the eye can see at low tide, to pods of Beluga whales spouting 50 feet from the road at high tide. Time this scenic motorcycle ride two hours before high tide and you might see a bore tide rushing up the narrow Arm, and windsurfers darting back and forth on the windy days.


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Check back later to Motodometer for Part 2 of this post.

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Friday, April 3, 2009

Don't mess with a motorcycle babe

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Here is the biker babe Mrs. Deejay. Ferociously guarding the motorcycle in Eagle River, Alaska. A scenic place to travel motorcycling the top of the world.

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