RIDING MY OWN RIDE
THROUGH ALASKA IN 2024
“WELL, HERE I AM WITH A WHOPPING 6,000 KILOMETERS OF LOCAL SEAT TIME, NO TOURING EXPERIENCE AND JUST ENOUGH DIRT KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE ME DANGEROUS…”
“WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?”
ALASKA IN 2024 - A PROMISE TO MYSELF…
In 2022, at the age of 48, I decided that I would learn to ride. Note that before this midlife crisis even started, I had never thrown a leg over a bike.
Over the years, I always envied people that rode - especially the adventure types. Big bikes, upright riding position, a wealth of unnecessary accessories and bolt-on trinkets. I could really see myself on a two wheeled Land Rover. Well, right after passing my MST, the desire to own a spanked out adventure bike was fulfilled when I bought a beastly two-wheeled Africa Twin tractor.
Yep. You read that right. A new rider with no experience buying an 1100CC, 600 pound first bike. What could possibly go wrong? When the bike was delivered, I made a pact with myself that I would eventually use that monster to go on a multiweek misadventure beyond the local Starbucks.
Well, here I am with a whopping 6,000 kilometers of local seat time, no touring experience and just enough dirt knowledge to make me dangerous!
Having said all that, in 2024, I’m keeping my promise to myself and going on a first tour . To Alaska. By myself.
Carpe diem.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE…
I’ve spoken to a lot of people with different experience levels and the consensus was that I should document the pre-trip planning followed by updates from the road. I’ve discovered that there’s a sizeable demographic of middle aged, new riders with the same desire to tour but may not know where to begin.
This project is designed for my fellow new riders who are debating a first tour and are looking for inspiration and first hand experience with the planning process. Maybe you’re an accomplished veteran rider but you’ve never toured Alaska. There’s something here for you too.
GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN…
Not only will I document the journey, but also the pre-journey. Join me weekly as I do some heavy lifting for would be adventurers by researching routes, finding the exciting attractions, choosing gear, readying the bike — I’ll be discussing anything and everything related to a first-time preparation for a first-time adventure. This will obviously be Alaska centric, but the same general concepts will apply.
When the fun starts in June, there will be daily updates from the road through my social media channels. You can ride along vicariously through me as it unfolds in real time.
Lastly, don’t be a stranger. Ask questions, offer advice, provide ideas for future posts — I’m making this up as I go along.
At the end of the day, this will definitely be entertaining!
Cheers!
Paul
The 2024 Alaska Blog
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