litigator Posted July 19, 2012 Posted July 19, 2012 I know that it's over 10 months away, but I am always up to 15 months ahead with my work calendar. I will be riding from Denver to Anchorage from about June 5 to 15th 2013. My wife is flying up to meet me, and we will ride around Southern AK for a week or so, then go to Haines to start a series of ferry rides to Vancouver Island. We'll cross by ferry back to Vancouver, spend a few days, and then she will fly home and I'll ride back to Denver. I'm figuring 4 to 5 weeks overall. The exact dates will depend upon ferry reservations, which I cannot yet make. I hope to find someone to do all or part of the trip, especially the Calgary/Banff to Anchorage part. Anyone interested? No commitment needed this early, but I'm looking to see who might be coming along.
Jacqueline Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 I hope to find someone to do all or part of the trip, especially the Calgary/Banff to Anchorage part. Anyone interested? No commitment needed this early, but I'm looking to see who might be coming along. Seriously think about doing it by yourself... if you are not an introvert you will find you are never alone for very long on your trip and you will meet so many interesting people. I'm speaking from experience... It can be the most rewarding experience!
Selden Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Seriously think about doing it by yourself... if you are not an introvert you will find you are never alone for very long on your trip and you will meet so many interesting people. I'm speaking from experience... It can be the most rewarding experience! I am an introvert, and your advice is still spot on. I found myself opening up to complete strangers almost from the first day of my 2006 ride to Alaska. There is nothing like riding 400 or 500 miles in a day, completely by yourself, to make you appreciate human company. Possibly a personal bias, but I found the people that I met at hostels to be far more interesting company than those I met at hotels. For obvious reasons, hostels aren't terribly well publicized, but once you get into the network, one hostel leads to another, to another, and so on. I don't know what 2013 prices will be, but in 2006, I averaged about $20 a night staying in hostels in Canada and Alaska. The only hostel that didn't have Wi-Fi (even then) was in Homer. I can highly recommend the 26 Street Hostel in Anchorage. The owners, Sebastian and Marcella, an Argentinian couple who pedaled from Ushuaia to the Arctic Circle, are very friendly, the clientele was extremely international, and several decent restaurants, an REI store (2 stories, with an escalator!), and the Alaska Leather store are all within walking distance of the hostel.
Marty Hill Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Did that exact trip a few years ago. Be careful with the ferry exchange at prince rupert/I asked the skipper to radio ahead and have them wait a few minutes. Canadian ferry was supposed to leave just before we docked. Was waved thru Canadian customs without stopping.
szurszewski Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Did that exact trip a few years ago. Be careful with the ferry exchange at prince rupert/I asked the skipper to radio ahead and have them wait a few minutes. Canadian ferry was supposed to leave just before we docked. Was waved thru Canadian customs without stopping. +1 I was coming south from Sitka in December one year and had a similar experience. I was NOT prescient enough to ask for this courtesy, but the purser on the AK Marine Highway ferry took it upon himself to send a request on my behalf to the BC Ferry (I was catching the ferry from Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island). They also waived me through CA customs and literally raised the ramp on the BC ship as my wheels touched the cargo deck - pretty sure we were underway before I had my bike secured. In December the ferries run a bit less often, and had I missed that BC Ferry, it would have been a week in Rupert, or a New Year's ride on CA HWYs 16 and 97 - as much as I really would like to do that, I certainly wasn't geared up for it at the time. Also, by the way, +1 on the solo trip. I've done similar solo and with others - both have been great, but very different. With others you'll get to know them, but solo you'll get to really know people where you stop and other random travelers along the way. josh
Woodchips Posted November 2, 2012 Posted November 2, 2012 Greetings litigator Are you still contemplating a trip to Anchorage next June? I live in Calgary and having soloed to Key West this summer, I am thinking of going the opposite direction for my next trip in 2013. I am retired so the scheduling is not a factor. While solo was nice, I would enjoy traveling with another rider or small group. At this point, nothing is written in stone but it would be nice to see if there is a like minded rider/group giving it some thought. Ron
Marty Hill Posted November 2, 2012 Posted November 2, 2012 Did that exact trip a few years ago. Be careful with the ferry exchange at prince rupert/I asked the skipper to radio ahead and have them wait a few minutes. Canadian ferry was supposed to leave just before we docked. Was waved thru Canadian customs without stopping. +1 I was coming south from Sitka in December one year and had a similar experience. I was NOT prescient enough to ask for this courtesy, but the purser on the AK Marine Highway ferry took it upon himself to send a request on my behalf to the BC Ferry (I was catching the ferry from Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island). They also waived me through CA customs and literally raised the ramp on the BC ship as my wheels touched the cargo deck - pretty sure we were underway before I had my bike secured. josh Josh, I do remember seeing the ramp pulling up seconds after I got into the cargo area. Did you also get some odd looks from the passengers who wondered who the hold up was for?
algover Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 ...... Josh, I do remember seeing the ramp pulling up seconds after I got into the cargo area. Did you also get some odd looks from the passengers who wondered who the hold up was for? Well, for Marty Hill, of course!
Marty Hill Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 Hey Peter, sometimes lucky is better than good.
szurszewski Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 Josh, I do remember seeing the ramp pulling up seconds after I got into the cargo area. Did you also get some odd looks from the passengers who wondered who the hold up was for? Marty, I can't say that I do, but it was a few years ago (it will have been 13 since, as of this December) - I mostly remember being: 1) puzzled and amazed that they waited for little me 2) fascinated by the moveable bulkhead wall that swung into place behind me as I was strapping my bike to a floor cleat 3) seriously impressed by the ship itself - much more like a cruise ship than the comparatively utilitarian AK ferries with which I was then familiar.
litigator Posted November 9, 2012 Author Posted November 9, 2012 So, Ron and I are now set on the following itinerary. Anyone care to join us? Denver to Banff, I''m on my own. Ron and I will connect in that vicinity. After we arrive in Anchoarge, Ron will head back in a couple of days, and my wife will join me for the rest of the trip. On July 4 to 10, I'll be riding back to Denver. June 11, 2013 Sheridan http://www.sheridanmillinn.com/ June 12 Lethbridge http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/lethbridge/yqlca/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=mdpr-_-TripAdvisorUS-_-BLwebsite-_-EX_YQLCA June 13 Jasper http://www.mpljasper.com/hotels/marmot_lodge June 14 Dawson Creek http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/priceAvail.do?propertyCode=62114&sob June 15 Toad River http://www.toadriverlodge.com/ June 16 Whitehorse http://www.highcountryinn.yk.ca/ June 17 Tok http://www.amooseberryinn.com/ June 18 Anchorage http://anchoragedowntownhotel.com/ June 20-25 www.captaincook.com June 25 Tok http://www.amooseberryinn.com/ June 26 Haines http://www.beachroadhouse.com/ June 27 Alaska Ferry June 28-29 Prince Rupert www.cresthotel.bc.ca June 30 Port Hardy http://www.quarterdeckresort.net/ July 1 to July 4 Vancouver
Woodchips Posted November 10, 2012 Posted November 10, 2012 Hi Greg I've been shovelling snow all day and am looking forward to June. I have not booked accommodation for my return trip home yet as i'm sure if i'm going to Prince George then Vancouver or straight back to Calgary. I would welcome company from anyone leaving Anchorage around June 18th or 19th heading south either way. Ron
litigator Posted November 10, 2012 Author Posted November 10, 2012 I assume that I told you that I booked two bed rooms at all the places. I won't be offended if you want your own rooms. I'm fine with either sharing costs or having my own room.
upfisk Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 What no Fairbanks or Circle City to the Yukon or Haul Road to the Yukon? Tok to Haines is a long trip in a day.
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