Prudhoe Bay Alaska

img_0448img_0419img_0444When I left Fairbanks for the final push north, it seemed that anything that could try to stop me would. The bike started missing and would’nt go, I was about 70 k’s out, I drained the fuel and eventualy got it going again with fuel from my jerry can, I then headad back to fuel up as there is only one fuel station in 820 k’s. There I met up with Flo and Micha, they were looking for me, so we headed north together, then I had some electrical problems, it was the cut out switch on the side stand playing up, after that I got a rear wheel puncture, fortunately Flo and Micha were there so we could pick up the bike to remove the wheel and repair it. We headed on and camped at Coldfoot where we met up with Ingo, another German also about to head south, so we were 4, next day we headed over the Brookes mountains, that is when the weather changed, it became freezing and started raining, the road turned to mush and was realy slippery, with my smooth tyres it was a challenge, they all had new conti TKC 80 nobly tyres. I just had to hang in and hope for the best, we eventualy made Prudhoe Bay, found a hotel, closed our eyes and paid the money to stay there, it is a realy cold place way north of the arctic circle and the sun does not set, kind of wierd, 24 hour light. All meals were included in the price, so we realy pigged out and took sponsered food for the trip back. The arctic ocean is still frozen so we could not swim, so I got fotos on the ice. Prudhoe is a dry town so there was no beer to be had anywhere, that was disapointing so we had to wait till we got back. We were realy lucky with the wildlife that we saw, moose with twin calfs, musk oxen, cariboo heards, bald eagles, dall sheep and other stuff. The Tundra landscape also has a beauty of its own, it is harsh and unforgiving and yet nice. The trip back was a breeze, no rain so the road was hard, sunshine so it was warm especialy once over the pass, so we did the whole trip back in one, about 9 hours, some low flying. We also met other bikers heading up there, I think it will be raining today so they may have some fun. The James Dalton highway is the haul road for trucks and material to and from the oilfields, the oil is pumped by pipeline to Valdez on the other side of Alaska near Anchorage, about1500 k;s away through arctic conditions, a real challenge. So what now? I am now on vacation, a bit more of Alaska and then fly back, should arrive on the 24 th. Then try to become normal again, another challenge! So now off to the botanical gardens. I DID IT !!!!!!! YEA HAAAAAA.

12 Responses to “Prudhoe Bay Alaska”

  1. Chris says:

    Congratulations Bruce. Now enjoy your holiday!!!

  2. Ian says:

    An amazing tail Bruce, cheers and well done.

  3. Shirls says:

    Wow…what an awesome adventure… what next! Seriously I am so proud of you.. Jen and I will collect you on the 24th… enjoy your last week or so…cant wait to see you.

  4. Alison says:

    Well done Bruce!! We are all so proud of you!!

    Really looking forward to having you home again, but enjoy your holiday.

    Lots of love
    Ali

  5. Lance says:

    Congratulations on a fantastic achievement!!

    Your name is to be added to only a handfull of individuals who have accomplished this feat and as far as Saffers go, I would wager it is unlikely to have ever been done before.

    Look forward to hopefully having a ‘quietish/ not quietish’ one with you on your return on the 24th

  6. Karla says:

    Hi Bruce!
    Wow! You lucky fish…I can imagine who you felt..all the things you have seen..!!!!
    congratulations!!

  7. Jen says:

    Hey Bruce…I can’t believe it is all over! I hope your adventure was everything you hoped for and more!

    I are really looking forward to having a few cold ones and hearing all about it. Enjoy your break and see you on the 24th!

  8. Jen says:

    I are not speaking english so lekker! Sorry was meant to say I am really looking forward to haveing a few cold ones…been a long day…think I was distracted by the thought of beer… xx

  9. Dad says:

    Bruce,
    Sorry to be late in our congratulations, BUT it blew a Hooley on Monday and Tuesday with day time temperaturs dropping to 14C. and trees falling all over the place, after 48 hours our power has finally been restored.
    Looking forward to your return, Mum and Dad.

  10. Dad says:

    To give people not only here but elsewhere an idea of how large Alaska is;
    you say Prudhoe Bay to Valdez if 1700 km, it must also be almost the same distance from East to West. Would it be equivalent the the Area of South Africa? OK my Readers Digest of 1989 gives the following Details!! Woh! Safrika including Walfish Bay 1,123,236 sq km population 34.335 mil. With Alaska 1,530,693 sq km 4.194 mil. To make us all feel small; this was the last country, or rather state you visited. I wonder how many of us honestly understand the distance you have covered in such a comparitively short time, or the climatic changes you have encountered, and suffered? Once Again Mum and I say, “Well done, you put us all to shame”. Dad

  11. Derek says:

    Well done Bruce!

    I’ve enjoyed the bolg. Not just campfire stories but the real thing.

    Maybe see you before the end of the year for a paddle!

    Derek

  12. Kevin Whistler says:

    What a ‘boytjie’!!!! I’ve been keeping up to date since, I think you were in and around central America. I bumped into Lisa Dodington at Milnerton rugby club and she told me about your escapade, so I simply googled you and have enjoyed reading your reports with soapie gusto. You might have heard of the “iron butt award” that the local bikers do for long distance riding, well I think you should be given an award called the Titanium Butt, well done!! I recall a couple of years back that you mentioned (over a few cold ones @ the Crown ,I think?), that you wanted to do this trip. I would like to hear more about your trip, and perhaps fill in your story with photos and more detail via a web page or something? Or let us know when you are in Cape Town again.
    Anyway, have a safe journey back. Hasta pronto mi amigo.Aprendistes algo de espaniol? Kev