We drove the gravel road towards Tok in rain. On the way we passed by old gold-digger towns. From Tok to Fairbanks we drove on asphalt again.
In our original plan, Fairbanks was our most northern point in this trip. But we wanted to go further up north and decided to go Dalton HWY to Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay. 800 km gravel road and cul-de-sac!
Not far after Fairbanks the asphalt stoppend and the dusty, bumpy road took us up north. We camped directly at the polar circle with billions of mosquitoes. Survival was possible only with complete body condom = mosquito net. Dinner was served inside the tent. We fell asleep under the midnight sun.
In Coldfoot - the last gas station before Prudhoe Bay, we filled up with gas in the spare tank. Just to be sure we would make the last 400 km to Prudhoe Bay.
We continued on the lonesome, bumby road through a magnificent landscape. It soon started to rain - again! When we crossed the Atigun pass at 1200 meters over sea level, it even snowed. The road transformed into mud! In pouring rain we tried to drive meters for meters. It was more uncontrolled slips than driving. It was difficult for all of us, not only Ingeborg who just recently got her driving license. It was not possible to set up the tent. Only the muddy road and sump. We had to continue to Prudhoe Bay.
Finally, at 11pm, we reached the oil fields and Prudhoe Bay. We were exhausted, frozen and covered with mud. All three of us had the same thing ing mind - HOTEL!
Deadhorse (the name of the neighbourhood) is actually just one big construction site. All houses and buildings are made of containers, even our hotel. We got a room for $75/person. We first thought it was a bit expensive, but since it includes free food 24h a day, shower and laundry room, it was a fair price.
At 2am we dropped into bed.
The next morning started in slow rain but later on the sun started to shine. We went the last 3 km to the coast by bus, since it's not allowed to drive by yourself because of security reasons - USA!
So, with the sea in front of us, 160 km from the Arctis glacier, we were standing at the end of the world... A really nice feeling!
Back at the hotel we met the three guys from Schweiz, we met earlier at Ross River. We joined the for lunch and some conversation. Then we had to prepare for the drive back to Coldfoot. The hotel receptionist insisted that we would bring a lot of packed lunch, we had already paid for it. So we filled up our pockets before we left.
The sun was shining bright when we left Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay behind us. The road was almost dry and finally we could enjoy the amazing landscape and nice view around us.
When we made a stop to stretch our legs, Tobias noticed the patch cord of the gasoline line was broken. After a short emergency repair we could continue. After just a short while, Ingeborg had to stop. The chain had jumped from the chain sheet. This was also taken care of quickly and we could continue.
200 km from Fairbanks Robert had some problems. The tyre was punctured! We used our small air compressor to fill the tyre several times along the way until we reached Fairbanks.
On the next day general cleaning was announced. It was difficult to get the bikes clean. Our clothing, bags, ribbons - everything had to be cleaned.
The left suit-case of the 1150 was broken. We found a workshop, which repaired it for $40. We also tried to find brake linings and a new patch cord but we had no luck, so after three days we continued to Anchorage to see if we could find it there. Robert who had been driving with us since june 19, had another route planned, so we had to say good bye.
After two days (July 2nd) we reached Anchorage, the capital Alaska. Since the BMW dealer had long weekend due to the holiday at the 4.Juli, we could get a few days rest. We spent the first night 50 km outside of the city on the Bird Creek Campground, on which the largest trees of Alaska stand.
We took a ride into the city and a Harley Davidson dealer offered us to camp on the meadow beside the store, and to use WC and shower - free of charge. We gladly accepted the generous offer and went back to Bird Creek to get our stuff.
When the tent and our stuff was in order on the weadow we met Nicole from Alaska Riders in a building nearby (Alaska Riders organize mc tours to Prudhoe Bay and other places and they also rent mc's). She was very kind and helpful and let us use the computer all day and she also made business cards with our contact information for us.
We meet nice people everywhere!!
