DC to Alaska via Key West

Hey everyone, I'd like to introduce myself, as I am an FNG. My name is Andy, I'm 43, single no kids, and live in Alexandria, VA. I bought a used 2005 FJR with 1,000 miles on it and have about 30k miles on it now, mostly from commuting and some weekend trips to WV. My first long trip was to Key West in early January, and I learned I really liked long distance riding. So that led to the idea of me riding to Alaska. I was able to get 3 months off of work (I work with defense contracting and sometimes contracts aren't fully funded so my company is happy not to pay me for that time).

The original plan was to just go from DC to Palmer, AK via Denver to visit some friends. But then I started reading about the Iron Butt rides and the Ultimate Coast to Coast ride (Key West to Deadhorse, AK in 30 days). Since I have the time, I figured I might as well do that, so the plan now is to go straight to Ft. Lauderdale which is just over 1,000 miles so I can get the Iron Butt Saddlesore cert (1,000 miles in 24 hours). Then on to Key West where I'll start the UCC.

This forum has been invaluable to me for planning this ride, and what a great community. I've read ride reports, looked at pictures and watched videos. In particular I found MotoStrap's blog and videos very helpful, as well as the story and account from Two Wheel Nut. There were others too, and some good info on advrider.com.

Anyway, my wish is to add to the ride reports that have gone before me and contribute if I can. I'm sure I will post a lot of info that is covered elsewhere, but hopefully I can contribute some as well. And of course since I'm new to long distance riding I'm looking forward to advice and comments from anyone.

So if you've read this far, thanks, and I'll be posting details about my trip and preparation soon.

Andy

Good luck!! I'm envious, keep us posted via Ride Reports! :clapping: :clapping:

Man that's gonna be a hell of a route to ride! Crickey!!!

Looking forward to the reports.

When are you leaving Key West? Do you want company?

Here is a preliminary route, if you click this link it will take you to an interactive map so you can zoom in for more detail:

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• Alexandria, VA (home) to Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Iron Butt Saddlesore 1000 run
  
• Ft. Lauderdale to Key Colony Beach, FL: I have friends here. Will spend a day then ride to Key West to start my Ultimate Coast to Coast run.
  
• Key West to Colorado Springs, CO: Will try to get there as quickly as possible. I have friends here and in Denver I want to see so will probably spend a few days around here.
  
• Colorado Springs to Cody, WY: This will set me up to take Hwy 296 (learned on this forum that this is a great road) to Bear Tooth Pass
  
• Cody to Columbia Falls, MT: this sets me up to ride through Glacier National Park
  
• Columbia Falls to Banff, through Jasper: Canadian Rockies
  
• From there to Deadhorse, AK: I'm just going to take this leg day by day.
  

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

Mountain said:

When are you leaving Key West? Do you want company?

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Yeah, that'd be great. I'd be leaving Key West on May 31, based on the current plan.

Might be a bit too soon. Maybe I'll trace your steps if I get the time off work. I'm over in Maryland for a few months. What are you doing in Anchorage after? Shipping bike or riding?

Good luck!

IMHO, the route you have chosen through Alberta, BC is spot on.

Sounds like a Most Excellent Adventure. :clapping: I live 50 miles North of Ft. Lauderdale. If it doesn't screw up your IBSS 1000 miles in 24 hours you can crash at my place. Got 5 bedrooms and 3 baths and I only use one of each! Give me a Holla as you're passing through.

Ummm, then we can have a little chat on who had first dibs on that Avatar of yours! :lol:

Busted!

majicmaker said:

. . . we can have a little chat on who had first dibs on that Avatar of yours! :lol:

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Yeh, who'd 'a thought TWO guys would choose that yellow hubcap? Hey, I'm just glad nobody else chose mine.

OP: nice ambitious ride. Maybe line up a place that'll hold a spare tire for you somewhere along there?

SacramentoMike said:

Yeh, who'd 'a thought TWO guys would choose that yellow hubcap?

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Hubcap? Or biohazard (radioactive) ?

SacramentoMike said:

Hey, I'm just glad nobody else chose mine.

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As if :blink:

Mega - you know......there's a biiiiig FJR rally in Castlegar, BC starting on June 21st. Just sayin'

MEM said:

SacramentoMike said:

Yeh, who'd 'a thought TWO guys would choose that yellow hubcap?

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Hubcap? Or biohazard (radioactive) ?

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Oh, it's a hubcap all right. Old Michael has a set of them on his car.

Mountain said:

Might be a bit too soon. Maybe I'll trace your steps if I get the time off work. I'm over in Maryland for a few months. What are you doing in Anchorage after? Shipping bike or riding?

Good luck!

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Well, there's a little bit of a back story. I drove a '95 Sportsmobile camper up there in 2010 and left it on a friend's property, so this trip is to go back and sell it. I figure that could take a month, who knows. So, I might have time to ride back, but the shipment option is nice to have as a backup.

majicmaker said:

Sounds like a Most Exellent Adventure. :clapping: I live 50 miles North of Ft. Lauderdale. If it doesn't screw up your IBSS 1000 miles in 24 hours you can crash at my place. Got 5 bedrooms and 3 baths and I only use one of each! Give me a Holla as you're passing through.

Ummm, then we can have a little chat on who had first dibs on that Avatar of yours! :lol:

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Thanks for the great offer, I could very well take you up on it. Sounds like a nice place. And oh, I'm working on putting a picture up instead of the avatar.

SacramentoMike said:

majicmaker said:

. . . we can have a little chat on who had first dibs on that Avatar of yours! :lol:

Click to expand...

Yeh, who'd 'a thought TWO guys would choose that yellow hubcap? Hey, I'm just glad nobody else chose mine.

OP: nice ambitious ride. Maybe line up a place that'll hold a spare tire for you somewhere along there?

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Yeah that's a good suggestion. I'm putting new Michelin Road Pilot 3s on this week. They're new to me plus I've never ridden with the load I'll be carrying, so I have no idea how far I'll get on those, but I'm hoping all the way.

str8 said:

IMHO, the route you have chosen through Alberta, BC is spot on.

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Yes! That's what I like to hear. It means staring at Google Maps all day wasn't a total waste.

SacramentoMike said:

Mega - you know......there's a biiiiig FJR rally in Castlegar, BC starting on June 21st. Just sayin'

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Yeah, I saw that in the NFO forum...I would like to make that happen if possible. I'll be in the neighborhood, just a little too early. I've never been to one, so I may see what I can do. Looks like fun although I have no idea what happens there.