Iowa Bandit Owners, what`s your trip this summer?

[Stranded in Iowa]

Looks like I might be going to the Ice Fields Parkway, Jasper Park, Banff, Lake Loise, and -if I get the extra time, I think I will introduce my Bandit to the Alaskan Highway. Don`t know how far I will get before my time runs out? But I was possibly thinking of going "Iron ASS" and just haul some serious butt all the way to the Alaska State line and take a picture. Just so I can say I rode to Alaska. If I`m lucky I will get 16 days of freedom. I`m looking at 8,000 miles in two weeks. That`s 500 miles a day. Somehow, I`m thinking, I`m biting off more than I can chew? If I`m not lucky, I will only have 9 day`s to ride. In that case I will just go ride to Ice Fields Parkway (Canadian Rocky`s). I can`t get an acurate count of exact miles. Everything changes to kilometers in Canada. My trip starts in late July, and I`m already getting ready for it. Got my passport comming.
Even though they say you only need a birth certificate to enter Canada, that`s a bunch of bullshit. They won`t let you in without a passport. At least that was the rule in Glacier National Park last summer. The only drawback on this trip is my fuel milage with the Bandit. I`m going for it anyway.
Anybody interested for a spetacular ride?
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[Red01]

Even though they say you only need a birth certificate to enter Canada, that`s a bunch of bullshit. They won`t let you in without a passport. At least that was the rule in Glacier National Park last summer.

Really? They must not have liked the way you looked. I crossed into Canada at Glacier/Waterton last summer and only had to show my driver's license. I did have my BC with me - and a CDN approved proof of insurance form, but they never asked for it.

[Daytona]

Anybody interested for a spetacular ride?
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

Bull dog avatar Ay! Yep got to have big brass ones to attempt that!!

[Stranded in Iowa]

Well, I can`t find what I`m looking for. I still have my map of Glacier National Park from when the rangers gave it to me. But I do remember a peice of paper that came with the map and it stated that you cannot cross the border into Canada without a passport.  I thought that was weird because the passport law doesn`t take effect untill 2008 something or another.  I also ran into another biker and he told me that they wouldn`t let him cross because of no passport. So, maybe I`m full of crap, I didn`t even try to cross. I didn`t have the CDN insurance either, but will have this summer. I`m just not letting the Canadians Border Guards not have an excuse to keep me out this summer. I will have a passport, insurance, helmet, and be freshly bathed this time.
 It does look like I will have two weeks in July. I`m going for the Alaskan highway via the Icefields Parkway. I`m not exactely sure how far I will get, but since I only have two weeks my goal is the Alaskan Border and take a pic. I am going to beg & cry to my employer for more time so I can  venture further into Alaska.   Ideally, I guess from all my readings, I would need six weeks to do everything I want.
 I don`t think I have balls of steal or anything like that. It`s been a dream of mine forever to take a trip like this. It`s a labor of love!
Besides, I have nothing better to do.
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[Daytona]

Well good luck on your adventure! and don't get stranded in the middle of no where Stranded in Iowa. Wish i could go! Na! Married with college kids! sounds like a Easy Rider Adventure. Got room for a video and dig camera? You got to post. Laptop with satellite connection would be great! You could keep us posted from the middle of know where! Maybe zuki will sponsor you like that yamaha guy that went to places that never saw a bike before?    

[Red01]

Living close to the CDN border, I've been across lots of times. Usually at a western BC/WA crossing. Most of it was pre-9/11 though. I've only been across a few times since. I've never had to show more than a driver's license. Only once was I ever subjected to more than the basic questions they ask, and that was when I was a kid goiing across with my parents in a motorhome on our way to Alaska... and I think the only reason we were pulled aside was because Dad had declared a firearm (rifle - handguns are a BIG No-No) and they wanted to see it - and seal it. Frankly, you're more likely to get hassled by the US Customs coming back than anything.

Going either way, I always take my helmet off before I pull up to the window if there's a line. They'll want it off anyway and it just seems to be more courtious to have it off before they ask. I forgot once at the US border at a desolate crossing and I thought the old, fat, lady US Agent was gonna rip me a new one for not taking it off immediately.  

[jwalters]

Hopefully this summer I'll be the proud new owner of a BMW 1200GS Adventure.  The summer of 2007 I am planning a month trip to the Artic Ocean, via the Alaskan highway and the "Haul Road" aka "Dalton".

This summer, I play on hitting the track, I made the leap and turned my bandito into a track-only bike.  I hope to spend my weekends at Road America, Blackhawk, Autobahn, etc.  But I stil plan on making some weekend trips this summer, if your ever coming through the Iowa City area drop a line!

[Stranded in Iowa]

Ok, It`s a GO!, I know I only have three weeks but I am going for it. My main goal is the Icefields Parkway. From there I am going for the "gold" and make it to Fairbanks, AK. Turn around and high tail it back home. I wish I had more time but at least I will be on my dream trip (partially). Maybe someday I will make the trip up the haul road to the Artic Ocean myself, that would be my ultimate goal. Unfortunetly I don`t have a laptop to keep a daily progress report with pic`s, but I finally got a digital camera so I will take a couple thousand photo`s and I will keep a daily journal.  I will definetly post a trip report here. I will probably get a hotel room a couple of times but I plan to camp out and ruffing it most of the time and be going cheaply has possible. Can of corn for dinner anyone?, Yum.
I got a bit of work to do on my Bandit. Gotta change the gearing back to stock sizes and put on a new rear fender (wish I never hacked it off). Couple of other tid bits but no big deal. Just wish I had more time, -stupid job. My other worry is fuel milage, My Bandit isn`t the greatest for that.
I gotta strap on a gas can or two. Maybe I should rejet my carbs, but that is such a pain in the arse. Well, at least I have six months to get ready.
I will meet up with a friend of mine from Seattle somewhere about Glacier National Park.
Has I said. I will keep you all posted!  
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[jwalters]

I am green with envy!  If you would like to go again in '07, look me up!  Best of luck, and keep all of us posted.
-j

[Stranded in Iowa]

I hope you guys aren`t all dissappointed in me, but there has been a change in plans. I don`t think I will be riding the Bandit to Alaska. Sorry.
Instead I am taking the wussie way out. I`m flying to Anchorage and I`m hooking up with Alaska Riders "http://www.akrider.com/news.html" and I`m renting a decked out KLR650 and I`m going to tour the whole state at a leisurly pace and have a real vacation and drink lot`s of bears and make friends with beers. With my original plan. If I made it to Alaska on my Bandit, that would only leave me 23 minutes to take a picture, sniff a rose, and pee on a tree. Should I still post pic`s and a trip report even though there will be no Bandits?
Sorry, but it`s my vacation.  Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[jwalters]

That's understandable.  From Iowa, it takes a few weeks to get up there, as you say, it would't leave you with much time to check out Alaska, which is no small state to check out either!  Here is another option for you, the BMW dealer in Anchorage or Fairbanks (I forget which one) will crate and ship your bike to and from.  So you could fly up and ride back or vice versa.

My offer stands to anyone who wants to come with me in 2007, i am planning on a month trip up there, to the Artic Ocean via the Haul Road (Dalton Highway)

Are you planning on doing the Dempster or Dalton?  How about the Denali park road, I think that is open to bikes and buses but no cars, unless you get a special pass...
-j

I hope you guys aren`t all dissappointed in me, but there has been a change in plans. I don`t think I will be riding the Bandit to Alaska. Sorry.
Instead I am taking the wussie way out. I`m flying to Anchorage and I`m hooking up with Alaska Riders "http://www.akrider.com/news.html" and I`m renting a decked out KLR650 and I`m going to tour the whole state at a leisurly pace and have a real vacation and drink lot`s of bears and make friends with beers. With my original plan. If I made it to Alaska on my Bandit, that would only leave me 23 minutes to take a picture, sniff a rose, and pee on a tree. Should I still post pic`s and a trip report even though there will be no Bandits?
Sorry, but it`s my vacation.  Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[jwalters]

I started cropping google maps images together to get a high res map from Iowa to Alaska (Not even sure if this is legal).  Some of you might find it interesting, feel free to add to it.  

I am getting one printed in poster size for my room, yes, I am a bit obsessed with this trip.... oh well.

These images are HUGE, so be careful.

Here is the map with my planned route:
http://tarzan.eng.uiowa.edu:8080/~jwalters/alaskaTripMasterWithRoute.jpg

Here is the map by itself:
http://tarzan.eng.uiowa.edu:8080/~jwalters/alaskaTripMaster.jpg

[Stranded in Iowa]

Are you planning on doing the Dempster or Dalton? How about the Denali park road, I think that is open to bikes and buses but no cars, unless you get a special pass...

Thanks for picking me up! I plan to do it ALL! With the exception of Prudoe Bay. I don`t think I will try that solo. If I hook up with some other riders then definetly hell yes I`m going to Prudhoe Bay! That might be scuicidal to do it alone? I plan to go into Denalie Park, but don`t know how far? I also plan to do the Denali highway, 200 mile gravel road with no sign of man. Also Plan to go to McCarthy. I don`t want to miss anything.
I will be renting a KlR 650 for eight days and plan to get my moneys worth.
LoL.
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa

[jwalters]

You better take a bunch of pics, and post them on BA!

[Stranded in Iowa]

ooops, please excuse my spelling. But you all know what I mean anyhow, right?
Kyle 97 B12 Iowa.
 p.s. I`ve been saring at the Alaskan state map non stop for a few days now. Someone help me!