Iron Butt - Alaska Style!!!!

[AlaskaWing]

What a ride!!!!

1,000 miles through Alaska.

Started in Anchorage in the early afternoon on Saturday, up over the Alaska Range, home of Mt. Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley), a quick stop for gas in Fairbanks then on to Delta Junction and south to Valdez via Glennallen!!! Yes....over the Alaska Range again!!! (over the Chugach Mountains as well.) Then turn around and head back to Glennallen and turn west back to Anchorage...yup, over the Chugach Mountains again, then through them sideways!! 22 hours later I arrived safely back in Anchorage!

Iron Butt Route (1)

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

What an awesome trip!

Bike issues...only 2. The tach started just screaming at one point, a shot of WD40 quieted it down, and the rear bearing picked up a piece of sand I think and started squeeking, I tried a couple of times to do a shot of WD40 in the bearing, and finally put it up on its stand, started the tire spinning in first and drowned the bearing in WD40 until the sand washed out.

Body issues...not much. Right knee kept aching, but I have a set of highway pegs up front so I could stretch. Got a bit cold around 3 am. But nothing an extra coat wouldn't fix. The only real irritant was the right hand and shoulder. I really enjoyed the downhill stretches, I would grab the clutch and coast along giving my right side a break.

I started a photo album, and put some photos of the trip in there if anybody wants to take a look. Sure is pretty country up here.

SW looking off Glenn Highway

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

Sunrise Thompson Pass

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

Outside Cantwell

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

More:
https://www.classicgoldwings.com/forum/gallery/album.php?album_id=2020

Oh....yes...I did see Santa as I rode through North Pole, Alaska.

North Pole Alaska

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

 

[Ansimp]

I wish I could of been in a position to try and do that run with you. Well done! :salute:

 

[Jungo]

Ansimp » Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:03 am[/url]":2pch9a57]I wish I could of been in a position to try and do that run with you. Well done! :salute:

+1 :salute:

 

[backlander]

Oh WOW !!! You just rode one of my bucket list rides. It had to have been fantastic. Congrats.

 

[cooltech]

very nice I have a relative that lives there some day I will get up there

 

[joedrum]

north pole run how cool

 

[mcgovern61]

Nice trip!! :clapping:

For that right hand and shoulder, I use a cramp buster on the throttle so that I do not have to squeeze and hold the throttle. Works like a champ!!

viewtopic.php?p=44511#p44511

 

[dan filipi]

You have some beautiful country up there.
Never been to Alaska but sure would like to make that ride some day.

 

[Steve83]

Beautiful! Sweet ride - glad it went well for ya!

 

[zman]

Just Awesome! Thanks for the pics.

 

[AlaskaWing]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:22 am[/url]":1d46v5hh]Nice trip!! :clapping:

For that right hand and shoulder, I use a cramp buster on the throttle so that I do not have to squeeze and hold the throttle. Works like a champ!!

viewtopic.php?p=44511#p44511

It looks like they come in three sizes, which do you think would work on a GL1100?

 

[mcgovern61]

AlaskaWing » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:29 pm[/url]":v9q56lu9]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:22 am[/url]":v9q56lu9]Nice trip!! :clapping:

For that right hand and shoulder, I use a cramp buster on the throttle so that I do not have to squeeze and hold the throttle. Works like a champ!!

viewtopic.php?p=44511#p44511

It looks like they come in three sizes, which do you think would work on a GL1100?

I use the one labeled CB4. I have been using it for 3 years with no issues. I have carpal tunnel, tennis elbow and rotator cuff issues on my right side and since I started using this device I can ride for as long as I can stay in the seat with no numbness, cramping, sore forearm, or aching shoulder.

 

[backlander]

Gerry,

Which one of those crampbusters do you think would fit these grips on my 86. I have been wanting to order one for the longest but didn't know which one to order. I prefer a big version for my size hands.

 

[mwbill37841]

opcorn: opcorn: opcorn: thanks for the pics last time i was in alaska it it was 56below zero.and i didn't even have a heavy coat with me...but i only had to walk to the terminal and back.

 

[AlaskaWing]

I don't think I mentioned it when I posted them, but most of the pictures that were taken with the darker backing were actually taken between midnight and 4 am. June 22 was tied with June 21 (solstice) as the longest day of the year. Adding to that was the most awesome Full Moon that just did not survive the picture taking process. You can see the full moon in the shot of my bike that has the Alaska Pipeline in the upper right.

Here I will post it again.

Full Moon at Alask Pipeline

• AlaskaWing
• Jun 24, 2013

HUH it is the same as my signature!!!

 

[Ansimp]

Good photo in stereo :smilie_happy:

 

[mcgovern61]

backlander » Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:27 pm[/url]":2cggtpmr]Gerry,

Which one of those crampbusters do you think would fit these grips on my 86. I have been wanting to order one for the longest but didn't know which one to order. I prefer a big version for my size hands.

That same one I mentioned before. Actually, any of them will work as far as diameter goes because it is actually a pinch fit to your grip anyway. Basically, there is a rubberband you add to your grip and then slide the cramp buster on it. It works by pinching tight when pressed. If you need to move or adjust it, just push it backwards and it slides back around.

BTW, those are the same grips I have!

 

[AlaskaWing]

Mine are the same too, but one of the chrome caps has disappeared. Mine are showing a tiny bit if age though, Can we get new grips OEM?


1982 GL1100

 

[mcgovern61]

AlaskaWing » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:56 am[/url]":1vv784cl]Mine are the same too, but one of the chrome caps has disappeared. Mine are showing a tiny bit if age though, Can we get new grips OEM?


1982 GL1100

If they are the same as shown in the pics, they are aftermarket. However, there is no shortage of good grips out there for 7/8" handlebars and I think the foam ones are still available. My foam grips are from "Wingleader".

 

[backlander]

Thanks Gerry, mine are Wingleader too.