June 25th, 2009 | 
Author: (Just to add more confusion)
So the Dalton Hwy. Has been known to eat up cars trucks and of course motorcycles for years but its one of those things that if you get a taste of you just have to do it. So we leave the Yukon camp we are all jacked up ( me on monster and JV on starbucks double shots) the weather it great the bikes are running awesome it can’t get much better then this. So we are riding up this steeeep grade we pass a slow move truck I hit a dip in the road and bottom out bike still runs but at I crest the hill it feels like I ‘m pulling a trailer (no power) I pull in the clutch to see if the bike is rolling ok (no problem there) then the oil light comes on and the motor is making this noise that can only be described as something ain’t right. There is a big pull off there (looks like the truckers use it to pull off and rest) I pull in and park. . So after doing some miner road side dignotics I am p*** off and frustrated thinking our trip has come to an end. So I send Jimmy back to Yukon camp to try and arrange a ride send out a help message via spot and the drama unfolds.
After JV leaves I go to work on a pile of gravel that is in the pull off area its to steep for a ramp but but all I can think of if a truck comes to a stop for help I want to be able to get it loaded I find some wood and use it as a shovel I move the gravel enough to make a nice ramp I run up and down it to pack it down. Then I start to lighten up the bike I unload my bags that are strapped on. I now am ready if some one stops with a truck.
Building a ramp from scratch
So now I start checking over the bike more I remove the seat and find that the tire ripped the bottom of my fender out and that was were some of my electrical components were it broke a wire I fixed it tried to start it up and it ran perfect and the oil presure light did not come on. I repack the bike send a ok message via spot hoping JV would get the word from Dean that I was ok.
Looks like a hole in the fender to me..
I head back to Yukon to find him I’m looking in all the cars as they pass me to make sure he doesn’t go past me and as I am with in 1/4 mile of the camp I see him in a truck he sees me also so as I slow down I see them turn I continue to the camp. We high 5 gas up and head up towards Coldfoot for the night.
Posted in Day 12
great thinking big steve…. all that problem solving and deduction… wow that just does my heart good after another week of working with people who can seem to find their way out of a cardboard box. I can imagine your disappointment thinking this might be the end…. and your excitiment when you realized you were given another chance….. good going…. atta boy
Big Steve – your personal details of the tale are priceless. I never really thought about how riding the motorcycle is much like cruising on our boat – gotta have the parts to repair things along the way because there's always something breaking. How resourceful. I can just picture the high 5!
Looks like you guys are on the move again – looking forward to the next installment of the story.
This is a long trip. Looks like you are having a great time but we are missing the i!
I LOVE that shovel! How resourceful! And EXTRA POINTS for taking pictures of everything! A man after my own heart…my step-daughter is always telling me how I'm missing real life because I'm so busy documenting it with photos.
Your description of the events as they unfolded are great – I'm reliving all the horror from last week, but this week it has some great visuals and a lot of smiles. Good thing you 2 have eagle eyes, too, spotting each other like that. 'Course, we got the news at 11 p.m. when it's dark here so I was picturing you looking for each other in the dark, but then you haven't had much dark, have you?
And SPOT – relying on Dean thousands of miles away to relay a message to Jim – gotta love it! Good on ya all!
well just checking in before i end the day and it looks like you are still on the move. tomorrow will be two weeks already…. don't know what i will do when you are done…. good journeying tonight,
I'm with kreegy – I don't know what I'll do when I can't check on you each morning with my first cuppa java…or watch you during the day at work, then discuss your progress over Skype with our sisters. You have to keep adventuring for all your fans have…kinda like your favorite TV show being cancelled. Will there be reruns?
Looks like you left Anchorage for Tok – too much of the big city, eh? So my morning sleuth says you're at the Westmark Inn. I guess I really do need to get a life!
well i see movement but no journal entry. SPOT says you are ok, so gotta feel good about that. Be safe, enjoy….. talk to you soon
Wow – – I am impressed – -great diagnostics & improvising !
Rich
Ps – -Best Fish restaurant & Beer in Anchorage is Glacier Brewhouse
Harley Steve and JimmV . I made a little something for you and for all of us who are following your trip. The story goes like this. Bob played by Steve. Doug plated by Jimmy V. Dean play Grady (From the band Rush} The Great White Norh well its Canada and Alaska. Take Off is Ride on buddy. Hoser well use your imagination. Hope you enjoy . Let me know. The link is posted at you tube search hallebaseballoc or copy and paste below. Oh ya BE SAFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09WEm8TwDpw