Day 22 - Fairbanks, Alaska to the Arctic Circle and back to Fairbanks. Day trip miles - 412. Total miles since leaving Indianapolis - 5,271 miles ridden.

Mother Nature decided to smile on the guys today.  Yesterday's rain yielded to a clear, blue sky.  There was a 0% chance of rain in the forecast.

The group's excitement level ran high with the hopes of making the ride to the Arctic Circle.  To make this trip everything must work exactly right.  The weather is absolutely critical, 120 miles of the route that the guys planned to take is hard packed dirt.  It is almost impossible to ride on this surface even with a light rain shower occurring, let alone a long rain.  This area is mountainous.  In a moments' notice the weather can change.  If you make the ride to the Arctic Circle, you must return on that same 120 mile stretch of dirt road in order to get back.  There is no other route.  As excited as the guys were to make the trip, their hearts were heavy too.  A piece of the group was left behind as Stu remained in Fairbanks.

Many motorcyclists come to Fairbanks hoping to make the run to the Arctic Circle.  Bad weather might make them have to wait four or five days, or until, the weather breaks.  Even with the long wait, some still don't get the chance to make the trip.  Given the weather conditions yesterday, along with Stu's injury, today we were blessed with the perfect day.

It was Joe's turn to lead the group today.  They were preparing for a dusty ride.

The road is called the Dalton Highway.  This is known to the locals and truckers as the Haul Road.  This is the only road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay.  It passes the Arctic Circle.  The Dalton Highway is also the service and construction road for the  Alaskan Pipeline.

The road runs almost parallel to the Alaskan Pipeline.

The guys approaching the Yukon River

Vast, open country.

Six hours, and 206 miles later, the group arrived at the Arctic Circle.

 Joe and David at the Arctic Circle.

Joe has ridden 6,189 miles from his home in New Hampshire.

From Memphis, David has ridden 5,632 miles to this point.

During the geography session, Fred points out their location on the world map.

Fred has traveled 5,475 miles from Canal Fulton on his motorcycle.

 

Proof indeed that Mike reached the Arctic Circle.

Since Mike left Bemus Point, he has ridden 5,631 miles.

 Fred, Mike, David, Ron and Joe

Having arrived at the Arctic Circle, the five were now 5,631 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, which was the official starting place for their Alaskan adventure.

Documenting that he also arrived at the Arctic Circle, Ron stands by the sign.

Ron and his bike are now 5,216 miles from home in Sunman.

The five guys represent their buddy Stu, at the Arctic Circle.  He was truly there in spirit!
Will somebody please tell Fred and David that their mustaches are on upside down?

Hey Mike!  Did somebody say picnic?

Actually, Ron's been talking about picnics for several weeks now.  

It's a wonder they haven't bound and gagged him over the subject.

Mike, Joe, Fred, David and a swarm of mosquitoes.
  David's smiling with the hopes that RP will finally stop talking about picnics.

Heading back towards Fairbanks down that same long, dusty dirt road.

How many guys, dressed in black leather, does it take to hold up a section of the Alaskan Pipeline?

Answer - This has never been done, so nobody knows for sure.

Everybody else reads the No Trespassing signs!

Busted by the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Doyon Security Guard.

He has to explain to the guys that the sign meant them too!
These guys really need chaperons.

The guys have made the return trip on that same 120 mile dirt road.  They are back in Fairbanks.

Safety is a must on this road.  There is a fair amount of semi traffic on this road.   Drive it like you stole it, is the motto for these truckers!

Have you ever watched the television show Ice Road Truckers?  Well, if you have, this is the road that they drive on.  Only this road is full of ice and snow.