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Alaska 2008 Ride Report
Intro *
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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Day 21
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Day 22
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Day 23
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Day 24
Day 21: North to Alaska
July 2, 2008 - Midway, BC to Salmon, Idaho
Great day. Long, but a lot of fun.
Perfect weather to start. Got going pretty early, hit the border right before it opened at 8:00. Second in line, so that went pretty quick.
Dropped down Hwy 21 to 20 and then east to 395. 20's a good road, some nice twisty sections going over a pass. 395 south to Spokane, and then 195 south from there. A long section of 195 was a little surreal. Hillsides completely covered with young wheat, with a cloudless blue sky. Looking off to the side, all you could see were the 2 colors, green and blue, very little shading. Like riding through some huge abstract painting.
Headed for Lewiston were I picked up Hwy 12 to go though Lolo Pass.
Pretty spectacular drop down into Lewiston, you're up on a high plateau and can see the valley laid out below you as you start down. Loooong, winding, steep drop into town.
It was already a little warm up high, when I saw how much lower the valley was I figured it'd be hot. 96 on the sign I saw.
Took 12 east out of Lewiston. it runs along the Clearwater river. After 90 miles the river splits and 12 follows Lochsa river for a 64 miles and then climbs Lolo pass. This 77 mile stretch is what's usually referred to in bike circles as 'Lolo Pass'. Really though the good stretch is even longer than that, going all the way from Kooskia to 10-15 miles on the Montana side. About 110 miles all together. Just endless swooping curves, good pavement and nice views through the valley, and then up over the pass.
Motorcycle heaven.
Even saw some people whitewater rafting, looked like they were having almost as much fun as I was. :) In Montana, 12 T's into US 93, took that south headed to Salmon, where I planned on stopping. Dull for a while, but south of Sula the road climbed over Lost Trail pass. Another fun stretch. After the road dropped down into off the heights and into the forest the deer started to show up, had a few on the road in front of me and others off to the side. Damn wood rats. :) Slowed down and eased on into Salmon. 12 hour day, 11 in the saddle. 630 miles.
Hwy 195 | | 
Good Sign |
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Whitewater | | 
Whitewater |
Intro *
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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Day 21
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Day 22
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Day 23
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Day 24
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