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What?! It's summer and there isn't one active motorcycle trip blog?! Well, if for whatever reason you are confined to the small radius around your town this season, I am here to help! I'm offering you an opportunity to live vicariously through me as I ride a 2005 Suzuki DRZ400 from Alaska to South America! This is my biggest moto adventure to date and I'm doing things a bit differently this time by making videos as I go. I made this little intro to tell you about the trip. My plan is to collect ideas, destinations, questions and challenges from you guys as I go to make it an interactive experience and hopefully more fun and interesting for everyone.  I'm flying into Alaska, buying a bike and embarking from Fairbanks on July 20th (just a couple days!) so please post some ideas and challenges up on this thread or YouTube and I'll do my best to incorporate as many as possible! I have about a month and a half for Alaska and the west coast and I'm factoring about a year for the whole trip, so the pace should have room for lots of side adventures! The very awesome ambihelical hexnut will be joining me for the Alaska leg and my friend Andrea will be riding South with me from San Diego. I look forward to some weird, funny and creative ideas only the minds of goons could conjure up! Ready? Let's do this thing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV9CvtDf-mo
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Jul 18, 2013 19:31
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| # ? May 4, 2024 16:39 |
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Ride the top of the world highway after the border closes. Get some gas in dawson and just ride it back and forth knowing there's no traffic around. Say hi to Z3n and I when you're in the california area. I can show you some nice fire roads in the mendocino NF. Get gas at every station even if you don't need it when you're in alaska. Stations close early or run out.
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Jul 18, 2013 19:38
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Hooray, Becktastic is back!
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Jul 18, 2013 19:57
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i'm sure you've seen this already - http://www.expeditionsouth.com/ - the guy did the same thing you're doing. his blog might have some good ideas.
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Jul 18, 2013 19:58
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Pie Colony posted:i'm sure you've seen this already - http://www.expeditionsouth.com/ - the guy did the same thing you're doing. his blog might have some good ideas. Huh nope wow I had no idea! I'll definitely check that out. Man, any time you think you have an original idea, somebody has already done it! I do think it's the nature of overland travel though that our experiences will be different enough not to feel like a deja vu. Or at least I hope so!
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Jul 18, 2013 21:50
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If you pass through the Humboldt/Arcata area, stop at Redwood Curtain for a couple beers.
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Jul 18, 2013 21:57
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Wow, what a ride! Will be great to follow. No tips or challenges yet apart from good luck, stay safe and have fun!
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Jul 20, 2013 17:53
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No advice besides have fun, drop by if you're in my neighbourhood, and if you end up needing mechanical stuff in my area, my garage is always open
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Jul 21, 2013 01:11
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That'll be awesome. If you pass through Seattle and need mechanical assistance or a couch to sleep on, the we have plenty of space and tools.
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Jul 21, 2013 01:22
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MotoMind posted:Ride the top of the world highway after the border closes. Get some gas in dawson and just ride it back and forth knowing there's no traffic around. Thanks for the tips! And if I show up with the border closed I'll at least do some donuts to honor you! :P HenryJLittlefinger posted:Hooray, Becktastic is back! Thanks for the support! ^_^ HenryJLittlefinger posted:If you pass through the Humboldt/Arcata area, stop at Redwood Curtain for a couple beers. Noted! I have a friend who just moved up there, so there's a good chance I'll pop by there! Ola posted:Wow, what a ride! Will be great to follow. No tips or challenges yet apart from good luck, stay safe and have fun! Z3n posted:No advice besides have fun, drop by if you're in my neighbourhood, and if you end up needing mechanical stuff in my area, my garage is always open Spiffness posted:That'll be awesome. If you pass through Seattle and need mechanical assistance or a couch to sleep on, the we have plenty of space and tools. Thanks so much you guys! Hopefully I won't need the mechanical help, but it's great to know where I can find it if I do! And couches to crash are always appreciated. :I'm waiting for James (ambihelical hexnut) to ride up and meet me tonight and after a salmon feast, we'll hopfully be hitting the Dalton Highway in the morning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlWsebl7WAI
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Jul 21, 2013 19:24
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Much love! Hope for lots of cool things to see and to do on the way.
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Jul 21, 2013 21:48
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How are getting past the Darien Gap ?
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Jul 21, 2013 23:12
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Isn't there a ferry now? edit: nm, no ferry
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Jul 21, 2013 23:16
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KARMA! posted:Much love! Hope for lots of cool things to see and to do on the way. Thanks! I'm sure there will be no shortage of awesomeness! Alaska is freaking gorgeous even when nothing is happening! I'm actually really loving the almost all daylight thing too. I feel so energized and like I can get a lot done...plus it's easy to abide my "No riding after dark" rule. Retarded Pimp posted:How are getting past the Darien Gap ? never happy posted:Isn't there a ferry now? No ferry, but you can charter a boat. Andrea has promised to blow a sea captain and grant us free passage. :P
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Jul 21, 2013 23:42
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James and I take on the Dalton Highway...Part 1! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_McUg1-3jk
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Jul 28, 2013 07:13
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...dun dun dun... When's part 2?
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Jul 31, 2013 07:00
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Seeing this for the first time, this looks kick rear end. Good luck and safe travels to yall, and as has been stated, if yall find yourselves in my part of Central TX my garage and beer are yours.
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Jul 31, 2013 15:55
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Likewise. If you come down the Alberta side and end up around Lethbridge (about 1 hour from Glacier and the US line) I should have a garage, repair facilities and a bed/shower available for you two.
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Jul 31, 2013 17:24
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slidebite posted:Likewise. If you come down the Alberta side and end up around Lethbridge (about 1 hour from Glacier and the US line) I should have a garage, repair facilities and a bed/shower available for you two. Thank you mucho! I don't think we're planning to head through that way on this trip, but maybe if I do, and I break down again, I'll hit you up haha. Korwen posted:Seeing this for the first time, this looks kick rear end. Good luck and safe travels to yall, and as has been stated, if yall find yourselves in my part of Central TX my garage and beer are yours. Thank you! I don't think I'll be headed through there since I'm going down the coast to San Diego to switch out riding buddies for mi amiga Andrea, but James will be heading through Texas on his way back home to the Austin area, so maybe he'll run into you. nsaP posted:...dun dun dun... Right...now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or22ErxrieY
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Aug 1, 2013 00:53
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drat, that looked pretty rough. Thanks for the update, now we can live out another slice of our Adv fantasies vicariously through you vids. Really though, good luck you guys.
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Aug 1, 2013 02:26
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Becktastic posted:Thank you mucho! I don't think we're planning to head through that way on this trip, but maybe if I do, and I break down again, I'll hit you up haha. Whelp, let me know if you do need a hand. Mrs. Slidebite would almost certainly not mind and you wouldn't be the first couple of dirty, smelly, overtired Americans to drop by Edit: And you taught me something; I had no idea Warner even had a hotel and bar! Double edit: That Mark fellow in your photo looks super familiar to me, but I just can't place him. Did he say what he did as his normal job? slidebite fucked around with this message at 18:20 on Aug 1, 2013 |
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Aug 1, 2013 03:35
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Looking forward to updates on your adventure. This is my new favorite thread in CA.
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Aug 1, 2013 06:38
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Becktastic posted:Thank you! I don't think I'll be headed through there since I'm going down the coast to San Diego to switch out riding buddies for mi amiga Andrea, but James will be heading through Texas on his way back home to the Austin area, so maybe he'll run into you. Oh kick rear end, if this is home for him he probably doesn't need a place to stay  I'll buy him a beer to hear some stories though, or maybe find another local riding buddy.
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Aug 1, 2013 16:58
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Retarded Pimp posted:drat, that looked pretty rough. Thanks for the update, now we can live out another slice of our Adv fantasies vicariously through you vids. Thanks! And glad I can help. slidebite posted:haha holy poo poo. I know exactly where you were! It's a classy establishment! Fake edit: Based on internet stalkerage I think he owns a trucking company? I got the idea he raced a lot though. Stugazi posted:Looking forward to updates on your adventure. This is my new favorite thread in CA. Aww thank you. It's a lot of work to do these while on the road but your comment helped motivate me to make another one today!Korwen posted:Oh kick rear end, if this is home for him he probably doesn't need a place to stay Yeah I was wondering if Central Texas meant Austin area too. But hey, maybe he'll break down right in front of your door before getting back to his house? :P And heeeerrreee's the Dalton Return! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGVD8xo3h1c
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Aug 2, 2013 09:54
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This is awesome and promises to be better than that Ewen MacGregor thing. For the love of God, be safe. I want to see this whole thing come to fruition.
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Aug 2, 2013 19:03
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Wow, this is gonna be an amazing trip! Best of luck. I'll be looking forward to following along through thus thread! Edit: when you get to northern CA, make sure to visit Big Basin state park to see the redwoods. Some of my favorite roads to ride are in the Santa Cruz mountains, too! Day Man fucked around with this message at 18:23 on Aug 4, 2013 |
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Aug 4, 2013 18:20
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Another Northern California tip: If/when you pass through Arcata, Wildberries Marketplace is a good spot to fill up on food. Lots of hippy dippy bulk dried stuff, good produce, and crafty beer. It's at 747 13th St, a block off Hwy 101.
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Aug 5, 2013 17:11
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This is awesome! Looking forward to following the updates on this one. Have you read any other experiences of people doing this trip? http://homeonthehighway.com/route-info/ came to mind when I read your plans. Their experiences at a lot of South American borders looked pretty intense.
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Aug 5, 2013 17:30
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As someone who has lived pretty far north and has been on his share of roads like that, I do not envy you.
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Aug 6, 2013 14:21
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HenryJLittlefinger posted:This is awesome and promises to be better than that Ewen MacGregor thing. Aww thanks  I'll be as safe as I can while still having a retarded amount of fun.  Day Man posted:Wow, this is gonna be an amazing trip! Best of luck. I'll be looking forward to following along through thus thread! I definitely want to. I've ridden up there before, but the dirt road to go ride through the giants was under construction and they wouldn't let me through.  :HenryJLittlefinger posted:Another Northern California tip: Good tip! We'll check it out. We've been surviving on dried food since our campstove started on fire. hot sauce posted:This is awesome! Looking forward to following the updates on this one. Haven't seen that one before, he's a hilarious writer! I have read a lot of accounts of many people becoming nearly homicidal after the Honduras border and then wanting to blaze through the whole country and get out as soon as possible, but I'm trying to set my expectations really REALLY low and walk away with my sanity intact. I've been to Honduras backpacking not too long ago and I enjoyed myself. I'm looking forward to exploring on the bike away from the borders and major cities and getting a true taste of the country. slidebite posted:As someone who has lived pretty far north and has been on his share of roads like that, I do not envy you. Yeah but at least I have a dual sport. I pity anyone riding on street tires up here and anything with less suspension. Even if you stick to the paved roads, there's enough road construction to make a dual sport worthwhile. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRlpijeJC9Y
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Aug 6, 2013 21:10
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Yeah, that was a moose If you like Hot Springs, make sure you stop at Liard Hot Springs in Northern BC.
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Aug 7, 2013 01:17
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This is awesome! Welcome back Becks.
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Aug 7, 2013 16:44
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Great thread; I'm definitely living vicariously through you guys. You mentioned San Diego so I assume you'll be rolling through the LA area at some point - PM me if you need a stopover. The family Casa has tools/motorcycle jack/guest bed/etc, and there's also the Mount Wilson Observatory up Angeles Crest for a local flavor moto-daytrip. If you're just smashing through and want to seize a beer or food somewhere I'm up for that too.
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Aug 8, 2013 03:20
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Hello from Dawson City! Becktastic and I just rolled into Canada, videos to follow. I thought I'd take a moment to document the modest list of equipment failures or breakages we've experienced on the trip thus far: Bilt ADV Helmets: Becky and I each bought one of the Cyclegear Bilt adventure helmets with built in sun visor before the trip. My normal lid is a Shoei RF1100, but the dirt visor gives much more interesting opportunities for camera mounting and the extremely low price of these helmets ($99) made me go for it. My helmet had the slide-down sun visor fail on day 2 or 3, but I was able to repair it. Becky's helmet had the crush liner separate from the shell on one side (adhesive stuck, foam failed.) Both of our helmets have lost screws. We will be seeking out the nearest Cyclegear for immediate complaint once back in the lower 48. Bilt Leather Street Gloves: I generally think of Bilt brand stuff as not so great, but I was on a trip earlier this summer using dirtbike gloves since I had crashed my normal street gauntlets and decided to get some cheap replacements at CG because of the five year warranty. In less than four months the plastic buckle on one glove has broken making it impossible to tighten around the wrist. DRZ Tool Tube: As you may have seen in a recent video, Becky lost her tool tube somewhere on the Dalton highway due to the tube failing and breaking off, but the tools found their way home. DRZ Idle: The DRZ has also recently developed a seemingly random high idle, as though the choke is on. Currently troubleshooting. DRZ Windshield: The windshield almost came loose on the Dalton due to a screw vibrating out! DRZ luggage rack: A few times now we've lost screws (even loctited ones!) out of the luggage rack on this bike. Happy Trails Teton Panniers: My DR650 came with a set of these aluminum saddlebags which are pretty handy, but they've definitely shown some hard wear after only a few weeks. Each one has cracked welds on the top side of the box, the luggage racks are slowly bending, and the finish has worn from both box lids from abrasion by plastic gas cans. Sort of disappointing given the steep price but I suppose they haven't actually failed me yet. DR650SE handlebar mounts: My DR also came with Renthal bars and Protaper risers mounted into the stock upper clamp. Neither of us has crashed this trip but we've both tipped over a few times due to heavily loaded bikes and too-long sidestands, and my bars now sit crooked since the mounts are bent from tipping over. DR650SE surging and backfiring: I discovered that my bike, at low to mid throttle openings and high RPM, would stutter and backfire like crazy. Upon adjusting the valves I found both exhaust valves to be waaaaaay too tight. I adjusted them to the loose end of the acceptable range. Now she runs like a top and has the loudest, clackiest valves I've ever heard! Camalapse 3: I bought this just before the trip to do some sweet time lapse panning videos and it didn't survive the first week. I used it maybe 5 times with my gopro and it simply stopped working. Cool while it lasts, but I figured that kitchen timer technology would've been durable enough by now to last more than a week. GoPro 3 Issues: We both have these cameras; her's a white and mine a black. They've each had their issues, but mine has experienced a ton of crashing when used with particular micro SD cards which took a few days to diagnose. Most current firmware is in place, and I definitely have two recommendations for anyone traveling with a GoPro 3: test it out ahead of time and bring extra batteries. ProCycle ATV Tank Bag: This was a cheapo saddlebag that sits under and across the gas cap of your tank and has adhesive backed velcro to stick to both sides of your tank. As expected the velcro failed on day one and if my legs don't keep the bag sides pinned at freeway speeds they will float up in the wind. Useful and cheap bag otherwise. Thermarest Sleeping Pad: So far one of our sleeping pads has been punctured and doesn't hold air. I guess the moral of the story is buy good stuff the first time, but still be ready when it fails. 
Ambihelical Hexnut fucked around with this message at 17:44 on Aug 9, 2013 |
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Aug 9, 2013 07:59
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Glad to hear your trip has been trouble free!
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Aug 9, 2013 14:25
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I have that tank bag too. It is great if you are cruising around some land on your bike doing some work or just riding offroad slowly, but as soon as you hit concrete and get going it flies up. I just gave up on it for anything involving pavement. I saw those BILT helmets the other day and thought they would be good for riding to work. I go in when it is dark but leave when it is bright so I liked the built in sun visor, but now I know to steer clear. Great thread by the way, enjoy the adventure. I don't know if El Salvador is in the plans, but that was my favorite place in Central America (on a motorcycle free trip)
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Aug 9, 2013 14:30
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I forgot to include a couple more Suzuki failures. You'd think they could design an inexpensive bike whose moving driveline parts can survive eight years without maintenance, but noooo: DRZ Chain and bearing seals: On the Dalton the DRZ's 2005 vintage chain revealed that all of its O-rings were toast, it stretched out so much it almost came off, and we had to limp it home on the tightest setting just to prevent that. Changing the chain revealed that the rear bearing seals were also shot, so Becktastic changed them both. Yay road maintenance!
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Aug 9, 2013 17:33
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Ambihelical Hexnut posted:DRZ Chain and bearing seals Get with the program buddy, we already knew about that long ago!
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Aug 9, 2013 17:48
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Simmer down, ya Diamond Tooth Gerty! 
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Aug 9, 2013 18:33
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| # ? May 4, 2024 16:39 |
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Errant Gin Monks posted:This is awesome! Welcome back Becks. Thanks! The Royal Nonesuch posted:Great thread; I'm definitely living vicariously through you guys. You mentioned San Diego so I assume you'll be rolling through the LA area at some point - PM me if you need a stopover. The family Casa has tools/motorcycle jack/guest bed/etc, and there's also the Mount Wilson Observatory up Angeles Crest for a local flavor moto-daytrip. If you're just smashing through and want to seize a beer or food somewhere I'm up for that too. I don't have PM's but if you can shoot me your contact info at thebecktastic at gmail dot com, I'll hit you up when I'm coming through your city. Next episode up! It's impossible to catch up all the way I think, we can ride much faster than we can upload and edit! So we're in Carmacks in the Yukon now, heading to Watson Lake today and then blazing South. We nabbed some Burning Man tickets for a last hurrah to the Northern chunk of the trip! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAHw3DVBZFc
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Aug 10, 2013 20:18
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