Dust to Dawson (D2D) is over and we're off to Tok, Alaska, on the Top of the World (TOW) and Taylor Highways via where else? Chicken, AK. Chicken? Really?
After a quick run to the local combination liquor store/Department of Motor Vehicles to pick up a couple bottles of wine for "The Dick" of Dawson for allowing us to use his shop to change oil, we loaded up the bikes and headed for the ferry crossing. We have to cross the muddy, fast-flowing Klondike River to reach the Top of the World and Taylor Highways to Tok.
We were hoping that by leaving late we would miss the throngs leaving town on the ferry. However, when we arrived at the crossing we were disappointed to see a long line of motor homes, trailers, cars and trucks. In a separate line were about twenty motorcycles. It looked like we were in for a long wait. To our surprise, the ferry arrived and the crew waved all of the motorcycles on board. I didn't even have time to remove my helmet. I suspect the folks still sitting in the vehicle line were not entirely happy with us.
After getting off the ferry, the BMW 1200 GS crowd shot off like they were being chased by the police leaving us in the dust, literally. It's a dirt road. We motored on alone under a beautiful clear sky with moderate temperatures. The TOW Highway is an interesting combination of pavement and gravel segregated in sections for no apparent reason--pavement, gravel, pavement and gravel again for miles. The highway runs across the top of mountains, hence the name Top of the World Highway.
After riding 100 miles of alternating pavement and gravel through forests, across mountain tops and down through low passes we crossed the Alaska border and arrived in Chicken. Pulling up to the gas pumps, Lane said, "I've got a problem." I looked over and saw the emerald green life blood of his motorcycle's cooling system running out on the ground, 80 miles from nowhere. Great!
To add insult to injury, it began to rain. Rick, the maintenance man at the Gold Panner gift shop and gas station, took pity on us and offered up a 20X40 tent to pull the bike under for a closer look. We removed the left side cover and determined that the radiator itself was leaking--major bummer. There was no stop leak available and no phone service, but Rick had some wet seal epoxy. So, we caulked the leak up as best we could and headed for Tok, some 80 miles away with our fingers crossed. Thanks for your help Rick. It was much appreciated.
Heading down the Taylor Highway toward Tok we saw a crew working the adjacent river for gold, just like on TV. Passing the gold dredging operation, Lane reported that his left boot and pant leg were turning green with coolant but his bike was not overheating. We continued and finally arrived in Tok. Everything was closed upon our arrival and tomorrow is Sunday. Not many options but to press on tomorrow.
We checked into the Golden Bear Hotel and had supper at Fast Eddys, the same place we ate on our 2008 ride to Alaska. Tomorrow, we're going to try to get Lane's bike into Whitehorse, YK, 397 miles away, where there is a Kawasaki dealer for a repair or a new radiator. Wish us luck.
Here are a few photos of today's activities:
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