Day 9 - Fairbanks Alaska

Well I played my "dumb Englishman" card today as the plan was to head to the Denali Highway and just ride the first 30 paved miles before the gravel begins, for some photography and video. An easy 60 mile ride to reach the road.......except I went north instead of south.

I knew I had made the mistake after an hour so we decided to carry on to Fairbanks which proved to be a good idea as we had a wonderful day doing the tourist thing in Pioneer Park.

A museum detailing all aspects of Alaskan life that pays special attention to the building of the road, the gold-rush and the early pioneers.
Amazing diorama's like this brothel.

Weather remained good for the day and as we approached Eielson Air base we were lucky enough to ride alongside a huge military cargo plane as it was landing, tried to keep up with it but failed miserably.

We passed through the town of North Pole, Alaska which is kind of surreal as there is a huge Santa Claus at the side of the road and Reindeer with sleigh's everywhere, the lamp poles were candy canes, all with blue skies and 25 degree weather.

So we completed the highway all the way to Fairbanks but took our pictures of the official end here in Delta Junction. Just north of here you get the first sight of the Trans Alaska Pipeline that carries oil from Prudoe Bay to Valdez an incredible 800 miles. The 48 inch diameter pipe is powered by 12 pump stations and the first oil was pumped through in 1977.

The pipeline has been subjected to maintenance failure & sabotage but most common cause for leaks is gunshot holes when bored Alaskan locals use it for target practice.

As of 2010 the pipeline had conveyed over 16 billion barrels of oil and remains a crucial lifeline to keep oil prices down in the U.S. and creating employment in Alaska.

Today is the day we turn around and head south towards the Yukon again with our longest day ahead of us. Forecast is not great and I know we have to ride the roughest sections of all again......

So its heads down and get the miles covered as we head to Haines Junction and probably stop in and see Jim & Dorothy again for a good old brew.