first ride of the year; wasilla ak.

[hardyreels]

Any AK. people here? Just broke out the bike and took a run to Talkeetna. I didn't even think of getting off the hardtop because the snow and ice is still everywhere. I used the hand warmers and after they are on long enough the left grip does warm up. They are the kit type that Arrow Head Motor Sport supplies. After the steel handle bars warm on the left grip you can dial them down to Lo and they are fine. I am writing this in case you are considering a pair of these things. I'll give them a passing grade. It helps if you wear a pair of Joe Rocket Ballistic gloves or the equivalent along with the heated grips up here. The combination of the quality gloves, heated grips, and First Gear pants and coat make it almost unfair. I was truly comfortable March 2nd at 33 degrees in Alaska. So go ahead spend the money if you like to ride. I've been saying for two years that I'm going to drive my KLR up the Iditarod trail to Skwentna. Next year is definitely it. I would head up tomorrow but I have a plane to catch to Denver. We have a cabin out there on Hewitt Lake. I drive the 84 miles back and forth on a Yamaha Snowmachine and always feel that once the trails get really hard in the spring I need to take the bike. Of course if I do it I'll post photographs of the ride it is really a beautiful trip. It won't be long till spring Steelhead fishing and then the Salmon runs start. If you are planing a trip to Alaska drop me a line here and maybe I can be of some help if you like to fish. That's why I drive a motorcycle, it's an affordable way to get to the rivers. I love the air too I've been doing it since I was 15 years old. I use the largest panniers that Happy Trails sells and carry a 30 quart cooler on the rack for the fish. Yeah baby a trip to Kodiak and you better be able to carry 48 lbs. of Salmon fillets on the way home. Oh well I better quit talking about it or I'll have dreams about 50 lb. King Salmon tonight. Don't let the snow stop you, Hardyreels