Wilsons Sandbox

On Jun 10, 2006, at 6:32 PM, klrpat wrote:

> I'm going for it next month... Toronto to the Arctic Circle, (and > then on to Alaska) via KLR.

Wow--sounds like a wonderful trip!

> Are the camp grounds safe for > tent camping (bears).

Some will be, some won't. It would be wise to keep your toiletries and all food (and I do mean *all*--even stuff that you think is completely sealed) in the bear boxes, if provided, or in a bag hanging from a thin branch 12' off the ground. Under no circumstances should you cook or eat inside your tent. Bears will tear your tent or your bike apart looking for food they smell. Oh, and apparently some have picked up a taste for WD-40, too...

> Do I need bear-spray(or a .357)?

As I understand the laws in Canada, a handgun would be more trouble than it'd be worth. (If you do learn the laws, get training, practice a lot and decide to carry, most folks in Alaska view the .44 Magnum as the minimum, the 500 S&W is gaining popularity, but almost all would prefer to have a short 12 gauge with slugs or 00 buckshot). As such, it certainly wouldn't hurt to sleep with a can of bear spray, but don't expect miracles, either. www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF12/1245.html> -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA)

If it were me I try not to camp in designated areas but instead head up an old mining or logging road a quarter mile or so off the main highway and pitch your tent there. Bears will habitually return to where they found food before. I spent 3 months in the back country of the Seward Peninsula, north of Nome where we had bear sightings almost every other day. We never had trouble until we camped near a research station where there were burn barrels, lots of cooking etc. We not only got "wuffed" a few times times while there but the guys next to us had their tent clawed in two like a sandwich bag -- with them in it.Luckily the bear vamoosed after the screaming and yelling started. Too, if your going off road, do be aware of moose and dam respectful of cows with calves. I carried a Smith and Wesson short barreled pump (standard bear gun). The first three rounds were slugs and the last was 00 buck shot. Even then I was very much aware that It was no better than carrying a stick if I happened to surprise a sow with cubs in the dwarf willows. Mosquito's (no see'ums) and blow flies might be a bigger concern once you get there. They can make your trip miserable if you're not prepared. One more thing, dont skimp on rain gear and waterproofing your luggage. Only if you've ever tried to sleep or ride in wet or even damp clothes in 40-50 degree temps will you know how imortant that is. Based on my experience, hypothermia and drinking water with beaver shit in it is likely to be your biggest health risks but they're also most easily prevented. And just for grins, I'd let the RCMP know your route and schedule and tell them you'd like to check in with them on occassion - when you're passing through some of the smaller First Nation towns and villages. My 2 pennies worth. Blake Sobiloff wrote:

On Jun 10, 2006, at 6:32 PM, klrpat wrote: > I'm going for it next month... Toronto to the Arctic Circle, (and > then on to Alaska) via KLR. Wow--sounds like a wonderful trip! > Are the camp grounds safe for > tent camping (bears). Some will be, some won't. It would be wise to keep your toiletries and all food (and I do mean *all*--even stuff that you think is completely sealed) in the bear boxes, if provided, or in a bag hanging from a thin branch 12' off the ground. Under no circumstances should you cook or eat inside your tent. Bears will tear your tent or your bike apart looking for food they smell. Oh, and apparently some have picked up a taste for WD-40, too... > Do I need bear-spray(or a .357)? As I understand the laws in Canada, a handgun would be more trouble than it'd be worth. (If you do learn the laws, get training, practice a lot and decide to carry, most folks in Alaska view the .44 Magnum as the minimum, the 500 S&W is gaining popularity, but almost all would prefer to have a short 12 gauge with slugs or 00 buckshot). As such, it certainly wouldn't hurt to sleep with a can of bear spray, but don't expect miracles, either. www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF12/1245.html> -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

When camping with the Boy Scouts in New Mexico, we had to do the following to avoid bears: 1. No chewing gum, tooth paste, cans of 35mm film, any food stuff in or around your tents. 2. Everything above always - always went up in the bear bags 15+ feet off the ground at night. 3. No deodorant was worn - real bad after 11 days and 70 miles (6000 - 11,000 feet above MSL) without a shower. 4. All dirty dish water was dumped down a drain pipe drilled deep into the ground. Any food scrapes that were collected off of a screen covering that drain pipe were placed in a plastic bag that we carried with us and it also went into the bear bag every night. This encouraged people to eat everything that was made or don't make it if no one wants. 5. Also had to run a stick around the lid bottoms on any outhouses to dislodge any Black Widow spider nests. 6. Be one step faster than the slowest guy. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "klrpat" wrote: > > I'm going for it next month... Toronto to the Arctic Circle, (and > then on to Alaska) via KLR. Just wondering if anyone has any tips. I > have done 30 days on the bike: Toronto-Denver-Vegas-Big Sur- Vancouver- > Sturgis-and back, most nights in a tent. Are the camp grounds safe for > tent camping (bears). Do I need bear-spray(or a .357)? Is the road > to "the circle" as bad as I keep hearing? How's the weather? How's the > food. What roads do I have to ride? Which ones to avoid? If I continue > on to the North West Territories, is there a sign when I get there (for > the photo opportunity, of course)? Any help would be great. I plan on > leaving early July. > > Thanks, > Pat >

Hi, I recently took my KLR650 out of storage, where it had been for two years. After changing out the gas and replacing with fresh fuel and some Seafoam, the bike started up and I was able to ride it around the block a few times to test it out. I then put it away for two weeks while I was on a business trip. When I came back, the bike started but required throttle to stay lit up, and it was running rough. I thought it might be a dirty carb so took out/disassembled the carb and cleaned all parts with Seafoam/carb cleaner. Reassembled and it initially ran OK (for a couple minutes), then started running rough again. On top of that, the exhaust is now coming out in white puffs. I'm almost ready to call it quits and have it taken in for service but wanted to see if there was something quick to try before throwing in the towel. -One_Cyl