About Larry

I live in Bandon on the southern Oregon coast and I've been riding for a long, long time, years, decades. We won't go there kiddies but believe me, it's been awhile. During that time I've done most of my riding on the road with occasional off-road forays, most of which were intentional. Some weren't. Until just a couple of years ago I'd never ridden a hack - that's sidecar to those who aren't familiar with the lingo. I figure riding a hack up Alaska's infamous Haul road all the way to Deadhorse should top off my torture tank for quite awhile.

About Mac

Mac hails from Robins, Iowa and has been riding bikes longer than most people have been around. He managed to torture his old BMW past the 100,000 mile mark and presently rides a Yamaha FJR. His newest ride, a 2008 Ural Patrol is waiting on the dealer's highest shelf until the flood waters recede after which they'll assemble it and turn it over to him. The fact that he's heading to Alaska for his first journey on a new rig should tell you all you need to know about him...

Monday, August 11, 2008

Aug 11 - Epiblog 2 - Mac is alive & well but Olga's not a happy Ural

























































































Mac's finally arrived home in Iowa but only after several days of mishaps. Here are his emails and pics * of the final days.
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Aug 9 - 10 - I left Columbia Falls at about 2 pm their time and had the bike delivered to the dealer in Spring Valley , Minn. and was home about 8 pm on the 10th. A trip of about 1550 miles and drove straight thru in 28 hours. Just wanted to get home.

It looks like I will be getting a new engine in my bike, all covered under warrenty.

In times of trouble there are a lot of very nice caring people out there and I met some of them. If they are reading this, Thank you very very much.

Mac
* This is my bikes last trailer ride.

Aug 9 - Headed out to Bob's and got about 10 miles when all hell broke loose and my engine froze up. I now knew what the noise was that I was hearing. Now what to do., it did make me feel a little better about hauling the bike out of Canada as it would have failed in another 10 miles there too.

Along came two wonderful people, Joe and Paula Forrest . They ride bikes and had a trailer. They went home and got it and Joe loaded it on and tied it down with my help. They had called and had a U-Haul saved for me at Columbia Falls.

* This is Joe Forrest getting my bike tied down. I do not know what I would have done with out them. Finer people you will not find. They would not take a cent for their trouble. Joe also used his straps to tie my bike in the U-Haul. I will be sending them back to him.

Aug 8 - Bob called the first thing and asked me to check the kill switch. The thought of the kill switch being turned off never entered my mind as the engine would turn over, the lights worked, etc. Much to my chagrin, the switch was turned off, I turned it on and the bike started right away. I no longer have an ego , it is laying in ashes. All bikes I know about , when the kill switch if turned off, all systems are dead. Not the Russians however, they do things differently.

I washed the bike and planned to take it to Bob's the following day to find out what the noise was that I was hearing and also to get a new rear tire.

After I got thru beating myself up, I slept well that night.

Aug 7 - Darryl's brother , Doug, to me and my bike to the US border and then on to the town of Eureka where I got a motel room.

I contacted the Ural dealer in Montana, Bob's Motorwerks at Roberts Montana. Bob was a great person to work with. We had several calls during the evening as I was trying to explain the noise I was hearing before the bike went dead. He had me checking some things but nothing worked.

Aug 6 - Today started out fine, I felt great and figured I would make the US border today. A distance of over 600 miles. I felt up for it after a good nights sleep. But little did I know what the day would bring. About 50 miles north of Radium hot springs my troubles began. I began to hear some scraping noises coming from the engine. I pulled over to see what I could find out. After checking the bike over I tried to start it and no go. No spark. I pulled a plug to see if I could see any spark and there was none.

Two women with kids stopped by and they said they would try to find someone to come out with a truck to pick me up. They said that if the driver needed a credit card no. they would give him theirs. What great people, I wish I had gotten their names.
After they had left, another person stopped by and also checked my bike out and then told me if the girls could not help me to give him a call on his cell phone and He had a buddy in Calgary that would come and get me. He, Paul Zedic, told me that they would not leave me stranded out there. He was talking about a distance of about 150 miles . As it turned out I didn't have to call him but it gave me a good feeling that I had help if I really needed it.

After getting me loaded we headed for Radium hot springs. Darryl, my Indian driver then loaded my up in his personal pickup and found me a motel for the evening. A really great person who did not want a tip but I talked him into it.
* Mt. Robson. quite a sight to see in front of you
* A picture of the ice fields south of Jasper
* I felt a little safer with a fence between us
* A picture of me patiently awaiting the truck
* Getting me loaded
* Darryl getting my bike tied down
* A nice little motel for the evening

Aug 5 - Today I rode from Ft Nelson to Prince George. A little over 500 miles and I was really tired at the end of the day
* The scenery made up for the long ride

Aug 4 - A little over 300 miles today, all told a very nice day
* More critters to ride around
* One of my favorite lakes, Muncho Lake
* Some of the obstacles on todays ride
* Our last campsite at Watson Lake. Larry and I said our goodbys and I rode to Ft. Nelson and got a motel room.