Left Fort Nelson about 0730, under cloudy skies. No rain though, and the road was dry. It was cool, although not enough to put on the liner. No traffic, just the bike and I. The road was again fairly straight and undulating , with evergreens down both sides. Not much to see. After about 50 miles I started to get road repairs, gravel patches that had been worn down to dirt. It was still damp from the rain, so no dust, but if it were dry I would imagine driving would be awkward with a lot of it. Some patches were quite long, so you had to pick a line where it was worn the most. I met my first road repair pilot wait, about 5 minutes, not too bad. It was still cloudy, with low clouds and some foggy patches. Entering the Rockies, it was a little brighter, so I stopped occasionally and took photos. All the bridges were grating, not bad as it was dry, but I do not like them when it is wet. The bike was going well, and as I came to Toad River Resort, I pulled in for gas. I could have made the next one, but wanted to be sure. Well that was it for the day, and hopefully not for the Alaskan part of my journey.
I gassed up, and talked for a while with 4 other Harley riders also heading north. Turned the bike on, nothing. Well, it did make a solenoid arcing type noise. I didn’t think it was the battery, but hooked up my trickle charger. The owner of the resort had a tester, it checks OK. So I have to call the Harley Roadside assistance number to get a tow. The nearest Harley dealer is in Whitehorse, about 500 miles north, and the tow is coming from Fort Nelson (where I was last night), 122 miles away. So I undo my stuff, and see if I have wireless while I am waiting. I do. Surprise. So I do email. It is a little surreal, broken down on the Alaska Highway, doing email through a wireless connection. No cell phone service, but wireless. I have about 3 hours to kill before my tow. It could have been worse. I had stopped a few times crossing the Rockies to take photos, so at least I was in shelter. Mind you I could have bounced it to start, but would still have the same problem each time I stopped.
I might make the ferry on Monday yet. I have no idea what the cost of this is, but I need to get the bike fixed. No choice at all, I am a captive audience.
I certainly didn’t envisage riding the Alaskan Highway in a tow truck. It is really annoying in more ways, especially as the bike has been flawless up to now. I guess it saved the best to last.
Crossing the Rockies on the way to Toad River
Toad River, and one immobile Harley
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