Wednesday, January 4, 2017

First Outing in Fairbanks

The first outing was to College Coffeehouse to meet whomever might show up. This is my mom, Bridget and Sandra. JedR was also there but did not want to be in the picture since "there are outstanding warrants in three states". Or at least that is his standard line to avoid any pictures on the Internet.

On Wednesday afternoon, there were a few inches of fresh snow and almost tropical temperatures (+16*F or -9°C). It seemed like a good opportunity to show SB a few of the local sights. Plus, we could record another PBC video (Polar Bear Challenge). The Ural battery was completely dead as I had left the USB outlets that run the GoPro camera and remote powered on. So I didn't want to turn the Ural off on this particular trip until I'm confident that it will start again.

This is in front of the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge visitor's center. Most of the parking lots in town still have quite a bit of snow from the blizzard last weekend. Without studded tires, 2WD got more use than usual.

I stopped near the entrance to the University of Alaska museum. This is just the fresh snow that we received this morning but it was enough for SB to float on. Not a whole lot of traction from the slick wooden wheels. 

8 comments:

  1. +16 F? That is balmy for your neck of the woods. It's presently 2.5 F outside as I type this....forecasted 5" of snow, which means we'll get perhaps 2". Looking forward to some local riding tomorrow.

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    1. Yes, almost tropical for this time of year. By the weekend it's supposed to be -20°F again so I figured that it was a good time to get out.

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  2. Excellent chance for SB to get acclimated. Think next upgrade should be spiked wheels? Love The coffeehouse photo. Everyone is so happy!

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    1. Studded tires, hmmm...

      George Rahn, a local BMW motorcycle legend, used to be a regular at the coffeehouse until last summer. Travelers from all over the world would regularly stop by to meet him.

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  3. We certainly need some studded tires for SB. Nice to introduce it to the family, Richard.

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  4. Great picture of the three ladies at the coffee house. Bob would be happy to be in such company.

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    1. He mentioned that he was looking forward to visiting the coffeehouse. But felt that he needed a different bike to ride to Alaska.

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