“All bikes are journey bikes,” the intro of Biltwell’s Operation Numbnuts weblog reads, and it takes not more than a second to get the innuendo. Images of mud-covered Pans and Shovels, juxtaposed completely with Harley’s new Pan Pam ADV bikes, instantly spells out the message.
It takes various free screws to do what these guys did, protecting 4,000 miles throughout Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia, with nothing greater than tenting gear and a army surplus chase automobile. But when it wasn’t a bit nutty, wouldn’t it actually be an journey?
The entire endeavor was a number of years within the making, and nearly didn’t occur in any respect, resulting from COVID lockdowns and technical difficulties with Biltwell’s demilitarized LMTV chase rig. To not point out the trouble required to arrange 5 classic HDs and spare components for the tour, together with two Panheads and three Shovels — a few of that are full-fledged choppers.
With a fleet of six well-used Harley Pan Am press bikes added to the equation, the crew set off from Washington to Whittier, Alaska, as ready as could possibly be for at the least 20 days within the parts.
Prudhoe Bay was the final word vacation spot, and the route would take them via Anchorage, Denali and desolate Coldfoot on their approach to Alaska’s northern coast. Overlaying one thing like 200 miles a day, the crew would then flip again south, touring via Yukon and British Columbia earlier than returning to Washington.
Harleys within the Arctic Circle, who does this? The quantity of mischief and mechanical hiccups encountered alongside the way in which left nothing to be desired, with all the pieces from mud and rain, to bears, damaged transmissions and oil leaks.
To get correctly immersed in expertise, it’s worthwhile to try Biltwell’s weblog and images, and I’ll file the half about working the Dalton Freeway below obligatory studying. The route is without doubt one of the most remoted stretches of “highway” you’ll discover wherever, and is usually gravel. And these guys ran it on classic Harleys — within the rain!
Nice motorbike journey odysseys are few, however like the primary viewing of 21 Days Underneath the Sky, Biltwell’s Operation Numbnuts will encourage you to get out into the unknown on two wheels. It’s unattainable to summarize the soul-altering journey within the saddle from my desk chair, so take it from the Bilwell crew themselves of their weblog. [Biltwell]
