East Coast to Alaska ~ BMW F650GS
| Who | Michael Bellos ~ email |
| Profession | Student |
| Born 1981 | Nationality US |
| Previous travel experience | Western Europe, Middle East |
| Previous bike travels | Jordan |
| This trip | East Coast USA to Alaska |
| Departure date | May 7 2007 |
| Number in group | 1 |
| Trip duration | 6 weeks |
| Distance covered | 12, 000 miles |
| Cost of trip (not incl. bike) | 2500 USD |
| Best day | Hard to say... first and last maybe? |
| Worst/ hardest day | Crashing on the Dalton Highway between Fairbanks and Deadhorse |
| Favourite place | Alaska Highway (in Canada) and Highway 2 in Montana |
| Biggest headache | Coping with the cold |
| Biggest mistake | Riding through bad weather instead of stopping and bunking |
| Most pleasant surprise | Campsites everywhere |
| Any illness | None |
| Other trips planned | Yes, but I've learned not to say where :) |
| One travel tip | If your trip isn't open ended, you won't stop and smell the flowers. |
| Bike Model | BMW F650GS 2001 |
| Age/ mileage on departure | 6 years 18,000 miles |
| Modifications | Increased carrying capacity and headlight power |
| Mods you wish you'd done | More comfortable seat and bigger windscreen |
| Type of baggage | Hard panniers and North Face duffel bag (great) |
| Tyres used | Metzeler Tourance |
| Number of punctures | None |
| Bike's weak point | Uncomfortable on the Interstate |
| Bike's strong point | Good all-around machine |
| Bike problems | Headlight kept shaking loose |
| Number of accidents | One spill (mud) |
| Same bike again? | Yes |
| One biking tip | Travel with waterproof gear |