HOW IT BEGAN


    It all started with the the documentary "The Long Way Around".  It's the story of two friends who decide that they want to ride motorcycles around the world.  Both being actors (Charley Boorman & Ewan McGregor), which allowed for  them being able to arrange the necessary time off.  Then they procurred sponsorship which afforded the magnitude of their endeavour.   And finally the passion for riding, which is a must for undertaking something that will ultimately be punishing to your body, psyche and machine. Their trip traverses the globe heading east from London and it ends in New York, riding the whole time except for the hop via plane from the eastern shores of Russia to Alaska.  It truly is a great adventure, I recommend it and their follow up documentary "Long Way Down".  The latter taking place from Scotland south through Europe and Africa to the tip of South Africa. If you're an enthusiast of riding, these are a must see!


    Watching these stories must have subconsciously planted a seed in our brains. When Tom suggested the idea a year ago I responded without thinking, "I'm in".  He was completely adamant about going and was willing to go solo if necessary.  No way was I going to let a good friend undertake this without back-up.

    The next question was , "WHO ELSE"?   Joe immediately came to mind for both of us.  A great fit with our personalities and an avid rider, someone we would really enjoy to share this with.  Also a good friend for many years and someone who we knew we could depend on!  Joe's response, "I'm in".  It just so happens that Joe too had seen and been inspired by the aforementioned documentaries.

    " HOW MANY"?  We had others in mind and as word got around, interest was blooming.  It was finally decided that three was a good manageable number.  More bikes, more potential problems!  More people, more possible conflicts.  So we had our core and it was time to start the planning.

THE PLAN:

The goal is to have an adventure of a lifetime, which involves seeing some of the most incredible scenery on Earth.  It's 5 weeks and counting until the July 2nd launch for the great motorcycle trip to Alaska and Back!  3 good friends, 3 Harley's and alot of pavement................

Here's the plan:

Leave Illinois on July 2nd, travelling North through Wisconsin and then west thru Minnesota.  Our first main destination will be Glacier National Park in northern Montana.  We will then bisect the park taking the infamous Road To The Sun parkway which is suppose to be incredible.  After that we head north and punch into Canada.  From there to Calgary, Banff, the Iceland Parkway, winding through the Canadian Rockies , through British Columbia, the Yukon and into Alaska.  Here we will meet our families in Anchorage for a brief visit.  Then it's off on the hogs again through Alaska and home via Vancover and the Northwest.  We will travel back stopping in Yellowstone, Rushmore, Black Hills and Sturgess.  The trip will last approx. 6 weeks, consist of around 9,000 miles and should be a real test of both character and friendship!  We'll keep you posted.....

Feel free to comment and ask questions!

History of the Three:

Tom, Joe, and Mark
We are in our early Fifties, 2 of us friends for 40 years, the third for 30 years.
All three are Harley owners and have the passion for riding.
Born and raised in and around the Chicagoland area.
For the record, Tom gets credit for the idea to do this and getting the ball rolling!


Special Thanks:
To our wives and families for letting us undertake a dream and supporting our decision to do this,