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July is a great time of year. Enjoy the adventure

Glad you enjoyed. It really does contains the two most important ingredients.

Check out the ithinkwemissedaturn.com website for the border route and you can download the GPS track for the different segments as they link very nicely together. I did not do the segment SW of Creston because there are two steep sections and I usually ride alone. I can send you some intel on it if you like. Not sure if you saw the Old Rossland Highway and the Pend D’Oreille Road but they are very nice and a bit less technical. Also, you should hit the Remac mine and I can get you some more info on that if you like. Cochrane is right out my back door, kinda. Thanks for watching and commenting.

Thanks for the view and comment. That ride took place about a month before you came riding down towards Banff / Harmattan. Then a month after you went through, I was back there again. Safe travels and come back to Canada soon. OK, maybe wait till summer unless you ski also.

@@dougiverson4297 Haha I could be down for a ski trip!! Next time I'm on the bike in Canada I will let you know, maybe we can have a ride. Do you live near Banff?

@ Sounds good. I am in Calgary, 90 km (54 mi) east of Banff. Basically, a hop, skip, and jump.

Thanks for the comment. The KTM690 is an excellent bike for the route. Hope you have a great experience. I enjoyed your video heading up to Port Alice. I am planning on hitting the Island in 2026 and hope to head to Port Alice and points beyond. I know they are working on some of the forestry roads back in there.

@ ya there’s tons of good riding here on Vancouver Island! More vids to come in the new year!

I stayed at the BC Hydro campsite about 5 km south of Lillooet on Highway 99. It is a free camp site on a first come first served basis. There are about 45 individual sites and a couple open areas that you could camp if the sites were full. I would recommend if you are in the area also riding the route I did (other video) from Pavillion, Kelly Lake, Cougar Point, High Bar Road, Big Bar Ferry, and then south to Lillooet. maps.app.goo.gl/hnVDcscMrjFH9mJSA You can actually do the above Google Route route and the route in this video in one long arduous day. If you have good weather, I would do it in two days and enjoy enjoy enjoy. I think there is fuel in Seton Portage. This video is pretty explanatory. Next year I am going to add in Gold Bridge and a few campsites back up that way such as Marshall Lake Rec Site and then out to Pemberton and do the High Line route again. Also, if you have not ridden Riske Creek south to Gang Ranch, suspension bridge, and out to Clinton or Big Bar you should add that in as well. This is the campsite info. www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/bridge_river/seton_reservoir_area.html

@@dougiverson4297 thank you so much! I watched a few other vids on the area and found it hard to nail down the details, it was getting frustrating. You did a great job!

Interesting. I am planning an End of the Road tour in 2025 year that will take me up that way. Part of the plan is to go a bit east of Yellowknife to Tibbitt Lake (dead end) and then also up the new year round road to Whati (dead end). I will also be doing Peace Point in Wood Buffalo and to Carlson Landing. Then Hay Camp. Wrigley and Ft. Liard are definite hits and then towards the Yukon again. I think I should plan on visiting Rae-Edzo during my excursion, thanks for that. If you are going to the Dempster, I just posted another 6 tips but had someone suggest (quite rightfully) that is was too serious so I am going to shorten another version and soften it up a bit.

@dougiverson4297 Wee question...is there any boats,oil field or otherwise go from Tuktoyaktuk to Prudhoe Bay? P.S ; Explorer John Rae is part of my family, though I know more about my mother's side,the mad lads(my great Uncle was last seen in 1929 taking horses down to New Mexico for one Alfonse Capone) :)

I am not so sure how that would work. You would be going from Canada to the US with no port of exit or entry. I am sure it could be done with a First Nation person and their boat, but not sure if it would work. I am not sure who would arrest you?? Prudhoe Bay camp is some 20 km or so from the Arctic Ocean on a private gated oilfield road. To get from the camp to the ocean you have to pre book a bus ride. I would think riding up there would be your best option, or you could maybe fly up from Fairbanks.

@dougiverson4297 Firstly, thanks for responding! Was just thinking it would be great to go up one road,back via another. I wasn't sure how and what goes on with the oil industry up there? Without getting to political (as an Arizona worker),the Mexicans do care about exit/entry,lol! Have a great Christmas Doug...regards

Glad it helped! Riding the Dempster can be challenging even with good weather.

@@dougiverson4297 I'm a fellow Albertan from Red Deer. I plan on doing it in 2026. (This summer I'm finishing up my journey through all 49 continental US states.) I'll be doing it with my Harley Softail. I've already taken it all over Alaska and the Yukon back in 2022, including part way up the Dalton, the Denali, TotW, and the Campbell, not to mention lots of other gravel over the years. I have the luxury of an open time frame so can wait out any bad weather as needed.

I am suitably impressed. In the 2015 research, of the 77 respondents 1 was on a Harley. And we know it was not a Pan-American. I have seen a Gold Wing on the ferry, two up, but not sure if they were day tripping from Inuvik or doing the entire road. Have a great run in the US.

I would certainly agree my tone is a bit too dramatic and I am working on changing that up. I rally appreciate the comment. I should focus more on all the positives and the extreme enjoyment that comes with the experience. I know virtually every type of bike and tire combination have made the trip successfully, but it takes good weather, luck, and determination to get through. The first season the Dempster was open there were 18 med evacs. Last year one fatality early in the season and a critical injury 4 days later. One moment of inattention or bad luck and things get serious rapidly. But, how about this. I recreate the video (leaving the long one up as well) into a short 8 minute thing that tells the story differently? I would appreciate your feedback and see if I am trending the right direction.

@@dougiverson4297 Great response, I understand your point, it is important to tell people that there are danger when riding the Dempster..and I will be glad to give you my feedback on your last video.

Just in case you have a moment, this is a shorter and sweet version and perhaps a better "tone". Happy to hear what you think. ruclips.net/video/VDhVoR77-_0/видео.html

​@@dougiverson4297 Hi Doug. I took a moment to watch your new version and I think it is very good and a lot better than the first one. The content and the accuracy of the advice outweigh everything else; we understand that it is difficult, tricky and maybe rather dangerous, but you give advice on how to do it without implying that it should not be done; quite the contrary you say from the beginning that it is a fantastic experience (which also means that everyone must do their homework, whatever the objective or project)...in short I find that it is a very positive video. Once again, thank you for all this advice. I have a question though, what is "automotive coverage"? Do you mean road assistance in case of mechanical problem (and diminish the cost of a towing) or do you mean regular motorcycle insurance (maybe it is just my understanding of english since french is my mother tongue)?

@ Thank you for watching this version. I just have to figure out how to post it appropriately. I think you were right on the money with your first assessment. And yes, i meant something like Alberta Motor Aasociation coverage for towing or assistance. Towing off the Dempster is about 1500 bucks. Now. this would only cover about 500 of that but i think it is advisable especially travelling large distances. Your English is far better than my French. Safe riding.

The Alberta Public Land Use Map (PLUZ) actually shows it going right through for quads year round but there was a road closed ahead sign, I missed. I could have backtracked as fuel was no issue other than extra weight in the tank to lift. Ha. I should have filmed the creek to show a bit more of the story. Still learning.

I was always been curious about the NC750, but now I suspect I will lean more towards a TransAlp. My previous adventure (?) bike was the 1200 Ducati Multistrada. Great for the highway segments, pretty good on the asphalt but needed a better rider than me for more difficult stuff. I was on that route specifically to get to the border routes (Old Rossland Highway, Pend D'Oreille, and the Yahk to Baynes Lake segments. I will be forwarding your two bear videos to a couple of lads coming from New Zealand to ride The Dempster this 2025 riding season. Good information contained there. Enjoying your retirement? I am.

Thanks. It was a good ride. Was fun reversing some of the trip in October. Bike is tucked away for now and next years planning is well underway

@@dougiverson4297 2025 we ride again, together I hope

Sounds good. I will send you what my "End of the Road(s)" tour looks like.

Think you would enjoy this part of the country. The ride from Yahk to Baynes Lake is very enjoyable, especially on a nice day.

Thanks for coming along and the comment. LOL

Good idea. I haven't looked into that much, but realize that the two locations I do have are not easy access.

Thank you for the comment. Videos can be difficult to make but the scenery and remoteness certainly helps.

Thanks for the comment, I am still trying to find my voice on these and determining what is relevant and what isn’t. The route was terrific and worth repeating. Hope you have a great ride when you return. I am hoping to meet a couple of riders from New Zealand on there in late June, 2025.

Thanks you very much. The next upcoming video of the Border Section 3 was the best of the trip. I returned somewhat later and came back in from the east and got a little misplaced (lost) but beautiful country to do it in. That would also be worthwhile once you pop up from Spokane.

I recently aced the same very difficult cognitive test as Donald Trump. I got a really bigly score especially when I identified the elephant. The reason we ended up on the wrong side of the border seems simple enough: driving east along Zero Avenue we turned right (south) on an approach into a farmers field. So a simple geography issue made somewhat funny given I was a surveyor at the time and we kept passing border monuments. If I recall correctly, we were collecting some fancy Morels to sell to a restaurant. Yeah, that’s the ticket - - - let’s go with that, Morels. As to the my saying, “you are effing us around”, I believe the first response was “ Watch your language Sir, there are ladies present”. I did not go full Rodney Dangerfield on him, but shortened it to “ They are with us”. That is when the guard made the pronouncement about the transfer of the vehicle titles to Jimmy Carter. Anyway, it was $100 USD in cash for each of us immediately with another $500 (me) and $1000 (guess who) due in court respectively.

Unfortunately, I sold that truck. it was something like a 1972 GMC 1500 farm green truck with a 3 speed on the column. kinda wish I still had it.

I think they told us they would assess a fine of $100 per driver and $500 per passenger. We had two vehicles and 3 passengers. My fine was going to be $600 and my buddy’s $1100. I believe we each paid $100 up front to get out of there with a “promise” to return.

Sorry to hear about your brother but nice that he will be along with you. The feet in the Arctic Ocean feels good. If you want to swim they recommend by Grandma's kitchen. Here is a good video from the editor of one of our motorcycle magazines when he rode up with his daughter. The funny part is at 2:50. If you miss it, go back and look at 2:23. Do that to your brother ruclips.net/video/vRI9jlXeanw/видео.html

Can you check this out. I wanted to take this before our 2022 trip but it was not underway and we did have a paramedic with us. I learned lots after our incident, which is not the best time I am sure it will fill up quick, they have been trying to get this underway since 2021 bikerdown.ticketspice.com/biker-down-calgary-hosted-by-open-road-boutique I am not affiliated in any way. I think the bottom option is free. I opted for the one with the medical kit. It will fill up fast.

Thank you. it was a great place to spend part of the day and what a day it was.

Thanks for the comment and reaching out. I generally post the route descriptions as per a map screen view. The cliff riding / Kinbasket was a bit of an anomaly. My contact details are in the description of this video: ruclips.net/video/9tBohYL60mo/видео.html You can find my contact email there. There is a nice little ADV ride around NNW Calgary that is a nice little jaunt when you don’t have time for a longer trip. I can send you a route description and we can certainly try a ride sometime. I can also be direct messaged at Albertadualsport.com where I post fairly routinely.

You are in for a great time. Definitely worth catching Top of the World Road as well and circle back through Chicken, Ak to Whitehorse. The most important thing, which is covered in my Part 8 video is to really check in with each other. Have that frank conversation: How are you doing/feeling? Meaningfully, check in with each other. You will not regret it. No real trip leader, makes you all leaders

While that particular segment is fun, once we get you to the Border Route itself, that is the incredible enjoyable part. I enjoyed the cut across, just because I wasn’t sure if it went through. pretty sure, but not 100%. I will certainly supply you with some great options and you will have everything you need for fantastic routes. I would certainly consider joining you for Gang Ranch, Lillooet, and the Border Route with lots of small gems along the way. That in itself could be 7 - 10 days of riding, depending on your timeline. The border route video comes next. the Remac Mine is on that border route.

That is really a good question but depends on numerous factors. I am going to answer based on a remote trip like the Dempster or Dalton as tire supply is remote. The stiffer sidewalls that usually make a tire more difficult to change out at the side of the road probably protect the tires from slashes better than a softer sidewall. A slash in a soft sidewall tire, that you can remove, would allow you to stuff shirts inside the tire to limp it out a ways. I like being able to do my own tire changes because it saves money and often time. So I usually opted for the TKC80 rear or TKC 70 Rocks but the 80 might not get you home. A lot also depends on the distance you travel to the approach and the wear on the tires at that point. I would say you want a 50/50 to a 60/40 on the rear. The front should be a 50/50. There are many options, but I would consider these two: 1. Run a tire you are willing to dispose of up to Whitehorse that you have very recently removed and lubed. Have fortnine ship a stiff sidewall tire to Whitehorse. Now you could try to change yourself in WH and if you have trouble arrange for the Yamaha or Honda dealer to do. I would probably just arrange for Yamaha to do it, have the tires shipped there and pay the premium. Then I would haul the old tires to km Zero and hide them there with all the extra weight you can jettison which helps protect the tires as well. Then after the ride take the to Dawson City and leave there. OR if you go to Dawson first, I beleieve the tourist Center caches stuff for bicyclists maybe they do for motorcyclists? 2. Ship a tire you know you can change to somewhere in Whitehorse and change yourself. If you have trouble setting the bead there are gas stations where you can do this. Follow all of the above, even the tire removal before you go. Do the tire removal at home with all the tools you carry with the bike, nothing from the garage. Even use your small compressor. Keep in mind, you have to get home with the tire as well. on my first trip I put in the TKC 8’s in Whitehorse and felt invincible. I left the tires at the hotel which was convenient for doing the Top of the World road after the Dempster. I got a flat between the Arctic Circle and the NWT border and could not fix it. The tire came off the bead. I could not find the hole without setting the bead and I could not set the bead without fixing the flat. My partner took the wheel back to Eagle Plains for repair. I was not carrying a tube. I do now, even though I have tubeless tires. I was also on a Ducati 1200 Multistrada with lots of extra weight plus did not know the tire was going flat (the bike was wobbly all the time on the road) which led to the blowout. Tire pressure sensors would have been helpful in this case. So lots to think about. Just like any bike can do the Dempster in good conditions so can probably any tire. But a good question. My last trip on a lighter CB500X from Calgary was on a new TKC80 front and TKC70 Rocks rear. I had a brand new TKC80 rear tire in my garage and we had a supply truck. I decided not to take the tire and wished I had most of the trip. It would have been no effort But among us we had enough tires that we could cover any of the bikes. I probably did not have time to change the rear in Whitehorse because I was helping with the Ducati front/rear change. But I was fine on the TKC70 Rocks. I dis get a flat in Gang Ranch on the way home but it took 20 minutes to plug and zi was on my way again. Maybe check with Yukon Yamaha on what tires they usually stock and maybe it is a less of a concern. My Ducati had a 190 rear. I used a 180 TKC80 but I doubt those are available in Whitehorse. The ST probably has a more common rear knobby. Yak yak yak, but it is complex. Don’t overthink it, just plan for a contingency.

That is a good question. I usually post the maps of where I travelled but in this case was kinda taken out there in semi sworn secrecy. I will check with the original explorer. But, I did leave lots of clues as to where it actually is. You have to travel a fair ways (hint in video) past the Valenciennes Rec Site. When you use the distance and Google and scan for a track that comes out about 25 km WNW of Saskatchewan River Crossing. The other hint, for now is, use Google Earth Pro (free) and go to the timing selection and pick an earlier year image as the most current image has the route in a shadow. I had found the route myself doing just that earlier. I couldn’t push Google Maps to track me there but could see it and wanted to do it. S of Mt. Bryce

I had always meant to put my phone in test mode to try the feature but never got around to it. I was quite pleased that it was fairly easy to use. The key thing was the emergency contacts piece. I am glad I learned that. In fact, the responders sent the information to the nearest RCMP (our police force). Perhaps if it was a different issue, say broken clutch cable where I was fairly remote they might just get my wife to handle it which would be pretty handy. I just would not include, as her to bring a grande cafe latte.

Yeah. I almost said “golly” but it came out a bit different.

I would add in the ride from Riske Creek through Farwell Canyon and gang ranch. 1 day. and the Seton-Portage and Highline route another day. They would be fine on a stock CB500X with knobby tires. I did them all with a TKC80 on the front and a TKC 70 Rocks on the rear. I carried about 30 lbs of tools with my gear back at the free B.C. Hydro campsite 6 km south of Killooet. I might not do the portion of Big Bar from Cougar Point with a puppy but our dog is a lab. I am sure I will return there next year when I see 5 good days of weather in a row.

I rode through Farwell Canyon last year! So beautiful. Went to a ranch in the chilcotin to learn to ride a horse then to Barkerville, Bella Coola and the ferry to Port Hardy! It's such a beautiful part of the world! I seem to ride through the interior but I'm going to explore it more next summer! My pup is a lil guy, we'll figure out a way to get him moto camping with me. Might be a lil desperate for some company 😂 Only ran shinkos cause I'm poor 😂 Did 805 knobbies last year and 705s this year. Seem a decent tire for the price! I'm one of those morons that doesn't carry much fix it kit. Beyond a tire plug, I'm pretty useless anyway. That's why I bought a Honda! 😅

I agree with you 100%. My CFO has not authorized the purchase of a sat tracker yet, but I hope she will soon. As you mention, the sat units are more robust and stay charged a long time. They are usually not in your tank bag. Please in the wet, my iPhone is miserable to use especially if you were trying to aim at a satellite.

Make sure to include: Gang Rand, this one, Seton-Portage and Highline, and Gold Bridge. Free camping at the BC Hydro site just about 6km south of Lillooet.

The Dempster is one way in and one way out (hopefully). If the weather is marginal, go as light as you can with necessary emergency gear. If there are two of you consider splitting gear (maybe just 1 tent if you are camping). if weather is excellent, you could carry more weight BUT that is obviously the time you really don’t need as much. Stash extra gear somewhere. This could be Whitehorse, km zero of the Dempster (hidden in trees behind sign, use a bit of flagging to mark), or I am told the tourist info place in Dawson City might hold stuff, as would a hotel if you staged out of there. Best wishes.

@@dougiverson4297 thank you. I appreciate your advice and experience from riding the Dempster. At this early stage I am trying to find out when the dates for Dust to Dawson. A friend and I are riding from Vancouver and just planning our route and time to ride to Dawson City. Flights from New Zealand to Vancouver are on sale at the moment so we are trying to make it all work. 👍

@@kiwipilot407 I would try an email to: thedick@me.com and ask. It is often held during the Solstice (approx June 21, but sometimes it has been earlier, June 15). The ferries are usually open by about June 4th. If you have no luck, the gamble would be to hit Vancouver June 8 and return June 30. That way, if the D2D is on the 15th you can make it and then ride the Dempster. If it is the 21st, you could do the Dempster first, D2D. As filler, there is riding to Stewart (beautiful asphalt), Telegraph Creek (steep gravel), and the Top of the World Road. If you find out the D2D is the 21st, then I would push everything a bit BUT it would be good heading up there early for the D2D so if the weather was good you allocate 4.5 Days for the Dempster, if the weather does not look great on the Dempster on the 16-21 as you ride up, then Stewart, Telegraph Creek, and Top of the World as filler, D2D and then (your second weather window) up to Tuk.

Feel free to reach out. My contact info is in the description.

@@dougiverson4297 Thanks. And I will for sure. 👍

Not sure my legs would be good for the up part but the downs would be fun.

Thanks for that. My next videos will be closer to where your videos are from. Stay tuned

I am an average rider with lots of km experience. I just make these videos for others that might want to know what they are getting into. You could get into real trouble if you got a wheel wrong so paying attention is key. And yes, it was beautiful and stopping is best to take in the scenery. Riding and active sightseeing at the same time could have serious or expensive consequences.

@@dougiverson4297 I agree with you. For this reason it's best to stay sharp on the bike and enjoy the surroundings during the frequent breaks.

I was on the Dempster in early July 2019 for my 2nd attempt for Tuk. Had snow on road by border in Sept 2018 and poor weather forecast. You are correct, it is a very serious endeavour. You can get lucky but people that plan, strategize, and assess the changing situations seem to have more success. Imagine that? And yes, kudos to Eagle Plains for being so accommodating to us adventure riders. A great experience riding with your daughter. My favorite father / daughter story riding to Tuk comes from Motorcycle Mojo. If I remember correctly, Glenn and Emily. He filmed her going for a swim in the Artic Ocean. but his camera failed and so he asked her to do it again. His film later showed he had captured it the first time but sent her back for fun.

It is a beautiful part of the Province and a place I intend on revisiting. The blue sky days I had were spectacular.

The trick is to move it from bucket list to reality. There are lots of ways to make it happen from trucking the bike to Whitehorse and flying in to riding there both ways. The last time I did it with a small group (6 of us), I sent out updates every 3 weeks starting at 278 days out with a prominent countdown in the top right hand corner. There were about 12 people on the information list. Best wishes.

I would agree the stock CB500X would be fine for the route. I would recommend a bash plate but the upgraded suspension is probably not necessary, but nice to have. Thanks for watching the video. Like you, I do know my riding days will come to an end but will still be able to relish the memories.

It is a fantastic trip. Wishing you success and enjoyment.

I hope the video helps you. The Dempster is like describing a three dimensional chess game. Anybody can get lucky, but luck is typically not a good strategy. If you would like any more info you can reach out. Contact details are in the description.

Much appreciated. The route itself actually does if all. I look forward to riding through that region again and will include Gold Bridge as another day trip.