Alaska Trip Overview

Sorry no pics yet, but they will begin soon

So this trip has taken on several changes over the last year. What began as a 60 day trip has shrunk to a 30 – 33 day trip. Throw in the timing of the BMW MOA International Rally and the Alaska part of the trip becomes a bit of a sprint.

One of the purposes of this blog and the videos and such is to provide insight into what goes into making such trips. I hope my experiences will help others who are interested in making extended motorbike trips. So while there will be the site – seeing type commentary, pictures, videos and such, there will also be some behind the scenes type things. So let’s get started.

II originally set up my Youtube Channel, Armchair Traveler to enlist help in planning this trip. Now being new to all of the video making stuff, that meant I had to learn, no fumble through the process of creating the videos. Enter Final Cut Pro.

So I purchase Final Cut, watch some videos on how to use it,  grab a camera and go to work. Oh, I need better audio. Do some research and now – enter Zoom H4N.

Now I have have the basic tools to make videos, so I do so, making crude off the cuff videos asking viewers to share their ideas on where to go, what to see and what roads to take. Hmmm, Houston we have a problem. No viewers.

Are you with me so far? Remember I said you would get some behind the scenes stuff. I’m only sharing this so others can learn from my mistakes.

So how am I going to get ideas from viewers if I don’t have any viewers? I do get a few comments and to date, about 30 people have subscribed to Armchair Traveler. So I press on assuming that more people will subscribe as I go along. After all, I’m not offering any funny cat tricks, pranks or voyeur type stuff. This is just traveling by motorbike and this first trip is just up to Alaska. A mere 12,000 mile ride. And I’ve got a month to do it in.

When I originally thought up the YouTube Channel, I named it Armchair Traveler because I wanted my viewers to be the Armchair travelers. I wanted them to tell me where they would go if they could. Then I would try to go there. Not to sound too negative, but many people simply cannot afford either the time or expense to take such trips. Maybe they are afraid of motorcycles. Maybe they have some physical handicap that prohibits them from making such trips. But none of those things can stop them from dreaming or wishing they could go. I just thought I’d try to help them live out a little of their dream ride, even if it meant I did the traveling and they got to sit in the safety of their “armchair” and watch their ride presented by me.

So that plan did not go well. So on to plan B. What is Plan B you say? Well, that’s for next time.

Thanks for subscribing.