Operation Numbnuts: Biltwell’s Arctic Circle Tour 

“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. Pictures of mud-covered Pans and Shovels, juxtaposed completely with Harley’s new Pan Pam ADV bikes, instantly spells out the message.

It takes quite a lot of unfastened screws to do what these guys did, masking 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 hassle required to organize 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 may very well be for a minimum of 20 days within the parts.

Prudhoe Bay was the last word vacation spot, and the route would take them by Anchorage, Denali and desolate Coldfoot on their option to Alaska’s northern coast. Masking one thing like 200 miles a day, the crew would then flip again south, touring by 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 best way left nothing to be desired, with every little thing from mud and rain, to bears, damaged transmissions and oil leaks.

To get correctly immersed in expertise, you should take a look at Biltwell’s weblog and pictures, and I’ll file the half about operating the Dalton Freeway below obligatory studying. The route is among the most remoted stretches of “street” you’ll discover wherever, and is usually gravel. And these guys ran it on classic Harleys — within the rain!

Nice bike journey odysseys are few, however like the primary viewing of 21 Days Below the Sky, Biltwell’s Operation Numbnuts will encourage you to get out into the unknown on two wheels. It’s not possible 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]