Arctic Triumph: A Biker Attorney's Journey from Key West to Deadhorse

I had to start out this article with the photo above that was sent to me from these American tourists in Toad River, British Columbia, who got a surprize after breakfast when they saw me exiting my “Hoka Hey Hotel” room for the night. The Hoka hey rules mandate that during the run you MUST sleep next to or near your motorcycle not further than 500 feet. As you might see i was doubling up on the coverings because it started raining like a MoFo that evening. I think I have the selfie video of that evening on YouTube. FOUND IT….. watch it below!

Gabe Sleeps in the Hoka Hey Hotel Formerly known as Iron Butt Hotel (New Management)

Very important to know that this video was recorded in 2015 NOT 2014 that is the focus of this post. I had rode close to 16,000 miles from Tierra De Fuego, Argentina heading to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on my 2013 HD Police Edition Road King. There was no rooms to rent and I was drop dead exhausted so I kicked it up under my bike covering and a blue tarp to stay dry. If your going to do the HHMC I encourage you to practice on your trips sleeping next to your bike. The hardest part is the first night finding a good safe spot. Your not used to it so shame slows you down until you are so tired ya say, FUCK IT!

I sort of side tracked on the original intent of my moto article here being my victory speech after conquering the Dalton Highway on a Harley bagger in such horrible wet and muddy conditions. My journey started by riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from Key West, Florida to Home Spit, Alaska. I rode 10K+ miles to Homer all via back roads no interstates using paper maps, and turn-by-turn directions. On this trip I hit an elk or rather the elk rammed me thinking I was a threat. I found a pic of the elk after its head rammed my right side crash guards. Thank God I did go down but for the grace of God.

GABE’S TOP OF THE WORLD VICTORY SPEECH OF 2014!

Conquering the Distance: 2014 Key West to Prudhoe Bay Alaska on a Harley!

One of the best values of riding on two wheels is the good people you meet along the way. On this trip I started out with two veteran Hoka Hey riders meeting up in fairbanks, Alaska to head up the Dalton Highway or by the name given by the locals…the Slope! Its was challenging and we had great weather right up to Coldfoot Alaska a few hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle. It started raining and it got sloppy wet with the mud wakes from the trucker’s tires as high as 1-2 feet high. Stayed at the Coldfoot base camp for two days. Met a lot of riders on adventure bikes who scared the shit out of these two seasoned HH riders. Not trying to brag but the more I heard of dangerous adventure the more I wanted to go!

The Dalton Highway on a Harley Road King by the Attorney That RIDES

I met this Ragin-Cajun who use to be a stunt pilot for the James Bond movies for four years. He told me he quit because the producers kept asking for more life threatening tricks and he wanted out since he achieved what he came to do. He taught me how to ride the mud by catching the ruts. When I went down he helped me pick up my HOG! When we go to the top of the world he recorded me on my now old tech cam recorder. I was so excited and i thought I was superman by accomplishing my first feat ten years ago. When I got to Prudhoe Bay it was 32 degrees but after a good night’s sleep I caught a heat wave because the temps rose to 37 degrees.

PICKED UP A STRAGGLER ALONG THE WAY!

This is the same run where Tim and I picked up this guy who was like 1,000 years old with the spirit of a wild teenager. Jerry was found about 150 miles south of the top of the world aka Prudhoe Bay. Jerry rode up with some other guys but was left behind because he was riding at the speed his skill level permitted in a wind storm blowing 50-60 miles per hour. In the video below it was 35-17 degrees but the wind chill factor made it feel like it was 20 degrees and that is with heated gear under my Klim Gore Tex riding suit. I am pretty sure that was Jerry in the background as I pan to show you the barren cold tundra north of the Arctic Circle near the Arctic Ocean.

Attorney That RIDES outside of Prudhoe Bay in 40 Knot Winds @ 38 Degrees and Dropping!

Jerry rode up with us and I got Jerry a room at the Black Gold Hotel that had one room available. Must have been his day. I fell asleep and 5-6 hours later here is Jerry knocking at my door to head down to Fairbanks. He told me it was snowing outside. I told Jerry a few chosen words but that I was staying in to sleep since I was exhausted. I later met Jerry in Coldfoot as he caught me sleeping under my bike. I refused to pay $200 for a broom closet to sleep in. Below is a video of Jerry in 2023 Dania Beach Vintage Bike Show recapping the trip of a lifetime, and giving us his version of events. Like I said… you meet the best people on 2-wheels once you get on the road!