Eldorado to the Klondike: riding an old motorbike across Canada to the Arctic

Who says old bikes can't go interesting places? Who says you need an ADV bike for adventure? Not me! In July 2019 I rode my 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado to the Klondike andup the Dempster Highway to the McKenzie Delta. I won't pretend the bike behaved flawlessly, but it covered the 9000 mile, 22 day trip from Ontario without any major issues, in comfort and style. www.nickadamswriting.com

[@jimksa67]

Thanks Nick, a good homesick cure for me ,a BC boy.

[@fabiopunk1661]

I too love the praire. I have crossed the US Dakotas several times and I can’t get enough!

[@mattklein5498]

Thanks Nick

[@prof.2248]

This is really impresive, 9k miles is 14k km, so 650 km per every single day on 51' Guzzi . You must absolutely love riding. I don't know riders who riding with so passion as you. They are just talking abount new motorcycles... Canada is nice country for motorcyclist, I would like to visit one day.

[@ottonormalverbraucher1831]

nice Trip thanks for take us with you

[@user-dr4ls1hp4w]

Beautiful movie

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks friend, it was a wonderful ride.

[@stanleyknife1967]

Fantastic views, great old bikes (actually ridden!) and easy to listen to commentary. Well done.

[@johann-ulrichhofstetter2978]

Just wonderful, your country. And how you present it to us. Thank you!

[@rustynuts82]

Great ride

[@thomasmarschall755]

A great Video, I'm Drive a 850T3 Guzzi (1978) and my dream is to came over to Canada and drive from Toronto to Vancouver! Mayby we see us! I' m from Germany. Best wishes!! And Take care bout your nice Guzzi!! Thomas your

[@nick949eldo]

Hello Thomas. If you ever manage to get over here, don't be shy to make your plans known through AdventureRider and the various Guzzi forums (Facebook etc.). People are often happy to help out with advise and support along the way. Good luck. Stay well.

[@daleclayton4412]

I really enjoyed the video Nick! What a perfect pair, you and your Guzzi!

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Dale.

[@MrNedsaabdickerson]

Beautifull

[@leehelppie4544]

great trip and video...

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Lee - it was a lot of fun - even the unscheduled interruptions.....

[@jonathanjones9790]

Stunning scenery Nick. To a Brit the scale of your country is mind-boggling. Love the roadside fixes.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Jonathan. It was a grand trip. Yes, it's a big country. The sceneray changes about every 500 miles - sometimes more.😆

[@taebert]

What a wonderful old bike. So much character. I had bought the audiobook version of the book you promoted at the end of the video. It is queued up right after the Sam Manicom book that I am just finishing. I look forward to hearing the story.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Tim. Very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy it. Over the years we've had our ups and downs but she's never failed to get me home - limping sometimes, but always made it. She's really running well at the moment and I have new adventures planned, once this current gripe releases me from its shackles. Stay well. Ride safely. Nick

[@Theophilus1968]

Looks like a great time. On by bucket list for sure... Thanks for sharing. 👌

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks - it was fun. I'm eager to go back to the Yukon - exciting country.

[@happydays6320]

Thanks for sharing such a an enjoyable short video Nick. If you ever visit West Bali Indonesia drop in and visit. I have a spare bike or two and we can go on a short run in my backyard...

[@nick949eldo]

That's very kind of you - thanks. It seems a little unlikely that I'll ever get the chance to make it out your way, but I really appreciate the offer. Stay well and ride safely.

[@norsmanadventures]

That bike has a nice sound to it.

[@fluffybilly]

Always a pleasure to view your videos. Thanks.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks fluffybilly

[@xrrider914]

oh yeah, and a nice montage with very good narration.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks XR - it was fun.

[@emilianodigiamberardino6029]

Che posti bellissimi!! Gran viaggio!!👍👍👍👍😎🙃🙃🙃

[@nick949eldo]

Grazie

[@nabiha37]

Nice video, thanks. Motto Guzzi should send you a new Eldorado after this great video. 😊🙏👍👍👌

[@kevindean320]

Hey Nick, too cool man, the Eldorado's just rock

[@user-qf7lq5ym4o]

Another great video! I like the way that you present your work. It's easy listening and satisfying viewing. I think that bike is very special, kind of reminds me of the millennium falcon from star wars! Just keeps going. Maybe do a video of after trip maintenance? (If you haven't already done so). Cheers, Henry

[@nick949eldo]

After trip maintenance? Is that a thing? I usually ride one of the other bikes until I've forgotton what went wrong last time - then ride again....

[@llamamanism]

Just as I was thinking of the simplicity of Canadians naming some mountains “Rocky”, like Australians and their “Great Sandy” desert you show us Tootinaowaziibeeng ?!

[@nick949eldo]

Plenty of unusual First Nations place names. I assume this one is Cree.

[@dungspreader]

Great video Nick ! The Yukon is a great place to ride a motorcycle , especially an old Guzzi !

[@rickguyevans]

Another fabulous video! What a luxury to go so far "on a whim" Hats off to you and the crusty old Eldo. Very enjoyable:))

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Rick

[@johnmgriffin3060]

Wonderful! You, sir, are a gem... Merry Christmas

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks John (even if my friends might dispute the gem part😆), Merry Christmas to you too.

[@yukonica4560]

Sorry to have missed the opportunity to meet you. Steak, beer, and dogs next time up. You've done a wonderful job of showing the scenery in all regions.

[@nick949eldo]

Wonderful territory. Like Arnold....ahl be back.

[@motolabdenver]

awesome! youre a badass.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks (I think). I assume you saw part 2, a few years later: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKu3oXR7gbhkfqc

[@gerryduffett9170]

Superb photography as usual, Nick, will have to order your new book.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Gerry - it's almost ready. Just fighting with KDP over the text on the spine (as if I care).

[@Jodyrides]

I hope you carry the gold pan. I do

[@nick949eldo]

Honestly, it didn't even occur to me, but I probably wouldn't have taken the time anyway. Cool idea though.

[@1929Brough]

Superb trip and video !

[@peanutbutter4829]

Great video Nick! You make me feel good owning a Harley... :)

[@nick949eldo]

Haha. All bikes good. Safe riding.

[@Justaguyinnc]

My goodness..that Eldorado looks so "Industrial" and beautiful at the same time.. I would like to know what you brought along in your tool box for the trip?

[@nick949eldo]

Metric wrenches 7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,19 plus the factory ring spanner for the rear wheel nut and oil plug. Tire irons and WD40. Straight and cross-head screwdrivers. Air pump, tube. Distributor cap, rotor, condensor, various carb jeys, spare coil, brake.clutch cable, accelerator cable - and probably a few bits and pieces I've forgotten.

[@wave6413]

You deserve a lot more views than you are getting. There is a Sean/David esq-ness to the narration style. Cheers

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Darren - the 'mostly Guzzi /old bike world ' is a small universe. I'm content if anyone finds them even remotely interesting.

[@smeghead61]

Awesome Nick, Great to see the wildlife. Now for a "Go Fund me" to buy you a see through screen for the Eldorado :-D Cheers Brian

[@nick949eldo]

Fortunately I never look through it. It did get a bit scruffy and beaten up. I've now removed the fairing, but it will no doubt be back on again (and clean) sooner or later.

[@tommerson5121]

Nick - I love your videos. Your journeys on the venerable Moto Guzzi are inspirational from many standpoints. Just a question, though - if you use hearing protection, what type do you find works best? Thanks and happy motoring.

[@nick949eldo]

I use cheap earplugs from the local hardware store. Nothing special. Thanks for the kind comments. Stay well.

[@tommerson5121]

@@nick949eldo Thank you, Nick.

[@karolkowalczyk1578]

After reading your very descriptive books it was really good to see a video also, have you had a chance to ride the Interceptor yet ? I have the new glitter and Dust model & have never had a better bike...... ( I thought my Ducati 600 TL was a great machine back in the day but the Interceptor is in a class of its own) also love my Classic 500 and enjoyed reading about your English voyages on one. Ride Safe Nick & keep on writing 🏍💨💨💨

[@nick949eldo]

I've only seen one Interceptor Karol, but I must admit, it did look and sound lovely. Thanks for taking a chance on the books. I hope they helped fill an idle hour as we struggle through the pandemic. Stay well, ride safely and enjoy life.

[@karolkowalczyk1578]

If your ever over here again there’s an Interceptor for you to try in lovely Dacorum 🏍💨

[@nick949eldo]

@@karolkowalczyk1578 Fabulous thanks. Very generous thought.

[@mfsgucio5605]

Thank you for your quick reply. I'm trying to find these tires. By the way, my name is Mark :-). I wish you wide streets and rubber trees :-)

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Mark -and the same to you.

[@Glasshousebc]

Superb

[@fadingmargins]

I have been sampling your content happily and thinking how I don't ride my 1980 T4 enough. I dropped a sub and even bought a book but I have one question. All who love Guzzis know changing the wheel is a bit of a meal and I note that you lay yours over, how do you stop the petrol seeping out the cap? I have had many bike but my Guzzi has been with me for over a decade now and still I have never had a bike that didn't leak fuel if you laid it on its side. Look forward to the book. PS what tyres do you run?

[@nick949eldo]

Hi - and thanks for taking a chance on the book. I can't remember fuel leakage being much of an issue when I laid the bike over. When I changed the tire at Pelley Crossing, the tank was close to empty as I knew the automated fuel pump was just across the road. When I did it on the James Bay Road, we were within a few miles of Radisson, so again, the fuel level was probably low. But if I needed to change the tire, a bit of fuel leakage would be a small price to pay to be able to get rolling again. I have been using Duro HF 308 or 318 for ages, mainly because they are dirt cheap and handle OK. Stay well. Nick.

[@xrrider914]

Hey Nick! XR Rider here again. So you pick a good opportunity to change the tire and then strap the old tired one onto your bike and carry on. Really? You kept it just in case you needed it. I am quite impressed. All you new riders, I hope you are paying attention to Nick, a man with experience and foresight. An I think I will pick up the book too Nick. I love to read.... keep on!

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks again XR. I wasn't sure the knobbly would last very long so I kept the other one just in case. Astonishingly that $60 Duro lasted all the way home + a few thousand more (about 8000kms in total ).

[@mfsgucio5605]

Hallo Nick, i´m from Austria and i like your traveling art, compliment! I want to ask you about the tires, you used Kenda, which model? Greetings and thank you for your Film and answer :-)

[@nick949eldo]

Hello MFSGucio. Thanks you for the kind comments. Glad you enjoyed it. The rear tire as an 'old stock' tire I bought in Edmonton. The closest current equivalent I've been able to find is Kenda K270. Usually I run Duro HF308. They are cheap and work well on gravel and hardtop.

[@ZenModLabs]

I'm always frustrated that I can't leave at least 158 "thumbs up" at once, on each Nick's posting ! Enjoy Mate!

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks 138 times. I do it for fun, but nice comments always give me a warm glow.

[@motophoenix5951]

Splendid video again. I hate fiddling with distributors when the engine is running. I always seem to get a shock. Beautiful scenery. How did that tyre feel? Will you try one on the front? Thanks for posting.

[@nick949eldo]

The rear tyre fought with the front for control of the bike - so in a word, horrible. I either got used to it or it settled down after a while. Bloody thing won't wear out though!

[@larryyz_hideaway]

so...you rode the Dempster....on a whim??

[@anapasoren2874]

Super bike doesn't enjoy ride cruise bike enjoy their ride

[@nick949eldo]

Not sure I really understand, but thanks. It was a great trip.

[@simonapeters4372]

Moto guzzi makes dual sport adventure bikes why would you ride a classic bike on gravel roads and tear it all up in one of the video scenes you can see the front fork seal leaking not enough travel for gravel roads

[@nick949eldo]

Personal choice. It's not a holy relic.