This morning when I went for coffee at College Coffeehouse, a soft spoken gentleman asked if I was Richard with a sidecar. He then introduced himself as SteveZ, the proud owner of a new Ural Yamal. He had arrived into Fairbanks yesterday after driving up from Washington state with his new purchase and is on his way home in south-central Alaska. Compared to Dom and CCjon, he is lightly packed but still has all of his camping gear stowed in the sidecar. He came up on the Cassiar and his rear pusher tire still shows plenty of life left. Maybe it's just the load that was causing the accelerated wear on Dom's tires. This model is the one named after the Russian ice breaker and has the teeth on the right front side of the car as well as accessories such as the front bumper with fog lights, a gas can on the left rear and the paddle. It was a very nice looking rig and he hasn't had a bit of trouble with it.
Of course, I couldn't take a picture of the Yamal model and not take a shot of the paddle. It was a pleasure to meet you Steve and I hope that we will meet again. He has been following both Dom's and CCjon's trips and was more than a little concerned by their problems as you can imagine. This is his second Ural so I am sure that he knows what he's getting into.
George Rahn was amazed with the number of Urals that are making the trip up the highway.
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I like the Soviet ice breaker and I like that Ural model. I haven't figured out how to carry a paddle on any of the machines but that is something that could happen I suppose.
ReplyDeleteNow if the paddle was a functional accessory that would really be cool. As it was, it is a great looking rig.
DeleteHow cool is that! I saw to fellas riding Urals today and I chatted with them a bit. I really want a sidecar, maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteDon't let Dom hear that or your comments will be filled with subliminal messages about sidecars…
DeleteI was pretty surprised when he came up to our table.
Richard you are turning out to be a URAL magnet! I believe it's the fates hinting that perhaps a URAL is in your future.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right re loads and pusher wear rates being related. I sure won't pack as much stuff the next time I do such a long distance trip.
Please give my regards to George and the rest of the Airheads.
dom
I suspect you're right about a Ural in my future. But I won't admit it. Tomorrow, I'll be seeing BobK and BobC as well as CCjon at the MOA rally in Salem. I leave tonight on the red eye.
DeleteOooh you got to see the fabled Yamal up close and in person. It's like seeing Santa - they do exist......
ReplyDeleteHave a good flight.
He picked this one up from a dealer in the PNW somewhere. I had heard that they were pretty rare. This one was looking pretty good, especially since he just ran it through the do-it-yourself car wash.
DeleteRichard - you are now a stop on everyone's agenda if they're heading to Alaska. I'm sure even people without sidecars are stopping. Fun!
ReplyDeleteYesterday morning, there were about 20 bikes at the upper dorm complex at the university. It has become known within the ADV community as a bargain place to stay. Not as cheap as it once was but compared to anything in town it's too good of a deal to pass up.
DeleteHave fun on your NE adventure!