Ride Three

For Ural Sidecar Motorcycle Enthusiasts

The Arctic Circle on a Ural – some of the most beautiful country, and some of the crappiest roads, I have ever seen. Andy Grow, proud owner of a 2008 Ural Gear-Up in Arctic Camo, recently completed a huge Alaskan road trip, that took him and his Gear-Up into the Arctic Circle and home again. In one piece. (And with no problems, by the way, the any perpetual Ural doubters lingering out there.)

I was fortunate enough to hang with Andy Grow back in April, when he had just taken delivery of his Gear-Up. He and I rode to Salem together, to get our 500km maintenance done at Raceway Services. It was a joy to see his ride report, especially the many incredible photos he got of Alaska and a rally he intended.

Check out Andy’s full ride report: D2D and the Arctic Circle on a Ural - ADVrider

• “I had complete confidence in her the entire way…and nothing - NOTHING - occurred that would make me reconsider doing the trip again. Fuel mileage was anywhere from 25-30mpg. It’s a beast on the hills and going through the mountain passes. But it gets it done.”
• “You MUST know your bikes limits. I knew from the start I wouldn’t be able to keep up with anyone on the pavement, and I was right. But on the dirt I was doing the same speeds - if not a bit faster - than some of the regular motos (only because they were riding slower!).”
• “I ended up changing out the pusher at 3350kms. The Dempster highway took it down to darn near nothing, but it was still good enough to call a spare. For those taking notes, I am running the stock Uralshinas.”
• “Being the only sidecar - and a Ural at that - at a gathering like this - you are sure to get attention. And chicks. Lots of chicks.”

Go, Andy! Good job, mate.