D2d

D2D

Fun and games in the Yukon

It's NOT a rally! You see that proclamation on just about every sign, every T-shirt, every bumper sticker and other mention of the annual Dust to Dawson, um, get-together. The event is instead described as "a gathering of like-minded motorcyclists." For the vast majority of attendees, the "like" in their mindedness is for adventure riding, evidenced by the fact that 99 percent of the bikes roaming Dawson City's dirt streets or parked next to its wooden sidewalks are BMW GSs, Kawasaki KLR650s, KTM Adventures, Suzuki V-Stroms and the occasional Ducati Multistrada. You might spot a Honda XR650L, H-D bagger or Gold Wing trike, but they're usually lost in a 200-plus-strong sea of adventure bikes.

Dust to Dawson is the almost accidental creation of three rid ers-Jim Coleman, John "Cash" Register and a gentleman known only as "Fighter"-who hatç'ied the idea over a few beers in Dawson back in 1992. Long story short, word spread, more riders gradually joined the party and before long, the ride became an event. Originally, it was called The Over The Top Hop, since

Dawson sits at the east end of the Top of the World Highway. But that name didn't fit well on a T-shirt, so the ride was rechristened Dust to Dawson, shortened even farther for logo purposes to "D2D."

To call D2D a laid-back event would be an understatement. There are no vendors, no commercialism, no manufacturers dis playing their new models, no bike shows. Riders just arrive in this historic, beautifully restored town-which was the nucleus of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-and enjoy two days of camaraderie. One afternoon is devoted to typical biker games-poker run, slow race, weenie bite, etc.-but it's all in good fun.

There are no rules, procedures or entry fees for attendance at D2D; you just show up. Really, there's only one thing you need to know: It's NOT a rally! -Paul Dean