Dawson City down day

Been in Dawson City all day today...took a down day before tackling the Dempster Highway tomorrow.We've scraped the mung off the bikes,resupplied adjusted chains etc.Also repacked our gear to lighten the load on the bikes...place we are staying let us leave excess stuff outback.The lighter load should make the bikes easier to manage should we get into bad muddy conditions.Have talked to several riders coming off the Dempster and all have made it ok.There are bad forrest fires up there now and some have said the smoke is bad in places and impairs visibility.The road surface is all gravel and as long as we watch our speed should not create any issues,but if it rains the wet surface can be quite treacherous.Everyone has said it is well worth the trip Not sure if we will have internet access so not sure about posts next 3 days.Plan to take the computer just in case.Went to the Dawson museum today...actually it was fascinating.Learned all about the Yukon gold rush at turn of the century.Those goldminers had a tough row to hoe and most went home broke.Seems the big winners in that deal were the merchants,banks,saloons and brothels