*FCC FACEBOOK WEEKLY WRAP-UP* *(An anti-social media compendium for our non-Facebook members)*
*VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY*Here’s a way to help improve cycling infrastructure in Fairbanks!
Shared from Fairbanks Area Surface Transportation Planning Feb 18 🗳️ COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITY! 🗳️ 📅 Apply by Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
🚶 Are you (or is someone you know) interested in getting more involved with active transportation planning efforts in the Fairbanks/North Pole area? Can you see yourself providing guidance on bike & ped issues? This might be the committee for you!
🌐 Learn more about the BPAC on their committee page at fastplanning.us/about/staff/bpac/
📄 Send your one-page “Letter of Interest” via email to jackson.fox@fastplanning.us or by mail to 100 Cushman Street, Suite 205, Fairbanks, AK 99701
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*SNOW-FREE CLEAT IDEAS*For those of you who ride with cleats in the winter, here’s a 5-minute video of tips for keeping them snow free. (The last one is tasty!)
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com Feb 19 In our latest short Tips & Tricks video, learn how to keep your cleats snow and ice free all season long. Watch it here…
bikepacking.com/news/how-to-keep-your-cleats-snow-free/
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*”WINTER” CYCLING TIPS*These almost seem cute while in the midst of our winter, but there are actually some good ideas here, especially for when you’re out on your road bike during our shoulder seasons.
Shared from Beaver Sports Feb 17: Some winter cycling tips from the warmer parts of the world… would you use these tips too and have you found something better for the negative temps of Fairbanks?
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*A BIKE I SAW*Have you seen this “cutting edge” technology?!
kottke.org/21/02/the-ice-bike-with-circular-saw-wheels
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*CHENA RIVER WARNING*If you like to ride the rivers, pay attention!
Shared from Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Feb 18 In years past, the Chena would be safe to walk out on right now. But currently, the thickness of the ice on the Chena is extremely variable.
www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/thin-ice-leads-to-warnings-to-stay-off-chena-river/article_ad36e7e6-71a8-11eb-b4ef-fbb127c82826.html
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*NEW WENDELL BRIDGE TO BE MORE BIKE-FRIENDLY*From a News-Miner story on the Wendell Avenue Bridge project.
“The new bridge will accommodate heavier vehicles and will have wider sidewalks and road shoulders for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/wendell-bridge-demolition-expected-to-take-two-months/article_2ca497f0-70df-11eb-a369-677ac95fa0aa.html
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*FINNISH FATBIKING*Kind of fun to see how they fatbike over in Finland. Sure are winding trails. Obviously not built for mushing big teams!
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com Feb 16 Rails to Trails is a new short film from Kona and Suunto that follows three friends on a winter fatbiking trip to the far reaches of northern Finland, well above the Arctic Circle. Watch it here, along with a story from one of the riders and a wonderful selection of wintry photos…
bikepacking.com/plog/rails-to-trails-finnish-lapland-film/
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*ROAD OPEN TO MOUNTAIN VISTA IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK*Denali calls!
“Mountain Vista can be a spot for outdoor enthusiasts to launch their day on snowshoes, skis or dog sleds.”
Fatbikes, too, in some places. This from the park’s website: “Closed in winter? Not Denali! Winter is a great time to explore the park, whether by foot, ski, snowshoe, bike or other means!”
www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
www.newsminer.com/news/kris_capps/denali-park-road-open-to-mountain-vista/article_0478af96-6f3b-11eb-a22d-6f3ccf714a08.html
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*REBEL AND PIONEER*Here’s an interesting story about a rebel and a “true pioneer.”
Shared from Adventure Cycling Association Feb 13 Riding a men’s bike, winning races, and designing her own cycling kit was just a few things Kittie Knox accomplished in her too short life. www.bikeleague.org/content/womens-bike-history-kittie-knox
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*WENDELL BRIDGE WARNING*Here’s an update on the two bridge projects in Fairbanks. Note the note to stay away from the Wendell Bridge right now.
Shared from Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Feb 12
Demolition on the Wendell Bridge in #Fairbanks has begun! The bridge was built in 1953, back when a gallon of gas cost 20 cents and most Fairbanks streets were just being paved for the first time. The bridge gave us nearly 70 years of service, which is a pretty good run.
After demo of the Wendell Bridge is complete, construction on the new bridge will start closer to springtime. Work on the University Bridge continues as well, as the crew prepares for pile driving for the new structure, which should start in March.
*If you walk, bike, or snowmachine in this area, please avoid the area around the bridge. It is not safe to be hanging around near the bridge right now.*
Thanks to KTVF Fairbanks for taking some cool demolition shots yesterday!
www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2021/02/12/crews-begin-demolition-of-wendell-ave-bridge/
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*NEWS-MINER FATBIKING ARTICLE*Here’s an update on the two bridge projects in Fairbanks. Note the note to stay away from the Wendell Bridge right now.
Great fatbiking article by FCC member and former vice prez Dave James!
“The shortage of snow that has disappointed skiers and others craving fresh powder has resulted in trails that are rock solid, fast, and fun for those of us on two wheels. And apart from a couple of brief dips, temperatures have been ideal as well. For cyclists, it’s been the best season in memory.”
www.newsminer.com/features/outdoors/fatbike-paradise-miles-of-hard-packed-trails-and-little-snow-open-up-the-interior-for/article_80cc5a68-6cbe-11eb-8831-c75158473d31.html
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*BEAVER SPORTS THURSDAY RIDES*Beaver Sports usually has free Thursday Night fat bike rides! They start at 5pm at Beaver Sports. Call the store for more details (479-2494).
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*FAST BPAC MEETINGS*The Bike/Ped Advisory Committee for FAST meets on the last Thursday of every month. The public is invited to attend.
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is advisory to the Technical Committee. These meetings are focused on pedestrian and bike access and safety in FAST Planning projects. The agendas are typically very full. All members of the public are welcome to attend and join in the conversation.
Due to COVID-19, meetings are being hosted online. For security purposes, direct links to the zoom meeting rooms are not shared online. On the day of the meeting, please go to fastplanning.us/keepup/zoom/ and click the activated meeting button. From there, you will be redirected to Zoom.
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*FCC RESOURCES*We’ve got lots of useful stuff on our website, including a bunch of information under our Resources dropdown menu: –National and International Cycling Advocacy Groups –Tanana Valley State Forest Roads –Winter Riding Tips –Maps Archive
See those and more under Resources at: www.fairbankscycleclub.org/