*FCC FACEBOOK WEEKLY WRAP-UP* *(An anti-social media compendium for our non-Facebook members)*
*DAY-AFTER THANKSGIVING TREAT* Want to bike a state parks trail on the day after Thanksgiving?
Alaska State Parks to waive parking fees day after Thanksgiving dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/releases/11-22-21%20Alaska%20State%20Parks%20waives%20parking%20fees%20the%20day%20after%20Thanksgiving.pdf
—-
*DRIVE LESS, BIKE MORE* Want to help inspire others? Consider telling the League why you Drive Less, Bike More.
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
Riding a bike gets your blood pumping with a little #cardio while getting you where you need to go. Want to inspire others to take their next short trip by bike? Tell us why (or how) you #drivelessbikemore. Your submission might end up on the League page ➡️ bit.ly/TellUsWhyYouDLBM
—-
*STORY ON ALASKAN BIKEPACK RACER* If you’ve got access to the Anchorage Daily News, it has a great story on Anchorage bikepack racing phenom Ana Jager:
www.adn.com/sports/2022/11/16/3-epic-bike-races-2-titles-and-1-crown-ana-jagers-journey-from-bikepacking-novice-to-elite-rider/
—-
*WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE WOES* If you bike on roads this winter, here’s some unfortunately but good-to-know info.
–A common threat among all the agencies is a shortage of equipment operators.
DOT Northern Region’s vacancy rate ranges between 25% and 35% (including being nine short of 32 employees in Fairbanks). The borough reported contractors for its road service areas are short on employees, and Fairbanks has concerns about the lack of trained temporary equipment operators.–
www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/winter-operations-state-city-borough-talk-about-upcoming-maintenance-plans/article_79cacef0-65f7-11ed-9ef0-2f037796682c.html
—-
*NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT REGISTRATION OPEN* If you want to help advance biking, the National Bike Summit is a good place to find out how you can help.
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
The hybrid #BikeSummit23 will take place March 26-29, 2023, and it’s all about keeping the momentum up to power a revolution for better biking. Register now — and receive the lowest price with our Early Bird Special — to be a part of the conversation ➡️ bikeleague.org/summit
P.S. Do you usually receive a discount on summit registration due to your affiliation? Are you a member of a BIPOC-led and focused club? Email summit@bikeleague.org for more info on how you can receive a discount on registration!
—-
*ADVOCATES FOR SAFE ALASKA HIGHWAYS* This would affect any cyclists using the roads along the proposed route.
Shared from Advocates for Safe Alaska Highways
Kinross Gold plans to send a 95-foot, 14-axle, 80-ton ore hauler every 8 minutes from Tok, Delta, Salcha, North Pole, Fairbanks, and Fox to Ft. Knox and back.
If not stopped, this unprecedented ore haul of almost 10,000,000 pounds per day 24/7/365 on a 500-mile round trip using our public highways and city streets, could put you and your family in mortal danger in less than two years.
Visit our site. Learn the facts. Join the voices demanding change.
safealaskahighways.org/
—-
*BIKING TO RELAX AND FOR GOALS* Biking can be relaxing. It can also be a way to set and achieve goals. Fairbanks cyclist Corrine Leistikow muses about both in “Going Long, Going Solo,” an essay in “Wheels on Ice.”
“By the time I get home somedays, I just want to zone out. Facebook or YouTube, here I come! That might be zoning out, but it isn’t relaxing. And that’s why biking is so important to me. Riding my bike alone for hours is a great way to zone out and relax.”
Leistikow also describes some of the bigger biking goals she’s achieved, like riding the Tour Divide, and one that she hasn’t — yet.
Read this essay and more in “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska.” www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
—-
*MORE FAIRBANKS CONNECTIONS IN BOOK* More Fairbanks connections in “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska.” An obvious one is Rachael Kvapil’s essay “When There’s No One Left to Fight.” The Fairbanksan and former FCC prez writes about how cycling has helped her deal with her condition: being a type A personality. Goals! Goals! Goals! Sometimes her goals are big (White Mountains 100, Ironman triathlon), sometimes they are smaller (exercising her dog).
In “The Books I Carried” Palmerite Alys Culhane writes about her quest to distribute used books from a Palmer recycling center by biking from Fairbanks to Valdez, via Palmer. Besides starting in Fairbanks, we also find out that her husband once worked as a bike mechanic at Beaver Sports.
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
—-
*BIKE COMMUTE, FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE* Need another reason to bike commute? How about helping to fight climate change? It’s a lot tougher to commute in winter, but Fairbanksans are tough people! How many winter bike commuters do we have out there? Let’s hear from you. How do you like it?
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
Happy #AmericaRecyclesDay! Another way to make a difference for the planet 🌎?Join the thousands of people already pedaling in our mission to #drivelessbikemore. No matter when, where or how far you go, you’re taking a climate-saving action just by choosing to replace your next car trip with a bike trip ➡️ www.drivelessbikemore.com
—-
*DIY ULTRALIGHT POGIES* Ultralight pogies probably aren’t the kind you’d want to use in the middle of a Fairbanks winter, but some lighter pogies might be good for the shoulder season or a rainy autumn.
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
As temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, Greg Maino shares a simple 10-step tutorial to make your own ultralight pogies. These pack up to the size of a lighter and are perfect for chilly mornings and wet rides or to extend your winter cycling glove system. Find his Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) guide here, complete with a materials list, detailed photos, and step-by-step instructions…
bikepacking.com/gear/make-your-own-ultralight-pogies/
—-
*COMMENT PERIOD OPEN ON STATEWIDE OUTDOOR REC PLAN* If you care out trails and outdoor recreation in Alaska, make sure you scope out the SCORP, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. This helps guide the state government in how funds and resources will be used to advance outdoor recreation. A draft of the plan has been finished and is open for public comment. Read the plan and comment by Nov. 30 at www.alaskascorp.org/.
—-
*GOLD RUSH BIKING* Great note and photo from the Gold Rush. “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska” has a couple of stories about men who biked long distances during the Gold Rush, as well as newer cycling stories in Alaska.
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
Shared from Walk/Bike Alaska
1899 photographer Arthur Pillsbury on bicycle dragging his gear on White Pass Trail out of Skagway. Pillsbury said, “I out-traveled the best dog teams…sometimes crossing the mountain range I had to pull the bicycle on the sled but made up for it on the downhill.” #alaskahistory
—-
*BIKING THE DALTON TO FINISH THE AMERICAS* If you’re going to bike the length of the Americas, you’re probably going to do the Dalton Highway! (Or maybe the Dempster in Canada.)
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
Greg and Victoria are back with another video chronicling their long journey from Arctic Alaska down to Patagonia. In this episode, they wrap up the Dalton Highway amid a scourge of mosquitos, find their fair share of hills and rain, and Victoria celebrates a birthday. Take a look here… bikepacking.com/plog/cycling-to-argentina-ep2-alaskan-mosquito-onslaught-video/
—-
*BIKING ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE* Alaskans Bjørn Olson and Kim McNett really push the boundaries of where bikes can go!
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
Alaskan adventurers Bjørn Olson and Kim McNett take on another fatbike and packraft expedition entirely above the Arctic Circle. This time, they connect the last remaining segment to form a contiguous route from just south of Homer all the way to the tip-top of the state. Watch it here…
bikepacking.com/plog/the-friendly-arctic-film/
—-
*TWO BIKE MECHANIC CLASSES IN JANUARY* UAF’s WINTERmester 2023 classes include two bike mechanic courses led by the legendary Simon Rakower.
Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Meets: January 9-13, Monday – Friday, 6 PM – 9 PM
Advanced Bike Hacking Meets: January 16-20, Monday – Friday, 6 PM – 9 PM
To find out more and register go here: www.uaf.edu/summer/courses/wintermester.php
—-
*VOTE POSTPONED ON BORO TRAILS PLAN* Last night the Fairbanks Borough Assembly postponed voting on the Comprehensive Recreational Trails Plan update until February. It’s a good decision.
Several assembly members had concerns about how individual property owners might be affected by the plan. They have instructed borough staff to try to work out those issues. Had the assembly been forced to vote on the plan last night, there’s a good chance it would have failed. If the issues can be resolved satisfactorily – and no new issues arise that can’t be addressed – then there’s a good chance the plan will pass. (Re new potential issues, I have an idea on how trail advocates might be able to help.)
Read more here. www.interioralaskatrails.org/2022/11/11/borough-trails-plan-postponed-to-address-concerns/
*—-*
*FCC RESOURCES*We’ve got lots of useful stuff on our website, including a bunch of information on our Resources page and under our Resources dropdown menu: –Bikeways Fairbanks cycling map –Info on Alaska cycling laws –Tanana Valley State Forest Roads –National and International Cycling Advocacy Groups –Winter Riding Tips –Maps Archive
See those and more under Resources at: www.fairbankscycleclub.org/
*DAY-AFTER THANKSGIVING TREAT* Want to bike a state parks trail on the day after Thanksgiving?
Alaska State Parks to waive parking fees day after Thanksgiving dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/releases/11-22-21%20Alaska%20State%20Parks%20waives%20parking%20fees%20the%20day%20after%20Thanksgiving.pdf
—-
*DRIVE LESS, BIKE MORE* Want to help inspire others? Consider telling the League why you Drive Less, Bike More.
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
Riding a bike gets your blood pumping with a little #cardio while getting you where you need to go. Want to inspire others to take their next short trip by bike? Tell us why (or how) you #drivelessbikemore. Your submission might end up on the League page ➡️ bit.ly/TellUsWhyYouDLBM
—-
*STORY ON ALASKAN BIKEPACK RACER* If you’ve got access to the Anchorage Daily News, it has a great story on Anchorage bikepack racing phenom Ana Jager:
www.adn.com/sports/2022/11/16/3-epic-bike-races-2-titles-and-1-crown-ana-jagers-journey-from-bikepacking-novice-to-elite-rider/
—-
*WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE WOES* If you bike on roads this winter, here’s some unfortunately but good-to-know info.
–A common threat among all the agencies is a shortage of equipment operators.
DOT Northern Region’s vacancy rate ranges between 25% and 35% (including being nine short of 32 employees in Fairbanks). The borough reported contractors for its road service areas are short on employees, and Fairbanks has concerns about the lack of trained temporary equipment operators.–
www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/winter-operations-state-city-borough-talk-about-upcoming-maintenance-plans/article_79cacef0-65f7-11ed-9ef0-2f037796682c.html
—-
*NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT REGISTRATION OPEN* If you want to help advance biking, the National Bike Summit is a good place to find out how you can help.
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
The hybrid #BikeSummit23 will take place March 26-29, 2023, and it’s all about keeping the momentum up to power a revolution for better biking. Register now — and receive the lowest price with our Early Bird Special — to be a part of the conversation ➡️ bikeleague.org/summit
P.S. Do you usually receive a discount on summit registration due to your affiliation? Are you a member of a BIPOC-led and focused club? Email summit@bikeleague.org for more info on how you can receive a discount on registration!
—-
*ADVOCATES FOR SAFE ALASKA HIGHWAYS* This would affect any cyclists using the roads along the proposed route.
Shared from Advocates for Safe Alaska Highways
Kinross Gold plans to send a 95-foot, 14-axle, 80-ton ore hauler every 8 minutes from Tok, Delta, Salcha, North Pole, Fairbanks, and Fox to Ft. Knox and back.
If not stopped, this unprecedented ore haul of almost 10,000,000 pounds per day 24/7/365 on a 500-mile round trip using our public highways and city streets, could put you and your family in mortal danger in less than two years.
Visit our site. Learn the facts. Join the voices demanding change.
safealaskahighways.org/
—-
*BIKING TO RELAX AND FOR GOALS* Biking can be relaxing. It can also be a way to set and achieve goals. Fairbanks cyclist Corrine Leistikow muses about both in “Going Long, Going Solo,” an essay in “Wheels on Ice.”
“By the time I get home somedays, I just want to zone out. Facebook or YouTube, here I come! That might be zoning out, but it isn’t relaxing. And that’s why biking is so important to me. Riding my bike alone for hours is a great way to zone out and relax.”
Leistikow also describes some of the bigger biking goals she’s achieved, like riding the Tour Divide, and one that she hasn’t — yet.
Read this essay and more in “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska.” www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
—-
*MORE FAIRBANKS CONNECTIONS IN BOOK* More Fairbanks connections in “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska.” An obvious one is Rachael Kvapil’s essay “When There’s No One Left to Fight.” The Fairbanksan and former FCC prez writes about how cycling has helped her deal with her condition: being a type A personality. Goals! Goals! Goals! Sometimes her goals are big (White Mountains 100, Ironman triathlon), sometimes they are smaller (exercising her dog).
In “The Books I Carried” Palmerite Alys Culhane writes about her quest to distribute used books from a Palmer recycling center by biking from Fairbanks to Valdez, via Palmer. Besides starting in Fairbanks, we also find out that her husband once worked as a bike mechanic at Beaver Sports.
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
—-
*BIKE COMMUTE, FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE* Need another reason to bike commute? How about helping to fight climate change? It’s a lot tougher to commute in winter, but Fairbanksans are tough people! How many winter bike commuters do we have out there? Let’s hear from you. How do you like it?
Shared from League of American Bicyclists
Happy #AmericaRecyclesDay! Another way to make a difference for the planet 🌎?Join the thousands of people already pedaling in our mission to #drivelessbikemore. No matter when, where or how far you go, you’re taking a climate-saving action just by choosing to replace your next car trip with a bike trip ➡️ www.drivelessbikemore.com
—-
*DIY ULTRALIGHT POGIES* Ultralight pogies probably aren’t the kind you’d want to use in the middle of a Fairbanks winter, but some lighter pogies might be good for the shoulder season or a rainy autumn.
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
As temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, Greg Maino shares a simple 10-step tutorial to make your own ultralight pogies. These pack up to the size of a lighter and are perfect for chilly mornings and wet rides or to extend your winter cycling glove system. Find his Make Your Own Bikepacking Gear (MYOBG) guide here, complete with a materials list, detailed photos, and step-by-step instructions…
bikepacking.com/gear/make-your-own-ultralight-pogies/
—-
*COMMENT PERIOD OPEN ON STATEWIDE OUTDOOR REC PLAN* If you care out trails and outdoor recreation in Alaska, make sure you scope out the SCORP, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. This helps guide the state government in how funds and resources will be used to advance outdoor recreation. A draft of the plan has been finished and is open for public comment. Read the plan and comment by Nov. 30 at www.alaskascorp.org/.
—-
*GOLD RUSH BIKING* Great note and photo from the Gold Rush. “Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska” has a couple of stories about men who biked long distances during the Gold Rush, as well as newer cycling stories in Alaska.
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496232472/
Shared from Walk/Bike Alaska
1899 photographer Arthur Pillsbury on bicycle dragging his gear on White Pass Trail out of Skagway. Pillsbury said, “I out-traveled the best dog teams…sometimes crossing the mountain range I had to pull the bicycle on the sled but made up for it on the downhill.” #alaskahistory
—-
*BIKING THE DALTON TO FINISH THE AMERICAS* If you’re going to bike the length of the Americas, you’re probably going to do the Dalton Highway! (Or maybe the Dempster in Canada.)
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
Greg and Victoria are back with another video chronicling their long journey from Arctic Alaska down to Patagonia. In this episode, they wrap up the Dalton Highway amid a scourge of mosquitos, find their fair share of hills and rain, and Victoria celebrates a birthday. Take a look here… bikepacking.com/plog/cycling-to-argentina-ep2-alaskan-mosquito-onslaught-video/
—-
*BIKING ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE* Alaskans Bjørn Olson and Kim McNett really push the boundaries of where bikes can go!
Shared from BIKEPACKING.com
Alaskan adventurers Bjørn Olson and Kim McNett take on another fatbike and packraft expedition entirely above the Arctic Circle. This time, they connect the last remaining segment to form a contiguous route from just south of Homer all the way to the tip-top of the state. Watch it here…
bikepacking.com/plog/the-friendly-arctic-film/
—-
*TWO BIKE MECHANIC CLASSES IN JANUARY* UAF’s WINTERmester 2023 classes include two bike mechanic courses led by the legendary Simon Rakower.
Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Meets: January 9-13, Monday – Friday, 6 PM – 9 PM
Advanced Bike Hacking Meets: January 16-20, Monday – Friday, 6 PM – 9 PM
To find out more and register go here: www.uaf.edu/summer/courses/wintermester.php
—-
*VOTE POSTPONED ON BORO TRAILS PLAN* Last night the Fairbanks Borough Assembly postponed voting on the Comprehensive Recreational Trails Plan update until February. It’s a good decision.
Several assembly members had concerns about how individual property owners might be affected by the plan. They have instructed borough staff to try to work out those issues. Had the assembly been forced to vote on the plan last night, there’s a good chance it would have failed. If the issues can be resolved satisfactorily – and no new issues arise that can’t be addressed – then there’s a good chance the plan will pass. (Re new potential issues, I have an idea on how trail advocates might be able to help.)
Read more here. www.interioralaskatrails.org/2022/11/11/borough-trails-plan-postponed-to-address-concerns/
*—-*
*FCC RESOURCES*We’ve got lots of useful stuff on our website, including a bunch of information on our Resources page and under our Resources dropdown menu: –Bikeways Fairbanks cycling map –Info on Alaska cycling laws –Tanana Valley State Forest Roads –National and International Cycling Advocacy Groups –Winter Riding Tips –Maps Archive
See those and more under Resources at: www.fairbankscycleclub.org/