Sundays on Snow are FCC group rides held as on as many Sundays as we can find leaders. (They are sometimes held on Saturdays, too.) Find out more about SOS rides HERE.
04-12-2026
Ben led four of us on a fun and "interesting" ride in the Peede Open Space Area. We didn't go too far or climb much, but we had a darn good workout.
Trails were mostly soft and made even more "interesting" due to a 4-wheeler who had ridden some of the trails between the time Ben had checked them out on Saturday and when we rode them on Sunday. We started from the Peede/Brock intersection and immediately had to ride the ruts of the 4-wheeler. One time we tried a less-used parallel trail but sunk deeply and gave up on that.
After crossing the pipeline, the trail got firmer, but it had some challenging soft spots and the 4-wheeler had gone this way, too. We let out a little air to "float" a little better.
Finally, we peeled off onto a side trail and left the 4-wheeler tracks behind. That was good, but the trail got softer. We would hit hard parts then soft parts. Hard then soft then hard then soft. We let out more air then more then more. It was air pressure limbo: How low can you go?
Finally, we got the an air pressure to a level that made things a little easier. But you would still sink in occasionally. We made it out to the Chena River and took a nice break.
We headed back and things seemed easier in some ways. We were "floating" over more stuff than on the way in (due to lower air pressure) and we had started to figure out how to navigate the deteriorating and rutted up trails. It was still challenging, though, especially since we had left some ruts on the way in.
When we got back to the pipeline, Ben led us north on the pipeline trail for a bit and that seemed like pretty easy riding. (We could have just ridden the pipeline for most of the ride, but what fun would that have been?) We turned off onto a slough trail, which was a bit softer though rideable. Then we turned off on another trail and said goodbye to riding. It was way too soft. Fortunately, it was only a short hike-a-bike until we could hike out to a road for a short ride back to the cars (bounce-a-bouncing on our limbo low tires).
Sure it was kind of a challenging, stupid ride, but it was great fun since everyone was a good sport about it. We did a lot of laughing as we were crashing and punching through. Good times!
04-05-2026
Report by Matt
Great day for a sunny Easter ride! I’ll admit that I was skeptical about whether or not the slough would hold up long enough for us to do an end of season ride on what’s probably the best kept secret of in-town fatbiking. Luckily the weather cooperated with us just about perfectly with cold nights and warm days that set up conditions just about perfectly.
Thanks to some adventurous snowmachines, we were able to hop on the slough from the dead end of Phillips Field Rd. instead of having to take the trail that parallels the railroad tracks, which gave us a little extra bonus time on the trail. We hit the railroad bridge just as a train was moving around the rail yard, so we got to enjoy watching it for a couple minutes and soak up some sunlight in the warm weather.
Glenn and I traded off leading as we stopped at most of the bridges to check out the interesting graffiti and patterns in the ice. The trail swapped from a wide open highway to a little narrower path once we passed the Aurora/Palace Circle neighborhoods, and we got to enjoy riding under some of the fun tree arches hanging over the trail.
Everything was super solid all the way back to the river, and we were able to ride a well established snowmachine track up to the Wendell St. bridge before taking the Yukon Quest track from under the bridge back up to the riverfront bike path where we rode back along to where we started from.
A few of us ventured off on a side quest to HooDoo for a pretzel and a beer in the sunshine before heading home. Not a bad way to spend an early afternoon enjoying pretty perfect springtime conditions.
Pics by Matt and Nita
03-29-2026
Report by Eric
Just me and Dean on this ride on the Ester Dome Singletrack Trails. Hope everyone else was getting out doing something fun. It was gorgeous out! Saw several other people out on the trails, including Chris. We thanked him for the great grooming!
We did the Outer Loop, which was in great shape. There are occasionally soft spots on the sides of the trail, so try to stay near the center. You'll see the ruts on the sides where people found those soft spots.
03-22-2026
Report by Dean
(Dean volunteered at the start of the White Mountains 100 and then led the SOS ride from the trailhead. Thanks for all the volunteering, Dean!)
I got to the trailhead around 6am where volunteer duties started slow, helping with parking. But once 7am came, things started to pick up. Racers started coming and the morning from then on went quick. Talking to racers, escorting them across the street to the starting line, which was somber compared to years past since everyone knew it was going to be a tough year with tough trail conditions and cold.
And then they were off!!!
Duties continued with helping put up the arctic tents. With between 5-6 of us we had it up in an hour and then got the finish line set up for food. Lots was done before leading the SOS ride. I rested for a bit until David James poked his head in the camper and said, "I'm here!"
Shortly after, the three of us hit the trail. (Myself, David and Kevin) The first hill really had me breathing hard and Dave said it was especially hard for him too, but then the riding became easier. The trails were mostly solid with short sections of drifted over snow that would throw you off your rhythm. Dave and Kevin decided to take air out of their tires, but I didn't since I figured it was only very short section of trail. But little did we know, this would be the best trail that we would ride on all day.
We rode all the way to Lee's Cabin, but as we got closer, we started seeing racers heading back to the start. They had decided to scratch and turn around at the first checkpoint because they said that shortly after Lee's cabin the trails got really soft and difficult to ride.
The three of us made it to the cabin and hung out a bit and chatted taking our time since it was a beautiful day just embracing the day. Kevin had mentioned that this was his first time to the White Mountains and could really tell he was having a great time. He said this ride motivated him to get up there and check it out and now he is hooked like the rest of us. He said one year he would like to participate in the race.
Headed back on the trail, the first couple miles were still good until we started the big three climbs and three descents. That's where snowmachines had churned up the trail surface, making it harder to ride. We had to walk for some of it. The final descent during the last mile before the parking lot is usually a fun and fast ride back to the cars, but the big mountain snowmachine paddle-tracks had changed the last 3-4 miles. Trail conditions were completely different, and much more difficult, than when we had ridden out.
Despite the challenging conditions, it was a great ride, great weather and lots of good conversations.
Note from the FCC president: When our reports mention snowmachines churning up the surface of the trail and making it hard to ride, we are not blaming the snowmachines. We understand that we need traffic on the trails to firm them up, so we appreciate the snowmachine traffic. We also know they have as much right to be out on the trails as we do. We prefer standard track machines to paddle-tracks, since standard tracks make a better surface to bike on, but all are good.
03-15-2026
Report by Matt
If you’re in search of solid springtime trails, Creamers and ADMA are where it’s at right now.
Four of us headed out in a nice sunny Sunday (myself, Dylan, Garrett, and Dave). We started out from the barn at Creamers Field and headed out to the west side of the ADMA trails. We hooked up into the 14.4, 16.4, and then the 19.8 mile trails before Dylan decided that he had enough recovery riding after yesterday’s TRC, and headed back on his own.
The rest of us turned onto the south side of the 27.2 extension and took it over to the pond and connector trail to 12.2 and the northeast corner of Creamers Field. Not quite having enough, we rode the outskirts of the field around and back to the barn (right as Dylan was getting back from his solo adventure 🤣).
Trails were in perfect conditions thanks to the combined grooming efforts of the mushers association and Stan Justice and crew, so if you use them make sure to help out with a contribution to their respective trails funds.
And if you do head out on the trails, be aware that the Open North American Championship mushing races will happen March 20-22. Please stay off the trails during those days unless you are spectating. (This ride used the western trails to avoid the Limited North American races happening on the eastern trails.)
See the ADMA calendar HERE.
For trail maintenance donations:
Fairbanks Trails, Inc. (Stan Justice and crew)
--Use the donate button on the Facebook PAGE
--Make check out to “Pearl Creek Community Park Fund” and send it to Tako Raynolds, 1819 Muskox Trail, Fairbanks, AK 99709-6626.
--Log on to PayPal; select “Send/Request”; type in “Pearl Creektrails” (a space after “Pearl” and “Creektrails” as one word). Tag it “Friends & Family” to avoid fees.
03-08-2026
Six of us headed out into a real mix of trail conditions. Some pretty good trails, some so-so trails, some hike-a-bike trails, and one great trail.
We did a loop in the Ace Lakes area that looks like a figure 8, but we rode it without criss-crossing. We started at the Ann's Greenhouse pullout (which wasn't fully plowed as of Sunday). Ben wisely parked at Goldstream Sports. We headed to the RR tracks and went south on the Dredge Trail, which is in pretty good shape. At the power line intersection we noticed that the southern part of the Dredge Trail had been packed by at least one snowmachine. It seemed firm. We discussed heading south on it, but decided to head south on the power line instead to the Intertie, and check out the other end of the Dredge Trail.
The power line trail is so-so for biking. Mostly rideable but a lot of soft spots. The power line isn't typically a powder play area for snowmachines but it is this year, so there's less snowmachine-packing of the main trail.
We headed west on the Intertie, which is a bit better than the power line trail, but it still has some soft spots. After crossing Cloudberry Lane, we turned north on the southern part of the Dredge Trail, which had been snowmachined. Yay! Now we knew we could connect it! The trail was pretty good, but it did have a few soft spots.
Then we got to the part where the snowmachine turned around. Ugh! Only a foot path continued north. We discussed heading back, but Ben was game to try the narrow trail. Success! After Ben disappeared down the trail, we followed…or tried to. We couldn't replicate Ben's success. Soon we were all walking the trail, riding in places if we could. Eric showed Joel the "wheelie" method of narrow-trail hike-a-bike, which Joel appreciated.
While navigating that section, Eric got a text that he didn't check because his hands were full of bike. Later found out it was from Ben: "I hope you guys don’t follow me through that. I’m almost at the power line. I’ll wait there for a while." And we actually caught Ben before he got to the power line. So, all good.
Finally, we got to a place where a snowmachine trail came in and connected to the Dredge Trail. It was still a bit soft, but we could ride some of it. Then another snowmachine trail came in from Judge Arend Avenue and the trail was once again good for biking. Yay! Our total hike-a-bike was less than a half mile (though it felt like more).
At the power line, we headed north, again riding much of it but struggling with the soft spots. At the Boat Trail intersection, that trail had been groomed, so we headed down it and…wheeeeeeeeee! It is in great shape! Then back again on the northern end of the Dredge Trail. Travis and Joel, who had both biked to the start, peeled off and the rest of us headed to our cars.
Overall a fun ride! It helps a lot when everyone is a good sport about the bad parts. Makes the fun parts that much more fun!
01-25-2026
Just Ben and ride leader Glenn on this one. Here's what Glenn wrote out the ride.
It was -20 at Ivory Jacks, so we headed up. Great ride. Trails were awesome. Never really got above zero even up top.
01-18-2026
Report by Eric
Sundays on Snow - Snow swamp version!
It was a Sundays on Snow of learning.
I led the nine riders who came along out the Dunbar Trail, hearing that it had been recently groomed by Metropolitan Garage. However, groomed does not equal firm. It was a bit soft at first and then got worse until most everyone was pushing. But a short ways after Sheep Creek a side trail comes in, so I figured more traffic would equal firmer trail. It was a bit firmer, but many of those farther back still did a bit of hike-a-bike.
We headed to the railroad tracks, planning to check out the Schloesser power line trail. If it was good, we'd ride it. If it was bad, we'd take the roads back. But we had heard the overflow by the RR tracks was bad. While we regrouped at one spot, Travis went ahead and came back with a report that the overflow was indeed bad.
We decided to bail out a side trail to the gravel pit road, since that would be less hike-a-bike than going back. It was still too much hike-a-bike, though I buoyed the group's spirits by telling them it was National Walk Your Bike Day.
At the gravel pit road, Corrine bailed and headed back on Murphy Dome Road. The rest of us headed down to check out the Schloesser power line trail, which was actually pretty good. We rode most of it to Ester Dome Road, where a quick phone call allowed us to reunite with Corrine who had decided to ride to Goldstream Sports.
However, we split up again, as most of the group wanted to try the power line trail to the Boat Trail. Three decided to ride to Ann's Greenhouse RR track crossing and check out the Dredge Trail. If it was good, they would ride back toward the rest of us. If not, they'd head back to Ivory Jacks.
The larger group found that the power line trail was mostly good, but there was a bit of wallowing and a couple of snow plunges. Fortunately, the Boat Trail is in great shape. Excellent for riding. The other three met up with us, and we all headed back toward the RR tracks.
Once there we rode across Goldstream Valley back to Ivory Jacks (though two decided to take O'Brien Road rather than the trails).
Fortunately, everyone stayed in good spirits and the ride ended on a high note, including (for six of us) a meal at Ivory Jacks. And Erica and Devin got to show off their spiffy new helmet covers - a bee and a crab!
I have never seen that portion of the Dunbar Trail so soft. We speculated that it was a combination of a bunch of snow in the middle of a long cold snap (so that hardly anyone had gone out on the trail) along with some wind, which deposited some air-filled snow on the trail. In places, we could see where even dogs were sinking in quite a bit.
After the ride, I emailed Metropolitan Garage and apologized for leading the group on that trail, resulting in a pretty chewed up trail. I will keep that in mind for future rides.
01-11-2026
Report by Eric
I had set up a Sundays on Snow to start at the subdivision end of OMDR east. But when I set it up the snow was supposed to be less and was supposed to have stopped by Friday night. Instead, the trails were buried in a lot of snow and hardly anyone had been out on them. But a grader was plowing OMDR as I drove in.
No one showed up for the ride, which was probably good. It would have been a short slogfest on the trails. I didn't even try them. The grader hadn't fully plowed the cul-de-sac at the end and I didn't want to be in the way, so I drove back to the Elliott and parked on the already plowed edge of OMDR. Then I rode the length of the road and back, including Resolution Drive.
Not a particularly exciting outing, but good exercise and I listened to an audiobook for most of it.
11-30-2025
Report by Dean
Eight of us showed up to another beginner level ride, this time on the Ride or Glide course.
I was thanked for having another easy ride, but that doesn't mean we couldn't slog it up a little. The trails were in pretty good shape, though there was still some grass still sticking up through the snow. Just means we rode the shallow parts of the trail to get less resistance.
We made it to the intersection where we could have continued on the Ride or Glide route or ride out to behind the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, making the loop about 1.5-2 miles longer. The group was good for a bit longer ride, so that's what we did.
This section of the trail wasn't as packed down and had softer conditions and made the riding a little slower but doable for everyone. That was a little challenging. We were pretty happy to get back on the main loop where the trail has had more traffic. This is where we ran into Dave who lead the Lazy-ish Sunday rides over the summer and didnt know about these SOS rides. He says he's going to start tagging along, but he didn't on this ride because we were almost done and he had just gotten started.
Once we made it back to the start, the sun came out and made a great display and, as Slow-Ass Dave said, its not about quantity of the sun this time of the year but quality. Great ride for everyone.
Photos by Matt and Nita
11-28-2025 (An SOS on a Friday)
Report by Eric
Suh-weet!!!!
The grooming of the EDS is awesome! Only had three riders for this ride -- me, Corrine, and Dean -- but that just means we got the trails almost totally to ourselves. But hopefully, others have gotten out already or will get out this weekend. The trails are in prime fatbike condition! The climbing wasn't too bad and the descents were whoop-de-doo awesome!
Early on we crossed paths with Kevin B., who said he had been out on the trails three days in a row because they have been so great.
If you haven't been out there, get out there soon. It's a treat!
Thanks to Joel and Chris for all the grooming!
11-23-2025
Report by Eric
Had six riders and myself. We would have had another, but Nita discovered she had a broken derailleur right at the start. A quick cell call and she found one at a local shop and went to go get it, but she was out for the ride.
So, the rest of us headed out. I took everyone down the dike first because I wanted to see how the river was freezing. Probably not the best choice. The new snow made for challenging conditions, and the dike probably had the most challenging conditions. And I had dubbed this a beginner-friendly ride! Doh!
Anyway, we played a bit with tire air pressure and seat post height before finally getting ourselves dialed in. Still was challenging riding, but we were able to do it! Thanks to Matt for helping with the dialing in part. The Tanana is getting nicely iced over, BTW.
We headed back along the dike (with some challenges along the way) and made our way over to Eagle Trail. Still challenging riding conditions, but mostly a bit easier. That is, until I tried to lead everyone onto the island trail, but we quickly gave up on that. Too soft. Don't follow Eric!
We headed around the Cushman Lake until we got to Chickadee Trail and headed down that to the end. The trail hasn't been put in across Cushman Lake yet -- water is still showing -- so we just admired the view before backtracking.
Flicker Trail was a little more packed down, though it did have some challenging spots. We made our way around the lake, where some of us saw a dog playing tetherball! Then it was on to Sandpiper Trail and finally back to the Tanana Lake parking lot.
All in all, a nice day out. We got in a good ride and we got to learn something about tire pressure!
Want to try the trails on your own? Here's the route we did in Ride with GPS. When the lakes completely freeze, there are even more options. Here's a MAP.
