By Eric
A most excellent ride tonight. I planned it out and it worked! Will miracles never cease?! Nonetheless, I was happy to see Richard at the start, since he lives in the area and knows it well. He guided from the midst of the pack several times (on his Bike Friday e-bike!) telling me to make turns or assuring me I was on track. That saved me from having to check my Ride with GPS constantly.
The seven of us headed onto Loftus and checked out the newly paved and otherwise repaired bike path under the Parks Highway bridge across the Chena. Very nice! Then we headed through the neighborhoods over to Chena Small Tracts and out to Chena Pump Road, where we got to navigate a fun bike/pedestrian route through a construction zone.
We took a right onto Linda Lane and took that through to Waugstroe Road. (Neither Richard nor I was sure we could make a connection, but we were able to!) Most of us even avoided a short bit on Roland Road from Waugstroe to Haman by taking a power line trail.
We biked up Haman and passed up two entrances to the Koponen trails before finally choosing the one I had mapped out. The first part was a bit rooty, but soon we were on a nicely buffed out trail.
We had a great time winding though several of the Koponen trails, stopping along the way at the Bee Field to check out the trail kiosk (though the map there is very faded) before finally popping out at the Katya Court trailhead. We saw several walkers in the Koponen trails, making sure to slow and give them plenty of room. All were friendly interactions.
Out on East Chena Hills Drive, I turned south, which caused Richard to make some worried noises. We stopped and I assured him that I knew we could have gone north for a shorter route, but I wanted to head south for a little longer ride. He agreed that it was possible, but said that "normal people" would have gone the other way. I countered that I knew there were trails in the area that would take us into swamp, and I was avoiding those, so I thought I was being completely normal!
When we hit the last (and very steep) part of East Chena Hills before turning onto West Chena Hills, I understood Richard's hesitancy. But what's a little steep hill or two, if you've already passed up a bunch of swamp!
West Chena Hills Drive took us into Chena Hills Drive and up several switchbacks as we climbed to Chena Ridge Road. As we climbed Amy and I discussed what might be the steepest route between Chena Pump and Chena Ridge roads. Good question! Amy, a GIS nerd, said if she had to choose she would immediately start looking at her mapping software. I agreed! (I'm pretty much a nerd, too.)
The climb also revealed a few interesting mailboxes. The most interesting said "because 789" on one side. I was confused until I biked to the other side and read it: "Why was 6 afraid of 7?"
Finally we got to Chena Ridge Road. We saw a sign that said to wait for a pilot car, but we weren't sure that applied to us. Finally, we decided that since Mike is a pilot and he was riding a bike, we would follow our "Pilot Bike." That worked! Besides we had only a short way before we turned off onto Old Chena Ridge Road. (Though we had to call Ken back, since he overshot it. Ken does like his downhills!)
After a bit of fumbling around (and another -- though ultimately unnecessary-- Ken call back), I found the entrance to the Chena Ridge F.E. Ditch Trail that follows an old mining ditch. Richard didn't know about the trail and had never been on it! That delighted me. A real hidden gem!
The Chena Ridge F.E. Ditch Trail dumped us onto Knightsbridge, which we took to Derbyshire almost out the Chena Ridge Road. But we had an option: Go down a somewhat steep and slightly rough trail that parallels Chena Ridge to Kentshire Drive or just take Chena Ridge Road. Richard decided to take his Bike Friday down the paved road, but the rest of us took the trail. We all had a blast. (Though a short, steep uphill at the end caught most of us in a too-high gear.) Richard reported that the paved downhill was still very fast!
Finally together again on Chena Ridge Road, we took it to Chena Pump and crossed over to Dartmout, which we took back to the newly paved path that parallels the Parks Highway. But this time after passing under the bridge, we headed back up the path on the other side of the Parks. That one has also been newly paved. Nikki pointed out that it's a bit wider, too. Very nice! Those of us who are regular users of the path agreed that the improvements are nice had were much needed.
We crossed over Geist Road and turned onto the UAF ag fields trails, where we stopped to admire some Canada Geese. (Has fall migration started already?!) Then we continued around the ag field trail loop to the turnoff to Thompson Drive and then it was just a quick bike back to the start.
All in all, a great ride and since it had paved roads, paved paths, gravel roads, dirt trails, and grass trails. it was a very -ishy ride, so perfect for the Moderate Monday Gravel-ish Rides!
