By Eric
Nikki led us on an awesome ride!
Nine of us met at the Isberg Rec Area parking lot. We first checked out the new(ish) gravel summer trail that follows the southern power line in the Isberg Rec Area to the uplands. The gravel ran out, so we kept following trails up and up (there may have been some roots) until we reached a contour trail that had once been a pioneer road for a subdivision that never developed. We followed that less-footy trail to Isberg Road.
Corrine complained that Nikki had promised her that the ride would be all on gravel roads, but Corrine forgot that I was along! I hadn't been on that new(ish) gravel trail in the summer, so I wanted to check it out! And Mike pointed out that we could connect to the contour trail and then out to Isberg Road. Yes! The gravel trail is awesome, by the way. Thanks to the borough for securing the funding to get that put in. People can now access the uplands from the parking area without getting wet feet.
After riding a short way down Isberg Road, we got onto some nice gravel neighborhood roads and followed them for a while until we got to the Tanana 440 area. That area was planned for development nearly 20 years ago, but the idea was abandoned. Still, there are trails all through the area. Nikki and Mike (who live in the area) had walked them earlier and thought that if they right people showed up for the ride, they might take the group down the trails. Well, I showed up so I was all for doing the trails! I have known about the area for years and I knew it had trails but I hadn't ever been on them. Corrine just rolled her eyes, smiled, and followed along.
We finally popped out of the trails and headed down gravel roads and then a bit more trail before finally got off our bikes for a short walk to the Tanana River. (I love the -ish part of these rides!) From there we walked over to the site of the plane crash that happened back in April 2024. That was interesting and solemn. (Corrine gave that -ish part of the ride a solid thumbs up.)
Finally it was back to the bikes and then winding back toward the start via some awesome gravel subdivision roads. But we had to stop along the way to look at a local orchard. No, really, a fruit tree orchard in Interior Alaska. There are at least a couple.
On the way back, Nikki pointed out the boundaries of the recent proposed land transfer off Rosie Creek Trail Road that could endanger some awesome trails in the area. If you haven't heard about that, you can read more HERE.
We finished up with some musical roads (Violin and Sonata) that roughly parallel Cripple Creek Road until we were back to Isberg Road and then the parking lot. Fun ride!
Pics by Nikki, Corrine, and Eric
