Friday, May 19, 2023

Change of Plans; updated

The season is off to a good start with two pavement rides - including the Spring Fling this past week where there were as many tutus as there were sandhill cranes! Though cool outdoors, it's been good to get out on the bikes with friends.

We were in the process of changing the location for next week's dirt ride when Singletrack Advocates opened the Kincaid trails that are south of Raspberry Road. So, see us there on May 24 and thank the wind for drying things out!

Also next week, if you'd like to give the trails a little TLC, you can join Singletrack Advocates in a work party or two. Here's a message from STA:


The trails are starting to dry out, and it's time to get them ready to ride!
Here are the first two volunteer opportunities of the season:

  • Tuesday, May 23rd, Jodhpur Parking Lot at 6:30pm 
  • Thursday, May 25th, Raspberry Parking Lot at 6:30pm 
Details:
A new waiver must be signed for every volunteer every year.
Please sign a waiver before you arrive:https://app.waiversign.com/e/5ec6a0d0275df10018e1cde3/doc/5ec6a250b3c8af0017c68cb5?event=none

Appropriate Gear and Clothing:
  • Bring work gloves
  • Bring water
  • Wear long pants
  • Wear work boots if possible

STA will provide tools and helmets (you may wear your bike helmet if you want). Expect to do some walking to get to the work site.

Here's information about participating in work crews

See you on the (paved) trails!

posted by Rose

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Springish

Russian Jack bridge.


The calendar and the migrating birds say it's spring but we're still waiting for snow to clear from sections of the paved trails in town. Last weekend, the Ship Creek Trail was clear except for an icy tunnel, while the Coastal Trail and Chester Creek still had areas of snow. It is melting fast, but it sure doesn't seem that way.

We're hoping that our first ride of the season on Wednesday, May 10, will give us clear trails! Be sure to sign up so we know you're coming.

Meanwhile, we've already had two events. The Meet & Greet in late April was a chance to see familiar faces (without helmets!) and meet some new riding friends. It was great to be back in-person indoors for the first time since 2019 and I think Paramount Cycles was glad to have us back.

On Monday, May 1, we had our first Bear Aware clinic in several years. Many thanks to Kristine for arranging for us to be at the Hilltop chalet. The event was open to the public and we had guests from the BikeMe Anchorage group and other people from the wider community. Our presenter, wildlife biologist Marian Snively, showed us tips for effectively using bear spray and offered pointers for other ways we can stay safe while biking, hiking, and just living in bear country! We were able to practice with inert canisters, so it was a worthwhile refresher before we hit the trails.

Marian gives Patience some pointers.


Kristine nails it!
 
Here's a link with resources including videos to help you prepare for the season. Remember, while you're getting your bike and other gear ready, be sure to check your bear spray canisters to make sure they are not expired.

See you on the trails!

posted by rose

Friday, March 31, 2023

2023 Ride and event schedule (revised 5/20/2023)

Welcome to the ride and event schedule for 2023!

We're in the process of confirming a few events, including the start and finish location for our favorite pavement ride of the year: the Spring Fling!  

Please join us for the Meet and Greet where you can meet other riders and find out more about the upcoming season. We'll have a ride leader sign-up sheet, too, so please look at the schedule and choose a ride (or two) to lead.

All Wednesday rides from June - August begin at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. May and September ride times are listed next to the ride date.

Helmets are required of all riders. Be sure your bike is in good working condition with tires aired for the trail type and the chain lubed and ready to go.

Please use the Meetup page to RSVP for rides and events to help us plan for enough ride leaders.

APRIL

April 24 (Monday)        7:15 Meet & Greet at Paramount Cycles; 1320 Huffman Park Drive

MAY

May 1              5:30 pm Bear Aware Clinic at Hilltop Chalet (open to public)
May 3              TBA
May 5              Singletrack Advocates fundraiser and annual meeting
May 10            6:30 pm    Chuck Albrecht fields paved ride
May 17            6:00 pm    Divas Spring Fling- meeting location: Delaney Park Strip, 10th & P Street
May 24            6:30 pm    Kincaid Park - Jodhpur Trailhead - hit the dirt!
May 31            6:30 pm    Abbott Loop Community Park

JUNE

June 7             Hillside/Far North Bicentennial Park - Drone Lane
June 10           Mountain Bike for Women Festival by Arctic Bicycle Club
June 14           Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
June 21           Prospect Heights – South Rim to Hemlock Burn (State parks sticker on vehicle or purchase a parking pass at the trailhead
June 28            Abbott Loop Community Park

JULY

July 4 (Tuesday)         Holiday ride - TBA
July 5                          Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
July 12                        Hillside/Far North Bicentennial Park - Drone Lane
July 19                        Prospect Heights – South Rim to Hemlock Burn (State parks sticker on vehicle or purchase a parking pass at the trailhead Change of plans: Move to Abbott Loop Community Park
July 26                        Hillside/Far North Bicentennial Park - Drone Lane

AUGUST

August 2          Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
August 9          Abbott Loop Community Park
August 16        Hillside/Far North Bicentennial Park - Drone Lane  6:30 pm
August 23        Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead 6:30 pm
August 30        Abbott Loop Community Park  6:30 pm

SEPTEMBER

September 6               6:30pm            Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
September 13             6:30pm            Hillside/Far North Bicentennial Park - Drone Lane
September 15-17        Friday – Sunday Eklutna weekend – fee required (members only)
September 20             6:00pm           Abbott Loop Community Park
September 27             6:00pm           
Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead


Saturday, July 2, 2022

Anticipate your body's needs

The riding season has heated up and each ride has felt dryer, dustier, and hotter than the last. We were talking about the heat after Wednesday's Kincaid ride and how 70 degrees here in Anchorage feels much hotter than in the Lower-48. Long daylight hours, the angle of the sun - this article in the Alaska Beacon touches on some of the reasons. It also talks about the impact the current conditions have on our bodies.

Not only is it hot and dry, but we also have had wildfire smoke originating in or drifting into Anchorage. I could smell it while riding at Kincaid, but not until I had been riding hard for a few miles - maybe not the best approach for a poor air quality day. What's a mountain biker to do?

We're often told to listen to our bodies, but sometimes our bodies don't send us a message until we've gone too far: dehydration, fatigue, cramps, and worse can result. I'm not going to tell anyone to not bike while it's smoky, but we shouldn't aim for a personal best in those conditions!

Some electrolyte mixes from my cupboard.
(Not an endorsement of any one product.)
 

What I will recommend is that you be careful to hydrate. I carry two kinds of hydration: in my Camelbak, I carry fresh water - enough for the expected length of the ride, plus a bit more. On my bike I carry a bottle filled with an electrolyte drink that helps restore some of the sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost through sweat or urine. When you are low on these, you're more likely to develop muscle cramps and possibly have other physical issues like headaches and muscle spasms, according to this article. (You can consult any number of articles to learn more about this topic.) When you begin feeling fatigued from a long ride, you are also more likely to crash - and none of us needs that!

As we enter another week of warm sunny weather, don't just listen to your body, anticipate what she will need for the activities you have planned. Bring water, an electrolyte replacement drink, and extra snacks on your rides or hikes. If you drive to a trailhead, have more cold drinks waiting in a cooler. Don't worry about setting a personal best on a trail - take time to enjoy the views and snack breaks with friends. Your muscles will thank you!


Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Ride the Burn! Thanks to you and you and you!

The Hemlock Burn Trail in Chugach State Park has been approved by the park and is open to ride from top to bottom! The new singletrack connects Glen Alps with Prospect Heights and then to the network of Hillside singletrack trails. 

Learn more here.

This is just one of many trail projects that your membership has supported through disbursing funds that exceeded any ride permit fees, insurance, or other expenses (such as prizes). So, thank you for becoming a member and helping to support the fantastic trails we get to enjoy here in Anchorage!

Riding the lower Burn. Photo by Nancy.

A mellow section of the lower Burn. Photo by Rose.

Check out the ride schedule on this site and RSVP on the Meetup for a Solstice loop ride (June 22) from Prospect Heights, up South Rim and the Powerline and then back down on the new Hemlock Burn!


Friday, June 3, 2022

Dirt riding schedule!

 June is here and the dirt riding is great... if a little dusty! It has been fun to have so many people show up for the Wednesday evening rides, and so far we've had enough leaders to divide into different skill levels. We do have a couple of requests:
    1)    If you can lead a ride, please contact Jo-Ann through the Meetup site so she can sign you up to lead.
    2)    If you are a member and plan to attend a ride, please RSVP that you will be there.

These two things help us plan the rides for everyone. Plus, the more we have organized early in the season, the more time we have to ride!

The rides are posted on Meetup. Here's the schedule from June - September:  

 

RIDES BEGIN AT 7:00 pm

June 1     7:00 pm
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park singletrack ride!

June 8     7:00 pm     Dirt trails: wide and singletrack mix
Abbott Loop Community Park Trailhead: explore Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park

June 15    7:00 pm    Hillside singletracks
Far North Bicentennial Park: meet at the bottom of Drone Lane

 

June 22     7:00 pm    South Rim - Hemlock Burn loop.
Prospect Heights Trailhead in Chugach State Park (State Parks sticker or day-use fee required)

 

June 29      7:00 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park 

 

July 6    7:00 pm        Hillside singletracks
Far North Bicentennial Park: meet at the bottom of Drone Lane

 

July 13    7:00 pm    Mix of wide and singletrack trails
Abbott Loop Community Park trailhead: explore Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park

 

July 20    7:00 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park 

 

July 27    7:00 pm    Hillside singletracks
Far North Bicentennial Park: meet at the bottom of Drone Lane
 

 

August 3    7:00 pm South Rim - Hemlock Burn loop
Prospect Heights Trailhead in Chugach State Park (State Parks sticker or day-use fee required)


August 10    7:00 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park

 

August 17     7:00 pm    Hillside singletracks
Far North Bicentennial Park: meet at the bottom of Drone Lane

 

August 24    7:00 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park

 

August 25    7:00 pm    Hillside singletracks
Far North Bicentennial Park: meet at the bottom of Drone Lane
 

 

RIDES BEGIN AT 6:30 pm       

September 7    6:30 pm    Mix of wide and singletrack trails
Abbott Loop Community Park trailhead: explore Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park

 

September 14    6:30 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park 


RIDES BEGIN AT 6:00 pm

September 21    6:00 pm    Mix of wide and singletrack trails
Abbott Loop Community Park trailhead: explore Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park 


September 28    6:00 pm    Singletrack trails
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park


Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Ride and Event schedule: Spring 2022

(Originally posted on 4/27/22)

May is just around the corner and the snow is melting fast! That means it's time to prepare for the dirt riding season - hopefully to begin by late May this year. As always, our official rides are on Wednesday evenings, with events on other days added by members. Please add events to the Meetup site.


 

Before you ride:
Use the Alaska Dirt Divas Meetup site to RSVP the rides you plan to attend (links included)
Sign up to lead or co-lead a ride - we always need leaders and sweeps!
Have your bike and yourself ready to ride at the scheduled time
Remember to bring your helmet

May 11     6:30 pm     First ride of the season!
Chuck Albrecht fields parking lot: pavement ride

May 18     6:30 pm     Spring fling!
Delaney Park Strip near 10th and P (west end): dress-up pavement ride on Coastal Trail

May 25     6:30 pm     Dirt or Pavement? (remember to stay off dirt trails until they are dry)
Chuck Albrecht fields parking lot: Far North Bicentennial Park (dirt) Or Campbell Creek and Chester Creek Trails (pavement)

May 25    6:30 pm   (note the revised location!) Hit the dirt!
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park our first dirt ride of the season will be on the singletracks. (revised on May 19, 2022)

June 1     7:00 pm (note new time!)     Hit the dirt, part 2!
Jodhpur Trailhead: Kincaid Park singletrack ride!

June 8     7:00 pm     Dirt trails: wide and singletrack mix
Abbott Loop Community Park Trailhead: explore Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park