2025 Ride and Event Schedule

The 2025 schedule is here!

Some things to note: 

• We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to start of each ride to sign the waiver and determine your riding group. Most rides begin at 6:30 pm; please arrive at 6:15 pm.
• Helmets are required for all riders.
  
• We are again a sponsor of the Mountain Bike for Women Festival and have a discount code for members to attend! This code will be provided on our MeetUp event page and accessible only to paid members.
• We have reserved the Eklutna Lake Serenity Falls cabin for two nights in mid-September! Limited to 10 people, members only. When the event opens, it will be announced on MeetUp.
  

The schedule is subject to change. Rides may be canceled or moved if trail conditions warrant.
Such changes will be posted on the MeetUp page.

Date	Time	Event
		APRIL
Wed, April 23	7:00 pm sign in 7:15 pm start	Meet & greet @ Paramount Cycles (includes a ride leader orientation)
Sun, April 27	12:00-2:00pm	ABC Bike Swap at JL Tower parking lot
Wed, April 30	7:00 pm sign in 7:15 pm start	Clinic: Get to know tubeless wheels & tires @ Paramount Cycles
		MAY
Sun, May 4	All day	Chugiak High – Bike for Women road race (Arctic Bike Club event)
Wed, May 7	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Goose Lake Park pavement ride – likely loop through Russian Jack to Ship Creek and back up Chester Creek trail
Wed, May 14	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Spring fling costumed ride, Delaney Park Strip, 10th & P Street, southwestern-most corner
Wed, May 21	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Chuck Albrecht fields: paved or dirt, TBA (possible Far North Bicentennial Park or ride to Russian Jack singletrack, conditions depending)
Wed, May 28	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
		JUNE
Wed, June 4	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Abbott Loop Community Park
Wed, June 11	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Hillside – Drone Lane
Sat, June 14	10:00 am - 5:00 pm	Mountain Bike for Women Festival Hilltop, a Diva-sponsored event, members save 20%. Watch for announcement on MeetUp
Wed, June 18	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid Park – Jodhpur Trailhead
Wed, June 25	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Abbott Loop Community Park
		JULY
Wed, July 2	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Drone Lane – STA trails
Wed, July 9	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Prospect Heights South Fork Rim to Hemlock Burn (conditions allowing) option to meet at Drone Lane to ride up/down (6:00)
Wed, July 16	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid – Jodhpur Trailhead
Wed, July 23	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Abbott Loop Community Park
Wed, July 30	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid – Jodhpur Trailhead
		AUGUST
Wed, Aug 6	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Prospect Heights South Fork Rim to Hemlock Burn (conditions allowing) option to meet at Drone Lane to ride up/down (6:00)
Wed, Aug 13	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid Park - Jodhpur
Wed, Aug 20	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Abbott Loop Community Park
Wed, Aug 27	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Hillside – Drone Lane
		SEPTEMBER
Wed, Sept 3	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Kincaid - Jodhpur
Wed, Sept 10	6:15 pm sign in, 6:30 pm ride	Benny Benson/Botanical garden parking lot to North Bivvy
Fri-Sun 12-14	overnight	Eklutna weekend – members only, $40 per night fee (all-inclusive) limit 10 people. Watch for announcement on MeetUp.
Wed, Sept 17	5:45 pm sign in, 6:00 pm ride	Kincaid - Jodhpur
Wed, Sept 24	5:45 pm sign in, 6:00 pm ride	Abbott Loop Community Park
TBA		End of Season get-together

Dirt season preparations

We've had two Wednesday dirt rides and the trails are riding great this season! Sure, it could be a little warmer, but nobody has overheated yet.

Now that it's June things are getting busy, including training sessions.

On Friday evening some people who are coaching during the Mountain Bike for Women Festival attended a coaches' training session. No matter how much I ride or provide pointers to others, I can always learn more at a refresher like this one led by Sofia Patroni. Sometimes it's just a different way of thinking about things: I've always said "pedals level," whereas Sofia describes it as "equally-weighted pedals." It's a subtle difference but made me think about my foot position and gave me something to play with on my next ride. 

 

Equally-weighted pedals!

If you have never attended a skills clinic or if it has been a few years, there is still time to sign up for the festival. You will learn something new and meet some awesome women! Current members of Alaska Dirt Divas will receive a discount on the entry fee and you'll see a few of us coaching. Go to the Meetup event for the discount code.

On Saturday, June 1, some Divas attended a First Aid and CPR clinic presented by paramedic Sydney Boyd. We learned how to assess a scene and determine first steps for caring for a person. We got hands-on practice doing CPR, using an AED (automated external defibrillator), and splinting a possible break.  Plus, Sydney had some first aid swag we could take home: I've already stocked my hydration pack with those and some other supplies I already had. I feel much more prepared in case I come across someone in distress.

Sydney demonstrating the malleable properties of the
SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint. It's also reusable!

There will be no yoga mat on the trail!

I now feel more ready for the season, as I'm sure the others in attendance did. If we don't need to use these skills on any Diva rides, that's fine. But if something happens, a few more of us know what to do.

Being prepared: first aid and CPR

There are so many ways we need to prepare for our rides: adjust our helmets, check our tire pressure, pack water, a snack, bear spray, tools for any trail side repair or adjustments, but what about being prepared for a medical emergency?

Join us on June 1st at the Hilltop Chalet for a first aid and CPR clinic* led by Sydney Boyd. Sydney is a nationally registered, state licensed paramedic. She is also a cyclist.

This is a basic training aimed at creating a foundation of knowledge of basic first aid targeted to outdoor enthusiasts who want to feel more comfortable recreating in the outdoors. 

Topics include:
Basic human anatomy & physiology
Heat exhaustion vs. stroke
Wound care/ bleeding control
Splinting of the joints
CPR & AED (automated external defibrillator) use

No previous education or training necessary. Training is part lecture part hands on. Training is held at Hilltop Ski area Chalet at 11am-4pm (may be shorter if fewer people). Be sure to sign up here so we know who to expect.

Bring a bag lunch and/or snacks.

*This course does not offer a certification or CME (continuing medical education) credit.

Wind and rain

May can throw all sorts of weather conditions at us. Is it feeling like spring or more like winter? The second ride of the season had wind and sprinkles and sideways rain. By the time we parted ways there were even some snowflakes in the mix. But it also had clear trails, some bike lanes, and great company!

This past Wednesday eight riders met at Westchester Lagoon and started up the Chester Creek Trail. With the wind and cold the trails were not as busy as on the weekends or sunny evenings. We rode through Russian Jack Springs Park which was recently swept but sill has lots of cracks in the pavement. We took Pine Street bike lane to Mountain View, then made our way to the Ship Creek Trail where wind and rain started to pick up.

Taking a break out of the wind near the end of the Ship
Creek Trail; photo by Heather Scobie

 

By the time we got onto the Coastal Trail, the wind was blowing the rain sideways and we could see whitecaps on the silty water of the inlet. Some of us took a short reprieve in the tunnel under the railroad tracks before finally returning to Westchester.

Diane, Rae, and Jo-Ann getting out of the rain.

I'll admit that even as I was getting drenched I was thinking of the brownies Rae brought for after the ride. And of a warm fire in the woodstove when I returned home! I was also thinking that if this is the worst storm of our riding season then it will be a great summer!

Next week is our Spring Fling. Let's hope the wind and rain retreat for our annual dress-up ride!

If you want maps of the paths, bike lanes, and bikeways in the Anchorage area, check out the Bike Anchorage page.

We worked on our bikes!

On Monday evening the Divas descended on Off the Chain Bike Collective for hands-on instruction in caring for our bikes. Kendra and Lily welcomed us to the fully stocked repair area and introduced us to a few of the tools. We also talked about what to carry when we ride - we cannot be reminded enough that we must carry the tools we may need and always always carry a spare inner tube even if we use tubeless tires!

Kendra and Lily shared pointers on adjusting shifting, setting up the correct tire pressure, fixing flats, lubing chains, and so much more. It was hard to keep up with all that was happening as people split into small groups to learn different skills.

If you missed the clinic or want to learn to work on your own bike in a supportive setting that has all the tools you'll need, Off the Chain is a great place to go. Thursday is Women's Night and Diva Lisa Kenning - who organized our session - often goes to learn and to lend a hand. If you want to go with other Divas, reach out through the Meetup site to find a buddy who may have the same interest.

Kendra shows us how to check cassette teeth for wear.

Diem learns to change a tire while Lily and Callie look on.

Checking for chain stretch.

Lisa shows Celia and Sarah how to brush dirt from a cassette.

Off the Chain runs on donations, knowledgeable volunteers, and enthusiasm. We're fortunate to have them here in Anchorage and I hope we can partner with them again for clinics.

Ride Leader Code

 Alaska Dirt Divas: Ride Leader Code

Thank you for volunteering to lead! Following is some guidance for successful ride leading.

 

Leading is not about being the first to the top; it’s about bringing everyone along with you.

 

Being a ride leader is about providing a fun, appropriate ride for your group. A good leader challenges riders and is willing to change the ride based on the group’s needs and/or skill level.

 

Before signing up to lead a ride:

o   Think about trails you enjoy riding and sign up to lead on those trails.

o   Check your schedule to make sure you can be on time and be at the ride for the full time allotted. If your schedule changes, find someone else to lead the ride.

 

Planning the ride:

o   Plan the route (with a friend if you can). If you’re not familiar with the route, practice riding your route for difficulty and time considerations. Remember a group will always take longer.

o   Notice places where you can take a break and check in with the group without blocking the trail.

o   Notice where it may be easy to take a wrong turn.

 

Immediately before the ride:

o   Describe the route/s offered so riders can decide which group is right for them.

o   Be sure to balance how many people are in each group – this may mean changing the ride based on the skill levels of the majority of those in attendance.

o   Conduct group introductions, welcoming riders.

o   Assign or ask for a volunteer to be the sweep (this should be an experienced rider).

o   Discuss trail etiquette, and reminders to be bear aware.

o   Remind people to wait at intersections if the rider behind them is not within sight: No Diva left behind!

 

After the start of the ride:

o   Stop a few times to gauge how the group is doing with pacing or skill level.

o   Pace yourself to not be too far ahead of the group and to not leave the slower riders in the group too far behind.

o   Communicate with everyone and alter the route or pace to meet the needs of the group.

o   Remember: No Diva left behind!

 

After the ride:

o   Check in with everyone, listening to their feedback.

o   Thank them for joining the ride.

o   Invite them to the next event!

o   Enjoy snacks!

 

Ride follow-up:

o   Turn in the sign-in sheet to Gloria.

o   Post photos on MeetUp

o   If a BLM ride, make note of ride route for reporting purposes.