Denali Park Road Conditions Report - Guest Blogger

From our "on-the-scene" rando correspondent and guest blogger, Mike Downer:

The Denali Dirt Road Randonnée melds the spirit of randonneuring with the appeal that draws so many of us to Alaska. It could be argued that no other randonneuring event in the world celebrates the spirit of self-reliance in such a real way. While Paris-Brest-Paris has its challenges; it does not have Grizzly Bears.

I had the opportunity to camp in the park over the recent weekend. Through conversations with several park workers and personal observation I was able to piece together a fair picture of what we will be facing on the 17th. The most obvious thing about the road is that it’s not very flat. “Thank you Captain Obvious” you may have just muttered. I don’t blame you, but seeing those long uphills winding around mountain bends and then reappearing far back on another slope really gave it perspective.

I’m sure that’s a challenge most will relish.

What you may not relish is the traffic. The first shuttle bus heads into the park around 8 am. There are a number of guided tours that leave earlier. The first buses coming out of the park leave Kantishna and Wonder Lake around 6 am. The first bus which passes will bring a semi-regular stream passing at 5-10 minute intervals, sometimes two at a time. The speed limit on the road is a tame 25 MPH and the drivers I observed seemed very respectful of cyclists. Nonetheless, due to the narrow nature of the road, casting a regular glance over the shoulder will be important. Don't let any of this discourage you. The majestic scenery will most certainly overcome any minor inconvenience the busses might be.

The road surface itself also appears to be in good shape. I rode the Denali Highway 200K brevet over Memorial Day weekend, and for sure the Denali Park road is better maintained and in better condition. It is nicely packed down on the regular bus lines and also seems very rideable near the edges. The gravelly soil should provide excellent drainage. I spent time checking it after a night and morning of rain. There were no running rivulets. If anything it will be a faster (and obviously less dusty) surface when wet. According to a friend who lives in the park that’s going to be important. They haven’t gone a day in nearly three weeks without some part of the road receiving precipitation.

At this point I would be no sort of biking enthusiast if I continued sitting inside while the sun beats down on my ride. The trail is calling.

Hope to see you in Denali!

Denali Dirt Road Randonnée 7/17/10

Wilderness randonneuring, deep into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve, that's what the Denali Dirt Road Randonnée is all about. It's the epitome of self-reliance on the bike.

The Super Randonneur brevet series (200, 300, 400, & 600K) is over, but that doesn't mean we don't have more brevets and populairs in store for you. Check out the rest of the rides on the calendar HERE.

Last year the Denali Dirt Road Randonnée had to be cancelled due to forest fire smoke that was just too thick to ride through. We're back this year, and we've added a 200K brevet option that goes from Rainbow Village to Eielson Visitor Center and back. This will be a great option for those Fireweed riders who will want to stretch their legs again after their hard rides this last weekend.

This is the most remote ride on our calendar. The Denali Park road is popular with cyclists, and many riders fly into Kantishna and ride, one-way, out to the park entrance. The National Park Service has done much to encourage and improve cycling in the park in recent years. And they maintain the park road to near perfection. A mountain bike or a cyclocross bike will be the perfect tool for the job.

The Denali Dirt Road Randonnée will be a one day roundtrip, out-and-back ride. As with any brevet, all riders are considered to be on an individual ride. It will be a spectacular and unique way to experience the park. Just be sure to pack your water filter and bear spray.

The ride will be Saturday 7/17/10.

All the details for the ride may be found HERE.

See you in Denali!

Anchorage/Seward/Anchorage 200K/400K Brevets

The AEA's Denali Classic was an amazing experience. We made a bunch of new friends and are grateful to Carlos and the gang for letting the Alaska Randonneurs offer a brevet option for their ride. The Denali Highway is a magical 135-mile gravel road paralleling the Alaska Range between the communities of Cantwell on the west, and Paxson on the east. The road offers spectacular riding through the remote Alaska wilderness, especially when the weather is nearly perfect, as we found it over the Memorial Day weekend. If you've never ridden the Denali Highway, I urge you to make the time and go up for a grand adventure!

Denali Classic 200K RESULTS

Denali Classic 200K PHOTOS

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The classic Anchorage/Seward/Anchorage 400K brevet, along with the new Anchorage/Seward one-way 200K option, is this Saturday, June 5th. Either option is a beautiful ride in its own right, and is a great training opportunity for those looking for some big milage in preparation for the Fireweed.

Everything you need to know for the rides may be found at the links below:

Anchorage/Seward 200K or 400K DETAILS

2009 Anchorage/Seward 400K PHOTOS

Looking forward to seeing you at the start!

Denali Highway 200K/300K May 29th

If you don't think randonneuring in the United States is taking off, then you I guess you didn't know that there has already been 68 brevets, so far just this month of May, ranging from 200K to 600K, all across this Nation.

Check out the photos from the Oregon 600K.

Or what about the San Francisco Randonneurs and their 600K?

These are just a small example of the outrageously high-quality riding being organized from coast-to-coast in this country by the Randonneurs USA. There are a tonne of rides going on around the country and Canada. If you're traveling for business or pleasure, consider taking your bike!

The long days of summer are upon us. I hope you will get out and ride with your fellow randonneurs.

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The Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300K is a wonderful ride that passes through the communities of Eagle River, Peters Creek, Eklutna, Palmer, and Knik. This is about the closest thing we get to the village-to-village cycling experience.

10 riders started in the chill of a cloudless morning last Saturday, and rode some amazing roads, hills, trails, and even through a bit of road construction, to complete the 300K brevet. Congratulations to all of finishers.

Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300K Results are HERE.

A few photos are HERE.

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MAY 29th, Memorial Day Weekend - AEA Denali Classic + 200K/300K Brevets

The Alaska Randonneurs really believe in grassroots events. That's why this year we're teaming up with the AEA for their Memorial Day weekend Denali Classic. We really admire what Carlos has been doing over the years with Frigid Bits and Soggy Bottom, and want to show our support for his rides. Come up and join the fun and adventure. Ride one of the Denali Classic rides, or if you're looking for ACP or RUSA credit, ride the 200K or 300K brevets out-and-back on the Denali Highway. These brevets are likely the longest dirt-road randonnées in North America. Bring your 'cross bike, with extra plump tires, or your hard-tail MTB.

All rides will start at 9AM from the Brushkana campground, which is about 29 miles east of Cantwell. Make a whole weekend of it. Bring the family; there are loads of trials to explore for those not doing one of the rides.

We're planning a post-ride potluck feast, so please bring something to add to the food pile. Don't forget to bring your favorite fermented or distilled electrolyte replacement, if you're so inclined. And if that's not enough, we'll be cookin' up a giant tummy-bustin' homestyle breakfast on Sunday morning. Bring a few donation victuals for that one too. Don't forget to haul your body-weight in firewood up to the campground as well. It's still a little chilly in the evening up there, and we're gonna need lots of community flame.

Details HERE.

See you on the Denali!

Matanuska Milestone & More

30 riders, the most ever for an Alaska brevet, stormed the backroads of the Matanuska Valley last Sunday. Thanks to all the "regulars", as well as new riders, for coming out to test yourself against Palmer's headwinds, Wasilla's pitbulls, and Houston's hailstorms. Tell all your friends how much fun you had on this ride, then bring 'em with you to the next brevet!

Mat Valley 200K photos are HERE.

Mat Valley 200K results are HERE.

Now that you have one or more 200K rides under your belt so far this season, consider riding this weekend's Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300K. It's a beautiful ride that explores everything between the sandy beaches along Cook Inlet to the snow-covered peaks of the Chugach mountains. All the info is HERE.

Join us over the Memorial Day weekend as the Alaska Randonneurs team up with the Alaska Endurance Association for their annual Denali Classic. We'll be offering a 200K and 300K dirt-road brevet, as well as hosting a family-friendly pot-luck dinner, and a hearty pre-ride breakfast. There will be lots of room at the Brushkana campground, so bring your family and encourage all your friends to come up and have a good time. (There's loads of good trail riding for those not participating in the AEA rides or the brevets.) This ride offers stunning views of the Alaska Range, the second highest pass on the Alaska road system, as well as a few fun, quirky roadside lodges.

Looking for more 200K or longer brevets before the Fireweed 400? Check out the rest of the randonneuring schedule for all of our other rides HERE.

Matanuska Valley 200K - Sunday 5/16/10

Come ride the Matanuska Valley 200K brevet this Sunday, May 16th.

Roll on some new roads, meet some new riders, and have a great time! Test yourself for a personal-best, or simply come out for the views and friends!

Ride details & cue sheet available HERE.

A few photos from last year's Mat Valley 200K are HERE.

Hope to see you out there!

Homer's Odyssey

The End-of-the-Road 200K brevet was just amazing. The morning snow shower up high on East End Road added to the challenge, but the ocean scenery and warmer late-afternoon temps down at the beach in Anchor Point made it all worth while.

The other critical component making this ride so unbelievably satisfying is the people who helped put it on. Joy and Ruth spent many hours hanging out at controls and driving the course. Thanks you two. The ride wouldn't have happened without your help.

Thanks also to Pat and Kathy who have encouraged the idea and development of this ride since the beginning. Pat has literally been my eyes down in Homer as he's helped me figure out how to squeeze 200K out of the roads around the "Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea."

So, now that you've heard about, and seen the photos of, this brevet for two years, I urge you make the effort to join us in Homer next year. This ride is really gathering momentum. The roads and scenery are just amazing.

Homer 200K photos are HERE.

Homer 200K results are HERE.

Two things coming up this week:

Rando-Info Night #2 at REI-Anchorage, Thursday the 13th at 6:00PM.

The Matanuska Valley 200K, starting in Palmer on Sunday the 16th. Registration will open at 6:00AM.

Looking for something fun for the Memorial Day weekend? Grab your 'cross bike for the longest dirt road brevet in the country. AK Randonneurs and AK Endurance Assoc. are teaming up to offer both a 200K and 300K brevet on the Denali Highway. The ride will traverse the Alaska Range to the north, for breathtaking views of Deborah and Hess. There will also be a huge pre and post-ride pot-luck breakfast/dinner. Should be a blast!

Rando Info Night 4/6 + Kenai 200K 4/17

It's the season of the Belgian toothpaste. There's still a lot of snow on the ground, but the roads are pretty much dry, and people are out there riding. Inquiries about the brevets and randonneuring in general have been increasing in frequency, so before the April 17 Kenai 200K, Bob Voris (PBP ancien '99) and I will be hosting a Rando Info Night at the Anchorage REI this coming Tuesday, April 6th at 6:00PM. We're also getting a lot of interest from rides Outside, looking to come up for some of our rides. I look forward to sharing the beauty of Alaska with them.

If you're new to randonneuring, Rando Info Night will help get you started riding brevets. We'll cover all the basics, such as: Rules, French Words, History, Riding Styles, Contrôles, Brevet Cards, Equipment, Nutrition, Training, and more. There will be plenty of time for questions too.

The Kenai 200K brevet is coming right up. It's a wonderful course, the flattest one on the calendar. It's early in the season for Alaska riders, but if you can ride 100K at this point, you most likely can roll for 200K.

If you've never made the effort to ride the Kenai roads, you're really missing out. The course is stunningly scenic and varied, and the roads are very low traffic; at least until the fish start running in July. Last year's brevet attracted riders from Homer, the Mat Valley, and Anchorage, as well as local Kenai riders.

All the ride information for the Kenai 200K brevet, including links to the course map, cue-sheet, start time/location, etc., may be found HERE.

Last spring, the Redoubt Reporter did two nice articles about our Peninsula rides. Check 'em out HERE and HERE.

Denali Dirt Road Randonnée

If you have lots of long-distance riding experience, are really strong, self-sufficient, can handle 300K of huge hills on dirt roads in Alaska's remote wilderness, with the possibility of truly awful weather, consider riding the July 18 Denali Dirt Road Randonnée.

This ride just might be the highlight of our brevet season. It's the most committed brevet in Alaska. If you'd like to ride it, you must let me know beforehand by sending me an e-mail or giving me a phone call.

Ride info may be found HERE.

A few important details:

This is not an event. Each rider is considered to be on an individual ride.

This is not a race.

There is no support whatsoever; nothing.

There are lots of important rules for riding in Denali. If you're the type that doesn't follow rules, please don't bother.

Looking forward to seeing you at the start.

Photo credit: Ed

The Alaska 600K Brevet

Where the Bread & Water 100K populaire embodied the light-hearted, fun nature of rambling on a bike from point-to-point around the city, the Alaska 600K brevet, that travels from Gakona to Delta Junction to Tok, and back to Gakona, is absolutely mammoth in scale, scope, and adventure-factor.

Seven riders, long-distance veterans as well as first-year randonneurs, left Gakona early Saturday morning, under a thick blanket of low clouds, to meet the challenge. It was more than an honest test of the randonneuring spirit...

...And a challenge it was! A tire boot and a Leatherman aside, the best tool anyone can bring to a ride like this is determination.

Weather forecasting across Alaska is never very dependable, but the predicted mid-70s temps were as fraudulent as Bernie Madoff's disclaimer statement. None of us realized that it had snowed 4" on the Tok Cut-off the week before. But Alaskans know we live in a land of extremes, and for the most part, the riders that showed came well prepared.

The beauty of this ride is absolutely remarkable. Each 200K leg has its own distinct character; quiet and intimate winding miles through lush subalpine landscapes, vast forests of spruce, birch, and aspen, the expanse of both the Alaska Range and the Wrangell Mountains...and some quirky little Alaska towns too. Its a wonderful way to experience that part of interior Alaska.

A hearty and sincere congratulations to those who finished. And to the riders who looked deep within themselves to understand their limits, be encouraged with the experience you gained. It'll be a really useful advantage next year.

Results

Photos

Thanks so much to all the riders and volunteers who showed up for this year's 600K. It was great having that many riders show in a non-PBP year. And honestly, Kate and Susan, you were a tremendous help along the course. One of the best surprises were Sam and Max who traveled up here from Portland and Washington D.C, respectively. I hope you'll return to join us on another brevet again. In the meantime, please spread the word about all the fantastic riding and adventure there is up here. I'm grateful to you all for your support of randonneuring in Alaska!

Anchorage-Seward-Anchorage 400K Brevet

Bore tides, beluga whales, eagles, mountains and more are why the Seward Highway holds the All-American Roads designation. The route also holds significant historical and cultural qualities.

If you're aiming to achieve Super Randonneur status this year (check out the special jersey) by completing a full brevet series, or if you're looking to pack in some additional distance work in preparation for the Fireweed 400 or one of Rio's AEA rides, you'll not want to miss this ride to Seward and back. The views along Turnagain Arm and through the Kenai Mountains make this ride a destination of its own. The hills and distance will provide the challenge.

The start will be from Carrs Huffman on June 6th, at 6:00AM. Registration will open at 5:00AM.

All the Anch/Seward/Anch 400K ride details can be found HERE.

With our long days and short nights, randonneurs in Alaska often overlook the use of lights on the bike. However, on this long ride through the mountains, don't underestimate the need for lights. Even though you may be able to finish the ride before sundown, overcast weather conditions during the later hours can make things very dark indeed; too dark to change a flat or a broken spoke, and certainly too dark to descend Turnagain Pass safely. Bring lights on this ride.

In addition to the requirement for lights, you must have a reflective vest or sash if you're riding any time between sunset and sunrise. If you don't you will be DQ'ed. The regulations are spelled out HERE. Please be sure to read them before the start.

As usual, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to shoot me an e-mail or give me a call before the ride.

See you at the start, bright and early!!

Chin' an, Gu Ninyu.

"Thank you, you came here." That's the translation of the control clue found on the sign at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in the Native village of Eklutna, north of Anchorage.

Nine riders set off early on Saturday morning from the south end of Potter Marsh for one of six 300 Km brevets offered this weekend around the U.S. It was clear and chilly at the 7:00 AM start, but the immediate climb up Rabbit Creek Road warmed everyone up rather quickly. Alaska randonneurs were again treated to spectacular weather, and a new course that wound through every community between Anchorage and Palmer and back. It was a hard, but beautiful ride embodying the true spirit of randonneuring; seeing just how far you can go on a bike, traveling from city, to town, to village, to town, entirely self-supported and living off the land while doing it.

Congratulations to all the riders on finishing! Everyone's bikes and bodies seemed to hold up well against the distance.

Results for the Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300 Km brevet, as well as the Matanuska Valley 200 Km brevet are now posted HERE.

Photos of both rides are on the AK Rando Flickr site HERE.

Our next ride will be the Anchorage/Seward/Anchorage 400 Km on June 6th. I'll have details posted soon.

Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend!

Anchorage-Palmer-Anchorage 300K Brevet

Now that the three 200K brevets have loosened the legs up a little, let's turn it up a notch. This Saturday is the Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300K brevet.

This course is designed to really give riders the feeling of traveling from community to community, and living off the land while doing it. This ride will cover some beautiful backroads (I saw a black bear while driving the course yesterday) as well as interesting urban/industrial areas. There will be a few hills, but nothing unusual, and certainly not excessive. A 300K brevet has a time limit of 20 hours. So far, all of our 200K finishers have completed those rides well within the time limit, so I don't think it will be an issue on this ride either.

Please see all the details for the Anchorage/Palmer/Anchorage 300K are HERE.

Don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail or phone if you have any questions.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the start!

North Kenai Peninsula 200K Brevet on May 9th

Here are the details for next weekend's 200K brevet on the north end of the Kenai Peninsula.

It's another all new course, in an area we've never ridden before. It should be no less interesting that the now infamous Homer 200K. Plus, it will be much flatter!

Please look over the documents and course map carefully. The only real issues that came about for those who DNFed last weekend seem to be related to navigation problems. Be sure to know how to use the cue sheets along with your cyclo-computer. If you have any questions about that, please don't be afraid to ask.

Before I get to all the brevet info links, I want to emphasize the importance of riding within the traffic laws on these brevets. Part of the Homer brevet's success was that all the riders really took it upon themselves to ride as traffic. While we may have all the rights to the road, we also have all the associated responsibilities; and there are a lot of them. That means stopping at all stop signs and lights, signaling for all turns, being courteous to drivers, yielding to pedestrians, and taking the lane if you need to. As we're the new kids on the block in Kenai, I want to make a good impression.

Kenai Brevet info, printable cue sheet, and waiver are HERE.

Rider Expectations are HERE.

Regulations are HERE.

Rules for Riders are HERE.

Please e-mail me, or call me at 907-276-6299 (hm) or 907-317-6030 (mobile), if you have any questions.

I'm heading down on Friday afternoon around 4:00M-ish

Looking forward to seeing you there! It's going to be another great ride!

Homer is Certifiable!

We've heard the Sirens' call from the "cosmic hamlet by the sea!" Behold, Homer is certified!! ...The 200KM End-of-the-Road brevet course that is. The guy in the photo on the right with the red nose, however, looks like he's spent a little too much time at the Salty Dawg.

Anyway, I just got word this morning from the RUSA routes coordinator that the course is good to go. It's number 705. One down, a whole list of others to go.

Better hit the gym folks. Less than two months to go. We're starting early this year, and there are a few hills on the course. Bring the granny gear to this one.

Looking Forward to Brevet Season

Our new website hasn't had it's official debut yet, but it's picking up a little traffic, guessing from the feedback I'm getting from some of you. I'll make the formal launch soon. Just working on the finishing touches.

From the sounds of it, the schedule is going to work. I think it's a good one; lots of variety, some new stuff, some familiar gems... I'll keep it as tentative for a few more weeks, make some changes if necessary, then lock it in.

My aim for this season is to pack as many rides in as possible, while not conflicting with any of the other major events going on. My fear, however, is for a spring snow that will eliminate the Homer ride. Last year's snow was really a drag. But, that happens sometimes. At least it wasn't a volcano erupting! Anyway, I'm hoping the warmer average temperatures down in the Banana Belt (Homer) will work in our favor. Personally, I'm really excited about the Homer ride. I think it'll be one of the most beautiful 200Ks around.

Happy New Year! & 2009 Brevet Schedule

Happy New Year  Alaska Randonneurs!

How are those garage spin sessions going?

Here's a suggestion...between workouts, do some active resting in front of your computer and upload your photos of your Alaska brevets to our Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/alaskarandonneurs/

Well, I've been working on a zillion new brevets and permanents all around the state (Kodiak 200KM, Cordova 200KM, Glennallen...). I've got loads of exciting, scenic, and challenging new routes submitted, and I'm just waiting for final approval from RUSA.

Our calendar is shaping up nicely, but if we hope to actually put all of these events on, we're going to need more volunteers on event days. So, if you or someone you know is interested in spending a nice day out on the course this spring/summer, please pass their contact info on to me, or just have them get in touch with me directly.

Here's the tentative brevet schedule for 2009:

March 28 Homer 200KM
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ak/homer/349942891000

April 11 North Kenai Peninsula 200KM
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ak/kenai/131361979930

April 18 Matanuska Valley 200KM
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ak/palmer/495929327825

May 9 Anchorage/Palmer 300KM

May 23 Bread & Water 100KM populaire (Great Harvest to the Moose's Tooth)

May 30 Anchorage/Seward/Anchorage 400KM

June 20 Gakona/Delta Junction/Tok/Gakona 600KM

July 18 Denali Dirt Road Randonnee 300KM
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ak/-denali-park/465987705182

August 1 PBP (Potter-Birchwood-Potter or Palmer-Birchwood-Palmer) Populaire

September? (When the leaves change color) Chugiak/Talkeetna/Chugiak 300KM

Please stay in touch. Let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, etc.

Bonne Route!