Author Topic: ACA TOURs - Sign in  (Read 14205 times)

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Offline miles2go

ACA TOURs - Sign in
« on: December 29, 2006, 11:06:31 am »
ACA led tours:

The Adventure Book was mailed out some time ago, according to the web site a couple of the tours are filling up...

So who signed up for what?  Where are you going with the ACA this year?

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:22:33 am by miles2go »

Offline miles2go

ACA TOURs - Sign in
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2007, 09:49:46 pm »
Anyone?  Hello...

Well I thought some other folks here would have been among the many hooked up to an ACA led tour this year.  A couple of the tours are full including the one we're going on.

We are headed for Alaska to join the "Denali Adventure".

Anyone?

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:22:15 am by miles2go »

cyclesafe

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« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2007, 10:02:55 pm »
I was on the North Star last year.  You'll have a blast.

-  Prepare well for rain.
-  The Denali Highway is exceptionally beautiful, but wide tires for traction and turning on gravel are essential.
-  Plan to extend your trip by cycling into the park and camping.


Offline miles2go

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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2007, 12:06:40 am »
Thanks Steve.  I'll take the rain advice to heart and plan well for it.

We're taking rigid forked bikes built around 26" wheels.  I haven't decided on the tires yet but they'll either be Schwalbes or Contis.  Chances are I'll be heavily loaded and slow but I'm not worried about it.  You can't outrun bear anyway. :P 

The plan isn't firm yet but our intention is to tack on an extra 1.5 weeks to see more. 

Your North Star trip must have been one to remember.  Thanks for sharing.

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:21:54 am by miles2go »

Offline JayH

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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2007, 12:56:24 pm »
If you're cycling in Alaska, also plan for construction, with the short thaw season up there, once the sun comes out, the construction crews come in, especially on the parks highway.  So the gravel experience and tire choice is good, especially when you're busy looking at the mountains and not paying attention where you're riding! :-)

Jay


Offline Koz

ACA TOURs - Sign in
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2007, 05:31:38 pm »
Hi all,
I've signed up for the Souther Tier.  I don't have any specific questions about it yet, but if anyone has anything to say about it I would love to hear it.

Thanks,
jim


Offline kcreswel

ACA TOURs - Sign in
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2007, 04:51:30 pm »
I'm signed up for the Denali Adventure as well and am pretty nervous about the 140 miles of dirt road-I have lots of pavement experience but practically nothing yet on dirt.  How bad is that road???  Not that it will stop me....


cyclesafe

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« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2007, 10:41:55 pm »
We rode the Denali Highway over three days in a continuous downpour.  After we were off of it, the road washed out at the western end and was closed for about a week.  Having said this, keep in mind that big Pincess Cruises tour buses regularly use the Denali Highway to shuttle tourists between the Princess hotels at Copper River and Denali Park - even in the rain.

OK.  I wouldn't take a road bike, but anything else with 32mm tires or fatter will make it.  Some tread on the tires is necessary as there are some steep grades where you'll spin out otherwise.  Plus, turning on gravel with smooth tires is treacherous.  But hey, if you get to a particularly sketchy part of the road you can always walk your bike.  You'll be fine.  Have fun.

Since hunting is allowed off the roads in Alaska, there is a good chance that you won't see much big game - except for moose, because they are rather stupid.  Of course, all the animals will see you.  

Regardless, the scenery is breathtaking and you'll see the whole panopoly of Alaska fauna anyway at Denali Park.  If you ride your bike into the park to camp (after the ACA tour) you will probably see major animals around every bend in the road.

The latest Adventure Cyclist Magazine has an article written by a guy who was chased by a wolf.  We met that guy when we were on the North Star and we later saw an article in the Fairbanks paper about it.  That's a little scary, but what's worse are those encounters that nobody knows about, where the animal breaks off the attack before the cyclist is aware that he/she was briefly on the menu.

I don't want to over emphasize the danger from animals.  It exists, but you can minimize unwanted encounters by riding in groups.  It's sort of like open ocean swimming.  There sharks in the water with you, but the chances of being attacked are vanishingly small.


Offline miles2go

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« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2007, 03:43:46 pm »
Hello kcreswel.  Mosquitoes are what's on my mind regarding preparations.  I hate the things and wonder if shorts are appropriate for riding in given this factor.  In any case, it should be a great tour and we plan to tack some additional riding onto the end of the ACA gig.

Cheers,

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:21:20 am by miles2go »

Offline kcreswel

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« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2007, 05:26:03 pm »
RE:  Denali trip -I'm thinking about Schwalbe Marathon XRs for tires-any thoughts?  


cyclesafe

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« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2007, 08:04:42 am »
I used 35mm XR's on the Denali Highway.  No worries.


Offline Kelly

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« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2007, 12:57:46 pm »
http://www.alaskatrekker.com/biking.htm  This site has some good information.

The Alaska Bicycle Touring Guide was printed in 1992. Some information would be outdated, but elevation info. would still be correct.

http://www.blm.gov/ak/gdo/denali.html  Has a photo of significant snow in June, 2006. I wonder if it was all melted by July?

All of this info. came from Wally Werner.

Kelly

This message was edited by Kelly on 1-27-07 @ 12:32 PM