Arctic Bicycle Club - Chainletter (what's new)

The ABC Chainletter
The information on this page will change monthly, weekly or even daily as new and old information comes and goes.
Last updated June 18th, 2008
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Bear charged runners on Hillside Trails - June 14th At 12:50 this afternoon (Sat. June 14) while running with ski poles Rick Suddock and I were charged by a sow brown bear at the base of the steep hill on the second half of the double bubble on hillside trails. The sow had two cubs, and although we were running together and making noise we heard a big woof in the alders and she was running at us instantly. Rich yelled and fended her off with his ski poles and I headed for a small clump of trees and tripped. I’m now on ground and bear essentially on top of me but she made no contact and ran off. She made a second false charge as we yelled and headed up the hill putting as much distance on her as possible. I established a new maximum heart rate, my polar download shows a spike from 120 to 193, so she messed up an otherwise well executed overdistance workout. Please pass this email on to other trail users, we were very lucky we didn’t draw blood or worse. Rick Rogers
University Lake Trail Rehabilitation in Anchorage Come work alongside other Alaska Trails members and help rehabilitate a well-loved trail! Saturday, June 14, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Directions: The work site is behind and north of the Alaska Native Hospital off Tudor RD along the south shore of University Lake. Follow the parking or walking signs to the sign-in cabana along the south shore of University Lake by the red gate. Sponsored by: • Alaska Trails • Anchorage Municipality Parks • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium • University of Alaska Facilities Maintenance Operations • Home Depot CommUnity Impact Grant Planned: Gravel a segment of muddy, wet trail along the south shore of University Lake. Description: We will resurface about 275' of damaged (wet & muddy) trail with gravel. Water and snacks will be provided. Most of the cost for materials and gravel are provided through a Home Depot CommUnity Impact Grant with additional support provided through the Anchorage Municipal Parks, UAA, Moose’s Tooth, and the Great Harvest Bread Company. Trail tools, some gloves, snacks, and project supervision provided by Alaska Trails. Bring a lunch and rain gear. Guards to prevent beaver attacks provided. More Info: Jack.Mosby@Alaska-Trails.org 333-4442 or www.alaska-trails.org Editors note: Wear a cycling jersey or t-shirt to show we're helping
Seward Ranger District - Trail Report Seward Ranger District higher elevations have lots of snow. The spring/early summer has been cool, snow is melting between 1-3" a day. Resurrection Pass for 2 miles right at the Pass has appx. 4 feet of snow, this is usually snow free around the 1st week of June. Johnson Pass to the north has a ton, if anyone dares to go please call us with an estimate of depth. This is usually mostly snow free before the 2nd wk of June. Carter Lake has 2-3' of snow beginning at mile 1.3. Usually mostly free of snow before the 2nd wk of June. Carter Lake is still frozen. Lost Lake has a ton of snow, anticipate snow through July, usually snow free by 2nd wk of July. Upper Russian Lake trail for appx. 6 miles has 2 ft. of snow, usually snow free by now. Devil's Creek trail has many down avalanches above mile 5. Crescent Saddle: Travel to the cabin will be difficult for a couple more weeks. There is a lot of snow remaining at higher elevations that comes down daily, all the way to the ground, bring mud and rocks with it. Pay attention to where you stop for a brake so as not to be under any slide paths with snow above, especially later in the afternoon on a hot sunny (yeah, right) day. Though the Chugach National Forest Plan states that Mountain Bikes are not allowed on SRD trails until July 1st, we currently do not have any Forest Orders stating this. We ask that people riding bikes use good judgement and not ride on trails that are fresh from snow melt in order to prevent tread eroding. Some good hikes that are, or mostly, free of snow: Gull Rock, Lower Russian Lake to Upper Russian Lake, Ptarmigan Ck and Lake, Johnson South for a few miles, Crescent Ck, Resurrection South to Swan Lk, Resurrection North to mile 18. Irene B. Lindquist, Forest Technician, Trails - Seward Ranger District Phone: 907-288-7748, Fax: 907-288-2002 Email: ilindquist@fs.fed.us

Click on any of these links to view photos of the 2008 CAC Peter Lekisch & George Stransky, Larson Graphics, Christopher Souser, Marlena Wojcik

Greetings Singletrack Advocates, Here’s a brief update on our trail building progress. Grant agreements are being drafted and signed, crews scheduled out and we are on track for our ground-breaking on July 15th! One hitch, though: because of some unforeseen costs and increases in diesel fuel prices, we are short at least $25,000 to complete Phase I of the project. Phase I involves the construction of 8.5 miles of singletrack. We will still be able to build trail, but unless we can come up with more funding, we might have to shorten the project. This is an appeal to those of you who have not yet contributed to the trail project. Please consider donating generously. Please also consider asking your colleagues, business associates and friends for contributions on our behalf. Some businesses offer incredible programs to contribute. BP employees, for example, may request a contribution from BP through its “Fabric of America Fund.” That means that BP would pony up to $500 per employee simply by requesting a corporate donation to the trail fund! Please inquire about other such opportunities at your work place. Donations made to us through Alaska Trails are tax-deductible. Donations made online directly to Singletrack Advocates are not tax deductible. To donate online please go to www.singletrackadvocates.blogspot.com and click on the “Donate” button on the right hand margin. To make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check made payable to ALASKA TRAILS to us at: Singletrack Advocates, PO Box 240574, Anchorage, AK 99524. Let’s give it one more big push and raise the rest of the money to build a showcase singletrack trail! Thanks! Janice Tower
Sitka is Alaska’s first Bicycle Friendly Community SITKA, May 1, 2008 — The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is pleased to have played a role in Sitka’s becoming an official Bicycle Friendly Community. On May 1, the League of American Bicyclists honored Sitka as the first community from Alaska to earn its Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Sitka received a Bronze award, which is the lowest of the four Bicycle Friendly Community designations — Bronze (57 communities), Silver (19), Gold (6) and Platinum (2). Sitka has the fourth smallest population of any community honored, and is at the same level as Denver, Louisville, Sacramento, Milwaukee, New York City and Washington, D.C. According to the League of American Bicyclists, a Bicycle Friendly Community designation is good for four years, but communities have to file annual updates. According to the League of American Bicyclists’ Web site, “Sitka joins the ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities as the northernmost designated community and the only in Alaska. Nearly half of Sitka’s roads provide accommodations for cyclists, such as bike lanes, and bicycle ridership is nine times the national average. At the 2007 Sitka Health Summit, participants (a large and diverse group of Sitkans) were asked to pick the top four areas to focus on that would make the greatest impact to the wellness of Sitkans. The top choice, to great applause, was to make Sitka a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community. The initiative was propelled from that moment and gained incredible momentum. The commitment has been clearly demonstrated in the recent proclamation signed in March of 2008 by Mayor Marko Dapcevich to work to become a Bicycle Friendly Community.” “Very cool, I think this is great news,” Sitka Mayor Marko Dapcevich said when informed of Sitka’s honor. “Kudos to all those who helped on this project. It’s really exciting to see Sitka designated a Bicycle Friendly Community. This was a good project for health and awareness, and I was happy to get behind this one.” Charles Bingham SEARHC Corporate Communications Specialist, Sitka 966-8504, office charles.bingham@searhc.org
Click here to see more: http://www.alaskadigitalvisions.com/photos.htm
BICYCLE COMMUTERS UNITE There’s a new cycling organization in town, one that advocates for safe bicycle use and sharing the road. The Bicycle Commuters Alliance of Anchorage solicits members to give voice to the scores of cyclists forsaking the high price of gas for the practical and recreation benefits of commuting to work. Learn more about BCAA at www.anchoragebicyclealliance.org. Janice Tower ABOUT BCAA: The BCAA envisions a sustainable and green city that promotes and protects bicycle use. We envision a community that supports bicycle use and shares the road, where bicyclists feel safe, can enjoy a healthy and pleasant means of commuting to work or recreating, and where the streets and trails of Anchorage are safely filled with people choosing transportation that creates healthy lifestyles, reduces damage to the environment and cultivates communities. We seek to encourage bicycle use through education and advocacy: Education and Outreach · Educate communities in Anchorage to become bicycle-friendly and embrace a Share the Road philosophy · Promote bicycle awareness, safety and educational programs, annual Bike Week, charity rides and other special events, bike maintenance classes, and learn-to-ride clinics in schools and elsewhere · Teach safe cycling practices · Educate motor vehicle operators & bicyclists about their respective rights and responsibilities Advocacy Advocate for bicyclist safety & promote share the road principles: Increase bicyclist safety. Give cyclists the tools, confidence and knowledge they need to be safe and accepted on the road. Open minds and roads to bicycling. Advocate for better urban planning that incorporates bicycle use: Promote smart growth with planning and design that is not auto-centric., Support local bicycle advisory boards., Build optimum infrastructure - advocate for bike lanes, greenways, bicycle master plans, bicycle design guidelines, bike racks, neighborhood connectivity, traffic calming, safe routes to schools, and access to mass transit. Advocate for greater bike use for a more healthy and sustainable city: Build a movement around bicycling. Work in partnership with citizens, businesses, community groups, government agencies and elected officials to create communities where people can meet their daily transportation needs on a bike. Create a strong sense of community identity among people who ride bikes. Provide a clearinghouse for bicycle education and advocacy. Increase the percentage of all types of bicycle ridership in Anchorage. Ensure that bicycles are recognized as a reasonable and mainstream transportation option. Promote bicycling for clean air, healthy living & wellness. End our oil addiction through bicycling. Promote bicycling for fun. Advocate for better laws that protect cyclists and promote bicycle use: Lobby for share-the road bike-friendly ordinances, laws and law enforcement, court decisions to uphold bicyclists’ rights, and appropriate tax mechanisms at all levels of government which affirm bicycling as an economic benefit.
Tank Trail WARNING Fort Richardson MPs are issuing citations to unregistered users of the Tank Trail. A couple of weekends ago they set up a post and wrote tickets to recreational users one by one. These folks got off with a warning, but according to military police, the penalties are as follows: 1st offense: Ban for 1 year (this applies base-wide to all property on Ft. Rich including the base itself) 2nd offense: Ban for 5 years (base-wide) 3rd offense: Ban for life (base-wide) How to Obtain a Permit 1. To use the Tank Trail or any other Ft. Rich property for recreational purposes you must obtain a USAG-AK Recreational Access Permit available at the main Ft. Richardson Gate. Permits are good for 2 years from the issue date and must be carried with you. For information call 384-0296 or 384-2916. 2. Check in by calling the USARTRAK automated system BEFORE entering the training lands and you will need your RAP number to access the system. The system provides daily training closures. The Phone Access System number is 384-3181. 3. Check out upon leaving the training lands for the day. Call the USARTRAK number and enter your RAP number for automated check-out. 384-3181. For more information go to: http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation/REC_USARTRAK.htm
Lekisch Loop and Mize Loop to be affected this summer Kincaid Project Group will be constructing soccer fields beginning April 14 in Kincaid Park. Work will be ongoing throughout the summer with completion of the soccer field work scheduled for August. Clearing will be completed in April with earthwork primarily occurring in June. The work components include the following: Relocation of approximately 1000 linear feet of the Mize Loop. Construction of 7 natural turf fields Construction of 1 artificial turf field and stadium The work will almost all be contained within the lower bunker area and the old biathlon stadium. Please avoid trails that feed into those areas as shown on the attached map and use the other 99% of the park that is not involved in the construction effort. You should also be aware that for short periods of time there will be construction equipment that will be traveling across trails near the chalet. Portions of the Lekisch Loop and Mize Loop will be affected by work for a short period of time. Trails entering the work area will be fenced and notices will be placed at key turnoffs to let you know where trail use will be interrupted and will direct you to appropriate trails. For information, call Scott Dunlap, Roger Hickel Contracting, 279-1400 Dwayne Adams Kincaid Project Group, 276-5885 Thanks for your patience.
Singletrack Advocates - Phase I approved! Tonight the Parks & Recreation Commission approved our proposal to build Phase I of the Hillside Singletrack Trail Project. Phase I is the area above Hilltop Ski Area and the Spencer Loop ski trail. It consists of two loops, one intermediate and the other advanced, for approximately 8.5 of finished singletrack. This portion of the project is to be completed as a demonstration while the Far North Bicentennial Park Trails Plan continues through public process and is finalized in Spring 2009. Phase II of the project (north of Campbell Creek) will go through an approval process once the Trails Plan is complete. We are committed to working with the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage to come up with an optimum alignment of a groomable multi-use trail connecting the Gasline at Hilltop Ski Area with Prospect Heights in Chugach State Park. Effort will be made to make efficient use of the acreage in order to maximize the amount of space for singletrack. Thank you to all of you who kept your ear to the ground on this effort, ponied up some money to help us build the trail system, attended STA fundraisers, testified at public meetings and otherwise given your moral support toward the effort. All of this is much appreciated. We are still on schedule for a targeted ground breaking on July 15th. Thanks, and STA tuned! Janice

"Classifieds" Hey there ABC members did you miss the last Ski or Bike Swap...and still have some bike gear you want to get rid of? Well, clean out that garage and make room for more toys. Send us a photo or a description of the item for sell, the price, and your contact information at richabike@gci.net and we'll advertise it here for FREE! Ads will stay posted for one month and then removed. PRICE DROP: Giant TCR 2005 Team Telekom model; size Large carbon frame, Dura-ace 10 speed compact gear set; handbuilt tubular wheels; absolutely like new, all top of the line and ready to race/ride, reduced to $1500 for quick (non eBay!) sale. Also Reynolds Aluminum Colnago TT/Tri bike, 58 cm frame/650cc wheels, Ultegra parts, Profile cowhorn/aero bars/w Dura-ace bar-end shifters, Ritchey Aero wheels and handbuilt Mavic training wheels, Thompson post and Sella TT seat, $1000. Call Bruce at 338-8280 or bruwoods@acsalaska.net posted June 10th Klein Palomino, Fox Rear Shock, Rock Shox Duke Front Suspension, Maverick Frame Design. Excellent condition, ridden lightly by my daughter on bike paths. She grew too fast and it doesn’t fit anymore. She is 5’9” and we have the seat all the way up. $795.00 contact Dan @ 398-3840 or dduke@acsalaska.net. posted June 18th

Sitka is Alaska’s first Bicycle Friendly Community