Mountain Bike Alaska

Hey, Tonight I spent the evening with Marc Phillips and his wife Anne. They invited myself, Peter, Matt Montavon, his wife Amanda, and a good friend Barclay to share stories and video. It was a fantastic evening filled with great stories, pizza, and beer. I also had an opportunity to share some of the videos that I took while on my trip. I bought my GOPRO camera, digital camera, laptop, and 4 SD memory cards. I brought on the trip a 32G, 2x8G, and a 2G. The bottom line is that I have alot of video to share and photos to compile and edit. I am still trying to brainstorm ideas of how I want to present all the video on the website and what would make for an interesting way to share that. In addition, I want to be able to give more reports on the gear that I used and other general feedback from the trip. For now I have a sneak peak of 1 video that I took while on the trip that gives a little insight as to what the weather conditions and terrain looks like way up north. Check it out:

Hey! I arrived this morning to Anchorage at 1:30am! I left Bryers Lake at mile post 147 yesterday morning at 9:30am. I biked roughly 160 miles in 16 hours including stops for lunch, dinner, and other breaks. I had plans of staying another night near Wasilla about 50 miles north of Anchorage but could not find a camping spot. I went 4 miles off the main hwy to Big Lake recreation site hoping to find a camp site for the night and rest. Once I got there, the camp host informed me that they were full and that every other campground in the area was full but since I was on a bike they would be willing to let me camp wherever I could find a spot. I felt like I had culture shock with all the people that were around for memorial weekend and looked at my watch and contemplated going the rest of the way to Anchorage. I decided to “GO FOR IT!” I stopped at “The Rock” restaurant in Wasilla for burger and fries and started on down the glen hwy. There was not alot of traffic going southbound but there was alot of traffic going northbound! I got a flat tire on the side of the road, a gravel puncture…. I had to stop and take-care of that. There are sections that have a narrow shoulder and were scary to ride on with trucks and cars whizzing by at 60+ mph.
Once I got to Birchwood there is a bike path on the side of the road that I got on. Then in Eagle River roughly 13 miles north of Anchorage the bike path changes sides of the hwy. I also stopped at a liquor store, not for alcohol but for water. The store attendant filled-up half my nalgene claiming, “the bottle was too big to fit in the sink.” I was a little bummed…. Especially since I was on the verge of turning into a raisin since I was so dehydrated! Anyways, I continued on my way and once I crossed the sign that said, “Muldoon Road” I had a sense of relief knowing that I was really close. relatively speaking… When I got to Elmore street I was roughly 20 minutes from home. My roommate Trevor drove by looking for me and stopped rooting me on and asking if I needed anything at 1:00am. I thanked him and told him that I was good to go knowing that a shower and bed was waiting for only a few miles away. I pedaled on through the night and made it home. Just like the end of every other day of my trip it ended on a hill. The last hill of many that I have encountered crossing Alaska. I told myself that it was the last one, changed into granny gear and increased my cadence to get up it. My legs were burning from lactic acid build-up. I went down the drive-way to be greeted by my roommate and a bottle of sparkling wine! He popped the bottle and sprayed me welcoming me home. I was pretty psyched! I took a shower and got int bed! Thanks to all that made this trip possible and to those that I encountered along the way. Stay tuned for video and new photo postings!

I have fixed the link at the top of the page under trip details, titled, “Where are we.” It will now take you to a page that will update with the SPOT! Finally!

Hello! I have safely made it to Fairbanks! I arrived about 6:00pm today Sunday May 22nd. I am doing well but have been sick the majority of the trip with a runny nose and headcold. Bobby and Peter left me at the Artic circle due to an illness that Bobby was dealing with and achilles ache. I had a friend come and pick them up. I much appreciated their camaraderie and miss them. I am here staying with a friend in Fairbanks and will depart either tomorrow or Tuesday.
There is much to share with epic photos and video. I have 105 videos thus far. We have seen Polar Bear, Artic Foxes, Musk Ox, Caribou, Owls, and other wildlife. I have the darkest tan ever! I am frustrated that the SPOT device has not been working even though I have been prudent about turning it on every night. The shortest day thus far has been 25 and the longest has been 100. I have had some seriously troubling mechanical issues and I am running with 2 less spokes on the front wheel than I should have. Anyways, I just wanted to give a shout out to the world and let everyone know that I am well. Thanks for the support and positive thoughts! Nathan