75+ miles through the Alaska Range by bike and packraft.
What I'm bringing:
Llama
paddle
single-speed 29er
backpack
tarp
insulated jacket
bivy
stove
Platypus
camera
SPOT
Route:
Bike from Healy to the Yanert River via Healy Creek & Wood River, then packraft out to the Parks Hwy.
Method:
carry food and raft on bike.
carry all gear and bike on raft.
nap on/in packraft, under tarp (if stormy).
cook with fires when on rivers.
bring the least amount of high calorie food as possible.
keep moving.
Move as long as possible and take naps.
Therefore, no sleeping bag.
Keep it simple and light. Travel fast, be smart... and safe.
Showing posts with label 29er. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 29er. Show all posts
2010-07-15
2010-04-26
Rockin' the Single-speed
...and lovin' it!
22T chain ring
22T chain ring
Surly 18T stainless steel single speed cog
8-speed chain
Surly Singleator chain tensioner (new version)
2.6 gear ratio for off-trail rollin'
2010-04-11
Tussocks, Mud, Dirt, Ice, Snow, Water, Happiness
Riding the Snowcats today on blacktop, gravel, dry dirt, mud, ice, slush, snow, water, cattails, tussocks, moose poop, logs, stumps, 2x8 boards...
Pretty fun technical riding over endless tussocks. SLIPPERY ice, some of it cracking under our weight.
Can't wait for more snow to disappear.
2010-04-07
I hit the wall...
Mile 300 on my bike. My legs are tired, burnt out. My hands ache. My lower back is tight from pedaling hard. I'm just tired... and sore.
I need a day of rest, just like anyone or anything else after the first period of working hard. Sled dogs do the same. After about a week or so of pulling, they hit a wall and need a day off. But when they come back, it's on for the rest of the season. I think this is where I'm at. I didn't think it would happen this long into riding, but it is.
One day of sleeping in and driving to work (blah)... that should be enough rest.
Maybe I'll go bike up Ester Dome after resting a day. That should get me back into it.
I need a day of rest, just like anyone or anything else after the first period of working hard. Sled dogs do the same. After about a week or so of pulling, they hit a wall and need a day off. But when they come back, it's on for the rest of the season. I think this is where I'm at. I didn't think it would happen this long into riding, but it is.
One day of sleeping in and driving to work (blah)... that should be enough rest.
Maybe I'll go bike up Ester Dome after resting a day. That should get me back into it.
2010-04-05
Biking Ester Dome
5.75 mi with 2000' elevation gain, reaching the top in 1 hour.
1700' of the elevation gain is in only 3 miles of sustained uphill torture (567 ft/mi).
This is not a joyride route, but a masochistic self-punishment for those that are sick enough in the head to do it, especially if you're only running one chain ring up front.
Fortunately, I can say I've worked out for the day and got a beautiful view of the Alaska Range, Fairbanks, Minto Flats, and the Ray and White Mountains to the north.
It's also probably the fastest I've ever traveled on a bike on the way back down.
I'd recommend the ride. Bring a camera for the views up top, along with sunglasses, food, water, and a jacket to stay warm after sweating all the way up.
The Ride: 29er
My tricked-out ride is as follows:
2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 29er
Origin8 Black Ops Carbon 29er fork
Easton Monkeylite DH Hi-Rise Handlebars
Cork tape-wrapped grips
BB5 brakes with Origin8 rotors
Friction tape wrapped brake levers (for winter)
MRP 1.X front chain guide
Single-speed front 32s chain ring
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
SRAM Attack gripshift (rear only)
Shimano 12-36T 9-speed cassette
SRAM 9-speed chain
Wellgo MG-1 magnesium pedals
29" Snowcat 42mm wheels custom painted black
Shimano XT hubs F&R
Black spokes & nipples
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.4" tires
Specialized 1.9/2.3 presta valve tubes
FSA carbon seatpost
Apocalypse Design custom frame bag
Dogwood Designs winter poagies
Origin8 Black Ops Carbon 29er fork
Easton Monkeylite DH Hi-Rise Handlebars
Cork tape-wrapped grips
BB5 brakes with Origin8 rotors
Friction tape wrapped brake levers (for winter)
MRP 1.X front chain guide
Single-speed front 32s chain ring
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
SRAM Attack gripshift (rear only)
Shimano 12-36T 9-speed cassette
SRAM 9-speed chain
Wellgo MG-1 magnesium pedals
29" Snowcat 42mm wheels custom painted black
Shimano XT hubs F&R
Black spokes & nipples
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.4" tires
Specialized 1.9/2.3 presta valve tubes
FSA carbon seatpost
Apocalypse Design custom frame bag
Dogwood Designs winter poagies
2010-04-04
Early Season Pedaling in Denali
This whole biking thing has really taken over my life and mind, lately. Constant modifications and additions to my bike, commuting to work, joyrides, and lots of hours spent working on it... it is consuming, yet a great thing at the same time because it gets me out and keeps me active.
Alaska Explorer and I went to Denali National Park and rode part of the Park Road on Easter. Started at the Teklanika River Gate and went until the snow got too mushy on the way up Sable Pass. Good first time in the park for me and first real ride of the season for Alaska Explorer. Might have to return when the road crews get farther down the road...
I'm definitely on the way to figuring out how to most effectively carry the gear I need on my bike. Even since the WM100 trip, it's changed quite a bit, outside of my awesome frame bag. I still hate backpacks when biking, not for the weight issue, but for ventilation. I hate getting a nasty, sweaty back when the rest of me is cold. The Dogwood Designs poagies keep my hands warm and are fantastic below 35º.
Plenty of trips for the summer were eyed up, as well.
...and some from Alaska Explorer:
Our matching frame bags made by Apocalypse Design in Fairbanks.
Alaska Explorer and I went to Denali National Park and rode part of the Park Road on Easter. Started at the Teklanika River Gate and went until the snow got too mushy on the way up Sable Pass. Good first time in the park for me and first real ride of the season for Alaska Explorer. Might have to return when the road crews get farther down the road...
I'm definitely on the way to figuring out how to most effectively carry the gear I need on my bike. Even since the WM100 trip, it's changed quite a bit, outside of my awesome frame bag. I still hate backpacks when biking, not for the weight issue, but for ventilation. I hate getting a nasty, sweaty back when the rest of me is cold. The Dogwood Designs poagies keep my hands warm and are fantastic below 35º.
Plenty of trips for the summer were eyed up, as well.
...and some from Alaska Explorer:
Our matching frame bags made by Apocalypse Design in Fairbanks.
2010-03-01
Snow Biking
While it may have only been the Goldstream Valley, it sure did feel like we were in the middle of Everywhere, Alaska, today on our bike ride.
Somewhere around mile 11, we hit an entire pond covered in overflow, which I ventured out onto, then got my feet a bit wet. After deciding it would be insanely difficult to trudge the bikes through the woods to go around the flowing water and regain the trail, we turned back on our tracks through the beautiful, snow covered forest and wetlands. Sun, cold temps, and snow = a good day biking.
Gear reports:
Snowcat Wheels for a 29er
While flotation is a plus, it is tire profile that is the real product of wider wheels. The wide wheels give the tire a flatter profile, reducing washouts (side-slipping) and creating a more stable ride. The entire tread width is also used, which decreases breaking through the snow crust and increases traction, again, fighting washouts.
Apocalypse Design Frame Bag
I fully stuffed the frame bag and it performed flawlessly, securely storing plenty of gear for a one day biking trip. No flop, no leg rub, definitely secure, snowproof, overflow-resistant. I'm happy. Go get one.
Somewhere around mile 11, we hit an entire pond covered in overflow, which I ventured out onto, then got my feet a bit wet. After deciding it would be insanely difficult to trudge the bikes through the woods to go around the flowing water and regain the trail, we turned back on our tracks through the beautiful, snow covered forest and wetlands. Sun, cold temps, and snow = a good day biking.
Gear reports:
Snowcat Wheels for a 29er
While flotation is a plus, it is tire profile that is the real product of wider wheels. The wide wheels give the tire a flatter profile, reducing washouts (side-slipping) and creating a more stable ride. The entire tread width is also used, which decreases breaking through the snow crust and increases traction, again, fighting washouts.
Apocalypse Design Frame Bag
I fully stuffed the frame bag and it performed flawlessly, securely storing plenty of gear for a one day biking trip. No flop, no leg rub, definitely secure, snowproof, overflow-resistant. I'm happy. Go get one.
2010-02-24
Custom Job
Went in to Apocalypse Design and had them make up this frame bag according to the specs and design I wanted. Turned out pretty slick.
Tapered a little wider in the forward 10" to accommodate more gear since leg clearance isn't needed farther forward, yet it still gives clearance nearer the seat while pedallin'. A divider part way down not only compartmentalizes the frame bag, but keeps it from bulging out like a big stuff sack. I left the design instructions with them, so if anyone wants one, they have an idea of how to make more and I'll keep them updated on what designs work and what doesn't. Can't wait to test it out on a camping trip. Best part is it cost less than half to have made when compared to the only other available frame bag, made by a guy in Anchorage who does orders mostly for people who do the extreme races. Priority also goes to them, so wait times are around two months. Mine took less than a week and it was done in town. Sweet.
Tapered a little wider in the forward 10" to accommodate more gear since leg clearance isn't needed farther forward, yet it still gives clearance nearer the seat while pedallin'. A divider part way down not only compartmentalizes the frame bag, but keeps it from bulging out like a big stuff sack. I left the design instructions with them, so if anyone wants one, they have an idea of how to make more and I'll keep them updated on what designs work and what doesn't. Can't wait to test it out on a camping trip. Best part is it cost less than half to have made when compared to the only other available frame bag, made by a guy in Anchorage who does orders mostly for people who do the extreme races. Priority also goes to them, so wait times are around two months. Mine took less than a week and it was done in town. Sweet.
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