This is how we do it in Fairbanks, well, not me, but some folks….
I chuckled yesterday when I saw this guy riding his bicycle down the road in Fairbanks, Alaska. I saw my camera and decided to turn around and get the shot so I could show YOU just how different our worlds can be.
I jumped out of my truck and took the shot without asking consent. The biker turned and laughed heartily in my direction.
I asked, “Do you have a little plumbing project?”
“Yup, a new vent!” He shouted back. I asked if he wanted a ride but he said he was fine.
The air temperature was 13 below zero Fahrenheit at the time of the shot, the day length was 5 hours 42 minutes.
Biking in winter is fairly common in Fairbanks but it’s no joke. Local temperatures are usually below freezing all winter and can get into the 50 below zero range for weeks at a time. Yet this does not stop many of this hardy group.
It’s not as hard or bad as it seems. I can tell you firsthand that, when dressed properly, it’s fairly comfortable getting around by bike in winter. I rode my bike to the University for several years while I was an undergraduate. One of those winters, it was often 55 below when I left in the morning . Yeah, 55 below zero.
So what did I wear. On my feet I wore Sorels. On the legs I had one long underwear, one fleece pant, wind pants. I covered my torso with a t-shirt (mostly cotton-no good reason), fleece jacket, windbreaker. On my head (most important of all) I had neck gator, balaclava, hat over balaclava, and hood over all.
Getting ready to ride at 40 below is easy, it’s arriving at your destination that’s tricky. First of all, the vapor from your breath freezes to your eye lids, eyelashes, and all around your head. Second, it’s a bit sweaty so bringing extra clothes is a must (though many don’t bother). Even tougher considerations are how you get groceries home from the store when cycling at these temperatures.
The riding is a bit slippery but in recent years many great modifications have come along. I had standard tires on my bike when I was doing it so I fell down a couple times. Now there are studded tires and fat bikes. These really give you added control and that’s great. Now the only concern is running into moose on the trails. One time I had to wait about 45 minutes for a cow and calf to get off the trail in front me. I was very late for Spanish class that day but my professor laughed at my excuse. Alaskans have a whole additional bag of reasons for being late.
I hope you liked the small window into life in the Interior of Alaska. If you like what you see here please Like or Follow us on WordPress. Of course, if you are on Facebook please “Like” us there too. You can also Tweet with me or Join My Circles on Google+
See more about Alaska travel and the Interior of Alaska Life here.
thank you for enlargin my horizons … 🙂
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You are very welcome, bert. I am going to have “The Interior of Alaskan Life” as a kind of subblog because of the unexpected (to me) interest in all things Alaskan that has arisen here. Thanks for coming by.
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Thanks for the look at another world!
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Likewise!
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funny!!
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This is brilliant – you Alaskans are crazy! In the best possible way 🙂
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Haha. Yesterday driving home I was following a pickup dragging a Cessna (no wings) presumably to where he would add it to the junk in his yard. End-of-the-roader society.
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I think if I visited, I would really dig Alaska. For all these reasons 🙂
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Probably. Then 18 years would fly by as they have for me…
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Amazing, I’m going to have to pull out my bike. It’s lovely here right now, and it is just sitting needing its tires aired up. Thanks for the inspiration! Love your picture!!! 🙂
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You bet. Happy riding!
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Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
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Cheers, Andra! You too.
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That’s hilarious. The picture reminds me of home – I tip my hat to the crazies who cycle in the winter. This year we’ve opted to cycle around NZ in order to escape the Canadian winter.
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Yeah, it’s nice to live in a place where people do what ever they want, how they want, and when they want. NZ by bike sounds nice. I am looking to do a bike tour in Turkey this coming May. Safe travels, always!
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I guess I can’t complain about Minnesota winters!
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I’d say there is some stiff competition but we do have 6 months of it.
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Wow – that is one chilly ride! When the temps drop that low, you can usually find me biking in the kitchen rather than outside. Talk about dedication.
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That is dedication! Biking in one place makes me crazy! I wish I could do it to stay in consistent shape but alas I do the majority of biking on long distance binges.
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What a great insight into a very different world! Thank you Mike, have a good winter, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Nick
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How cool! This puts my idea of when to ride & when its too cold into perspective. However, my road tires won’t do well on snow & ice, I think 😀 Thanks for the like on my post too!
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I hit Fairbanks in August , 2010, when the temperatures were hovering around 90F and the smoke from the perpetual coal fires was getting yellow-nasty. Still enjoyed the place and the people I met (notably Art Cross, sketch artist for the Iditarod), but I think it sounds better in winter ….
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I’ve only heard of coal fires in the coal seams on the north and west area but never in the interior, however we do have some hellish forest fires in the interior and it seems like they are intensifying as of late.
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Thats it. This post has decided it for me. I’m bringing the family to Fairbanks for XMAS so we can all bike to Anchorage!! Don’t worry, we’ll wear mittens. It’ll be such a great surprise for everyone! Don’t yah think they’ll love it!!! 🙂
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Haha. Come on up!
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Pingback: The Interior of Alaskan Life 3: 40 degrees below zero « ExploreDreamDiscover Talks
I rode a bike in Alaska once.
Erm…
Let me rephrase…
I *pushed* a bike UP hills in Alaska once, then held on for dear life while going back DOWN.
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Where and when?
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Skagaway, July 2009. There was a crazy heat wave that summer, so I was doing all that pseudo-exercising in 100 degree heat. Can’t *imagine* 40 below zero.
I take that back. I grew up in a place with four distinct seasons, with winter and summer bringing extreme temperatures. I ‘ve experienced temperatures of 30 below zero, so *imagining* 40 below is not too big a stretch. Perhaps I should say: I can’t imagine riding a bike (or even pushing one up hills) in 40 below weather.
Yikes!
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So were you living in Skagway? I am a bug fan of Haines myself. Looking back on my days of biking in the winter I am a bit in awe of the energy it took to do it. It was a great way to catch a lot of northern lights. Happy new year!
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No, I was just visiting. It was definitely a unique experience. 🙂
Happy New Year to you as well.
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Great pics and laughs!
I rode my bike last night down the coast for a few miles. I had on sweat pants, shorts underneath, a t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, another t shirt, a jacket, a buff over my head and around my face and my helmet. There were a couple of times that I thought to myself “this is about my limit temperature wise”.
It was 56 degrees F.
I would absolutely die in Alaska!
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Yeah, that’s a like a crisp summer morning temp wise. It’s nice to see you here. Happy New Year!
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50 below? Wow, you’re brave! I freeze if it gets colder than 60F 🙂
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Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live above 60F for a year. Maybe I should try it ;>)
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Mediterranean sunshine is great!
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“Now the only concern is running into moose on the trails.”
This made me LOL.
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I hope to keep that up. Cheers!
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What can I say! I admire people in Alaska! There is more than a bravery needed to ride a bike in such weather conditions. I’d probably spend the year inside the house … But, they say human beings have unbelievable set of adjusting to certain extreme life conditions, I guess if i have no other choice I’ll get used to it too!
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Where are you?
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Faraway 😦 Athens, Greece …
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Wow, well I really want to come there f not just to eat but also to see the rich history. It’s on my list.
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I’m here for the past 11 years and I still go to the archeologial sites, at least the tourist in me is absolutely satisfied 🙂 If you ever need help with information or with anything connected to Greece feel free to ask …
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Thanks so much, I will do that. Likewise when you come to Alaska.
So you live in Athens but came from another part of Greece?
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I am from Bulgaria…
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Another place in the world I would like to visit.
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If i can help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask!
I’m currently working on my new name and blog, once I have it customized I’ll read more of your posts, got really charmed by Alaska 🙂 I’m sure there is a lot I can learn from your blog …
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Why a new name and blog?
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My sparkles are no longer broken… one, and second, it just feels like a time for a change, since i can’t have the change that I really want, new blog may stop me from wandering voiceless 🙂 Anyway …
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Well good luck and keep in touch. Nice talking to you.
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Likewise! 🙂
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