If you happen to be in Anchorage during February, you might want to check out the Winter Bike Festival 2011, hosted by the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage.
This event is highlighted by two events — the Winter City 50K Populaire on Sunday, Feb. 13, and the film festival on Thursday, Feb. 17. There also are other events linked to the Winter Bike Festival, such as a Bike First Friday event on Feb. 4.
The Winter City 50K Populaire is 50 kilometers (31 miles) of riding that covers just about all of Anchorage. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Cafe Amsterdam (in the Metro Mall across Benson from the Sears Mall), and the non-competitive ride starts at 9 a.m. This is a benefit ride for Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage and there is a $10 registration fee. Cyclists wanting to rent fat bikes (the bikes with extra-wide tires for riding on the snow, such as the Surly Pugsley) can contact Arctic Cycles at 351-8545 to reserve a fat bike rental for $35 (a limited supply of fat bikes is available, so first-come, first-served). The tour includes stops at several coffee shop/checkpoints (including the Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, The Sugar Spoon, The Cake Studio and New Sagaya City Market) before finishing at Moose’s Tooth. A YouTube video is embedded into this post below to give you a preview of the ride.
The film festival starts at 8 p.m. at the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub, and two films will be shown — “Cycling Copenhagen” and “Bicycle Dreams.” Tickets are $7. “Cycling Copenhagen” shows how Copenhagen, Denmark, has been able to become one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities with more than 50 percent of all commutes being by bike. “Bicycle Dreams” is about the Race Across America (RAAM), a grueling race that has featured several Alaska cyclists over the years.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here are links to post-event coverage from KTVA-Channel 11 and the Anchorage Daily News (photo slideshow). Don’t forget, this event was a fundraiser for the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage.
Wow !! Now that would be a nice change from my rides here in South Florida
[…] are myriad winter bike festivals around the snow-belt, from Saskatoon to Anchorage, Alaska. Even bicycle-loving Devon, Alberta is hosting a winter bike race next […]
[…] are myriad winter bike festivals around the snow-belt, from Saskatoon to Anchorage, Alaska. Even bicycle-loving Devon, Alberta is hosting a winter bike race next […]