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Alaska Backcountry Bike Tours LLC
2 reviews for Alaska Backcountry Bike Tours LLC
Whenever I work out, I know I am not good with endurance training. But after 4 days of hiking, rafting, and climbing in Alaska, mountain biking did a number on me.
The guide picked us up from our hotel in the morning. She came early and told the lobby she was leaving after a few minutes while we were still getting ready, so we had to rush out of our room. Still before the appointed pick up time.
The best part of our bike ride was Eklutna Lake. If ever there was a definition of picturesque, Eklutna Lake was it. Our bike trail looped around the lake. The trail ran through brush, with our guide whooping to scare away any bears. Some parts were muddy and other parts was paved hills. Basically, a good mountain biking trail. My legs were finished afterwards.
Along the trail, we did see a bear at the far end of the lake. A small black bear.
Eklutna lake was beautiful. A couple times after I took the picture, I looked at it and thought, "no one's gonna believe I didn't photoshop this picture". They are real and the lake is that beautiful. The weather was great too.
Lunch was cream cheese bagel with a granola bar, carrots and chips. During lunch, a prop plane landed with a pilot and his boy. That was pretty exciting, but I guess that's typical in Alaska.
Great area to bike ride in. Remember to stretch before you go. =)
review 2/2/08
I.M.Y.
The last time I rode I bike, I pulled a groin muscle and crashed into the bushes where I was awarded with numerous scratches and bruises. My friend stood by laughing and laughing, not even offering to help me up, which added more pain to that particular incident. I'd like to say that this happened when I was a young child but it was only a few years ago. Because of this painful memory as well as many others involving a bike, I am sort of wary about riding one.
I had plans to go mountain biking in Alaska and made sure to ask the booking agent whether the trip would be too much for me. She assured me the trail I was going to take would be a fairly easy one and not to worry. I was somewhat comforted but not much.
The guide from Alaska Back country Bike Tours came to pick me up from the hotel in the morning. The drive took us out to Eklutna Lake in the Chugach State Park where we'd be riding the lakeside bike trail. Bikes and helmets are provided and our guide Jenny eased my fears by helping me adjust my bike to my height/comfort level and letting me practice riding it in the parking lot. When I felt good and ready, we took to the trail and rode along.
The bike trail is pretty smooth as parts of it are used by ATVs on certain days of the week. There are parts where the ride can be really bumpy due to gravel but it makes for a funky and fun ride I guess. It was sort of muddy but the puddles were easily avoidable. The trail round trip is almost 20 miles and it is absolutely beautiful. The lake is so clean and it mirrors all the nature around it. If you see the pictures I've posted, the whole thing is so beautiful and pristine, it looks fake.
There were some surreal moments during the ride. I was straggling in the back, huffing, puffing, and trying to keep up when I spied a bear. I started pedaling as fast as I could crying out 'It's a bear! It's a bear!" Luckily the bear was far away enough not to pose much of a threat but it was exciting nonetheless.
Lunch was provided for by my guide and while we were eating, a small plane landed less than 100 feet away from to us. Now that was a first. But I guess such things are the norm in Alaska.
My thighs and butt were hurting big time towards the end of the ride and I had trouble walking the next day but the trip was definitely worth all that pain.
I give a solid 4 stars for the guide (4 because she was half an hour early picking us up and I could've slept in a bit more) as well as the entire experience. Make sure to pencil this into your itinerary on your next trip to Alaska, you'll be glad you did.
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