Do we know anything about Alaska?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I've been doing a little research into Alaska. It strikes me as one of the last truly wild places left, that you could possibly take a bike.

Anyone been, ridden there, know anything about the place ? ... please don't mention the Iditarod though, me and snow don't enjoy each others company.

[Dan_K]

Don't know anything about it but from what I've seen on telly. Really want to go there though and if anyone here goes before me, I'll hate you forever

Did you see Alone in the wild on channel 4?

[Dusza]

It strikes me as one of the last truly wild places left, that you could possibly take a bike.

I've been thinking about this myself and came to the conclusion that I (we?) underestimate my own backyard. If you leave western Europe you'll get plenty of wild, pristine places. I'm thinking Northern Scandinavia, south eastern Europe with places like Georgia, Albania to start with, russia comes to my mind as well.
Isn't Alaska "just" a stereotype of a wild place?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I imagine there's lots of places closer to home that can still be called 'wild' but Alaska seems to embody the word and almost the notion of 'wild' ... it also kinda looks like Wales on a really, really big scale

[gairym]

Did you see Alone in the wild on channel 4?

I got really excited for a minute but, alas, it was 'Alone in the Wild' and not 'Alone in the Wilderness'.

Anyone who's not seen this definitely should (it's available to stream) as Dick Proenneke is an absolute legend - seriously, watch it!

As for Alaska - a truly stunning place, I have regular daydreams about it.

[Dusza]

it also kinda looks like Wales on a really, really big scale

When I first cycled Wales I thought of it as a mini scale World, it really has everything one would desire :)

[restlessshawn]

I'd love to go. I consider somewhere wild if there are things that can eat you

Read / Watched 'Into the Wild'?

Quite a few people have cocked up and died there

[restlessshawn]

Did you see Alone in the wild on channel 4?

He really annoyed me. I read a book buy another bloke Guy Grieve who went to live out there for a year and build his own log cabin, interesting read.

[Adrian Brewster]

I know that I really, really, really want to go there too. Wonderful video http://vimeo.com/25943565 but we need to go quick before they destroy it http://expeditionarguk.com/ea--why_were_going.shtml.

[johnnystorm]

Stu. Organise an "ART" and I'm sure you could rope in a few to come along.

[rufus748]

http://5monthstomexico.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... iking.html

Mate of mine and his wife are cycling around the world. They started in Alaska, his blog includes some great shots of the landscape. Looks like miles and miles of open dirt roads with stunning scenery. The link is to one of his Alaska pages, play around from there. Looks amazing.

[paul78]

I guess you have seen this ...

http://kenai250.wordpress.com/

I know a few guys that live in Alaska if you need contacts :)

[nobby]

Jill Homer - http://arcticglass.blogspot.co.uk

Former resident of Alaska, Tour Divide rider, Endurance racer, journalist,author, and all round good egg. Loads in her old blogs about Alaska.
:)

[Tanglefist]

http://lacemine29.blogspot.co.uk/2012/0 ... d-one.html

The blog posts relating to the Alaska lost coast video already posted. Part 7 (http://lacemine29.blogspot.co.uk/2012/0 ... seven.html) has some incredible photos of an obtrusive glacier.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Some interesting stuff there people ... still reading through it all.

The race looks fantastic, it's a long way to go for 250 miles. Could be ideal to tie into a longer trip though

[Blackhound]

Toying with going in 2014. Fly to Anchorage and out of Calgary. There is the ALCan race from Fairbanks so idea is to tour ~500 miles to Anchorage, race to Dawson Creek (1,460 miles) and then tour to Calgary perhaps via Banff another 5-600 miles. Maybe just a dream though.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Alaskan Highway looks interesting ... what bike would you take for that Kevin?

[Blackhound]

Not sure - this is assuming I get out there of course - but either my Niner with rigid forks and 700c wheels and narrowish tyres (or should that be tires) or my Forme Plateau road bike which I struggle to get 25mm tires on as well as fenders. Decision for later.

I have to blame Jill Homer's blog entirely for my wishing to go out there.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I have to blame Jill Homer's blog entirely for my wishing to go out there.

You're lucky ... I'v only got 15 year old videos of Northern Exposure to blame