Denali Bicycle Safety Tips.... Please!

[Laneco]

I stumbled across this today while looking for bicycle intertubes. I think the Iditarod race is one absolutely amazing event. Wish I would have had a chance to meet Susan Butcher before she died.



I also saw a place called "The Alaska Bush Company" but didn't have my camera in the car at the time. You guys are astute enough to figure out exactly what sort of establishment that was...

angela

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Laneco

the perpetrator does not generally try to eat you when you screw up...

You ARE a trusting soul, aren't you...


So what is the job?

[billybek]

I read an interesting, well written book on the 1967 Wilcox expedition on Denali.
Forever On The Mountain, by James M. Tabor.
Frightening set of circumstances that claimed seven lives on the climb.
Admittedly, this is a difficult book to read in the technical sense and also because of the pointlessness of the loss of life that could have been avoided.
Sorry, off your topic but I found it interesting....

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Laneco

I also saw a place called "The Alaska Bush Company" but didn't have my camera in the car at the time. You guys are astute enough to figure out exactly what sort of establishment that was...

angela

Before you leave, you must also visit Chilkoot Charlies (known by the locals as "Koots"). That is another Anchorage landmark.

[billybek]

While riding solo in the back country of Alberta and B.C., I always sing, whistle, yelp and yahoo every so often.
I don't ride alone too much now, but I found that singing a selection from Joe's Garage almost always kept the bears away...

[Eric Coffey]

Also, most true Alaskans still call it Mt. McKinley.

[billybek]

Isn't Denali the name that the Native Americans use?
I think they were there first!!

[RWebb]

The mtn. is still called McKinley by some, incl. the USGS naming group. It is the state bd of names and most others who call it Denali.

The National Park - which includes the mtn. - is called Denali.

The word Denali means "The Great One"

McKinley was just some undistinguished dude who happened to be #25...

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by billybek

Isn't Denali the name that the Native Americans use?
I think they were there first!!

I just knew that was coming.
The mountain has had all sorts of names throughout history. Heck, the reason it was even named "McKinley" was a bit strange. It is just the name that stuck, until the natives changed it back in the `80's. When I was growing up, it was always "Mt. McKinley at Denali National Park." Now it is the name of the mountain and the park. Although, "Denali" is only how it is recognized in AK. Everywhere else it is still officially known as Mt. McKinley.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by einreb

I'm not actually sure under what circumstances you would use pepper spray. As i recall: if you see a bear... you back away. If it sees you, you wave your arms, talk and back away. Here's the funny one; if it charges you, stand there and 'take it'. It will most likely be a bluff charge and they will swerve away. Worst case is you get between mamma and cub, also bad is a sick or mangy bear.

Regardless, the likelyhood of any of this happening is remote, just keep your wits about you and don't fly around blind corners.

Pretty solid advise there, only to add if all else fails and you are charged (and it's not a mock-charge), roll up in the tightest head-covering, fetal-position ball you can, and pray. You will not be outrunning any bear.

The bear pepper spray is OK I guess, but is generally a last resort. If you are close enough to a bear to need it, you are already having a bad day! Just like any other pepper spray, there's always a chance of getting overspray blown back at you. Not good, especially if you miss the bear, and now can't see!
Plus, if you touch something it has coated, then touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth later on, you will not be having any fun.

I don't know your employer or park rules, but a "bear scare" gun might be worth looking into. Basically, they are pistols that shoot percussive firecrackers out a ways before they explode. Very effective for making Yogi high-tail it out of your sector! Or, you might consider packing real heat anyway. I have run into a weirdo or two when camping/hiking, so maybe better safe than sorry.

Also, do NOT underestimate the mosquitoes. Stock up on the DEET, and prepare to get eaten!
Mosquitoes in AK are the size of F-18's.

[Laneco]

We (co-worker and I) drove up to Denali yesterday. It was pretty cloudy the whole time so no views of the mountain. Nice, scenic drive. I'll post pics tonight as I don't have the camera with me (it's in the car).

On the way to work we had to stop for a grizzyy bear! Holy smokes! I mean RIGHT THERE!!!!! Maybe 20 feet from the car at the closest point! We stayed in the car and took pictures when the bear wandered a few feet further away. I think my co-worker **** himself but aside from a pretty stout adrenalin rush I was cool. I'll upload the pics tonight.

The car does smell a bit funny though... May have to expense a quick cleaning for the passenger seat!

angela

[Laneco]

I think there is something wrong with the bears... The park people are saying they are very hungry - that the weather was bad for berries so the bears are really scrounging for food. Down at the resort area, they have not had a bear on property in eight years. But this bear has been there now for three days. He is getting uncomfortably comfortable (does that make sense?) around people. There is another one at the McKinley Village where I am staying who has romped thru the hotel complex several times. I've seen him three times digging roots at the roadside... One of the tour bus drivers told me they saw 22 bears on his trip today. They are really active - unusually so.

One dumbass tried to pet the bear in the resort area yesterday. They wound up calling in a trooper to control the people... The bad part is that if the people can't be controlled, then the bear will likely be destroyed.

*Please note that my pics are shot from a safe distance or inside the car*

angela

[Laneco]

Pics of Parks road near/in Denali Park.

[Laneco]

Trip to Fairbanks this morning... Drove my co-worker to the airport.

angela

[scottmandue]

and whatever you do do not ride a pink bike... it really pisses the bears off!

[billybek]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

and whatever you do do not ride a pink bike... it really pisses the bears off!

Funny, when I saw the pink bike, I was going to post the same thing!!!
I rode a "burnt purple" bike when I was racing.... It was admittedly pink, but I was fast back then and could back it up!!!

[gassy]

Originally Posted by billybek

I always sing, whistle, yelp and yahoo every so often.
.

Sounds relaxing.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by gassy

Sounds relaxing.

And you haven't heard my singing voice yet!!!
Keep the pictures coming, Angela. It looks like a special place....

[Laneco]

Okay, first things first - pink bikes are SEXY! You do have to be pretty extroverted to ride one, but as you guys know, I definately fit that category!

Jumped on a camper bus yesterday for a hitched ride into the park. Met some really cool back packers who were just as excited to be there as I! This place is a wonderland.

On the way out we saw a HUGE bull moose. I didn't get a pic (doh!)... I was completely flabbergasted at how big this animal was. The first thing that came to mind was "That is the hairiest elephant I have ever seen."

The bus driver dropped me off on the top of Polychrome lookout. In this park, the first 15 miles are paved, the rest is gravel (about 90 miles total road). Most of this is one lane. Not one lane each way, one lane period. This becomes quite unnerving when the buses pass each other in opposite directions on Polychrome... The drop off is effectively a cliff and this is a NARROW road! So check the picture out and imagine two tour buses side by side. Now imagine you are on the outside...

I am VERY impressed with the driver skill! Two thumbs way way up for "Chrissy" our driver!

angela

[Laneco]

This was a spectacular day for wildlife. I saw moose, caribou, dall sheep, ptarmigan, hares, fox and a coyote. The fall colors were amazing. Since I'm in terrible physical condition right now, I had the driver leave me at the top of Polychrome looking - about 48 miles from the park entrance. This 48 plus the mileage to my hotel totalled about 63 miles. Good 'nuff for my pitiful level of condition.