I'm applying for a job in Anchorage and wanted to get feedback regarding trails in the area. I ride 4 or 5 days a week and currently live in the PNW. I ride mostly trail, some DH and was wondering about the options in your neck of the woods. I'm not interested in fat-biking. Feedback is greatly appreciated as I would be moving sight-unseen.
Winter is long and the riding is amazing. Lots of little trails off that beaten path are rooty, soggy, overgrown, mosquito filled bear habitat in the warmer months, but turn into smooth, beautiful ribbons of white during the winter months.
Summer riding is great too. There has been a small boom in purpose built mountain bike trails over the past ~5years, but nothing on par (yet) with what I've ridden in WA and OR. If you're looking for Bellingham style riding you aren't going to find it here, but you will fun some fun trails to ride at all hours of the day or night in Anchorage, and some awesome 25-40mile backcountry rides not too far from town.
And if you like to ski powder we have plenty of that as well.
I wasn't into fat biking either-- until I got one and found out it's even better than summer biking. I started it to stay in shape for summer, now my summer bike will be used to keep me in shape for winter!!
Hey Goliath. Trails here are great, but very different from the pacific NW. Anchorage has great xc trails, lots of roller-coaster riding. If you love drops and steep rocky descents, you'll be a bit disappointed. We have great trails in town, and on weekends there are a number of incredible long-distance back country rides. You can stay super busy exploring them all for your first summer or two.
Those two links pretty much sum up my favorite mtb rides in south central AK. Summer riding here is amazing.
Snow bikes are fun, but when the snow falls there is a ton of xc and backcountry skiing to do as well. If you like to rip down mountains and don't want a snow bike, get a AT ski setup and put the bike away for the winter. Either way, Alaska is awesome.
Also Alyeska has put in some downhill trails at the mountain about 45min south of town. Haven't ridden them, but they are another option if you are into that.
I havent been bitten by the Fat tire bug yet, but i can feel it sneaking up on me...maybe next winter??
But the summer has some great riding, just started getting into Alyeska and their DH trails. Plenty of vertical and challenging terrain/jumps.
Check out my youtube page under RELspot for some biking videos up here in AK
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