Alaska Bicycle Tour
After going on such a big bicycle tour in 2006, my big disappointment for 2007 was not doing some kind of bicycle tour. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly did do a lot of cycling in 2007. I even did a little bit of racing, but no touring. So, in 2008, I’m going to make amends and go on a bicycle tour to Alaska. Alaska will be the forty-ninth state I’ve visited by bicycle.
The plans are shaping up. I’ve gotten approval for nine weeks off of work this summer. Last week, I took delivery of a touring bike suitable for self-supported touring. (I’ll post some pictures of it soon.)
The plans look like this so far:
Salt Lake City to Bellingham, Washington Segment
I will depart Salt Lake City on June 28, 2008, traveling by bicycle. During this segment, I will ride solo at approximately 60 miles per day. At this pace, I will arrive in Bellingham on July 24, 2008.
(Click on the map to see a larger version.)
| Location | Travel By: |
Approximate Date: |
Approximate Mileage: |
Total Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, Utah | bicycle | June 28, 2008 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Holbrook, Idaho | bicycle | July 1, 2008 | 138.5 | 138.5 |
| Twin Falls, Idaho | bicycle | July 3, 2008 | 261.0 | 261.0 |
| Boise, Idaho | bicycle | July 7, 2008 | 434.2 | 434.2 |
| Wilsonville, Oregon | bicycle | July 16, 2008 | 920.3 | 920.3 |
| Bellingham, Washington | bicycle | July 24, 2008 | 1317.1 | 1317.1 |
Alaska Segment
During this segment, I will be joined by my wife, Patricia. We will travel primarily by the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System. On the way to Juneau, three coastal cities will be chosen for intermediate stops. During those stops, we will make day trips by bicycle. We will return to Bellingham on August 9.
(Click on the map to see a larger version.)
| Location | Travel By: |
Approximate Date: |
Approximate Mileage: |
Total Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, Washington | ferry/ bicycle |
July 25, 2008 | 0.0 | 1317.1 |
| Juneau, Alaska | ferry/ bicycle |
August 1, 2008 | 312.0 | 1629.1 |
| Bellingham, Washington | ferry/ bicycle |
August 9, 2008 | 624.0 | 1941.1 |
Bellingham, Washington to Salt Lake City Segment
I will depart Bellingham, Washington on August 10, 2008, traveling by bicycle. During this segment, I will ride solo at approximately 70 miles per day. At this pace, I will arrive in Salt Lake City on August 30, 2008.
(Click on the map to see a larger version.)
| Location | Travel By: |
Approximate Date: |
Approximate Mileage: |
Total Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, Washington | bicycle | August 9, 2008 | 0.0 | 1941.1 |
| Pendleton, Oregon | bicycle | August 17, 2008 | 460.4 | 2401.5 |
| Boise, Idaho | bicycle | August 23, 2008 | 800.6 | 2741.7 |
| Twin Falls, Idaho | bicycle | August 26, 2008 | 986.4 | 2927.5 |
| Holbrook, Idaho | bicycle | August 28, 2008 | 1108.2 | 3049.3 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | bicycle | August 30, 2008 | 1247.3 | 3188.4 |
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
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Tom, As mentioned before I met you, wife and parents in Bentonville or Rogers, AR in spring of 2006. I did a solo tour from Belfast, ME to Bellingham, WA in ‘06 and when I arrived I had the urge to hop the ferry. Last summer I toured Germany, Austria, Switzerland and a bit of France for a month June & July.
I hope you enjoy riding a touring rig and maybe camping interspersed with hotels when appropriate. I actually did stay at a hotel/motel to use the room airconditioner to dry my tent from the previous two nights rain and packing up with everything wet. I will be anxiously awaiting your report on the trek. Good luck.
Oh by the way off to Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and more Germany on May7 for 6 weeks.
I have a younger brother and nephew with diabetes and have started forwarding your emails to them.
Good luck.
Joe Trudo
WOW!!! Sounds like a lark. Can’t wait to see the daily pictures and comments. Hope it doesn’t rain too much?? Love from AZ
Wow!!!!! Sounds like a lark. Hope the sun shines brightly. Love -Smiley & Morg
Okay, okay… I see where this is all headed… Hawaii via:
http://www.hydrobikes.com/
In… 2010?
P.S., I think Canada might be a little miffed at you billing this as “the Alaska Tour”. If it doesn’t work out, BLAME CANADA.