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10-31-2009, 03:53 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fairbanks, AK
36 posts, read 11,801 times
Reputation: 10
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Bicycle Commuting to UAF
I hate driving, and went "car-free" at the end of this past January. Now, I'm moving up to Fairbanks, and I'm curious about commuting to/from work on my bicycle... even during the Winter... seriously.
Anyone bicycle to work, in Fairbanks?
On a related note: Are the roads in Fairbanks any good for riding a road bike during the non-snowy months? I've got a 1985 Trek 600, and would love to keep-up my 20 miles/day. Can I assume that a Surly Cross-Check or Long-Haul Trucker with 45mm "fatties" will be OK for daily on-road travel?
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10-31-2009, 05:18 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Not far from Fairbanks, AK
3,988 posts, read 2,339,973 times
Reputation: 1572
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBHoren
I hate driving, and went "car-free" at the end of this past January. Now, I'm moving up to Fairbanks, and I'm curious about commuting to/from work on my bicycle... even during the Winter... seriously.
Anyone bicycle to work, in Fairbanks?
On a related note: Are the roads in Fairbanks any good for riding a road bike during the non-snowy months? I've got a 1985 Trek 600, and would love to keep-up my 20 miles/day. Can I assume that a Surly Cross-Check or Long-Haul Trucker with 45mm "fatties" will be OK for daily on-road travel?
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I will assume you are talking about a "bicycle," not a motorcycle. Right? You can't ride motorcycles during the winter months.
Bicycle: you will need snow/ice tires on the bike, and wear special (very expensive) clothing to ride during the winter months. Also, a headlamp, and strobe lights on the bike. |
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10-31-2009, 05:26 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ketchikan, AK
98 posts, read 94,110 times
Reputation: 16
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I also hear people talk about getting their bikes 'winterized,' although I'm not certain what that means. I was surprised at how many people ride at -20, bundled up with a mask, goggles, and helmet.
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10-31-2009, 06:31 PM
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Festivus for the rest of us!
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bethel, Alaska
14,841 posts, read 6,126,898 times
Reputation: 5816
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I repack my bearings with low temp grease, if you don't, the pedals and crank won't spin. The headset will freeze, too. I bike year round here in Bethel. I just put my studded tires on the other day when I got back from Anchorage. There are a lot of people that bike in Fairbanks in winter. They don't use the sidewalks, they ride right down the side of the road.
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10-31-2009, 08:59 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Fairbanks, AK
36 posts, read 11,801 times
Reputation: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by warptman
I repack my bearings with low temp grease, if you don't, the pedals and crank won't spin. The headset will freeze, too. I bike year round here in Bethel. I just put my studded tires on the other day when I got back from Anchorage. There are a lot of people that bike in Fairbanks in winter. They don't use the sidewalks, they ride right down the side of the road.
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Sidewalks? Those are for kids, pedestrians, and "seniors" on their damn tricycles! (OK, strike the "seniors" -- that's just down here in South Florida) 
But seriously, are AK drivers cyclist-aware, or is it "open-season" on us? Down here, when I put on a reflective vest, I feel like a medic in a combat zone!
Thanks for the low-temp grease info... it's what I need to know  |
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10-31-2009, 09:15 PM
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Festivus for the rest of us!
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bethel, Alaska
14,841 posts, read 6,126,898 times
Reputation: 5816
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I don't use the vest here in Bethel, but I did see cyclists and walkers use them when I was in Fairbanks over the weekend. It makes it easier to see them on the side of the road. On my bike I have Planet Bike lights all around. I have the Super Blinky rear strobe/flasher and on the handle bars I have a 1 watt headlight that has low/high/strobe and a 1/2 watt light with flash and on. On my backpack I have a bell flasher.
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10-31-2009, 10:14 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Pole
31 posts, read 9,705 times
Reputation: 19
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I know several people that ride all winter in Fairbanks and they ALL wear something reflective in addition to the lights. Most routes to UAF are fairly high traffic....Geist Road, University Ave., College Road are all busy roads. Combine that with ice fog, poor or non-existent street lighting, etc. and you'll want everything you can get that makes you visible.
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10-31-2009, 10:17 PM
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Festivus for the rest of us!
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bethel, Alaska
14,841 posts, read 6,126,898 times
Reputation: 5816
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I also have reflective tape on various parts of my bike.
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10-31-2009, 10:52 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairbanks
2,396 posts, read 1,101,574 times
Reputation: 390
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11-01-2009, 01:21 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Interior alaska
2,669 posts, read 1,366,684 times
Reputation: 1122
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Yeah, they ride bikes....
I am always worried when I pass them riding on the roadway that they will fall down and go under the truck because the snow berm would make them slide under there. That would make them the healthiest stiff in the Morge...
Then the issue of extreme cold can frostbite your nose/lungs if you don't know what you are doing....
Should be warm enough peddling to keep the basic body warm though...
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