TRIP ONE: Seward to Anchorage - 3 daysInset text here
Turnagain Arm ice flows in March
Backpackers Hostel - Girdwood7 to 10 Days: Denali Hwy - Valdez - Whittier - Anchorage
The 134-mile-long Denali Highway is a very scenic and remote mostly gravel road that links the Parks Highway to the Richardson Hwy. From Anchorage you can either ride your bike north through Wasilla or take a bus or train to Talkeetna or Denali Park and then bike to Cantwell where the hwy. starts. The first 3 miles from Cantwell are paved. The next 110 miles are gravel. The last 21 miles to Cantwell and the Richardson are paved. There is no cell phone service in the gravel section. You can pitch your tent and camp just about anywhere along "Route 8." The first official campground (Brushkana Creek) with potable water, toilets, and picnic tables is 29 miles in. $8 fee. The next campground (Gracious House) is another 23 miles. Ninety-two miles from Cantwell are two lodges www.maclarenlodge.com and www.dogsleddenali.com. Next up, Maclaren Summit (elev. 4,086') followed by www.tangleriverinn.com and 20 miles later Paxson. After you turn south on the Richardson Hwy., it's 71 miles to Glen Allen. From there it's another 119 miles to Valdez. There are many lodges/cabins and campgrounds along the way. After arriving in Valdez take the Alaska Marine Hwy. to Whittier.
In order to get through the 2.5 mile-long tunnel from Whittier to Portage, you will have to make friends with someone in the staging area so you can ride with them while your bike is in the back of their pickup or RV. When you reach the other side you will ride about seven miles to the Seward Hwy. We suggest over-nighting in Girdwood. In the morning, hike to the top of Mt. Alyeska and take the tram back down for free. A fantastic 7-mile-long bike path above the Seward Hwy. runs from the Chugach Ranger Station to Indian. You finish your ride by biking on Hwy. 1 up Turnagain Arm to Anchorage.
Here's a sample:
"The Mighty One"
No I am not referring to the massive vessel on the backdrop, I am talking about my bicycle giving a respectable challenge to the ship. BTW I rented my bicycle from Downtown Bike Rentals