tour of anchorage bike race

The 2024 Tour of Anchorage is Sunday

One of North America’s only, and Alaska’s favorite, point-to-point ski race is this Sunday, March 3, 2024! More than 1200 skiers and 100 bikers to participate on excellent trail conditions.

Alaska’s Nordic ski community celebrates ski racing and generations of standout local athletes at the annual Tour of Anchorage , the spring skiing festival, and one of North America’s most popular ski races on Sunday, March 3rd. The Fat Bike Tour of Anchorage welcomes back the biking community to ride the 25k, 40k, and 50k courses for the eighth year.

Hosted by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and supported by this year’s signature sponsors, ConocoPhillips and LifeMed Alaska, the Tour features three distances: 25, 40, and 50-kilometers for hundreds of skiers and bikers of all skill levels. Courses span Anchorage’s world-class trail system, crossing urban and natural segments and passing festive aid stations that create a celebratory community vibe. The party continues at the Kincaid Park finish area with music, entertainment, food, and drink from Cynosure Brewery, Great Harvest Bread Company, Burrito Heaven, and Moose’s Tooth.

This season’s event celebrates excellent trail conditions. A distinct feature of the Tour is that it attracts all types of skiers and bikers: octogenarians to elementary school kids, elites to weekend warriors. Nearly 150 current entrants are 18 or younger. The current age range of skiers is 10-90 years old!

The NSAA wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to our esteemed sponsors for their invaluable support and participation. This year’s sponsor list includes distinguished names such as ConocoPhillips, LifeMed Alaska, Continental Subaru, Alpine Air Alaska, Ampersand, Alaska Airlines, Fischer Skis, Anchorage Radiation Oncology Clinic, PND Engineers, The Trek Store, Cynosure, Kaladi Brothers, Skiku, Alaska Pacific University, and Enjoy Winter. Their commitment highlights the strength of our community and recognizes the importance of the Tour of Anchorage in promoting health, wellness, and the spirit of competition.

“The Tour of Anchorage is not just a race; it’s a testament to the power of community and the collective effort to maintain and celebrate the trails that connect us,” stated Kikkan Randall, Executive Director at the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA). “Many may not realize that the NSAA is financially responsible for the country’s second-longest cross-country trail system. We maintain these trails year-round, ensuring that walkers, hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and all outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy our quality trail system. Through our 3.60 program, NSAA honors our commitment to trails, community, and health, all fueled by our members’ 60 years of legacy work.

More than 1200 skiers, including over 100 from outside Anchorage, are expected to participate. Registration opportunities are still available. Learn more about the race at Tour of Anchorage .

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Tour of Anchorage More Than Just a Ski and Bike Race Across Town

Olympic Gold medalist Kikkan Randall has skied in countless places around the globe and boasts that her hometown Tour of Anchorage race offers something unmatched.   

“It’s such a cool opportunity to race point-to-point in an urban environment,” says Randall, now a retired racer and executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage, which organizes the TOA. “That’s something I haven’t seen anywhere else.”   

Many ski marathons follow a loop and avoid urban areas, for obvious reasons — it’s not easy, or necessarily desirable, to ski through most cities. Not the Tour of Anchorage, which starts at Service High School on the Hillside and ends at Kincaid Park overlooking Cook Inlet.   

Not a single road is crossed, a small miracle made possible by using greenbelts and multiuse trails that include tunnels, bridges, and underpasses. Trails in the woods or along the coast are seamlessly mixed with routes that pass through neighborhoods and border busier roads.   

The event began in 1988, the winter after the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was completed. Because no pedestrian bridge existed then, 170 intrepid skiers had to cross a busy Tudor Road where police stopped traffic and a carpet was laid down for safe passage.   

The Tour has come a long way since then. By the early 2000s, TOA was drawing upwards of 2,000 racers, making it among the largest Nordic ski events in North America. Participation now totals around 1,000 a year as skiers and snow bikers of all levels race — or tour — 25, 40 or 50 kilometers (31.1 miles).   

Snow bikers? Indeed. Acknowledging the growing popularity of fat biking, which originated in Alaska, the TOA in 2019 became the only event in the country to allow bikers to race the same course on the same day as the skiers (the bikers start in the afternoon to limit overlap). The bikers are generally faster than the skiers —the 50K bike record is 1 hour, 55 minutes while no skier has ever broken two hours — although in soft snow years the skiers have an advantage. The TOA is a unique opportunity for bikers to ride on trails including the arduous Spencer Loop and flowy Sisson Trail that are otherwise off-limits to them. The most ambitious bikers will first ski 50 kilometers, take a short break and then bike another 50K to complete the “Tour Double” category!   

I haven’t doubled (not yet), but I do have a personal history with the TOA.   

In one of my first ski marathons about 20 years ago, I broke part of my binding in the race’s first kilometer. Unwilling to cut my losses, I spent the next 49K struggling with an improvised technique but managed to finish. Many years later I improved enough to place among the top 30 overall despite identifying myself more as a mountain runner than a ski racer. In 2014, I recall the frantic finish on a narrow trail into Alaska Pacific University after the race was shortened to 26K due to poor snow conditions along the coast. Another year I was caught by the lead women halfway through — they start several minutes after the men — and witnessed the competitive women’s race unfold. And from 2018-2021, my TOA experience came full circle as I directed the event (with help from NSAA) and implemented measures such as adding the bike races, music to the starts, and a finish outside the Kincaid Chalet.   

It should be noted that the Tour of Anchorage trail can be enjoyed by foot travelers, bikers, or skiers. Starting at Service High School, one connects to the Homestead Trail that heads downhill and before long merges into Far North Bicentennial Park and the magical Campbell Tract.   

Countless singletrack trails created by fat bikers branch off through here. Once you exit Bicentennial Park, the urban section is evident, with bridges over Tudor and Northern Lights roads and paths near East Anchorage High School (Randall’s alma mater), the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Alaska Pacific University. The latter hosts the 25K start near University Lake. There are also opportunities to detour on trails to Campbell Creek, Goose Lake, or Russian Jack Springs Park.   

Chester Creek Trail, with its numerous tunnels and ever-present creek, is shared with the Iditarod on race weekend; the ceremonial start is on a Saturday and the TOA is always on Sunday.   

Chester Creek ends at the bustling Westchester Lagoon, where skaters and hockey players join the mix. Then it’s a hard left onto the Coastal Trail (or head downtown with a right turn).   

The Coastal Trail features interesting snow and mud formations on the tidal flats, not to mention Mount Denali to the north on clear days. The trail also gradually becomes wilder when you enter Point Woronzof Park, and moose sightings are common enough that you need to bushwhack around them. The Coastal Trail eventually ends at Kincaid Park, completing a tour that can be accomplished in one outing or several.   

Follow these links to learn more about cross-country skiing and fat tire biking in Anchorage.

Matias Saari

Matias, a former sportswriter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, is a coordinator for Healthy Futures, the signature program of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. He directs the Mount Marathon Race, an event he won in 2009, along with the Crow Pass Crossing and Kesugi Ridge Traverse. He won Fairbanks’ Equinox Marathon six times and wrote a book about its history. He especially enjoys reporting on skiing, running, biking and mushing. Matias regularly accesses mountains and trails from his doorstep in Bear Valley on the Anchorage Hillside. 

Frosty Bottom 2024 Results

https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105036#resultSetId-427881;perpage:100

Bib pickup is tonight 1/18/24 at CRC from 5-7pm or pickup Saturday morning from 8-9:30am at race start. 

2024 FROSTY BOTTOM JAN 20th

---- Register below ----

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/AK/Anchorage/FrostyBottom

The Frosty Bottom is an annual winter endurance event held entirely on the multi-use trails through Anchorage.

Starting at the Kincaid Chalet on the west end of town, the Frosty Bottom follows the Coastal Trail and the Chester Creek Trail to the turn around at Goose Lake for the short course, or continue to the Tour of Anchorage Trail all the way to the Anchorage Hillside and back for the full course for a one of a kind urban fat bike racing experience.

Registration

Frosty Bottom Long Course early  registration $90,  a fter January 15 th - $110

Frosty Bottom Short Course early registration $70,  after January 15th - $90

The first 100 entries will receive a race beanie. 

Immediately  a ft er finish

Frosty Bottom Overall Awar ds will be presented to the first three male & female finishers of both races.

25 Mile Short Course and 43 Mile Full Frosty Bottom

Cash Prizes for the first three men & women in the Full Frosty Bottom $200 | $100 | $50

Winners must be present after finish  to receive the cash prize.

Age-class Awards will be given to the 1st placed riders, male and female, in each age class for the Full Frosty Bottom

Under 18, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Online Registration Ends at 6:00 PM Thursday, January 18

On Site Registration and Bib Pickup is at Chain Reaction Cycles from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, January 18

Race Day Bib Pickup is at the Kincaid Chalet from 8:30 to 9:30 AM Sa turday, January 20

Thursday, January 18

5:00 PM - Online Registration Ends

5:00-7:00 PM - On Site Registration at Chain Reaction Cycles

5:00-7:00 PM - Pre Race Bib Pickup at Chain Reaction Cycles

Saturday, January 20

8:00-9:00 AM - Race Day Bib Pickup at Kincaid Chalet

9:15 AM - Calling Racers to Start Line

9:30 AM - Full Frosty Bottom Race Start

9:35 AM - Frosty Bottom Short Course Race Start

11:00 AM - Full Frosty Leaders Expected at Hillside Aid Station

11:00 AM - Short Course Leaders Expected at Finish Line

12:10 PM - Full Frosty Leaders Expected at Finish Line

2023 Live Results:  https://runsignup.co m/Race/Results/105036

2022 frosty bottom results, https://runsignup.com/race/results/105036#resultsetid-297569;perpage:100, 2021 results.

Frosty 2020 Photos - Finish and Podium 

Frosty 2020 Results 

Frosty 2020 Bike Results @ ATLinks

Frosty 2020 Marathon Results

Frosty 2020 Half Marathon Results

Frosty 2019 Results 

Frosty 2019 Bike Results @ ATLinks

Frosty 2019 Marathon Results

Frosty 2019 Awards 

Frosty Bottom Course

Frosty Bottom Course - 43 Miles

Start: See Start Map

- North on Coastal Trail

- Continue North past Point Waronzof

- Turn Right at West Chester Lagoon

- East on Chester Creek Trail

- Cross the Northern Lights bridge

- Mile 12 - Goose Lake Aid Station

- Continue on Chester Creek Trail

- Pass the University and Hospital District

- Cross the Tudor Bridge

- Continue on Tour of Anchorage/Homestead Trail

- Pass Service High

- Mile 22 - Hillside Park/Abbott Road Aid Station

- Continue on Multi Use Trail To Gasline

- Turn Left on Rovers Run

- Turn Left on Moose Meadow

- Turn Right Back onto Tour of Anchorage Trail

- Head Back to Kincaid Park to Finish

- Mile 30 - Goose Lake Aid Station

- Finish at the Kincaid Park Chalet

Frosty Bottom Short Course - 25 Miles

- Mile 12 - Goose Lake Aid Station/Turn Around

Frosty Bottom Start Map

Frosty Bottom Finish Map

Frosty Bottom Short Course Turn Around and Aid Station

The Tour of Anchorage: A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska's Premier Cycling Event

Welcome to my blog post about the Tour of Anchorage, Alaska's premier cycling event! This guide will take you on an adventure through the history of the event, provide information about upcoming races and attractions, and offer cycling tips for riders of all skill levels. Whether you are a first-time participant or a seasoned veteran, this post has something for everyone.

The Tour of Anchorage began in 1982, and has been a mainstay in the state ever since. Held each spring, the race is a beloved event for both locals and visitors alike. It consists of five different routes, ranging from ten miles to a full century, as well as a kids' race. Participants can choose a route that suits thei skill level and preferences.

The Tour of Anchorage is an excellent opportunity to explore the beauty of the area. From the stunning vistas of the Chugach Mountains to the serene flatlands of the Matanuska Valley, riders can enjoy breathtaking scenery while pushing their physical limits.

This blog post will provide valuable information about the Tour of Anchorage, such as entry fees, race dates, and registration. It will also include tips and tricks from experienced cyclists, so that you can optimize your experience and make the most of the race.

So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting race! I hope this comprehensive guide to the Tour of Anchorage helps you have a safe and enjoyable experience out on the roads of Alaska.

What is the Tour of Anchorage?

When is the tour of anchorage, how can i participate in the tour of anchorage, what are the safety precautions for the tour of anchorage, what other activities are associated with the tour of anchorage.

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Nordic Ski Racing Roundup: Sonot Kkaazoot, Oosik Classic, Tour of Anchorage and more

by Matias Saari | Mar 30, 2023 | Cover Story , Nordic Skiing

Tour of Anchorage racer Jenna Difolco. Photo by Jen Aist

Jenna DiFolco has had quite a month of racing ski marathons.

The former University of Alaska Anchorage skier placed near the front in four consecutive weekends, starting with the Tour of Anchorage 50-kilometer event, continuing with the Kachemak Bay Ski Marathon in Homer and the Oosik Classic in Talkeetna, and concluding with her hometown Sonot Kkaazoot in Fairbanks.

The Sonot Kkaazoot — an Athabascan term that roughly translates to “sliding your feet across the snow in springtime — is now arguably Alaska’s toughest ski marathon, particularly since for safety reasons it replaced 20 kilometers of flat river skiing with additional terrain at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. The route now climbs 5,541 feet in total.

A pair of University of Alaska Fairbanks skiers won the signature 50-kilometer event on March 25. Christopher Kalev edged teammate Philipp Moosmayer by 0.3 seconds to win the overall in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Mariel Pulles, a 2022 Olympian representing Estonia, won the women’s race and placed eighth overall in 2:41:08. Difolco took third in 2:51:11.

Dermot Cole, age 70, won the Red Lantern in 6:13:44.

Dermot Cole after finishing the Sonot Kkaazoot.

The 30K race saw Basile Plattet (1:34:14) prevail for the men while Anja Maijala (1:41:14) was the first woman.

Full results of the 36th annual event here .

The old-school Kachemak Bay Ski Marathon on March 18 featured a true cross-country course created specifically for race day. Difolco won the women’s 42K event in 2:30:17 while Magnus Noroey was the top overall skier in 2:15:29. Gavin Kentch and Stephanie Schmit were the top 25K racers.

Full results here .

The Oosik Classic, held on March 11 in Talkeetna, offered 50K, 25K and 10K courses and a party vibe that is as much a touring celebration as it is a race. The men’s 50K race featured a double-pole fest won by Forrest Mahlen, who edged Galen Johnston by 11 seconds in 2:39:10. Olympian Rosie Frankowski won for the women in 2:58:12 while DiFolco strided to a runner-up result in 3:14.

A total of 434 skiers completed the 25K, led by Tor Christopherson (1:32:48) for the men and Aurelie Barnel (1:45:25) for the women.

Oosik Classic (Photo by Charlie Earnshaw)

The week after the Oosik saw the fat bike equivalent with the Trio Fatbike World Championships in Talkeetna.

Nicholas Straka won the 30-mile race for the men in 2:42:30 with Dave Moore exactly a minute behind. Laura Fox took the women’s race in 3:04:05.

Complete results here .

Alaska’s largest Nordic ski event, the Tour of Anchorage on March 5 saw more than 1,000 finishers in 50K, 40K and 25K races.

Thomas O’Harra of Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center took top honors with a dominating performance in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 4 seconds while Rosie Frankowski led the women in 2:23:09.

The 50K TOA fat bike race uses the same course several hours after the skiers start. Will Ross won again in 1:56:10, three seconds ahead of David Arteaga. Elizabeth Arteaga took the women’s top spot in 2:45:05.

The top “Tour Double” performers — a 50K ski followed by a 50K bike — were Kenny Brewer in a combined time of 4:42 and Briana Sullivan in 6:17.

For those still looking to race, the season is not over. The finale of the Anchorage Tuesday Night Ski Racing Series will be a Spring Relay April 4 at Kincaid Park. Details here .

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Tour of Anchorage adds fat-tire bike race after ski race

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — One of Alaska’s largest winter sporting events will have a new component in 2019.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the Tour of Anchorage, a cross-country ski race across Alaska’s largest city, will add fat-tire bike racing.

Skiers on March 3 will take off in the morning. Bikers will race the same course in the afternoon.

They can choose between races of 40 or 50 kilometers (25 or 31 miles). Both will start at Service High and finish at Kincaid Park.

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The Tour of Anchorage began in 1988. It peaked in 2007 with about 2,000 skiers but drew about 800 racers last year.

Race director Matias Saari says the race hopes to hit 1,000 participants by including bikers.

He says the race gives bikers a chance to ride trails normally off-limits.

Nordic Ski and Mountain Bike Adventures!

Tour of Anchorage 2023 Trip Highlights

Is There a Moose on the Loose?

Endurance Adventures kicked off their inaugural Tour of Anchorage trip with six participants and two trip leaders. Trip leaders Kim and Craig Rudd started there first pre-trip ski with a close moose encounter as we nearly ran into it flying down the descent of Spencer Loop! Over the entire trip we encountered multiple moose either along the trail or on the road.

Trip participants had to keep on high alert while skiing at Kincaid Park which seemed to attract the most Moose encounters. The weather forecast should have read, “sunshine, blue skies, temps in the mid-thirties with a chance of moose droppings along the way”!

In addition to moose sightings, participants enjoyed views of the beautiful Alaskan mountain range displayed each day as we skied at different trailheads. The first day, the group watched the famous Iditarod ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage. There were thousands of spectators from all over Alaska that came out to cheer on the musher teams. The Iditarod ‘s official start is about an hour’s drive north to the town of Wasilla where mushers and spectators have an amazing view of Denali.

Following the Iditarod, we made our way to the Ulu factory. The Ulu is the coveted Alaskan knife that is finely crafted using selected kiln dried Alaskan Birch. The blade (ulu) is an ancient artifact from the natives of the Arctic, fashioned out of necessity for their cutting needs.

Right outside the Ulu factory we enjoyed viewing some spectacular snow art displays at the Alaska state snow sculpture contest. On our hike back, we walked through a winter carnival that included a fur trade auction selling a variety of hides from the Alaska Trappers Association.

After grabbing some lunch and visiting the local nordic ski shop, trip leaders dropped off participants along the coastal trail to ski the last 10 km of the Tour of Anchorage racecourse. Views of Cook Inlet, Denali and the Chugach mountain range were enjoyed as we climbed up the final hill into Kincaid park. The beauty of Alaska skiing is enjoying mountain top views without the stress of high altitude.

Day two was the Tour of Anchorage race. Anchorage had received over four feet of snow allowing the racecourse to be in pristine condition. Participants had the option to race in the 25 or 50 km events or choose to ski at Kincaid Park and watch the race finishers. The 50 km race started Northeast of Anchorage at Hillside Park, located in the Chugach State Park. The first ten kilometers included steep ascents rewarding the skiers with stunning views of Denali and the Chugach mountain range.

Rollercoaster descents were a treat after the leg burner climb. The Hillside trails then connect skiers onto the Tour of Anchorage Trail which is mostly downhill and flat terrain all the way to the APU campus 25 km racecourse start. The last 25 km of the race take you along Chester Creek Trail with a mix of nature and urban sightseeing along the edge of downtown Anchorage. In the final section, participants enjoy ocean and mountain views along the Coastal Trail, with a challenging climb into Kincaid Park stadium.

One of our participants, Maxwell Turnberg, learned how to ski this past year through one of the Loppet Foundation coach’s Gregg Klave. The Tour of Anchorage would be his inaugural race event! During the race Maxwell ran into a moose in the middle of the trail, but was able to sneak past him safely! One of the highlights of my trip was cheering on Maxwell at the finish and taking his picture next to Olympian Kikkan Randall.

Jill Hanson, former Buffalo Nordic High School ski team coach was invited to go on the trip by her former Buffalo alumni skiers Ingrid Leask and Jamie Nelson. Jill, age 72, finished the 25 km classic event and daily displayed more energy than all of us combined. Race finishers enjoyed sharing their stories at the post-race beer party inside the Kincaid Chalet.

The following day we rented Nordic skates (ice skates that allow you to wear your regular ski skate boots) for everyone and headed to Portage Lake to view the massive Portage Glacier. The mountain views from the lake were spectacular with full sun and blue skis.

Following our skate we headed to Alyeska Resort where some of the participants enjoyed the new Nordic Spa.  The spa is set within the jaw-dropping scenery of the Chugach mountains surrounded by the northernmost rainforest. Participants relaxed in a variety of outdoor saunas and hot/cold pools for some hydrotherapy treatment! A few others went skiing at the Meadow trails located at the base of Alyeska downhill area. These trails connected all the way to the Girdwood trails where skiers enjoyed gazing up at massive western hemlock and spruce trees.

The day was topped off by a four-course dinner on top of Alyeska Mountain at the Seven Glaciers restaurant. Participants enjoyed mountain and coastal views riding up the gondola to the very top of the mountain as well as sunset views while enjoying dinner.

Day three included ski adventures at Hatcher Pass located in Palmer. Following our morning ski we enjoyed watching some moose graze on some bushes along the road. We often encountered moose either on the ski trail or along the road driving. The group was treated to moose stew and fresh bread at my friend Ira Edward’s home in Palmer.

After our bellies were filled with moose stew we headed to ski at the official start of the Iditarod in Wasilla. As we drove into town there were breathtaking views of Mt. Denali. We continued to enjoy the mountain views skiing on the snowmobile trails which connected a multitude of lakes to land (similar to the BWCA). One of the lakes provided some exciting dogsled spectating as well as a backyard full of barking Alaskan Huskies that most likely were being trained for next year’s Iditarod.

Other trip highlights included exploring the 100 km of world class trails at both Kincaid and Hillside Parks. The trip ended with a sunset view on top of Glen Alps trailhead with views of Denali and Cook Inlet. Trip participants left with their hearts filled with Alaskan adventure memories and new friends!

I decided to extend my stay in Anchorage to explore future venues and adventures for next year’s Tour of Anchorage Trip!  Post-trip exploration included another Nordic skate to Portage glacier, fat bike riding to Spencer Glacier , downhill skiing at Alyeska Resort and hiking/skiing at various parks in Anchorage.

I am already excited to plan next year’s Tour of Anchorage trip. For more details about Endurance Adventures trips visit enduradv.com !

Kim Rudd, Endurance Adventures Owner

Arctic Road Home

Event Updates

The 2024 preliminary schedule is up..

Keep in mind the schedule is subject to change.

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About arctic road.

The Road Division offers a range of racing options, from individual time trials to pack based road races, hill climbs to criteriums. Don’t let the spandex, aero gear and cyber mods scare you; technological enhancements are the wave of the future! Plus we have a category for every racer, whatever your experience, fitness, or equipment. Our racing community welcomes everyone, even cyborgs and ETs. Just don’t show up with a motor in your bike or top caps on your valves.

Check us out on Strava!

Upcoming races.

ABC Bike Swap

JL Tower 3800 Center-point.

5-1-24 Potter Valley Hill Climb

Arctic Road Event

5-8-24 Moose Run Time Trial

5-15-24 Kincaid Classic Road Race

5-22-24 Arctic Valley Hill Climb

Arctic Road & MTB Event

5-25-24 Bodenburg Classic Road Race

2024 Mountain Bike For Women Festival

Arctic MTB Women's Event

2024 Posies All Stages

Posies Cycling Series Pass

Key Information

• Race Bibles
• Course Maps

Memberships

• Registration
• BIB NUMBERS
• A – Experienced racers with a high level of fitness, or riding 5+ times per week.
• B – Experienced racers with intermediate fitness, or riding 3-5 times per week.
• C – Racers with developing fitness, or riding 3 or fewer times per week.
• D – Never raced before and want to try it out. D  is only available in the Women’s Series events.
• Master 45+ – Those over the age of 45; this division tends to be fairly competitive.
• Master 60+ – Those over the age of 60; this division tends to have racers with varying experience levels.
• Note: all racers are free to self-select their category  (i.e., if a racer is 47 years old they do not have to race in the master 45+ division).

An active Arctic Bicycle Club membership is required to participate in races for insurance purposes. Money collected from membership dues goes toward improving the Arctic Bicycle Club as a whole. 

Individual  Membership is for racers 18 and over. We allow up to 4 children to be listed on each adult profile as a form of family membership. Simply go to the account page and scroll down to add child.

Junior Membership  is for racers 17 and under. We want to encourage young riders to experience the joy of cycling. That’s why all riders 17 and under with an active junior membership ride for free in any race they sign up for! Each junior must be accompanied by an adult at each event.

Online Registration

Online registration ensures our events run smooth and helps reduce the workload on our volunteer organization. Please only use  day of registration as a last resort. Our registration system helps us verify that every racer is a member of the club which is required by our insurance policy. 

On Site Registration

On site registration will be available for most events but we encourage everyone to sign up in advance online.

As a policy Arctic Bicycle Club does not refund race fees. Planning and developing an athletic event that ensures adequate support and supplies for participants is difficult. We rely on the registration information to provide us with an accurate participant count. Because this is vital to the success of our events, there will be no refunds once a registration has been processed.

At check- in you will receive a seat post timing tag that displays your bib number.  We ask that you return the seat post tag at the end of each event to ensure it is available at the next race.

A standard road bike is generally the most common bike for road events. You can ride any type of bike technically as long as the specific event allows it. The two most common types for bikes are the standard road and the time trial bike. Time trial bikes are not allowed in any event with a mass start or when drafting is allowed.

Types of events

• Time Trials
• Hill Climbs

Racers are separated by 30 second intervals and drafting is not allowed. Most people start their road racing career at a time trial. Time trials tend to be the best introduction to road racing as pack riding is not involved, it’s just the individual racers against the clock. 

Racers leave in a group, but gravity is your true competition. Drafting is allowed.

Racers leave as a group (known in cycling as a peloton) by division and complete a set number of laps or distance. Road races tend to be longer in nature (1-3 hours) and require racers to work together in order to break away from the peloton. Drafting is allowed. 

Gravel races take place on  – you guessed it! –  unpaved roads. Gravel is a catch-all term for unpaved surfaces, which may include gravel, dirt, mud, packed sand and other nasty things. Riders can also expect short(er) stretches of pavement connecting long(er) stretches of gravel. Most gravel events fall in the 40-100 miles, range. Racers tend to start in one large group, and drafting is allowed. Any bike is welcome, but most racers will prefer a cyclocross or gravel-specific bike with clearance for tires in the 33mm-44mm range. Tire choice and pressure will depend on the quality and proportion of road surfaces.

A criterium, or “crit” is a super fun pack event based around tactics, strategy, and skill. The pack races for a set amount of time and the first racer to cross the line on the final “bell” lap wins. Drafting is allowed. Crits are typically very high intensity from the start.

Pursuit races are all about chasing down your prey. Start times are staggered by time deficits or ability levels, but the goal is always to work with those around you to bring back the leaders.

Fondos are long distance semi-competitive rides, usually involving large fields of racers at different ability levels. What may start out casual may end competitive, while early efforts often give way to social finales. Is “social” a euphemism for beer stops? Perhaps – fondo means many things to many people, some more fun-loving than others.

Zwift races happen on Zwift, the global virtual cycling platform. Racers need a smart trainer, a Zwift account, and an internet connection to participate. ABC organizes its own Zwift events across a number of formats. Zwift races tend to be short (under and hour) and fast paced, so don’t skip your warmup. For all the latest ABC Zwift action, check out the ABC Zwift home page.

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With Anchorage election results certified, runoff for mayor officially begins

The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday certified the results of the April regular city election, officially setting off the final leg of the race for mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson, who is running for a second term, and challenger Suzanne LaFrance, the Assembly’s former chair, are vying for the city’s top elected office. Runoff election ballots will be mailed to voters on April 30, and the final day to vote is May 14, according to the city election calendar .

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and mayoral candidate Suzanne LaFrance campaign. (Bill Roth / ADN file)

Because none of the 10 candidates for mayor in the regular election reached the 45% threshold necessary to win outright, Bronson and LaFrance, as the top two vote-getters, are advancing to the runoff. LaFrance received 36.2% of the vote and Bronson 35.6%, according to the official regular election results .

During Tuesday night’s Assembly meeting, Mark Littlefield was sworn into office to represent District 2, Eagle River/Chugiak, after winning his Anchorage Assembly race unopposed. Littlefield replaces former member Kevin Cross, who resigned two years into a three-year term.

The city saw a voter turnout of 30.4% in April, with a total of 72,250 ballots cast. That’s lower than the last two regular mayoral elections, but it’s still several percentage points higher than city elections held during years leading up to the city’s 2018 switch to a vote-by-mail system. Anchorage moved to the vote-by-mail system in an effort to encourage higher turnout.

Anchorage’s election commission rejected an additional 1,087 ballots for a variety of reasons, including 602 ballot packages with signatures that election workers could not verify and 269 ballot packages postmarked after April 2, election day.

In the upcoming runoff, ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before May 14 to be counted.

To ensure their runoff ballots are counted, voters who return their ballot by mail on the day of May 14 or on the day before should ask a postal worker to “hand cancel” or hand-stamp their ballot package.

Anchorage’s three vote centers are scheduled to open May 7 for in-person voting. After ballot packages are mailed out, voters can also return ballots to the 18 secure drop boxes across the municipality.

Voters who will be traveling during the runoff can apply with the municipal clerk’s office to vote at a temporary address. The deadline to apply is May 7, and voters can also apply to vote by fax or email.

Emily Goodykoontz

Emily Goodykoontz is a reporter covering Anchorage local government and general assignments. She previously covered breaking news at The Oregonian in Portland before joining ADN in 2020. Contact her at [email protected].