Best Alaska Bike Tour (and More) Ever!…read more Just got back from a week long AlaskaBike Multi-sport Adventure Tour- daily biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking. I didn't want to go to the tourist spots with thousands of other tourists, so I chose AlaskaBike because a) they are run completely by lifelong Alaskan natives (unlike most of the other companies); b) they take you to remote and exotic places with very few people. Frommer's Travel named them one of the ten bike bike tours in the world, and now I know why. Greg and Tracey were fantastic, and we got to see and do everything in just one week. If you need four star accomdations all week, chose someone else. But if you're cool with rustic little A Frames in the middle of nowhere, and out of the way restaraunts to die for, this one works. This will go as one of the best vacation week of our lives!

This is amazing! Alaskabike has thought of everything. This is a small company that takes small…read moregroups of people in order to make this a more personal experience. No impersonal, giant cruise ship experience here. Everyone is made to feel special on this trip. I took the multi-sport Alaska Adventure Tour. I cannot recommend it enough. The 7-day, 7-night package includes all meals, lodging, Cannondale Bicycle, glacier cruise, canoes, and sea kayaking at Shoup Glacier, as well as personalized attention and knowledge from your guide(s). We saw beaver, moose, swans, bear, owls, and eagles (not to mention the famous Valdez bunnies). Our guide was great. Very personable, funny, laid back, accommodating, and super helpful. He knew so much about the area. Alaskabike took care of everything. They supplied the bicycles and customized them if you brought your own gear (seats, pedals, etc.) They were really great, well-built bikes. We just delivered our luggage and it was placed on the van. We got on and rode to designated stops where Greg and the van were waiting with clothing changes, food, drinks and repairs. The stops were well planned and usually at incredibly scenic locations, or strategically placed to provide assistance or an opt out opportunity.. Greg described the type of ride before you started (i.e. how much downhill, flat, and uphill to expect). Most stops were 9 - 18 miles apart. You always had the option of riding in the van if you did not want to ride the bike. At lunch, he had a grand smorgasbord set up for us each day which included sandwich makings, chips,vegetables, fruit, homemade pasta salad, and homemade cookies (my personal favorite!). We also had containers of "Healthy" (nuts and granola bars) and "Good" snacks (candy bars). Between rides, we rode in the van while he told us stories about the area and stopped at scenic places or whenever we asked. The views are beyond description. Lakes everywhere. Rivers the color of their surroundings - light blue with glacial silt, or crystal clear. And the mountains! WOW! And so many glaciers. And wildlife. One day we saw 8 beaver, 2 moose, multiple swans, and 2 owls. Just amazing. We stayed at some really nice, local inns for several of the nights. All the owners knew the staff of Alaskabike well and it felt like visiting relatives. We definitely got special treatment. There was The Perch, with its cute, tiny cabins and homemade bread and desserts. The Tangle River Inn with Naidine (the only living person with a mountain named after them) and nightly karaoke. (I highly recommend the brownie with chocolate ice cream for dessert). The views from the window in the restaurant are breathtaking. Canoeing on the Tangle River was gorgeous, and we were the only people there. Awesome! Lots of beavers hard at work. The hike to Gulkana Glacier was fantastic. The suspension bridge was an adventure in and of itself. We had it all to ourselves We stood under it as well as on top of it, and saw evidence of bear and moose. The sea kayaking tour to Shoop Glacier was terrific. Once again, we had an awesome guide who was really supportive and knowledgeable. And again, we were the only group there. We saw lots of bald eagles and a bear. The Marine Highway was not working, but Greg supplied us with a custom trip back to Anchorage. We stopped for some hiking and at some great view points. He also gave us the option of riding part way even though it got us back to Anchorage late. He even drove us to a view point so we could see Mt. Denali - 150 miles away - since we had missed it in the rain a week earlier. Just another part of their great personalized service. If you are looking for a small, intimate way of seeing some of the less crowded parts of Alaska up close and personal, I would highly recommend this trip. I had only been riding a bike for a couple of weeks prior to this, and I was perfectly capable of doing all the rides. So, you do not have to be a hard core cyclist to enjoy this trip. If you are a more serious cyclist, you might want to look into the all bike tour.

We did the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour and it was amazing. I cannot remember the…read moregirls name who did our tour (June 16th, 2023 9:00 am tour) but she was so sweet and so informative. She was extreme friendly and engaging with the group. We met at the center and then headed into Kincaid Park. We saw some moose on the way into the park and they stopped to let us get a closer look! They set up all the bikes for us and had water, rain coats and gloves since the weather forecast for our trip was rainy. She did a great job giving us the history on the stops through our 10 mile ride. It was relatively flat and the entire path is paved and there were some hills but wasn't too bad. The mosquitos were out even though it was chilly outside so bring bug spray to be prepared. We ran into a mom and 2 baby moose on our trip and had to wait out to see which way they went. Again do I think you can rent bikes and do this yourself - yes but you won't get the history lesson with it and I think that makes it all the difference.

We took the costal city tour and we loved everything about it! It doesn't feel…read morelike you're in the city when you're riding through beautiful woods. The trail was easy for our family and Elly was an incredible guide! She gave us little facts about the area all throughout the tour. I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Anchorage!

Starting with the shop: simple, clean, upbeat! They do have a bathroom, make sure to use it before…read moreyou head out! Staff: the first girl who helped me (I don't know her name) was awful. She seemed like she was uncomfy with me asking questions about what type of bike to get and didn't have any good insights in to the coastal trail. The guy I worked with (Pablo's nephew) was great! He was knowledgeable about the trail, what to look out for, where to stop, and rescued me when my bike stopped working properly. He is the only reason I am not giving a lower rating! I rented a standard bike. I made it 0.3 miles from the shop when the chain completely broke. They brought me a new bike that was the same style. Both bikes looked beat up and clearly used hard. The second bike never quite shifted right, by the time I was half way back it wouldn't shift at all causing me to call and have a third bike brought to me. When that bike arrived I just wanted to be done, I was over it and thankfully Pablo's Nephew (I really wish I knew his name) took me back. He was very friendly and discounted me for the trouble. The e-bikes looked to be in better condition! So maybe try those!:)

Excellence is the word I would use to describe them! The service is easy going, helpful and…read morefriendly. Their equipment is kept in tip top shape and everything is so clean. I would HIGHLY recommend Pablo's!

The service at this place is excellent. I have never had some one genuinely care about getting us…read morethe right bike for a rental. We got the e-bikes and the host had us try a few e-bikes with different height and different battery propulsion system. They also had a large selection of "hybrid" bikes which do not have an electric assist. We did not try those , but the customers returning the bikes at the end of their rentals seemed happy. They have a nice and warm indoor tryout/practice area to get comfortable with the bike before renting them out. They also have restrooms and water including water bottle for purchase and a water fountain. They were very patient with us and other customers while we were trying the bikes. They explained the bike trails (including the highlights, some tips form wildlife sighting and the parts to be careful in) and suggested us some of the routes that we can take. I would consider this rental location above others as this is larger, is located nearest to the start of the coastal trail and had a large selection of bikes.

YES! Rent from here!! Local, unpretentious bike shop with a small, knowledgeable and friendly…read morestaff. Great selection available, and incredibly reasonable rental price includes all your gear (helmet, locks, etc) as well as great information and clear maps of trails. No weird upselling or pressure. Store was clean, had a great open area to test ride and staff adjusted seats for comfort.

I have always been interested in fat tire biking, but the bikes are too expensive to just buy on a…read morewhim. So I was excited when my friend organized a fat tire bike tour in Anchorage and one of the other participants recommended renting a bike from Arctic Cycles. Billy and Erica are both warm and friendly. They run the rentals out of their home, so you need to make an appointment before showing up. Billy has over 15 years of snow biking experience and runs support for the Iditasport event. He was full of useful information and told me a lot about the bikes. The bike I got was in excellent working condition. You can tell that Billy and Erica take really good care of their inventory. They made sure that I had a female seat, which I didn't realize was so important, but it helps maintain balance. They supplied the hand-warmers that go over the handlebars and a tool kit along with the bike. Erica was nice enough to loan me some glove liners to wear under the handle bar mittens. They don't provide helmets, so you will have to bring your own. The total rental was $55 for the day. I had such a fun time riding with my friends in Campbell Creek that it was totally worth it. I definitely recommend renting a bike from Arctic Cycles if you are interested in getting into this sport!

We went there to rent a couple of fat bikes for the day. When we got there, the owners were…read moregracious and experts on fat bikes as only those who were involved from its genesis can be. His shop was nothing short of a museum of fat bike culture and equipment. The equipment was in excellent shape and meticulously maintained. I would highly recommend Arctic Cycles to anyone from novice to expert. The only drawback is the location is not obvious so call first.

Three strikes + 1 and you are out. This is the fourth time in less than one month that this store…read morehas demonstrated total incompetency. Strike 1- drop off a bike that was serviced prior to the end of the season last fall to have the front tire inflated. Go to pick up the bike and the repair person cannot find the ticket. After waiting for ten minutes, he eventually sorts through the unordered pile of tickets, finds the ticket, and then wheels out the bike. The bike now has a deflated rear tire, mind you the bike was outside all winter and the rear tire was in perfect condition when brought into the store. Must wait until the next trip down the hill to pick up the bike as I am on a tight time schedule. Strike 2- Called by shop about adjusting front brake, agreed to have a new brake disc installed. Pick up the bike en route to a location with my daughter and discover upon riding the bike that it was totally unsafe. The brakes did not engage until fully pulled back. Strike 3- I return the bike to the store for front brake repair and am charged $90 for the front and rear hydraulic job. There was nothing wrong with the hydraulics when the bike was brought in originally. Strike 3+ I am called to pick up my fat tire bike. I drop by the shop en route to more work with the expectation that I can grab a quick ride on my way home. Low and behold- the shop wheels out the wrong Surli and then apologizes because they do not have my bike ready. Total incompetence with a need for management.

First class customer service. Needed a tube and a chain. The guys just popped the bike up on the…read morerack and put the chain on for me and made a few other tweaks. Nice conversation with Brendan (sp) and very reasonably priced. Again, just great customer service!

Best place in town to get your E-bike serviced by far. The staff are amazing, very knowledgeable,…read moreand pay attention to detail when servicing bikes. The cost for their bike repairs, and services is better than fair, and is always a pleasant surprise. Their inventory is fantastic they have plenty of bikes, and accessories to choose from. Defiantly worth a visit whether you are new to E-bikes or have had a E-bike for years these guys will keep you moving, and on time.

Excellent customer service! So I went there on a Monday not realizing they would be closed, my bad…read moreI should have looked it up before I came in. Anyway I lucked out and Bo happened to be there. This dude is great! He let me in and answered any questions I had. After trying a couple bikes out and telling him what I was looking for, he was able to line me out with two Fantic Fat Tire bikes. I feel like if I had any issues these guys would be able to help me with no problems. I totally recommend shop for all your bike needs.

The last time I rode I bike, I pulled a groin muscle and crashed into the bushes where I was…read moreawarded with numerous scratches and bruises. My friend stood by laughing and laughing, not even offering to help me up, which added more pain to that particular incident. I'd like to say that this happened when I was a young child but it was only a few years ago. Because of this painful memory as well as many others involving a bike, I am sort of wary about riding one. I had plans to go mountain biking in Alaska and made sure to ask the booking agent whether the trip would be too much for me. She assured me the trail I was going to take would be a fairly easy one and not to worry. I was somewhat comforted but not much. The guide from Alaska Back country Bike Tours came to pick me up from the hotel in the morning. The drive took us out to Eklutna Lake in the Chugach State Park where we'd be riding the lakeside bike trail. Bikes and helmets are provided and our guide Jenny eased my fears by helping me adjust my bike to my height/comfort level and letting me practice riding it in the parking lot. When I felt good and ready, we took to the trail and rode along. The bike trail is pretty smooth as parts of it are used by ATVs on certain days of the week. There are parts where the ride can be really bumpy due to gravel but it makes for a funky and fun ride I guess. It was sort of muddy but the puddles were easily avoidable. The trail round trip is almost 20 miles and it is absolutely beautiful. The lake is so clean and it mirrors all the nature around it. If you see the pictures I've posted, the whole thing is so beautiful and pristine, it looks fake. There were some surreal moments during the ride. I was straggling in the back, huffing, puffing, and trying to keep up when I spied a bear. I started pedaling as fast as I could crying out 'It's a bear! It's a bear!" Luckily the bear was far away enough not to pose much of a threat but it was exciting nonetheless. Lunch was provided for by my guide and while we were eating, a small plane landed less than 100 feet away from to us. Now that was a first. But I guess such things are the norm in Alaska. My thighs and butt were hurting big time towards the end of the ride and I had trouble walking the next day but the trip was definitely worth all that pain. I give a solid 4 stars for the guide (4 because she was half an hour early picking us up and I could've slept in a bit more) as well as the entire experience. Make sure to pencil this into your itinerary on your next trip to Alaska, you'll be glad you did.

Whenever I work out, I know I am not good with endurance training. But after 4 days of hiking,…read morerafting, and climbing in Alaska, mountain biking did a number on me. The guide picked us up from our hotel in the morning. She came early and told the lobby she was leaving after a few minutes while we were still getting ready, so we had to rush out of our room. Still before the appointed pick up time. The best part of our bike ride was Eklutna Lake. If ever there was a definition of picturesque, Eklutna Lake was it. Our bike trail looped around the lake. The trail ran through brush, with our guide whooping to scare away any bears. Some parts were muddy and other parts was paved hills. Basically, a good mountain biking trail. My legs were finished afterwards. Along the trail, we did see a bear at the far end of the lake. A small black bear. Eklutna lake was beautiful. A couple times after I took the picture, I looked at it and thought, "no one's gonna believe I didn't photoshop this picture". They are real and the lake is that beautiful. The weather was great too. Lunch was cream cheese bagel with a granola bar, carrots and chips. During lunch, a prop plane landed with a pilot and his boy. That was pretty exciting, but I guess that's typical in Alaska. Great area to bike ride in. Remember to stretch before you go. =) review 2/2/08 I.M.Y.

Beautiful ebike tour through the bike trails of Anchorage and the public arts. Leland is a well…read moreversed and thoughtful tour guide. Highly recommend!

Thumbs up for Free Wheel Tours. We had fun and it was a great way to experience some of…read moreAnchorage's amazing bike trail system and see several public art installations in various locations (not just downtown)! Appreciated the small group size, the e-bikes and our guide.

I booked a winter tour with Salmon Berry that started in Anchorage and traveled to Fairbanks. This…read moretour was amazing. We packed so much in to our week but nothing ever felt rushed and we were able to genuinely enjoy each experience. Our tour guide Laura was so knowledgeable and professional and a joy to spend the week with. I have already recommended this tour to 4 friends and cannot say enough great things about this company, the employees, and the adventures.

Great time! They were able to help us out when we asked for a same-day tour. Got to go to the top…read moreof Alyeska resort with the tram. Also went to the wildlife conservation center and saw the moose, bears, musk oxen, elk, etc. the tour included lunch at our choice of two food trucks. I got the pork belly rice bowl at the Girdwood izakaya. A bit heavy on the salt, but overall an enjoyable meal. Love the blueberry kombucha at the brewery! V, our guide, was informative and helped take pictures of my family! They pick up and drop off at your hotel. Not too sure about the water bottles though. After you are done drinking the tap water, you have to return the bottles for them to recycle. Although they use a dishwasher, it seems a bit strange for me to share bottles with other people.