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.
