The downpour has stopped and the weather forecasters say Sunday is supposed to be mostly sunny. So fluff up the tires on your mountain bike and come on out for the Super-Big Bike-O, a grand tour of Anchorage parks and trails, from Hillside (or Glen Alps) to Kincaid.
Registration and map pickup will be from 1:30 to 3:30 at the north end of the Hilltop Ski Area parking lot, with starts for the Short course and the Long course there. Those hardy bikers wanting a greater challenge can do the Super Long Course, picking up the maps and control cards at the Hilltop registration, then driving (or biking!) up to Glen Alps, where the Super Long Course starts at the far (east) end of the lower parking lot.
No e-punching for this event, with all timing on the honor system. Each participant will record their own start and finish times.
- The Super Long Course from Glen Alps to Kincaid is about 44 km, the Long Course from Hilltop to Kincaid is 36 km and the Short Course is 33 km. All courses include 15 km on the Chester Creek and Coastal Trail bike paths.
- All courses finish at the picnic pavilion near the chalet at Kincaid; where, with a bit of luck and some help, grilled burgers and dogs will be awaiting finishers. Please plan to finish by 8 pm at the latest.
- Runners are welcome to run any of the courses or any parts of a course, using a vehicle to shuttle between UMED and EQ Park, and EQ Park and Kincaid (they may want to get to the first Kincaid control by accessing the coastal trail from the Clitheroe Center). Runners and Bikers can stay on the maps all the way from Hilltop (or Glen Alps) to Lake Otis Blvd on the UMED map)
- The sun should be out, but the trails will still be wet and muddy, sloppy and slippery, and the temperatures may be below 50 degrees, so dress appropriately. And this is a point to point event, so plan to carry enough water and food to get you to Kincaid. There will be no support along the way, unless you arrange it yourself. And remember, other users will be out on the trails, so PLEASE USE CAUTION AND LIMIT YOUR SPEED TO AVOID COLLISIONS WITH OTHER TRAIL USERS, including moose and bears! .
If you decide to quit before reaching Kincaid, please call or text the meet director, Steve McKeever, at (907) 351-5004.