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Frequently asked questions about the Big Ride Alcan
The Big Ride Alcan's ride director has been taking adventurous bike riders up the Alcan highway for years. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have about going on the ride:
How long have your guides been leading trips ?
Most of our guides have a number of years of guiding experience.
What sort of cyclist is this ride suitable for ?
The ride is geared towards intermediate or advanced level riders. But it is doable by energetic beginners willing to put in some pre-ride training.
Are we riding on paved roads all of the time ?
The Alaska Highway is paved, but long stretches of packed dirt in construction zones are possible.
Is the route OK for my Road Bike ?
This ride can be ridden by road bikes, but we suggest putting a fatter set of tires on (maybe 700 x 25) because some stretches have rough paving. We would also suggest having your wheels checked (tensioned, trued, bearings packed).
What are the road surfaces like ?
Highway paving is pretty basic. Some will be smooth, but many stretches are coated with chip seal and a bit rough. Construction is always a possiblity.
What is the terrain like ?
The early part of ride is very hilly, with a couple of moderately big climbs. The later portion is mostly river valley riding.
How big are the climbs ?
We have only two big climbs of a couple thousand feet each. The balance are only a few hundred feet.
How steep are the climbs ?
The big climbs average 6 to 8% grades. A few of the short climbs can reach 10%.
What sort of bicycle is suitable for this ride ?
This route was designed with touring bikes in mind. It is ridable using hybrid and mountain bikes as well, but we suggest putting road tires on. Road bikes hould be equipped with heavier duty tires and rims. And of course tandems and recumbents are most welcome.
What is the traffic like ?
Traffic is fairly quiet as we ride along lightly traveled roads.
What is the weather usually like ?
We will encounter a mix of sunny, cloudy and rainy days. Riders should be prepared for all weather conditions.
How much rain can I expect ?
We usually encounter several rainy days, with the possibility of all day showers.
How hot or cold will it get ?
Night time temperatures can reach down to the teens. Highs during the days can reach to the upper 80s or low 90s.
Do I need a special clothing for the weather ?
Riders need to be prepared for all weather conditions, including cold weather cycling.
How warm of a sleeping bag do I need ?
We suggest that your sleeping bag be rated down to 15 degrees, as we can encounter cold temperatures. If your sleeping bag is rated about 20, you might want to consider getting a liner for it.
Do I need a visa and how do I get one ?
A visa is not required to participate on this ride for citizens of the USA and Canada. Citizens of other countries maybe required to obtain a visa, check with the embassy in your country.
