Kenai Peninsula 250 Loop

[mbraun73]

I'm excited to announce an exciting new bikepacking event:  The Kenai Peninsula 250 Loop

Check the link above for more details. Photo teasers and map will be posted soon, so stay tuned.  The initial interest seems to be pretty high, but I'm realistic and I know that not everybody can afford the time off and tickets to Alaska, so we're planning this WAY in advance, so you have no excuses...

The route is finalized and soon we'll start putting together cue sheets and GPX files.  The total length of the loop will be in excess of 250 miles, pretty darn hard miles, but include over 200 miles of sweet singletrack!  This event is for experienced backcountry bikepackers only, and there's always the 50/50 chance of "sub-optimal" weather here in the Chugach mountains!  BUT, if you are like me and like nature, great views, singletrack and don't mind sharing the trail with some wildlife (no snakes in Alaska though), then THIS IS FOR YOU!  I think I should make carrying a photo camera mandatory  

[Eric]

Awesome Michael, it's been a while since there was something close to this on the Kenai trails.

[adelorenzo]

I'm in there like swimwear!

[LyndaW]

Oooh that looks cool. I've never been to Alaska. I look forward to scoping your GPX when you have it posted. That would be a different experience to the Utah desert where I am home.

[Jilleo]

Great idea, Michael. I wondered if someone might put together a bikepacking-style race in Alaska. This is reminiscent of Carlos's Sweet Roll 200 — tales from that 2004 event were terrifying and yet intriguing enough to convince me to sign up for the 2006 Soggy Bottom 100. Not sure what was wrong with me then, but it somehow fueled the ongoing addiction. This promises to be a beautiful and likely brutal experience for most involved. Awesome.

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/great-alaskan-sweet-roll-200-long-38958.html

[Eric]

good find Jill, I was searching around for that post the other day. No back to back Johnson's at night please.

[AKSharon]

Eric, there won't be any back to back on Johnson, as a matter of fact as of right now the only part that you will do twice will be up and down Crescent Lake.  And remember here in Alaska on July 5 there is tons of daylight so you can enjoy the scenery the whole time you are riding.

[mbraun73]

  Preliminary maps and GPX files posted!  Check kenai250.wordpress.com

[BigPoppa]

First off:

For anybody considering this race, DO IT. The epic single track on this route is unforgettable and absolutely worth the trip to Alaska.

Second off:

Why do you guys have to wait until I move out of state to set this up???

[LyndaW]

I'm really interested. Partly because it is so far outside of my comfortable desert environment.

I have some very basic and probably dumb questions. Do I need to carry a gun for bear protection? What else is out there that will maim or kill me?

[mbraun73]

Lynda.  Wow - I'm excited that you and other "serious" riders from L48 are getting interested.  There's no easy, straightforward answer as to what the best way to protect yourself from a bear is.  I will dedicate a page on our website to bear safety in the next couple of months.  We'll also talk about it in a pre-ride meeting.  Guns are useless unless they're big and you know how to use them.  You're also much more likely to get killed by a car or hypothermia, than a bear.  Carrying bear spray is highly recommended.  No snakes nor other nasty poisonous critters in AK.

[Eszter]

Oooooh boy.  So many fun things to do, so little time!  Chris and I bike packed a bunch of that route in 2004.  It was stinkin' amazing!

[the tortoise]

I bet that there are more bears than cars on the route! So you are saying we have a darn good chance of freezing to death on your ride?!

[mesotony]

Looks like fun. Three out of the last five years had some rain that weekend. Average temperatures from 48 F to 66 F.  Cow Parsnip will not "own" the trail yet. Best part - 18.5 hours of daylight!

[ScottM]

Just looking back at this and realized I never posted my interest and congrats for getting it rolling!  I have ridden a few trails there and the thought of 250 miles, *and* a loop is tempting indeed.  This desert dweller will be a little concerned about bears and parsnip, but I'd get along.

Is there anyway to make it a more 'pure' loop?  I know I have a higher standard for GPX aesthetics than most people, but a big loop or a single cherry-stemmed loop makes it seem like you are going somewhere as opposed to wandering around.  My 2c, anyway.

[mbraun73]

Is there anyway to make it a more 'pure' loop?  I know I have a higher standard for GPX aesthetics that most people, but a big loop or a single cherry-stemmed loop makes it seem like you are going somewhere as opposed to wandering around.  My 2c, anyway.

Hey Scott,  I understand your concept of "pure loop" and it is something I've been tossing around in my head as well.  The track is preliminary as I'm still looking for ways to drop the Crescent Lake (short out & back).  Unfortunately there are sections that are off-limits for bikes.  IMO, we have maximized the riding on singletrack and we're definitely going somewhere:  Hope - Cooper Landing - Seward - Moose Pass - Hope.  But I do appreciate the feedback... we have time and I'll keep working!

[Chad B]

Just looking back at this and realized I never posted my interest and congrats for getting it rolling!  I have ridden a few trails there and the thought of 250 miles, *and* a loop is tempting indeed.  This desert dweller will be a little concerned about bears and parsnip, but I'd get along.

Is there anyway to make it a more 'pure' loop?  I know I have a higher standard for GPX aesthetics than most people, but a big loop or a single cherry-stemmed loop makes it seem like you are going somewhere as opposed to wandering around.  My 2c, anyway.

Oh the loop dream....I love Scott, always going for the loop!

I love the idea of the race, hope to make it up there one of these years.

[Eric]

Hi Michael, I have a few ideas that would drop a lot of the highway sections on there. It would make the course 25 miles shorter though. But have an inspiring hike-a-bike.

[AKSharon]

Hey Eric, when I originally planned the route I had Summit Creek Trail in the mix, eliminating a lot of the road miles, BUT everyone we mentioned that to said they wouldn't do the ride if we put Summit in there because of the hike-a-bike.  I also scoped out the 9 miles of trail on the backside of Crescent Lake, which would not be fun on a bike!!!  And 2 weeks ago I just checked out the Resurrecion River Trail as I heard it had been cleared, but it still had tons of trees down and 2 bridges washed out.  We are all ears if you have some other options that we have overlooked .   I hope you plan on doing the ride next July.  Thanks, Sharon   

[mbraun73]

Registration page now available at  http://kenai250.wordpress.com/registration-form/