LIFE-STYLE | TRAVEL | AERIAL
Photographer/Videographer specializing in Life Style, Travel, and Aerial Imagery. FAA 107 Certified for sUAS flight operations throughout the US. Fully insured. Videography work is limited to Aerial productions.
Based in Maine (May-December) and SWFL (Jan - April). Available for travel year round.
I have updated a large number of images to my Flickr account from my Alaska Winter tour. Head on over to check out the show. More images will come as the summer progresses along with a full write up on what I learned and what I will change for my next winter tour.
The latest issue of Bunyan Velo has been released. This online pub is an amazing collection of photos and storys from people that love traveling and exploring by bike. This issue includes the story and a selection of photos from my recent winter Fatbike tour in Alaska. Please take a moment or more, to read the online publication, or better yet, buy the PDF version and enjoy it on your IPAD.
The pictures from all of the contributors are simply stunning and are guaranteed to make you spend too much time thinking about where you should travel by bike.
My photo from the Kenai Peninsula and the Homer Fatbike festival
Down to the wire as I rush to finalize my kit and begin the tedious process of packing. The challenge is to twofold. First leave nothing behind and second, maximize the amount of stuff that can go in the bike boxes. For those of you that have never traveled with a Fat Bike, it is impossible to get a bike and two wheels into the same box. Thus I have to use two boxes to get everything on the plane.
With airlines being so stingy these days, I try and balance getting all of or most of my kit in the two boxes within the weight limit. The flight I booked allows for one of the boxes to travel free, so I will only have to pay for the second box. I will use my HMG pack to carry gear that I absolutely can't afford to loose. Things like my sleeping bag, cold weather clothes, cycling boots, etc.
As part of my final prep, I have created a new section the site that contains two links. The 'Where Am I' link will take to my satelite tracking page. You can interact with the map by not only seeing my last known position, but also by requesting my current position. This may take a bit to update as it actually sends a message to my device and then a location is returned.
The second link is to a Flickr gallery that I will be updating along with Facebook. While I would prefer to just put images up on this site, the reality is that it is easier for me to bulk upload images to Flickr while on the road. My workflow will include an Ipad Mini, my NEX & DSLR, and the Apple connection kit. Using this kit, I can pull images from the camera's to the Ipad, edit them with Snapspeed and Luminance, and then upload to Flickr, FB, and tweet about them.
Now to go finish packing! I hope you enjoy the journey.
I find myself more than a little overwhelmed these days as I prepare for Alaska. Making new friends with folks like Josh Spice, and his announcement that it is -40 in Fairbanks, along with gear strategies have all conspired against me of late. Spending 2 months on a bike in the AK in the middle of winter is definitely causing me much angst. The funniest thing of it all is Josh trying to convince me that using board shorts, as in tropical trees and bright color board shorts, are the best way to keep the family jewels warm and to annoy anyone who already thinks you are nuts for riding your bike in the snow. In the spirit of friendship, I did look at some bright colored shorts yesterday, but I was unable to pull the trigger on them. I think I will stick to my Craft Storm pants instead. Sorry Josh....
For the most part I seem to be spending more of my time in front of the computer searching routes, sorting gear, and networking, than I do writing here on the site. I know that this too shall pass, as does everything, but for now, I must simply persevere. I only have a few pieces of kit to acquire/make and I should finally be all set.
RBH VBL Socks and Wool Insulation
Most of the changes from last year revolve around the remoteness of AK and the frigid cold I am likely to encounter. I have always stayed safe by over-planning and over strategizing and I am sure that this trip is no exception. In another week I will hit the roads and trails with my Mukluk and kit and begin to sort out what is working and was isn't. The temperatures in the NE of the US have been up and down, but I am optimistic that shortly it will get cold and perhaps some snow will actually fall.
In January I am looking at making a quick pilgrimage to the 2nd Annual Fat Bike Summit and Winter Festival out in Idaho as a last minute opportunity to work out the kinks in my kit and do some epic riding around Yellowstone. The Summit looks like it is going to be an epic event; so if you are a fat bike enthusiast, be sure and check it out.
After much research and discussion with folks that live and ride up in Alaska, I have moved the dates of my winter Fat Bike expedition from Dec-Feb to Feb-March. This will allow for more daylight (December has about 5-6 hrs a day) and somewhat less extreme temps. The goal remains the same: fly in to Anchorage, put the Mukluk together, and go explore the wintery wonderland that is central Alaska.
This change will mean that I have some time to travel a bit in December-January and possibly still put on the UL Winter Bikepacking/Bourbon/Craft Brewery trip that I had previously mentioned (Details in the works.). The world of winter Fat is growing and there are some great events being put on in the US that I would love to attend. Not the least of which is the Fat Bike Summit out in Idaho. Wow, what a beautiful place to go cycle. If I can make the dates line up I hope to make it out there.
Cheers
I don't know, maybe it is the rapidly approaching Frankenstorm , maybe it is the planning stage of a big trip, but last night was one angst filled night. Any time I start planning for a big trip I am filled with a myriad of emotions. More than not, the excitement always outweighs the doubts. However, this is by far my most extreme trip.
Heading to central and northern AK, in the middle of winter, to live on your bike for two months is full of unforseen obstacles. The fact that it is winter, it can be remote, and it will most certainly be very, very cold, all weigh heavily on my decision. I was reading about last years winter and the frigid temps, often in the -20 to -40 range of Fairbanks, along with the huge snow fall that cause many participants of the Alaska Iditarod Invitation to scratch, and well, my fears got the better of me last night.
Today I am trying to push these fears and concerns away, and get back to full on excitement about the adventure and what lay ahead. There is no doubt that challenges will arise, and I am sure a few will be extreme, but as with all things in life, I am optimistic that the good times will seriously outweigh the bad.
Well, after much debate I have decided that my trusty Porecelain Rocket 'Booster Rocket' seat bag is just not sufficient for this winter expedition. It would be fine if I was racing, and even if I was traveling with others, but going solo this risks are just to great. These risks can be mitigated by careful planning, on the fly risk management and carrying sufficient gear.
The more I look at routes and potential temperature swings (-40F is freaking cold...) and I know that now is not the time to worry about being UL. Instead, I will rely on all of my other Porcelain Rocket gear (Frame Bag, Winter Handlebar Bag, AC Bags, and a DIY concoction for camera gear), and I will augment this with a Salsa Fat Rack for the Mukluk. This rack is totally bomber, able to stand up to the tough conditions, and help me to carry the necessary gear. With a rear rack available to me I will use the space to carry a single large Dry bag with critical items as well as use its load carrying capabilities to strap on some essentials. These will include additional fuel, my tripod, and an extra mat for sleeping warmth.
The rack should be here in a week or so and then I will begin the load out process. I will still be attempting to minimize what I carry, as extra weight will just drag me down when I am pushing instead of riding. Reading of some riders on the Iditarod Trail who claim in a normal year the push their bike upwards of 50-60 miles out of the 350 mile race. Last year was insane, with massive amounts of snow, lots of pushing, and a good number of DNF racers.
Route Planning Update:
I am looking at a multitude of options right now, so everything is still in play. Ideally I would like to hop off the plane, spend a day or two acclimating in Anchorage and then head out to Denali. I plan to basecamp at Denali for a week or so and use this time to make sure my kit is working. With this strategy, should their be an issue, I have the ability to take the train back to Anchorage or up to Fairbanks. Should everything be good to go, I am toying with the idea of then cycling North to Fairbanks to get some Aurora Borealis exposures. I realize it may be a bit early for this, and given the temps that they had last year, it may not even be practical, but that is my thinking.
From there I can take the train back to Anchorage and do a major resupply before heading out on the Iditarod Trail. I am not sure how much of the trail is feasible for me, so right now I am focused on the section from Knik Lake to McGrath. This is the 350 mile section used by the Iditarod Ultrasport race and would give me some great insight into the trail and its history. In a perfect world I would do the whole thing, all the way to Nome, but I am just not sure that is safe, let alone feasible.
With all of this said, all of my plans will be loose so that I can maximize my time and my experiences. In the end the goal is to have fun, push myself, and to explore one of the most amazing places on Earth. Any opportunities to connect with locals would be fantastic and I am actively building a networking list. If you have any suggestions please feel free to chime in.
Let the serious planning begin. One Mukluk and 10 weeks of hardcore, back country winter bikepacking and exploration. First step, commit (check); second step, buy airline ticket (check); third step... Not sure, but I will figure it out.. Wohoo, here I come!!
It is a land that is frozen in time, and one that totally moved me to new heights a little more than 3 years ago. I have longed to go back, especially in the winter, and now the plan is in motion. The goal is simple: take the Mukluk, my winter bikepacking kit and my camera gear into this beautiful winter landscape and see the world in a different light; push myself across new boundaries; share with you a world of simple human powered adventure.
The last time I was in Alaska it was my arms that carried me there, clear up from Seattle to Glacier bay. This time, with the aid of a big silver bird, I will get dropped into civilization with my Mukluk and the power of two legs and a big heart, whereupon I will head out and explore the world that is Northern Alaska.
I will undoubtedly need some help and assistance and look forward to meeting many of the fine people of Alaska that helped pioneer the world of Fat biking. There are some great remote trips to cabins and hot springs that would be nice to share with others. If you are able to offer some assistance, especially in the form of information, please drop me a note or post on the site. In advance, I greatly appreciate your help.
