The light is returning slowly but surely!!

Studded tires makes winter biking easier in the snow.

     As the light returns to Alaska, the temperatures normally get colder.   Cept this year.   We finnally get twenty inches of beautiful snow in time for Christmas ( or at least we thought)  but by the time the holiday finnally came around, the streets were clear, and white had turned to brown in some areas.  The snow has now crusted over although it still hangs on some trees reminding us of its presence.

Its nice ot have the snow cleared  because I can ride my bike and not worry about the depths of the snow  getting into my driveline and hubs and then having to stop because the snow is too deep.   Sometimes the snow gets so deep and is so wet that I end up having to push me and my bike to the intended destination.

However, this past semester I did a marketing plan for a recent new bike called the FatBack bike.  This bike is much like the Fat Tire bike except the frame is friendlier for stopping  in the snow and having to let your feet sink in the snow at which time your crotch area becomes lowered as well and can get injured by the other fat back bikes.  This frame has a lowerd high bar for this reason.   No more ” ouch” when you get off your bike and your feet sink in the snow as your privates hit the high bar.  

This style of bike is excellent for riding in the snow or in the sand.  The four inch tires help to glide across the snow, deep snow and twigs or other debris that may have fallen.  The tires are much more durable as are the frames of theise bikes which can either be aluminim or titanium which of course, make these bikes spendy.  But, these bikes are for mature riders as they will last a lifetime.  The ti bikes will not rust and are lifetime guaranteed.  The aluminum bikes will not rust either.   They are the greatest newest bikes on the market these days.   But no matter what bike is ridden in the winter, proper clothing is a must.

Dressing for cycling can be a trick.  One would think to dress heavy because of the cold but thats not correct.  Too many layers and the exertion the cyclist will rapidly heat up.   Its best to dress cool or in layers as if skiing.  Layers can be peeled off or put back on.  Of course, cotton is not recommended because cotton absorbs moisture and it sticks to the skin which in returns can chill the body into a very cold temperature.   Trust me, warming back up after being chilled to the bone from cycling or any outdoor activity can take a while!!

Tomorrow marks the blue moon and New years Eve.  Should make for an interesting day!!

Winter Solstice Celebrations

                Once again, Alaskans come together to celebrate one of the few populated holidays in most of the world.

Today, December 21, celebrates winter solstice, the shortest day of the entire year or,  the day with the most darkness.   This is the day when we Alaskans go a bit crazy.  We celebrate no matter what day it falls on.   To most Americans, this is just another day. 

Winter finnally shows up in anchorage with twenty inches in three days.

But, we love this day.   This is the day celebrated in various ways to say goodbye to the twenty hours of darkness in anticipation of the light returning to this northern hemisphere.    It’s a day all Alaskans look forward to.  Although winter has technically  just set in, it’s not resented as Alaskans  know that the light is returning and  the snow begins to melt in breakup, the light is returning in minutes a day and soon the fish will be returning to the waters in which are enjoyed by most residents. 

This time of year, many Alaskans experience SADness or Seasonal Affectedness’ Disorder.   To many, solstice is a reminder of happier days ahead.    Most   people lack in vitamin D which is from the sun, but Alaskans are more prone to lack much more of it and should supplement their diet with the vitamin.  This vitamin helps mood and this time of year, Alaskans can be rather grumpy than in the summer.   

The whole thought of solstice makes people happy just thinking about the return of daylight.  While it is usually a cold time of year, residents do not falter in their celebrations.   Celebrations this time of year do not lack as everyone looks for any reason to enjoy life.    The darkest day of the year is not unusual with tent campers atop flattop trail in the Chugach Mountains inside of Anchorage.  This night although short, is easy enough to watch the sun or light come and go in a few hours time which makes for a great winter outing especially if the Aurora Borealis or the Northern lights make an appearance which adds to the majestic beauty of the frozen lakes, snow covered trees and frost laden window sills. 

With Christmas and New Years   just days after the solstice, the long month of December is made shorter by the many celebrations and shopping frenzies.    February in Alaska is the Fur Rondy winter celebration followed by the Iditarod dog sled race in March.  By the time the last dogsled makes it to Nome, Alaska for the end of the race, the sun is at about a ten hour a day length.