Introductions - Greetings from Anchorage, AK

Greetings from Anchorage. I am brand new to the forum although I have been reading posts for a few weeks. I am a commuter and recreational rider. Anchorage has 120 miles of city trails, and an active Trail Watch program, which I participate in. My rides are a (brand new) Surly Cross-Check, a Specialize Allez and an old but trusty Cannondale M-500.

My ex is moving there in August. When does the weather start to poop out in the fall? I need to plan my visit for some cool weather and night-time aurora-viewing. :)

How many months a year do you ride? Is it possible to ride all-year round?

I need to plan my visit for some cool weather and night-time aurora-viewing. :)
And riding. :p

Is it possible to ride all-year round?

We've got members from Fairbanks and Finland who ride all year, so it certainly is possible.

September is generally real nice in Anchorage - the weather starts to tank in October. By November it's dark a lot of the time.

I missed the question on how many months you can ride in Anchorage. The answer is 12. I don't do much serious riding in winter, but I do put on a pair of Schwalbe "Ice Spikers" and take my mountain bike out on nice winter days. Some of the more gung-ho bikers mount up the mega-light systems and ride year-round. What limits me more than the snow and cold weather is the darkness. Sunrise mid-winter is around 10:00 AM and sunset is around 4:30 PM or so, as I recall. I could invest in a lighting system, but I just don't have much desire to peddle around in the dark. They don't plow down to the pavement in Anchorage, so the streets are packed snow and ice, which can be surprisingly enjoyable with studded tires. "Break-up" when everything melts, is a sloppy mess. March into April is generally pretty sloppy and unpleasant. After that, its clear roads and and looooooooooooong days. Great place to ride a bike. I used to live in Madison, WI, and I find Anchorage as good or better for riding. The scenery certainly beats Madison (sorry - I really do love Madison).

September is generally real nice in Anchorage - the weather starts to tank in October. By November it's dark a lot of the time.

No worry there - I'm a creature of the night. Need a few hours of light for hiking, though. :D