Pacific Northwest - Juneau, Alaska Bike Riding

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ROJA
07-01-09, 10:09 AM
Hey folks. This may be a long shot, but I am taking a cruise to AK later this summer and a few of us are thinking about renting bikes in Juneau. Apparently the ride to Mendenhall Glacier is about 12 miles each way (from the ferry terminal). That would make for a nice distance, but does anyone have local knowledge? How is that ride? Decent roads and very light traffic? Gorgeous scenery? Or is there something better that you would recommend? Max distance would be about 30 miles due to time and rider constraints.

Thanks!

Bop
07-01-09, 12:08 PM
There is a rental company here that can make this happen. See PM. The ferry terminal is a bit out of town, which is typical in SE Alaska. The first 2 miles or so is along Auke Bay, on the shoulder of the Glacier Highway, a low traffic and scenic road. You turn inland at Mendenhall Loop Road, where there is a convenience store and pass the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast. The paved, wide shoulder is used by local cyclists and cycle tours. It is well signed and leads to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. Other than the short climb next to the U of A campus, this route is pretty flat. Bring light rain gear, we're in a rain forest.