Lael Wilcox Rides Alaska

In 2017, I rode all of the roads in Alaska-- a total of 4,500 miles.

I am a fourth generation Alaskan, born and raised in Anchorage and it's where I started long distance cycling. This was my effort to learn about my home state and see the land. Alaska is vast, but the road system is very limited. Long roads stretch like veins to distant limbs-- to the north slope, a small network in the interior, a few access points along the Yukon River, two crossings into Canada. I set out for a couple of weeks at a time and worked at The Bicycle Shop in between to fund my trip. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done. I rode mostly solo and have very few photos from that summer.

This year, Rue and I went back to ride the roads together and document what it looks like out there. We'll be releasing a video by the end of the year.

This set of photos is from the Dalton Highway, a 420 mile stretch of road traveling south from Prudhoe Bay, the northernmost point on the US road system. Along the way, there are only 2 restaurants.

We spent five days out there in early July, mostly living on Trail Butter. That far north in the middle of summer, the sun hardly sets. We rode late into the night. The ride is challenging-- steep climbs and descents, a mix of dirt and pavement. We had the time of our lives.