April bicycle maintenance classes in Cordova, Alaska are open for registration now!  Spring is in the air and now is the time to get your bike ready to ride!  Do you wish you knew more about your bicycle? Do you want to feel more comfortable maintaining your favorite bike?  Want to learn how to make your bike last longer and be more comfortable to ride? Now you can become comfortable with minor repairs, maintenance and adjustments on your bike.  Cordova Gear is offering a 4 part Bicycle Maintenance Series that begins Friday, April 7th at 4pm at Cordova Gear.   The Series is made up of 4 Friday classes.  Class space is limited, so sign up early either at Cordova Gear or register online.  Call 907-424-5590 for more information.  Cordova Gear is OPEN Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11am-6pm

The Cordova Iceworm Festival was created in 1961 by a few great Cordovans who were itching to lift the spirits of those down with the winter blues. Little did they know that the festival would grow to attract people from all across the world! What once was a two or three day party has transformed into a week long gathering, put on by the Iceworm Board and the entire community of Cordova. 

Click here for more information

Cordova is off the beaten path and can be accessed by ferry or by Alaska Airlines, with daily flights from Anchorage and Seattle/Juneau/Yakutat.

Cordova Iceworm Festival Mission Statement:
To bring together friends, old and new, through rich and diverse community events that celebrate our strength, history, and creativity.

Winter bike riding with studded tires is a safe and rewarding activity, though it does require some specific considerations beyond summer riding. When making a turn with studded tires on ice it's important to not lean too far as the tires will slip out if there are not enough studs contacting the surface to keep traction. Instead in winter it's best to slow down and keep the bike as close to upright as possible while initiating turn. Studded tires offer excellent traction on snowy and most icy surfaces, although traction will vary depending on how slick the surface is, always be aware of changes to the surface as you are riding. Even with studded tires it's easier to lock up tires when braking on a slick surface , never grab brakes too hard or suddenly as it could cause you to lose control.  Additionally riding in winter with the cold temperatures you will have to wear warmer clothing, including a good pair of winter gloves. Using gloves with the shift and brake controls on a bike can make it harder to grab brakes and shift levers, although with a little practice it will start to come naturally. Mittens are not recommended for winter riding as they make it harder to keep a firm grip on handlebars when reaching for brake levers.

If your interested in trying out winter riding check out the studded tire rental bikes available in Cordova, Alaska.
cordovagear.com/bike-rental-cordova-alaska.html

photo courtesy of Darcy Saiget

The Holiday Light Ride is very fun way to celebrate the holiday lights and festive atmosphere in Cordova during December.  Ann Solberg and Darcy Saigat had an idea for a Holiday Lights Bike Ride and now for 3 years in a row the ride has been a great success. 

This year the ride was on December 18th at 4pm just as the natural light was getting dim enough to make the holiday lights begin to really show off their colors.  This ride is an easy fun family bike ride, everyone and anyone can join the fun.  The meeting place is at Hollis Hendricks Park by the Cordova Community Medical Center.  While the group is arriving it is fun to watch the bikes arrive all dressed up in holiday lights.  While riding to the meet the group at Hollis Hendricks Park, riders with bikes dressed up in holiday lights hear fun and cheery comments from surprised people on the street, especially when passing the Alaskan!

The first part of the ride always begins by parading in front of the Cordova Medical Center lobby windows where the long term care residents are excitedly watching from inside.  Lots of waving and smiles with wishes of  "Merry Christmas" and "HO, HO, HO" make the parade fun for the folks inside a creates a very cheery atmosphere! 

The riders then continued down Chase Avenue and this year were surprised to see a huge star lit up hanging from a crane at the Wilson Construction Company,   There are many stops to admire the lights and wish pedestrians and people who happen to see the riders "Happy Holidays".  People in Cordova have the Christmas spirit and go all out to light up their homes and create a very festive environment during the darkest days of  winter.  Eventually after weaving around side streets all around the main part of Cordova the group met at the Cordova Center where Mimi very graciously opened the building (on her day off) for a nice cup of cocoa, a warm up and some fun conversation. 

If this sounds like a fun way to celebrate, be sure to join us next year for this fun annual Holiday Lights Ride.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

photo courtesy Natasha Casciano

It's always exciting to watch the waterways freeze over and anticipate sliding around on their surface. In Cordova's mild winter climate there is commonly a repetition of freezing with thawing events in between. Ice conditions can change drastically from day to day, and even at different times over the course of the same day. Before venturing out onto the ice for adventures, play or necessity, it is important to accurately assess the current conditions to make sure safety is the highest priority. Minimum ice thickness levels required to safely support people is set at 4" advised by the Alaska Departments of Fish and Game and Natural Resources. Their graph can be referenced below for various activities.  Ice thickness can be determined by chopping through the ice with an ice axe, chisel, auger or cordless drill and checking the hole with a tape measure.
   It is important to check the ice repeatedly as traveling to different areas as ice thickness can vary, even over the same body of water. Activity below the surface such as river and stream outlets, currents, gas bubbles, heated water and pressure ridges can cause areas of thin ice or even pockets of fully open water surrounded by otherwise supportive ice. Being prepared for possible submersion in worst case scenarios is also a smart plan. Items such as life jackets, rope, ice picks, helmets, whistles, cell phones and extra warm clothing are good to have on hand. Ice screws can be used to anchor ropes out on the flat ice surface when there is nothing else available to tie ropes off to. The direction from which you approached the broken ice is usually the most supportive direction to attempt climbing back out on. Making sure to tell others of your plans and location when venturing outdoors, staying alert and carrying safety gear is the best way to have a fun and successful day on the ice!
  

Cordova is a premier spot for winter activities! The jewel of this location is the unique opportunity to wander around icebergs on Sheridan Lake. In winter this can be done with ice cleats, ice skates, or on a bike equipped with studded tires. Ice climbing can also be done on glaciers in the area or on frozen waterfalls. Ice skates can also be used on Eyak Lake in the center of town, or on any other well frozen lake, pond or slough. Snowshoes are a great way to explore the back country without sinking into snow drifts. Studded bicycle tires allow you ride your bike right through winter, giving you great traction on ice and snow. We are a sought after destination for skiing adventures, with a historic lift located on the local ski hill, as well as unlimited back country options on mountains as big and epic as you can handle. There is a great disc golf course above town accessible all year where snow can make it easier to spot your discs if it is minimal or frozen. Birding and wildlife watching are great year-round, as is hiking, which require little besides warm clothing and a happy spirit. With so many great options for winter activities, the only thing missing is a reason to stay inside! 

As with any outdoor activities performed at any time of year, caution should be taken when engaging in anything with an inherent risk factor. Ice-based activities in general should only be undertaken when the ice is safely frozen. If you would like to participate in activities involving ice-skates, snowshoes, studded bikes, or ice cleats, Cordova Gear has rental and/or for purchase options available! Happy Thanksgiving!     

Last week at the City of Cordova Comprehensive Trails Planning meeting,  Cordova Gear gave away a brand new Scott Mountain Bike!  The lucky winner was Ellen Sheridan, we know Ellen and her family will enjoy some fun year round bicycle riding fun.  What a great way to enjoy Cordova's trails.  Congratulations Ellen!

One of the wonderful things about biking in Alaska, is you can ride all year!  The easiest and safest way to ride in winter is to put studded tires on your bike.  Cordova Gear is set up and ready to put studded tires on your bike for the upcoming winter riding season. Ride year round.

The Cordova Comprhensive Trails Committee is a volunteer committee that has been working to create a comprehensive trails plan for Cordova.  On September 20, 2022 an open house event was held at the Cordova Center lower atrium to solicit ideas from the public so it can be part of the comprehensive plan and shape future trails in Cordova.  You still have time to comment and help with this process.  Below are three links, please click on each one and share your vision of how trails in Cordova could be changed, upgraded and created in the future.
If you would like more information please contact:
Duncan Chisholm Cordova Parks and Recreation director [email protected]
To learn more about the Cordova Trail and Covered Spaces Project or to help with this ongoing project visit Dottie Widman at The Net Loft, Natasha Casciano at Cordova Gear or email The Cordova Trail & Covered Spaces

Be sure to attend the Cordova Comprehensive Trails Plan Open house at the Cordova Center on September 20 from 11am until 8pm.
Come along and find our more and give us your input.  If you can't make it  - add your comments to the survey and to the map
For more information email [email protected] or phone the City of Cordova, Director of Parks and Recreation at (907) 424-6274.
Bike Giveaway between 6 - 8 pm. 
Any purchase at Cordova Gear now until 9/19/22 automatically enters you to win a bicycle!