1 Who is Tony Knowles? 

Tony Knowles was Anchorage mayor fronm 1982 - 1987 and spearheaded the drive to build the trail during his terms.  A democrat, he later served as Alaska's governor from 1994 - 2002.  In 2004 he challenged Lisa Murkowski for the United States senate but lost.  Two years later he ran for governor again against you know who and lost.  Since then he has been an advocate for parks and outdoor recreation.  He lives in Anchorage only a few blocks from his namesake trail and is often seen running and riding his bike on the trail. 

2.  I will be in Anchorage for more than one week.  Should I rent, buy a bike there, or bring my own bike?

The answer depends on three variables.

Variable I.  Do you like the bike you currently own?  If yes then depending on which airline you are flying in to Anchorgae on, consider option A.

Option A: If you like the bike you currently own and the airline you are flying on charges the same to check a bicycle box as it does any other piece of luggage, then you should probably bring your bike.  Here are three airlines that treat bike boxes the same as regular luggage so long as they are no more than 50 lbs.

Alaska Airlines:  First bag - $35.  Second bag - $45.  Third $150.  However there are a number of waivers which could make the first or second bag free and those are listed at the bottom of their Exceptions and Waivers page. 

Delta Airlines does not charge extra for bike boxes but it does cost $30 for your first piece of luggage and $40 for the second.  Like other airlines, the bike box must not be more than 115 total inches.  To confirm, here is a link to their policy:  Delta Airlines Baggage.

American Airlines:  First bag - $30, second bag - $40, third bag - $150.  You may not have to pay however based on you AAdvantage® status or oneworld® status,


United Airlines "[o]versized fees are waived on properly packed bicycles."  https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/baggage/sports-equipment.html   This means that "The equipment counts toward your checked bag allowance."  If you click on may be subject to fees that page states that the weight limit is 50 lbs.  (First & Business class passengers can check an oversize bag no more than 70 lbs.)  Next, scroll down to "Additional Info" and click on the dropdown menu "Oversized, overweight, and extra bags."  Here it explains the maximum dimensions of an oversized bag.  "We can’t accept bags that measure (length + width + height) more than 115 inches (292 centimeters)."  This is within the maximum dimensions of most cardboard bike boxes but measure first before getting one from your neighborhood bike shop.  If you are a United Mileage Plus member or have a United Chase credit card your first bag is free and the second one will either be free or $40 depending on what type of card you have. 
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/baggage/free-bags-for-cardmembers.html
If you are not a member or cardholder then the fee will likely be $40 for the first bag (bike box) and $50 for the second (normal) bag, but use the "bag calculator page" to make sure.  NOTE: Bike boxes do not qualify for the small prepay discount that is mentioned on the bag calculator page; pay the fee at check in.
  
If you are flying on another airline, check with them to see what they charge.
 

If you are bringing your own bike to Anchorage and want to store the box it was transported in until you fly out, Downtown Bicycle Rental charges $5 per day to store it for the first week; $3 per day thereafter.  Also at the bike rental in its spacious common area is a Park Tool Deluxe Double Arm Repair Stand that you can use free of charge to assemble/disassemble your bike.

Variable II.  If you do not currently own a bike, or if you dislike the bike you currently own, or you are thinking of buying a second bike of a different type, then Option B might be the best choice.

Option B: Buy a bike in Anchorage, use it while you're here and then fly home with it as luggage.  You'll avoid the cost of renting and end up with the bike you've been thinking of buying and using back home anyway.  Your trip to Alaska could be the tipping point to buying a new or owning a second bike. 
Anhorage has no sales tax and bike prices are competitive.  There are many bike shops in Anchorage.  Downtown Bicycle Rental sells Fuji, Surly and Breezer so if you are interested in buying one of those brands and want the bike waiting for you in Anchorage prior to starting your trip it can be ordered in advance with a 50 percent deposit.

Variable III:  You are on a tight budget and do not want to bring a bike home after your trip.

Option C:  Buy a used bike in Anchorage use it while you are here, then sell it before you leave. Check Anchoragecraigslistbikes or Facebookmarketplaceanchoragebikes.  You could also buy a department store bike (Walmart) for about $200 and although it won't perform, last, or re-sell for as much as name-brand bike, it's a cheap way to have wheels over the weeks or months you're here.  It is unlikely a cheap bike used for many weeks will be worth the trouble to box up and take home and it will sell for a lot less than what you paid for it so another option is to donate it to charity. AWAKE (Abused Women Aid in Crisis) is always in need of bikes for women and their kids who have left their house in a hurry but still need wheels to get around.

3. How long does it take to ride the 11-mile long Coastal Trail?

On average it takes two and a half hours round-trip at a leisurely pace to cycle the Coastal Trail. It's 22 miles round-trip.  About 1.5 hours to bike out and one hour to bike back. Riders return faster because outbound there are two hills to tackle. One is in the middle of the trail near Earthquake Park. It's not too steep but it's about one mile long.  The second hill is short and steep and at the very end of the trail.  People who turn around at the bottom of the second hill see almost the entire trail.  If you decide to ride up the hill at the end, you have the option of returning on the Alternate Return Route. The Alternate Route adds 3 miles to the return trip. Click here for Anchorage bike map.

4. Is there a bus that will take me to the end of the Coastal Trail so I can mountain bike in Kincaid first and/or ride the Coastal Trail just one way?

The Number 40 People Mover City Bus can get you 2/3 of the way to Kincaid Park for $2.  It leaves every 15 minutes from downtown on weekdays; on weekends every 30 minutes.  Get off at the bus stop on Spenard Road before it turns right onto International Airport Road. Then bike about 4 miles into Kincaid to mountain bike or 5 miles to the end of the Coastal Trail.  There is a favorable incline (more downhill) on the trail returning to downtown.  Click here for the Number 40 schedule and route. 

5.  Can I drink Anchorage tap water?

Yes! Over 85% of Anchorage water comes from Eklutna Lake about 20 miles northeast of downtown in the mountains of Chugach State Park. The Anchorage Water and Waste Water Utility "takes its water quality and safety very seriously."  Anchorage water come out of the tap cold.  There is no need to buy bottled water in Anchroage although we do sell it at our store for $1 and each bike has a water bottle cage and/or a bike rack to accommodate a complimentary pannier to carry it.  If you buy a bottled water, after drinking it, save it and keep refilling from the tap. We have a drinking fountain in our mall. (We also have a recycling bin.)

6. Are there any restrooms or places to buy food on the Coastal Trail?

There is a port-a-potty at Westchester Lagoon 1.5 miles from downtown and a bathroom at the Kincaid Park Chalet at the end of the trail.  If you want to eat on your ride without bringing food then return on the Alternate Return Route.  .

7.  Is there a meet-up link for local rides?

Yes.  Click here for a list of local bike clubs, rides and meet-up opportunities. 
 

DISCLAIMER:  This site is not affiliated with the Municipality of Anchorage which owns the trail nor with the city's parks department that maintains it, nor with any other governmental agency, or non-profit organization.  It was created by Downtown Bicycle Rental Inc to provide information about the Coastal Trail for visitors who may want to experience it on a bicycle.  The variables and options of renting or buying a bike in Anchorage or bringing your own are explained at FAQ 2.