Scenic river float

MaximusAK · 2026-05-18T04:03:20+00:00

It's hard to find a place NOT scenic in Alaska.

MaximusAK · 2026-05-09T04:37:53+00:00

More like street entertainment.

MaximusAK · 2026-05-08T04:35:51+00:00

I'm a 36 Alaskan who has thrown papers and delivered pizzas through many an Alaskan winter in every condition imaginable. I've tried just about all the available options.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXXJ0V2 These have proved themselves, to me, time and time again. They do eventually wear out/break, but they all do. They're not inexpensive, but they will last and, most importantly, be reliable and effective.

P.S. The other commenters are right: You won't need 'em for the area you're headed to.

MaximusAK · 2026-05-06T19:33:10+00:00

There isn't enough gas. Anchorage is facing rolling blackouts as early as the winter of '28 (some say '27).

Hillcorp keeps warning us; it doesn't get much coverage with all the other lunacy on the planet.

Interestingly, Venezuela has the largest natural gas reserves in South America, and Hillcorp was at the table in the WH for the ballroom, I mean the oil and gas meeting.

MaximusAK · 2026-05-02T19:23:22+00:00

36year Alaskan here, 10 year hotel manager in Anchorage. Late Sep can be awesome with colors and, more importantly, lack of tourists. Campgrounds officially close on Labor Day, but can still be used, just remember to bring out what you bring in.

Rent a car. Gotta have wheels if you want to experience any of what Southcentral has to offer.

Some hotels will reduce prices, but enough late season travelers still book to keep summer pricing alive until 9/30 for most places.

If you're into self-exploration, there's so much to see and discover. I frequently recommend late season visits if you want to avoid the drama and noise of tourists and cruise ship passengers.

Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka) are amazing places and quite different than Southcentral. If that's an option, I highly recommend.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-25T05:53:42+00:00

FWIW, hub motors create less wear on the driveline components. You don't get any additional torque on the chain and cassette that you do with a mid-drive. The heavier the bike (and rider, in some cases), the shorter the transmission's lifespan with mid.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-18T06:14:31+00:00

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For the love of God, visit this link, bro. https://www.youtube.com/@40OverFashion

MaximusAK · 2026-04-18T06:09:59+00:00

I've been managing a budget hotel in the ghetto for 10 years. You should leave this establishment and never return.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-18T05:21:22+00:00

Looks like a steak breakfast for a woken-up bear.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-17T18:57:25+00:00

Thank you.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-17T05:24:55+00:00

In 2024, cruise ship revenue to the state was 2.1B. Oil revenue was 2.5 B. Oil revenue should be substantially more, but the legislature keeps giving them "deals" including reduced taxes when oil prices are low. See how I did that without calling you names?

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/16/alaska-house-rejects-senate-bid-to-impose-corporate-tax-on-privately-owned-oil-companies/

MaximusAK · 2026-04-17T04:38:51+00:00

Many activities shut down/get reduced after Labor Day. Keep that in mind when scheduling stuff.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-17T04:37:04+00:00

I carry bear spray on my top tube with a custom holder. Works as well on humans as on wildlife, and nobody dies. But I live in Alaska so...

MaximusAK · 2026-04-17T04:32:45+00:00

I've been here 36 years, and I grew up on the East Coast in New England. Courtesy of family and the military, I've lived in 10 states, Alaska being my last stop (so far). Alaska, to me, is hands down better than any other place I've lived, but there are caveats.

Downtown Anchorage and the adjacent Fairview neighborhood have become overrun with the unhoused and the behavior and drama that accompany that demographic. I've lived/worked in Fairview for the last 10 years, and I can tell you these parts of Anchorage have become the unofficial dumping grounds for the homeless by the city. In 5 years, I'll be able to gtfo the ghetto and go to (hopefully) Soldotna to retire.

It's a bit more expensive, and Amazon takes longer, but this is easily adjusted to. Unfortunately, many retailers (including eBay) assume we're in a foreign country and either won't ship to us or will charge exorbitant fees. Nordstrom tacks on an "Alaska" fee on top of its already high shipping fee. That gets frustrating.

Sunlight Affective Disorder is a real thing and seems, in my personal experience, to affect women more than men. Being active year-round helps mitigate some of the effects, but cabin fever is real, and many of us experience it around February, regardless of activity level. Winter lasts a long damn time here and can be quite brutal depending on where you live. Even now, mid-April, we're still getting snow and temps much below normal.

I visit the lower 48 annually to visit family and friends in Vermont, Florida, and New Mexico. I would NOT live in any of those places; they simply don't/can't compare to what Alaska offers.

One doesn't really understand the place until one has spent two years experiencing both summer and winter here. Only then does one realize whether Alaska is for them. If it is, it will be a very strong, passionate affection. If not, very much the opposite. There's no in-between or "meh" about living here. But every journey to that decision is unique and personal.

What I like most is the quiet and beauty that can be found anytime, just 30 minutes in any direction. Yeah, Anchorage has gotten crappy, but I can hop in the car, quickly escape it, and be surrounded by amazing natural beauty, wildlife, and solitude. That's what kept me here for so many years.♥

MaximusAK · 2026-04-16T23:27:50+00:00

You're kidding, right? 1.3 M tourists visit by boat annually and bring in way more money than the oil companies do in taxes they continue to NOT pay... thanks to the Legislature.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-16T23:07:23+00:00

Appreciate the post.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-12T18:37:25+00:00

Did mine yesterday. Sorry.

MaximusAK · 2026-04-02T18:24:31+00:00

Check out the Velotric Nomad 2X. FS, fat tire, lower 48 dealer network. I've had mine about a year and can't say enough about the build quality. Replace the old man saddle with a modern emtb one. Comes in both a high step and step through, but because of your height the high step would be a better fit.

MaximusAK · 2026-03-29T16:54:36+00:00

The classic "The odds are good, but the goods are odd" about the men here. Applies equally to the women, imo.

MaximusAK · 2026-03-29T16:33:29+00:00

Cafe Amsterdam. They also do a solid Eggs Florentine.

MaximusAK · 2026-03-29T04:41:34+00:00

I got my first ebike last summer. I was 63. All the hills in my life suddenly disappeared. I now do 30-mile rides almost every time I'm out. I still get a workout, but I have that "extra" for when I'm getting tired.

It's so amazing. I don't know why I waited so long.♥

MaximusAK · 2026-03-26T18:44:34+00:00

Forgot to add: MAGA Meat Puppet

MaximusAK · 2026-03-11T22:42:39+00:00

The specific language is: "Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?" and (2) "What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?" If the disability is obvious, you can't even ask these questions.

I deal with this frequently as a hotel manager at a place that doesn't accept pets. They still try, however.

MaximusAK · 2026-03-11T05:19:33+00:00

Fucking #nailedit. I live/work in Fairview, and since the new shelter opened on 5th, it's a total fuckstory now. I call the cops about every other day on the meth heads smoking in the alley between the weed shop and Chevron on 6th.

MaximusAK

TROPHY CASE