Dillingham Haggblom

Commute--11/02/09-11/06/09

Monday’s morning commute was the last morning in with summer tires. As I descended the blind curve on the Lake Road just south of the Nerka Loop intersection, it was fortunate I was on the road shoulder instead of the sidewalk, because a large piece of heavy equipment, a forklift maybe, was parked squarely on it. Took up the whole thing. Just 50 feet south of a sideroad and parking area. Huh. How long was that there? Big, yellow, parked—pretty tidy parking job, actually. I would have hit it head on had I been on the sidewalk. The city’s? Could have been. The State’s? Probably not. A local contractor, say Alaska West? Think so—since Alaska West is located on the next road south and some folks identified it as such later. Now that would have been an interesting story—cyclist crashes into dead parked forklift on sidewalk. How many cyclists can lay claim to that? The commute continued.

There was debris of various sizes covering the Kanakanak Road sidewalk from the Lake Road intersection to the guardrail curve. Lovely—people drive motorized vehicles on the gravel median between the road and sidewalk and cover it with gravel. And there it stays, not to be swept. The sidewalk adjacent to the flats into town was also covered, from the crumbling road and inadequate road repairs, and yes, people in motorized vehicles spraying the sidewalk. Stays there, too. On to the end of the sidewalk because I couldn’t get off of it at the “pedestrian” crosswalk to make the left turn I needed to make (because traffic doesn’t stop), and a cut through the AC parking lot. Not much wind, and temps were in the mid 20s. The next day it snowed, and the studded tires went on Wednesday evening, so Thursday was the first ice bike of the season. I left at 6:45 am, took Waskey Road and Wood River Road (the most hostile road to cyclists in the area), and got to work around 8:15 am. It was 7.8 miles. Went pretty slow on the ice, but other than Wood River Road, was an enjoyable ride. I repeated the TrustMyTires mantra in my head.

The way home was more eventful. As the light faded to dusk then to dark, I pedaled outbound on Waskey towards the Lake Road. At the tundra opening on the back side of Alder Street, a large brown object emerged onto the left side of the road from the tundra, about 50 feet ahead of me. I was on the right side of the road. It’s nose was about a third of the way across, when I realized the nose was attached to an adult cow moose, and adult cow moose 2 was right behind her, her nose on moose 1’s haunch. Looking like she didn’t want to get lost crossing the road. Perhaps my jingle bells alarmed them into a trot. The first thing I said out loud was “Ohmygod”, and when I realized I was very close to riding into them, I said something else, not to be mentioned here. I had enough time to brake lightly and steer to the left, as they moved to my right across the road. I passed behind moose 2. I am so happy they did not stop in the road. I was close enough to realize that my bike would have cleared their bellies, but I would have hit them at throat level—ouch. As I kept pedaling, I couldn’t believe what just happened—wow. Then I thought about all the components I just had replaced on my bike and what a drag if I had wrecked. Then I thought, “What the heck were those moose crossing a road without reflective vests on?” There ought to be a law.

So, I traded the motorized vehicles on the narrow, icy, Lake Road for the moose on wide, icy, Waskey Road. Huh.

Group Ride--10/31/09

24F, clear, dry, moderate nw wind, 11 miles.  I set out at 10:35 am, but heard a disk brake rubbing after turning onto Polar Way.  I couldn’t identify if it was front or rear, so went back home, spun the wheels, couldn’t hear much in the way of rub, but adjusted the front pad a bit because it looked like it could have been rubbing.  Started again, couldn’t hear any rub in the driveway (which is gravel), got on Polar Way, there it was again.  Went back, put the bike in the stand, and there was no rub on the brakes.  The rear inboard brake pad looked like it might rub a little, so I adjusted that one out.  Set out again, didn’t hear rub, until I turned into the emergency phone pull out before Snake Lake Road, then heard rub again.  I did forget to oil my chain, however, so had dry chain noises to accompany me.  Once again, off the bike, there was no rub, and on the bike there was.  So, on the way home, I figured that when I sat on my bike, my weight changed the distance between the disk and the pads, and they should be adjusted with me on the bike as opposed to the bike being in the stand.  The mountains looked pretty in the morning sun and there was more motorized traffic during this ride (clear and dry weather) than there was during last week’s ride (rainy weather).

Loose Dog Report--10/30/09

Inbound, about mile 4.5 Lake Road, north of the Dillingham Bed & Breakfast sign—light retriever mix, perhaps and black dog, on the west side of the road.

Group Ride--10/24/09

Paul was probably happily working on his motorcyles indoors in cushy Anchorage while Tom and Lisa set off for Snake Lake.  There was no snow or ice on the ground, and it oscillated between mist and rain.  Think the temp was about 35F at the start at about 10:35 am. Didn’t notice the Southish wind until the ride home, but it wasn’t much.  Tom helped Lisa right a wrongly threaded bolt (whoops, backwards) to correct a front derailluer cable issue.  They adjusted her rear brake as well so she had one, something that one does not want to be without on Snake Lake Road.  Tom’s brake inbound knob acted up by loosening itself, so he tightened it a few times during the ride.

The road had been repaired in some places, but if there was fresh rock dumped on the three lowest spots, it was gone and those spots were flooded again.  As I tried to remember the parking spots for the hikes, we rode down to the lake.  Tom tried to launch his bike into the water, while I cowardly stopped further up.  We cooled down fast while snacking, so didn’t stay long.  On the climb back up to the hairpin turn, a few of Tom’s gears took an untimely sabbatical.  We think it was the accumulation of all things grinding in the drivetrain.  When we flew down the last hill, our bikes made all kinds of sounds from debris—cranks, brakes, and gears all had little songs going on.

Riding the paved road back seemed easy in comparison.  My ride was 28.4 miles, Tom’s was 36.4.  I was happy to get home and off the saddle, around 2:45 pm.   My bike looked like it had fun, like a kitchen looks like after a fun meal was prepared in it—stuff everywhere.  I changed, downed a Hammer gel or 2, a Luna Bar, water, then joined the motley crew adding on to my wood shed for some carpentry.  I had this vision of them on a couch watching football during the ride, but no, they braved “the MIST” and built stuff.

Group Ride and Loose Dog Report--10/17/09

Paul, Tom, and me left the Ladybug House by 9:40 am.  It was 35F, a light northish wind, and we had a wee bit of snow northbound on the Lake Road.  Wow—haven’t had 3 people on a group ride in a long time.  Conversation ranged from sore muscles to plugged noses to riding on the road shoulder compared to the multi-use path (it was a joy to hear someone else call it what it is).  We turned around at the pullout south of the entrance to Pfeiffer Creek—so Paul could make it to work on time.  We contemplated riding to Snake Lake next week, and, much to my resistance, agreed to meet tomorrow morning for a Snake Lake Mountain hike.  Before Paul had to be at work.  Hmm—that meant a Ladybug House departure by vehicle by 8:45 am.  Isn’t it still dark then?

German Shepherd Dogs Olson barked and came out onto the road from their driveway, then a little further south Black Lab Krause carried a large bone from their driveway toward his driveway, on the west side of the road.

P.S.—hike was fun with snow flurries and wind atop, in 35F.

Loose Dog Report--10/15/09

Way home, about mile 3.5 Lake Road, south of Crowberry Street, west side—black and white husky type on road shoulder, moved into motorized vehicle lane after I passed.  Think I’ve seen this dog before in this vicinity—a husky that hasn’t seen much in the way of exercise lately.

City Annexation--10/15/09

The short story is:  The city council approved their motion to draft a petition that included areas 2 and a modified area 1 for annexation at their special meeting tonight.  Area 2 is Nushagak Bay and the modified area 1 is Wood River—water, not land.  So, consultant Shienberg will have the petition drafted for the December council meeting, with various tax structures to be decided upon.  At this time, there will be no annexation of the Lake Road north of the city limits (areas 3 and 4), Warehouse Mountain Road (including the roughly 240 privately owned remote lots between that road and Warehouse Mountain and parts of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, area 6), Snake Lake Road and adjacent uplands (think this was area 5), or uplands on the east side of Wood River (area 7). 

At the workshop preceding the meeting, Sheinberg presented a roughly 20 page packet including 2 maps, tax structures, Kodiak tax ordinance, and tables comparing revenue generated by the 7 possible annexation areas.  The tables showed what past city councils had deduced—revenue generated by taxes collected in areas 3 and 4 (where people lived year round) were low.  Combined with strong opposition by people living in areas 3 and 4, who would have to produce a majority vote in favor of annexation, annexing areas 3 and 4 looked too problematic compared to annexing area 2, Nushagak Bay.  Since no one lives in the Bay, no vote is needed, and no more services need to be rendered.  Yet the revenue generated by fish taxes is sizable.  The council talked about being a good neighbor to Clark’s Point and Manokotak, so their considerations would be taken into account as part of the annexation process.  Area 1, originally mapped as the lower part of Wood River, will be changed to include upper Wood River, in the event another special harvest commercial salmon opening happens there.

I had a public comment drafted ready to read in the event the city approved a petition for area 3, where I live, which would have explained why I opposed it.  I didn’t have to read it.  However, since I have personal experience with the city not following up on actions it says it will do, I will continue attending council meetings until the annexation process is complete.  I also urge voters to educate themselves about the petition and attend council meetings so they understand what is going on and can contribute public comment.  The intent is that it is a win-win situation.  I can also foresee that if voters do not understand the petition, they will vote no, which will then throw the spotlight back on my area. 

For more details about Sheinberg’s packet and the proposed petition, contact City Hall (842-5251) and ask for the city clerk.  I will have an electronic version of her packet available to email to folks if the city cannot provide one.  City council meetings are usually the first Thursdays of every month, but they’ve already rescheduled the November one until the second Thursday.  So, check on their website or call them for updated information.  They also throw in other meetings—so it requires staying on top of their schedules.  This petition motion was at a special meeting, not a regularly scheduled one, for example.

This was the crucial meeting for out-of-bounders to attend to oppose annexation of them, yet I was the sole representative of the group to attend.  I can only hope that others made their opinion known in other ways.  I do not know what would have happened had I not been there—I hope my presence was a factor in their decision.  It is as difficult for me to attend meetings as anyone else, but if the city council does not see people attend their meetings and offer comment, they will assume people do not care and they can proceed with doing whatever they vote on.  They did not know what some of us know about gravel pit and quarry status, projects requiring pit material (this factored into revenue), what that material was needed for, or where it was going.  They did not know how local fisherman conduct their financial business (important for creating the tax structure for annexation).  They did not know the intent of subdivision development (for revenue generation).  They did not know the status of occupied lots between Warehouse Mountain Road and Warehouse Mountain (for revenue generation). 

There is stuff they do not know, and apparently, do not find out on their own.  If they don’t know this stuff, they will make poor decisions, and you will not be happy with those decisions. Follow through with the annexation process and educate the people involved with making the decisions.  Tell people what is going on and encourage people to be informed.  Annexing the water is a good thing—but it will backfire if people don’t get it.  Then, we’ll be right back here trying to keep from being annexed.  I’m ready for a break when it comes to fighting the city, and ready to finally enjoy where I live without fear of having to move again. 

Commute--10/12/09-10/16/09

I imagine this is the last week I will be able to ride without wind coat and pants on the way home—warm temps in the low 50s have been pleasant, but alarming at the same time.  I almost hit a pedestrian yesterday morning while stuck on the path—she was completely dark.  I told her she needed reflection.  I feel like Kyle trying to figure out Eric’s bizarre behavior on South Park—why are pedestrians not illuminating themselves?  They can be so easily struck by anything.  It truly is mind-boggling.

This morning’s ride was fun.  I left at 6:15, spurned the path completely—a very nice ride, complete with guardrails, eroded pavement edges, and washboard and I think 3 cars that passed.  I was surprised there were that many.

Loose Tongues--10/13/09

Inbound, Kanakanak Road, Windmill Hill, just west of the Seventh Day Adventist church—small-medium sized white passenger truck honked two quick honks.  As the driver finished honking, a car came quickly out of the church parking lot, didn’t even slow down as it approached the path, drove across the path, and quickly turned onto the road right ahead of me.  Had I been on the path and managed to avoid a collision, I would have been hit by the mid-large passenger truck pulling out of the next driveway, the US Fish and Wildlife service compound, that pulled onto the path and completely blocked it.  Nice.  I’ll take the honks—at least the honkers see me.

Outbound, riding towards D street on the street that goes past the middle school/high school (I’ll figure out our street names soon, I promise)—a City of Dillingham tractor that picks up dumpsters to bring to the landfill was waiting for traffic to pass so he could position the truck to load up dumpsters from the MS/HS (renovation projects going on there since summer).  Jessie, the driver, was between the UAF fence and the school building, with the nose of the truck pointed at the road.  He saw the car ahead of me go by, waited, somehow didn’t see me, looked to the right (I was coming from his left), then he started to pull out on the road.  He finally saw me and hit the brakes.  After I passed, he pulled out onto the road.  I was pretty convinced he saw me because I was taller than the car in front of me, and not right behind it, and wearing hot red.  I was wrong.  After I had left downtown and was cycling on Kanakanak Road, going down the hill towards Gladden’s, Jessie honked at me as he approached from behind.  Don’t know why he honked—I wasn’t in his lane.  Perhaps just to let me know he was coming, or perhaps because he’s not the right person for the job.