This summer Bike Anchorage tried something new, and it really took off. 

Each ride took a lot of coordination and involvement from multiple people all along the way, including generous donations from businesses and individuals (from ice cream to homemade zucchini soup). Bike Anchorage would like to thank each ride leader:We couldn't have done this without dedicated volunteers to pick up fun topics and donate their evenings to touring people throughout town. We'd like to thank those ride leaders, contributors, and all those who came out!

1. Community Ride kick-off to Midnight Sun: Charlotte Foley
2. Pocket Parks Tour: Hannah Brewster
3. Lakes of East Anchorage Tour: Chelsea Ward-Waller
4. Bike to Berk: Zack Fields
5. Architect Tour: Mike Price 
6. Raspberry Alley Tour: Tim Kosednar (watch the video here!)
7. Harvest Tour: Sage Cohen (watch the video here too!)
8. Foodie Tour: Charlotte Foley
9. The Nines Ride and awards party: Charlotte Foley and Sage Cohen

Supporters of a more bike-friendly community and generous donations were provided by:

• Rachel at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop
• Tom Livingston for his architecture knowledge!
• Walt and Barb Morgan for zucchini soup and homemade pickles and wine
• Elena Hinds with 5 kinds of berries
• Rachele Feller with cherries
• Elissa Brown with Wild Scoops: Homemade Alaskan Ice Cream
• Anchorage Park Foundation for its fun mobile phone app "My Anchorage Parks"
• Christina Young and Kristin Hall at Alaska Public Media and Chris Pavadore and Tim at Alaska Pacific University for our Community Ride Celebration space and appetizers 
• Rosemary Austin and the models from Paramount Cycles 
• Christina Grande from Trek Store/Alaska
• Paxson Woelber for photography
• And many more!

These volunteers hosted 9 different Community Rides this summer aimed at building community amongst our neighbors--all by bike! The aim of each ride was three-fold:

• to share low-traffic, cut-through and shortcut routes to travel through various areas of the municipality to help us all feel more comfortable and confident bicycle commuting through town.
• to learn about a particular aspect of our home city through unique cycling themes.
• to connect community through new friendships and shared riding experiences.

The Anchorage bicycle community is truly a special crop of people who care about each other and our neighbors. This was another way to find community with our neighbors and new friends. Thanks to everyone who contributed big and small to a great first year of these Community Rides, and we're excited to bring in new ideas and try some new things next year!