James P Bennett
@akjpb.bsky.social
An ordinary old guy trying not to have an ordinary life. Non-motorized outdoor things. Mediocre writer. Locavore. Alaska. Grandfather. 🚵♂️🥾⛷️⛰️🏕️🌊
A Few Choice Words
https://substack.com/@akjpb
A Few Choice Words
https://substack.com/@akjpb
Pinned
James P Bennett
@akjpb.bsky.social
· Dec 16
Gas Taxes & The “User Pay” Model: Who Damages Our Roads? Who Pays?
Making Anchorage Bicycle-Friendly
www.bikeanchorage.org
A good overview of how gasoline, property and other taxes pay for construction & maintenance of roads in Anchorage. Also included are comparisons of vehicles causing the most damage. Be sure to click on the full report imbedded in the article.
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike
Kilian & I were rookies at the ‘15 Mt Marathon race; a mtn running legend & a mediocre outdoor dude. What we both did was push our bodies as hard as our bodies could be pushed. I’m ok with my mediocrity, it doesn’t prevent me from getting out there. We chatted as we picked up bibs. He’s a good guy
Kílian Jornet on What We Can Learn From Pushing Our Bodies to Extremes
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Kilian & I were rookies at the ‘15 Mt Marathon race; a mtn running legend & a mediocre outdoor dude. What we both did was push our bodies as hard as our bodies could be pushed. I’m ok with my mediocrity, it doesn’t prevent me from getting out there. We chatted as we picked up bibs. He’s a good guy
Reposted by James P Bennett
Winter Bike Fest is back! This year’s theme: Light Up the Night ❄️✨
Join our annual celebration of Anchorage’s winter biking community with a movie night, storytelling, commuting treats, and the return of the Big Fat Ride!
Get event info and tickets here: www.bikeanchorage.org/wbf26
Join our annual celebration of Anchorage’s winter biking community with a movie night, storytelling, commuting treats, and the return of the Big Fat Ride!
Get event info and tickets here: www.bikeanchorage.org/wbf26
January 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Winter Bike Fest is back! This year’s theme: Light Up the Night ❄️✨
Join our annual celebration of Anchorage’s winter biking community with a movie night, storytelling, commuting treats, and the return of the Big Fat Ride!
Get event info and tickets here: www.bikeanchorage.org/wbf26
Join our annual celebration of Anchorage’s winter biking community with a movie night, storytelling, commuting treats, and the return of the Big Fat Ride!
Get event info and tickets here: www.bikeanchorage.org/wbf26
Reposted by James P Bennett
We're kicking off Winter Bike Fest with a bike stoke movie night!
Filmed By Bike: Joyride! is a family-friendly mix of fun short films (who hasn’t had a chase through mountains over their lucky bike shorts?) and inspiring documentaries featuring young people.
Get tickets: buff.ly/F8bDQHO
Filmed By Bike: Joyride! is a family-friendly mix of fun short films (who hasn’t had a chase through mountains over their lucky bike shorts?) and inspiring documentaries featuring young people.
Get tickets: buff.ly/F8bDQHO
January 17, 2026 at 6:02 PM
We're kicking off Winter Bike Fest with a bike stoke movie night!
Filmed By Bike: Joyride! is a family-friendly mix of fun short films (who hasn’t had a chase through mountains over their lucky bike shorts?) and inspiring documentaries featuring young people.
Get tickets: buff.ly/F8bDQHO
Filmed By Bike: Joyride! is a family-friendly mix of fun short films (who hasn’t had a chase through mountains over their lucky bike shorts?) and inspiring documentaries featuring young people.
Get tickets: buff.ly/F8bDQHO
PS # 33. Mrs Boeger’s 5th grade class ‘63/64. I’m the tall kid, top row, far right. It’s the same school both my parents attended. Mrs B was one of my 2 fave teachers ever. I had a crush on Peggy P, bottom row, 2nd from the right. Time for Swedish Death Cleansing? Does anyone want parental memories?
January 17, 2026 at 7:07 AM
PS # 33. Mrs Boeger’s 5th grade class ‘63/64. I’m the tall kid, top row, far right. It’s the same school both my parents attended. Mrs B was one of my 2 fave teachers ever. I had a crush on Peggy P, bottom row, 2nd from the right. Time for Swedish Death Cleansing? Does anyone want parental memories?
I write fiction as a hobby. Yes, I’ve had a few stories published. I’m working on an angle for a new one, when carrying signs & singing Kumbaya proves ineffectual.
What’s that going to look like?
*Lone wolf/small unaffiliated cells put on combat fatigues& masks, mix with ICE. During the chaos…1/2
What’s that going to look like?
*Lone wolf/small unaffiliated cells put on combat fatigues& masks, mix with ICE. During the chaos…1/2
January 11, 2026 at 6:02 AM
I write fiction as a hobby. Yes, I’ve had a few stories published. I’m working on an angle for a new one, when carrying signs & singing Kumbaya proves ineffectual.
What’s that going to look like?
*Lone wolf/small unaffiliated cells put on combat fatigues& masks, mix with ICE. During the chaos…1/2
What’s that going to look like?
*Lone wolf/small unaffiliated cells put on combat fatigues& masks, mix with ICE. During the chaos…1/2
Hey Anchorage,
There’s a protest planned at 12:30 today at the DHS building at 10th and Gambell today (1/9)
There’s a protest planned at 12:30 today at the DHS building at 10th and Gambell today (1/9)
January 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Hey Anchorage,
There’s a protest planned at 12:30 today at the DHS building at 10th and Gambell today (1/9)
There’s a protest planned at 12:30 today at the DHS building at 10th and Gambell today (1/9)
The felon/insurrectionist who raped children said his power is constrained only by “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me. I don’t need international law,” brushing aside checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:31 PM
The felon/insurrectionist who raped children said his power is constrained only by “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me. I don’t need international law,” brushing aside checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world
After decades of clearing seriously deep snow w/snowblower & shovel, now that I’m living in a condo where the HOA takes care of it, my brain/muscle memory misses the satisfaction of seeing what can be accomplished with an hour or two of physical labor. This pic is 2 years old.
January 8, 2026 at 3:58 PM
After decades of clearing seriously deep snow w/snowblower & shovel, now that I’m living in a condo where the HOA takes care of it, my brain/muscle memory misses the satisfaction of seeing what can be accomplished with an hour or two of physical labor. This pic is 2 years old.
Bike Anchorage is presenting an evening of short films about riding bikes! This is the kick-off for our Winter Bike Fest which will include Trail Tales at the Anchorage Museum, Winter Bike to Work Day and the Big Fat Ride during Fur Rondez. Please consider attending and supporting Bike Anchorage!
Filmed by Bike: Joyride!
Filmed by Bike was founded in 2003 by artist Ayleen Crotty. The festival began at a micro-theater in...
beartooththeatre.filmbot.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Bike Anchorage is presenting an evening of short films about riding bikes! This is the kick-off for our Winter Bike Fest which will include Trail Tales at the Anchorage Museum, Winter Bike to Work Day and the Big Fat Ride during Fur Rondez. Please consider attending and supporting Bike Anchorage!
Any one else feeling they are now living Winston Smith’s life? We’ve always been at peace with Russia. Prices are down 500%. War makes us safer. Google&Siri are listening. Anti-woke thought police. 24 hours of hate, beer & sports for MAGA proles.
MAGA’s corrupt & degenerate regime has won.
MAGA’s corrupt & degenerate regime has won.
January 4, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Any one else feeling they are now living Winston Smith’s life? We’ve always been at peace with Russia. Prices are down 500%. War makes us safer. Google&Siri are listening. Anti-woke thought police. 24 hours of hate, beer & sports for MAGA proles.
MAGA’s corrupt & degenerate regime has won.
MAGA’s corrupt & degenerate regime has won.
Look up Anchorage. The weird light pillars are out. I didn’t know it was a thing.
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
January 3, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Look up Anchorage. The weird light pillars are out. I didn’t know it was a thing.
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
Hey Anchorage,
If you’re heading downtown for the muni’s NYE celebration (7-9PM), consider swinging by Westchester Lagoon after. Citizens are constructing an ice carousel to the east of the hot-mopped ice skating area. #lifeinanortherntown
If you’re heading downtown for the muni’s NYE celebration (7-9PM), consider swinging by Westchester Lagoon after. Citizens are constructing an ice carousel to the east of the hot-mopped ice skating area. #lifeinanortherntown
January 1, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Hey Anchorage,
If you’re heading downtown for the muni’s NYE celebration (7-9PM), consider swinging by Westchester Lagoon after. Citizens are constructing an ice carousel to the east of the hot-mopped ice skating area. #lifeinanortherntown
If you’re heading downtown for the muni’s NYE celebration (7-9PM), consider swinging by Westchester Lagoon after. Citizens are constructing an ice carousel to the east of the hot-mopped ice skating area. #lifeinanortherntown
2025 didn’t totally suck. It was filled with travel; outdoor adventures; fun with the g’daughters and family; bikes & rafts; good friends; music and food. At 72, that’s a win by all accounts. The video has 7 photos, in order, from each month. I hope this trend continues!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2025 at 8:18 PM
2025 didn’t totally suck. It was filled with travel; outdoor adventures; fun with the g’daughters and family; bikes & rafts; good friends; music and food. At 72, that’s a win by all accounts. The video has 7 photos, in order, from each month. I hope this trend continues!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Quote skeet your fave bike adventure of 2025. For me it was a 5-week trip, Austria/Slovenia/Croatia/Italy with 3 Alaskan friends. We brought our own bikes along & planned out our routes as we went. Total fun!
December 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Quote skeet your fave bike adventure of 2025. For me it was a 5-week trip, Austria/Slovenia/Croatia/Italy with 3 Alaskan friends. We brought our own bikes along & planned out our routes as we went. Total fun!
I’m not naturally a person that likes to see another suffer, but as a cyclist, pedestrian and g’dad of two youngsters that aren’t as tall as the hood of that pickup, this pic pleases me. I don’t feel bad for the owner at all.
An American beast. Tamed.
#WorldBollardAssociation
#WorldBollardAssociation
December 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I’m not naturally a person that likes to see another suffer, but as a cyclist, pedestrian and g’dad of two youngsters that aren’t as tall as the hood of that pickup, this pic pleases me. I don’t feel bad for the owner at all.
Yeah, why is it that heating/hot water units break down in the coldest weather? The cost of temporary emergency repair on Christmas weekend?
a cartoon penguin is holding a shovel in front of a fireplace full of money
ALT: a cartoon penguin is holding a shovel in front of a fireplace full of money
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Yeah, why is it that heating/hot water units break down in the coldest weather? The cost of temporary emergency repair on Christmas weekend?
My type of New Year’s Eve celebration: outdoors in Alaska, live band, food trucks, beer garden, fireworks and check out the time. 7-9 PM. I can get home & have my normal bedtime! I’m fatbiking downtown for the festivities. Who’s in?
December 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My type of New Year’s Eve celebration: outdoors in Alaska, live band, food trucks, beer garden, fireworks and check out the time. 7-9 PM. I can get home & have my normal bedtime! I’m fatbiking downtown for the festivities. Who’s in?
8 years ago today, I moved from the Kenai to Anchorage. It didn’t work out the way i hoped it might, but life doesn’t totally suck here, either.
December 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
8 years ago today, I moved from the Kenai to Anchorage. It didn’t work out the way i hoped it might, but life doesn’t totally suck here, either.
All I want for Christmas is a week without tRump doing a despicable thing. We are up to what? 3 or 4 new outrages everyday?
And maybe our lame duck good for nothing governor could resign. He’s ending his tenure by being a vindictive prick.
FYI, We are bombing Syria for vengeance. Story on pg 5?🤷♂️
And maybe our lame duck good for nothing governor could resign. He’s ending his tenure by being a vindictive prick.
FYI, We are bombing Syria for vengeance. Story on pg 5?🤷♂️
December 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM
All I want for Christmas is a week without tRump doing a despicable thing. We are up to what? 3 or 4 new outrages everyday?
And maybe our lame duck good for nothing governor could resign. He’s ending his tenure by being a vindictive prick.
FYI, We are bombing Syria for vengeance. Story on pg 5?🤷♂️
And maybe our lame duck good for nothing governor could resign. He’s ending his tenure by being a vindictive prick.
FYI, We are bombing Syria for vengeance. Story on pg 5?🤷♂️
Alaska Governor Dunleavy, still whimpering from having his vetoes overridden, pulls the plug on on $19M of already-vetted/approved transportation safety improvements in Anchorage. These improvements would have made roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists & motorists.
State opts to give Anchorage $19M less than expected for road safety next year
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities allocated $9 million for Anchorage projects out of the total $77 million set aside for statewide highway safety.
www.adn.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Alaska Governor Dunleavy, still whimpering from having his vetoes overridden, pulls the plug on on $19M of already-vetted/approved transportation safety improvements in Anchorage. These improvements would have made roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists & motorists.
A tale of the 2 solstices in south central Alaska. 5 hours 27 minutes of daylight in winter. 19 hours 23 minutes of daylight in summer (and twilight all night). Of course, I rode bikes to celebrate both days. Temps at the trailhead -5°F today.
December 21, 2025 at 1:26 AM
A tale of the 2 solstices in south central Alaska. 5 hours 27 minutes of daylight in winter. 19 hours 23 minutes of daylight in summer (and twilight all night). Of course, I rode bikes to celebrate both days. Temps at the trailhead -5°F today.
Yeah, the political news, here in Alaska & nationally gets bleaker every damn day. Short-sighted, egotistical, incompetent, & unethical administrations making every bad decision possible. Creating problems, solving none.
But it’s Friday. Let it go. Recharge.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!
But it’s Friday. Let it go. Recharge.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!
Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight
YouTube video by WangChungVEVO
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Yeah, the political news, here in Alaska & nationally gets bleaker every damn day. Short-sighted, egotistical, incompetent, & unethical administrations making every bad decision possible. Creating problems, solving none.
But it’s Friday. Let it go. Recharge.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!
But it’s Friday. Let it go. Recharge.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!
Meet Solomon Ray, an AI creation, topping the Christian music charts. So many rabbit holes to go down here. His creator is a Vets for Trump member. Coincidentally, there is a real-life Solomon Ray (SoloRay)that just released a Christmas album. Maybe it’s time for me to cash out & live off-grid.
The Current No. 1 Christian Artist Has No Soul - Christianity Today
AI-generated musician Solomon Ray has stirred a debate among listeners, drawing pushback from popular human singer Forrest Frank.
www.christianitytoday.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Meet Solomon Ray, an AI creation, topping the Christian music charts. So many rabbit holes to go down here. His creator is a Vets for Trump member. Coincidentally, there is a real-life Solomon Ray (SoloRay)that just released a Christmas album. Maybe it’s time for me to cash out & live off-grid.
I’m a fan of Alaska Public Media, but their headline is bonkers. Here’s a more accurate one: After humiliating Veto Overrides, Governor Dunleavy drops his push to continue the Republican effort to decimate public education.
After veto overrides, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy drops push for major education reform
Dunleavy has pushed lawmakers to expand charter schools and homeschool. But after lawmakers overrode his vetoes this year, Dunleavy says he's prioritizing other issues.
alaskapublic.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I’m a fan of Alaska Public Media, but their headline is bonkers. Here’s a more accurate one: After humiliating Veto Overrides, Governor Dunleavy drops his push to continue the Republican effort to decimate public education.
A good overview of how gasoline, property and other taxes pay for construction & maintenance of roads in Anchorage. Also included are comparisons of vehicles causing the most damage. Be sure to click on the full report imbedded in the article.
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike
Gas Taxes & The “User Pay” Model: Who Damages Our Roads? Who Pays?
Making Anchorage Bicycle-Friendly
www.bikeanchorage.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A good overview of how gasoline, property and other taxes pay for construction & maintenance of roads in Anchorage. Also included are comparisons of vehicles causing the most damage. Be sure to click on the full report imbedded in the article.
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike
Full disclosure: I’m on the Bike Anchorage BoD #bike