Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's Eve Night Ride
Bill and I rode from Knik Lake out the Iditarod Trail to Flathorn Lake and back on the seismic line to Point McKenzie and from there back to Knik, about a 62 mile ride. We left the parking lot about 3 pm. The trail started out being hard packed with little snow cover, as little as I have seen out there this time of the year. The area around 9 mile hill is better than most years, it is not quite so rutted on the downhills and had beautiful white snow covering the trees.The big swamp before Flathorn Lake was very soft and slow going, so was the lake when we finally got there, it was very windy.
The swamps after Flathorn on the return leg were very fast with ice underneath a light packed layer of snow. The trail in the trees was soft again from all the recent snowmachine traffic and 6 to 7" of fresh snow they had received a few days ago. We only saw about 5 snowmachines right in the beginning and a musher we had met a few days ago. He stopped and we talked briefly. He is signed up for the Knik 200 which starts Saturday, Jan. 5th. I figured we must have been the only ones pedaling bikes through the night on New Year's Eve. There was a cool cloud above the Chugach Mountains in the distance reflecting the city lights of Anchorage in orange and illuminating the mountains in light orange. We stopped at the Point McKenzie Store for a coke just after midnight, what great folks.They are hosting the Susitna 100 start and finish this year. We got back to the Knik Bar at around 2PM with karaoke going on inside the bar.
We didn't feel like going inside a smoky bar after the ride so we headed home to Chickaloon.
Was a great night ride with variable snow conditions. Temps were around 18 to 19 degrees with wind on the swamps.
Kathi
The swamps after Flathorn on the return leg were very fast with ice underneath a light packed layer of snow. The trail in the trees was soft again from all the recent snowmachine traffic and 6 to 7" of fresh snow they had received a few days ago. We only saw about 5 snowmachines right in the beginning and a musher we had met a few days ago. He stopped and we talked briefly. He is signed up for the Knik 200 which starts Saturday, Jan. 5th. I figured we must have been the only ones pedaling bikes through the night on New Year's Eve. There was a cool cloud above the Chugach Mountains in the distance reflecting the city lights of Anchorage in orange and illuminating the mountains in light orange. We stopped at the Point McKenzie Store for a coke just after midnight, what great folks.They are hosting the Susitna 100 start and finish this year. We got back to the Knik Bar at around 2PM with karaoke going on inside the bar.
We didn't feel like going inside a smoky bar after the ride so we headed home to Chickaloon.
Was a great night ride with variable snow conditions. Temps were around 18 to 19 degrees with wind on the swamps.
Kathi
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sunday, December 23 2007
All is good here in Alaska. Kathi and I rode up the trail Friday night to Flathorn Lake to celebrate the longest night of the year. With the moon nearly full we hardly used our lights. We could use a little more snow but there is enough to smooth out the trail on the swamps and the creeks are all frozen. The trail is in from Nikolai to McGrath and word is there is good snow and ice all the way to Nome.
Some of you will soon be packing your drops. I want to remind everyone that only food, fuel, batteries and handwarmers are allowed in drop bags for Finger Lake and Rohn. All clothing and gear must be carried from the start in the McGrath race. Nome racers may send extra gear to McGrath by post. You are allowed 10lbs (4.5 kilos) per drop but please send only what you believe you will need. We can no longer dump food that is left in Rohn and what you do not take we have to fly out. We also must haul out what is left in Finger Lake. Nome racers should send only what they will carry from Cripple since there is no place to leave garbage or extra supplies. If you mail your drops please put them in bags inside the shipping boxes to make them easier to pack in the plane for delivery.
We hope training goes well for all and we look forward to you soon.
Bill and Kathi
Friday, December 7, 2007
December update
December 6, 2007
Hello All,
Winter is in full swing here in Chickaloon and Kathi and I have been enjoying the winter riding. We are excited to see all of you soon for the 7th annual Iditarod Trail Invitational! I spoke with Peter Schneiderheinze in McGrath yesterday and he is looking forward to hosting all of us again this year. The trail from Nikolai to McGrath is in and they have about two feet of snow. All drop bags are due by February 17th.
Those of you mailing drops can send them to us at:
Alaska Ultra Sport
POB 1125
Chickaloon, Alaska
99674
We will pick up all other drops at Alaska European B&B on Sunday, Feb. 17th at 1:00 pm. As always drops are limited to food, fuel and batteries only ! All clothing and survival gear must be carried from start to finish in the McGrath race. Nome racers may send extra gear to the McGrath Post office at their own expense. Nome racers will also have a drop bag that will be sent to the Iditarod Cripple checkpoint between Ophir and Ruby. All drops are limited to 10 lbs (4.5 kilos) each. Those of you sending your drops by mail should package them in a waterproof bag inside the shipping box. Bags pack much better in the small plane. The pre-race meeting is at the Loussac Library Saturday, Feb. 23 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm The bus to the starting line will leave from the Golden Lion Best Western at 36th Ave.and New Seward Hwy. Sunday, Feb. 24th at 11:00 am. Race start is at 2:00 pm Sunday Feb. 24th. The only major change this year is we will be using Yentna Station instead of Luce's Lodge as our first checkpoint. Those racers planning to stay at Alaska European B&B need to contact Irene at irenemay60@hotmail.com I am sure there will be more of you wishing to stay at the B&B than she can accomodate so it is best to contact her early. For the few who still haven't sent your entry fees don't forget they go up by $100.00 Jan. 1st. We hope training goes well and you have a great winter season and
Happy Holidays
Bill and Kathi
Hello All,
Winter is in full swing here in Chickaloon and Kathi and I have been enjoying the winter riding. We are excited to see all of you soon for the 7th annual Iditarod Trail Invitational! I spoke with Peter Schneiderheinze in McGrath yesterday and he is looking forward to hosting all of us again this year. The trail from Nikolai to McGrath is in and they have about two feet of snow. All drop bags are due by February 17th.
Those of you mailing drops can send them to us at:
Alaska Ultra Sport
POB 1125
Chickaloon, Alaska
99674
We will pick up all other drops at Alaska European B&B on Sunday, Feb. 17th at 1:00 pm. As always drops are limited to food, fuel and batteries only ! All clothing and survival gear must be carried from start to finish in the McGrath race. Nome racers may send extra gear to the McGrath Post office at their own expense. Nome racers will also have a drop bag that will be sent to the Iditarod Cripple checkpoint between Ophir and Ruby. All drops are limited to 10 lbs (4.5 kilos) each. Those of you sending your drops by mail should package them in a waterproof bag inside the shipping box. Bags pack much better in the small plane. The pre-race meeting is at the Loussac Library Saturday, Feb. 23 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm The bus to the starting line will leave from the Golden Lion Best Western at 36th Ave.and New Seward Hwy. Sunday, Feb. 24th at 11:00 am. Race start is at 2:00 pm Sunday Feb. 24th. The only major change this year is we will be using Yentna Station instead of Luce's Lodge as our first checkpoint. Those racers planning to stay at Alaska European B&B need to contact Irene at irenemay60@hotmail.com I am sure there will be more of you wishing to stay at the B&B than she can accomodate so it is best to contact her early. For the few who still haven't sent your entry fees don't forget they go up by $100.00 Jan. 1st. We hope training goes well and you have a great winter season and
Happy Holidays
Bill and Kathi
Friday, November 23, 2007
4 spots left in the 2008 race
November 5, 2007
It is great to see all the interest in the race this year. The roster is full with 50 racers signed up for the 2008 Iditarod Trail Invitational. We are starting an alternate list. If someone cancels we will give that spot to the first racer on the list. I have spoken with most of the checkpoints on the trail and everyone is excited to see us again. The only major change this year is Yentna Station will be our first checkpoint not Luce’s Lodge. Yentna Station is about 6 miles further up the Yentna River and has good food and lodging available. As always racers may use any open lodges along the trail but are required to check in and out of checkpoints.If any of you plan to stay at Alaska European B&B you should contact irenemay60@hotmail.com The rates this year are: $39.00 per night + 12% Tax It is winter here in Chickaloon, Alaska and Kathi and I are busy switching seasons at our cabin. We have about 6” (15cm) of snow and soon the rivers should be freezing up. It’s time to put away the riding shorts and get out the long pants and fat tires for winter trails. We are ready to pack the bikes and hit the trail for another season of winter biking/camping. Here’s hoping all of you have good health and a super winter training season. We look forward to another great race on the Iditarod Trail and to seeing you in February.
Happy Trails Bill and Kathi
It is great to see all the interest in the race this year. The roster is full with 50 racers signed up for the 2008 Iditarod Trail Invitational. We are starting an alternate list. If someone cancels we will give that spot to the first racer on the list. I have spoken with most of the checkpoints on the trail and everyone is excited to see us again. The only major change this year is Yentna Station will be our first checkpoint not Luce’s Lodge. Yentna Station is about 6 miles further up the Yentna River and has good food and lodging available. As always racers may use any open lodges along the trail but are required to check in and out of checkpoints.If any of you plan to stay at Alaska European B&B you should contact irenemay60@hotmail.com The rates this year are: $39.00 per night + 12% Tax It is winter here in Chickaloon, Alaska and Kathi and I are busy switching seasons at our cabin. We have about 6” (15cm) of snow and soon the rivers should be freezing up. It’s time to put away the riding shorts and get out the long pants and fat tires for winter trails. We are ready to pack the bikes and hit the trail for another season of winter biking/camping. Here’s hoping all of you have good health and a super winter training season. We look forward to another great race on the Iditarod Trail and to seeing you in February.
Happy Trails Bill and Kathi
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