The 2009 Iditarod has started today. A mate of mine is doig the 350 mile leg by bike. Have a look at these shots for some inspiration.
Not for me, but some awesome pictures there.
Franco
http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/latest_news.html (pictures)

Edited by Franco on 03/01/2009 21:31:08 MST.

Something to ponder, just in case anyone was reading this thread.
On the third day of the race, between the 90 and 130 mile checkpoint, my mate Yaki fell into the Skwentna River up to his chest. Somehow he got out* , managed to take all his clothes off and to get into his sleeping bag and bivvy. If I am correct, the river has to be crossed several times in that area and theoretically the ice should be thick enough for that.
(*Yaki had already practiced, unintentionally, this particular routine about 30 years ago in Scandinavia doing a solo winter crossing lasting a few weeks)
The next day we started to wonder what had happened to him, but because the weather was particularly bad, it was assumed that he was either heading to or staying inside one of the nearby (well not so nearby) cabins. For a couple of days the satellite phone communications were down in the area. Another two days passed , so the rescue squad was mobilised and he was found this morning apparently in relatively good form.
So, another amazing adventure that I will be glad to hear first hand...
Franco

Franco,

Your friends mishap is reported in the Anchorage Daily News: http://www.adn.com/sports/story/714516.html

Five miles off the trail, under a spruce tree.

One lucky guy.

Edited by greg23 on 03/08/2009 22:19:46 MDT.

Hi
He was on our National News last night , second story. All the major papers yesterday reported that, all referring to (paraphrasing) that article from the Anchorage Daily News.
Food poisoning and mechanical malfunctions as well as the weather contributed to the outcome, he had to be completely exhausted by the time he got lost.
When he fell in frigid waters in Scandinavia he had a pulk with him full of supplies, so plenty of fuel and food. This time all he had was food and fuel for three days, just in case something did go wrong...
One comment that I spotted on the web site of the largest circulation paper here, from a reader, was : with all the gear he had, he basically went camping..
My take has been for many years that some people make this world worth being part of it , others don't.
Franco
My pre-race comment on his blog was : in case you survive, questions will be asked ( gear) in the Gone to The Dogs article..
http://int2white.blogspot.com/

I would love to see a gear list for these guys, and especially the way the bikes are set up.

Christopher,
Mike Curiak's 2004(?) bike is hanging at Absolute Bikes here in Salida.

Custom frame by Wes Willets, 4" tires, disk brakes, single speed. And for some reason painted in black, gray, and white 'camo'.

I'm heading into town this afternoon. What do you want to know?

Sorry, Chris, forgot about this one..
The bike was a Surley Pugsley frame put together by
http://www.arcticcycles.com/Race%20Ready.html
paniers by
http://www.epicdesignsalaska.com/
some thermal gear from
http://www.rbhdesigns.com/
racks by
https://www.oldmanmountain.com/

All of the above come highly recommended by Yair.
Franco