Iditasport returns to Alaska
In a throwback to the early days of winter endurance cycling, the Iditasport returned to Alaska this past weekend in a successful comeback. And while fat bikes are now mainstream and cyclists no longer need…
Tag Archives: Alaska
Australians attempt winter traverse of Brooks Range
Among the intriguing expeditions currently underway is two skiers’ attempt to cross Alaska’s Brooks Range during the winter. John Cantor and Evan Howard, both from Australia, are attempting to ski from Kotzebue on Alaska’s west…
The secrets of sled dogs
For more than a decade, veterinarian Mike Davis of the University of Oklahoma has been traveling to Alaska to study the physiology of what many consider to be the world’s greatest endurance athletes —sled dogs.…
Feet and winter cycling
Cold feet are the bane of any cyclist who rides when the mercury drops below freezing. Sitting in a saddle and spinning pedals does not promote circulation in the lower extremities, and cyclists are more…
Winter races keep excitement high when the snow flies
Leaves are changing color, days are becoming cooler, and the sun is slipping away earlier every evening. We all know what that means — it’s time to start training for winter endurance races! As frigid…
Kenai 250 — Bikepacking in bear country
Early in the morning on July 5, the northern sun was already high in the sky when 14 mountain bikers gathered on the gravel road that cuts through the sleepy former mining town of Hope,…
Iditarod racers press on toward Nome
I apologize for the sparse updates on this blog during the past week. Life often gets in the way of even the best intentions, but the Iditarod Trail Invitational continues its long grind along the…
David Johnston wins ITI foot race
Dave Johnston doesn’t quite have the appearance of a long-distance runner. A three-foot blond ponytail wrapped in rubber bands hangs down to his legs. He’d just as soon wear fifteen-year-old race T-shirts and board shorts…
Jay Petervary shatters ITI course record
One can just imagine wild-eyed intensity on Jay Petervary’s face as he pedaled out of Nikolai into the subzero darkness — stoic grimace, thousand-yard stare, and ice crusted to his headgear. Entering his third night…
Iditarod Trail flyover
The second day of the Iditarod Trail Invitational began under clear skies and far-reaching visibility, granting my bush pilot friend Dan Bailey and I the perfect opportunity to take his little yellow Cessna over the…