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Winter Camping and Snowbiking School on the Iditarod Trail
Dates: January 2-January 6, 2011
If you contact us with a group of 2 or more we can offer additional dates.Click on the slide show to enlarge it.
Our training camps are designed for those wanting to enter the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 mile race to McGrath by bike or anyone who would like to learn about winter biking and human powered winter travel in the extremes of the Alaskan winter. These camps are not about physical training, but to learn about winter backcountry travel, winter camping and biking in the snow in extreme cold temperatures as well as camping in the rain. We cannot predict the Alaskan weather. From the first time winter camper to the more experienced winter traveler ready to shed gear in favor of speed without compromising safety our camps are for cyclists looking to expand their horizons and remote backcountry travel in remote areas of Alaska.
Winter biking is a growing sport here in Alaska and becoming more popular in the Lower States with several winter races held here in Alaska and other western states.
For those contemplating entering one of the human-powered winter ultra races our camps are a great place to start. We often have race veterans from Alaska Ultra Sport's Iditarod Trail race come to the camps and share their knowledge and experience giving the students a wider view of gear and techniques and riding a snowbike on snowmobile trails.
After spending a lifetime playing and racing in the winter wilderness the last thing I want to be is cold. So! I learned not to be! The purpose of the camp is to pass on the skills, acquired after thousands of miles of trial and error on the trail, necessary to stay comfortable and enjoy human powered winter travel.
Having all the right gear is nice but knowing the little tricks to make it all work is priceless.
It may safe your fingers, nose and toes!
These camps are taught by Bill and Kathi Merchant.
Bill is a eight time finisher of the Alaska Ultra Sport 350 mile race on the Iditarod Trail and finisher of the 1100 mile race to Nome in 2008.
Kathi is a three time winner and current women's record holder in the 350 mile race and became the first female cyclist to finish the 1100 mile race in 2008.
Our passion is multi day winter cycling expeditions and races.
The 5 day school will be spent in the Alaskan wilderness with a base camp at Flathorn Lake.
Time will be spent with equipment testing, gear selection, setting up bivies in the snow, melting water from snow and rides on the Iditarod Trail.January 2-January 6, 2011
additional dates may be available, contact usWe recommend the Ramada in downtown Anchorage for lodging before and after the camp. They are centrally located near restaurants, REI, 6th Ave Outfitters and you can take your bike into the rooms. We will have a snowmobile with a trailer to haul one extra bag per student for extra gear and food.
article about the November winter bike camp in BIKE magic UK by Aidan Harding
New York Times article including video from December 24, 2008
Images training camp February 2009
Images training camp November 2008
Cost: $750.00 per personIncluded
transportation from and back to Anchorage to Point MacKenzie, 4 evening meals prepared by your instructors, professional instruction by Bill & Kathi Merchant, race organizers and racers of the 350 mile and 1100 mile
Iditarod Trail Invitational.Not included
rental bikes, camping gear, you need to bring your own gear, clothing,breakfast and lunch and snacks.Specialized snow bike rentals are available in Anchorage at:
Arctic CyclesWe will send you a recommended gear list and are happy to give you tips on gear and clothing.
Contact us: info@alaskaultrasport.com or call (907) 745 6680
Alaska Ultra Sport PO BOX 1125 Chickaloon Alaska 99674 (907) 745 6680
