Alaskan (Iditarod) Biking

This should probably go under Sprockets but I figured it would get more general interest here.

My wife and daughter went up with a church group to volunteer at the Iditarod and associated events (basketball tourney, etc.) and to generally help out the locals and such. When they came back they had pics of people biking the Iditarod Trail.

It's this - http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

I guess riding a dog sled 1,100 miles wasn't hard enough!

From what I know of dog sledding (not a lot, I watched the TG arctic special, had an Iditarod nut 6th grade teacher) "riding" a dog sled is probably on par with "riding" a bike in terms of physical output, especially when racing.

That said, I wonder what requires more maintainance a bike or a pack of dogs?

Please tell us about the arctic preparations necessary for the bike and the rider.

Having grown up with Siberian Huskies (my parents ran an AKC registered kennel) where we bred, showed, and raced the dogs.. a bike is a LOT less maintance.

Typical non-race day with huskies.. was up early to let the dogs out so you can clean up the crap out of their runs. Hose down the runs with soap to keep bacteria and parasites down. Fresh water for the dogs. Clean up the clumps of dog hair (in spring and summer)

Noon was the same..

Dinnertime was also feeding time.. so add a bowl of food for each dog.. then let them out to do their thing in the grass and burn off some extra energy, and then call it a night.

This does not include grooming, playing with the dogs, and taking them for walks.

Bikes (and cars) and MUCH easier.. especially when you include sled maintance, truck maintance for transporting the dogs and sled, etcetcetc

I saw a documentary some years ago on those crazy people. One guy kept BREAKING HIS TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO COLD. Like, the bike tire would crack and fall apart as he rode it. And the lube in the bottom bracket and wheel hubs would solidify. other strange stuff too. Not to mention, the bike won't keep you warm if you sleep next to it!

I'll stick to biking in the southeast, thankyouverymuch.

AND I just notice that crazy bastard is on a single speed. Which I should have guessed - derailleurs freeze.

The bike is a Surly Pugsley if anybody was wondering. Great for snow.

Surly, Fatback, and Salsa all make snow bikes.

And they are all expensive. A wheelset with tires can cost $1000 bucks.

Me? I'd rather ride in winter when I dont have to worry about getting mauled by bears.

PHeller wrote: Me? I'd rather ride in winter when I dont have to worry about getting mauled by bears.

As long as you are only 2nd slowest you're fine though

NO WAY... I'm in Alaska, after driving that insane Atigun Pass. You couldn't pay me enough to even think about biking up here. The only time I left the car was to pee... in a snowbank. Staying in a bunker tonight at Prudhoe Bay... it looks like the moon here.

killerkane wrote: The bike is a Surly Pugsley if anybody was wondering. Great for snow.

That sounds like a really cool bike! 4" tread, 5-10 psi! Do want one.

http://www.gearreview.com/surly-pugsley.php

Hey Lesley, are you testing a vehicle up there?

Yes, we drove four Porsche Cayennes from Whitehorse to Prudhoe Bay. We're heading back tomorrow, I finish in Anchorage on Friday, and 2 more writers join and continue to Vancouver. It has been an unbelievable experience!

Sounds as if you are doing really well in your profession. I'm happy for you and feel it's safe to say you deserve it.

ultraclyde wrote: AND I just notice that crazy bastard is on a single speed. Which I should have guessed - derailleurs freeze.

One of the features of the Pugsley is the front fork is designed to take a 135mm spaced rear hub. This allows you to swap the wheels front to back to change drive ratios "in the field" without disassembling the freewheel.

Also check out Surly's Big Dummy cargo bike - clever stuff.

No canoe - I just think their stuff is cool.

Thanks Hasbro... it's an unconventional life, but never boring

You couldn't pay me enough to even think about doing that. Holy crap.

Lesley wrote: Yes, we drove four Porsche Cayennes from Whitehorse to Prudhoe Bay. We're heading back tomorrow, I finish in Anchorage on Friday, and 2 more writers join and continue to Vancouver. It has been an unbelievable experience!

Don't break your tires!

akamcfly wrote: Also check out Surly's Big Dummy cargo bike - clever stuff. No canoe - I just think their stuff is cool.

I need one of their trailers