New Year's Partying, Alaskan Style

By Chris Kostman

Originally published in Bicycle Guide, 1993

Alaskans have a unique way of doing things, and ringing in the New Year is certainly no exception. The promoters of the Iditasport race held each February on the Iditarod Trail offered yet another zany winter bicycle race in the form of the Anchorage to Fairbanks Winter Bicycle Classic this January 1st. In the spirit of the wild frontier, there were no waivers, no registration, and no entry fee, but there was a $7,000 purse for the top three men and women to cover the 365 miles of ice and snow-laden highway between Alaska's only two legitimate cities.

With temperatures ranging from 0 to 20, less than six hours of weak sunlight per day, and nearly constant snowfall, it was an unlikely place at best for such a race. Thus it came as perhaps as no surprise that just six cyclists decided to make the run for the money. They included only two Alaskans, Rob Angelson and Fred Burnside, and four Outsiders (non-Alaskans): RAAM veterans Bob Fourney of Colorado, Hubert Schwarz of Germany, and Mary Burns of Florida (the sole woman entrant), plus Aussie Steve Camkin, entering his first bicycle race on a bike he had just bought the day before.

With the temperatures, constant snowfall, dangerous icepack on the roadway, rolling terrain, and practically constant darkness taking more of a toll than any late night beer fest could possibly dish out, the race quickly turned into a race for survival. When it was all said and done, two-time RAAM champ Fourney took the honors in 26 hours and Schwarz rolled in some 5 1/2 hours later. The other four all succumbed to exhaustion, the cold, injuries, or just plain common sense. Of course, all six riders pledged to return next year for another go, while the race promoters were quick point out that conditions might not be so favorable next time around. Only in Alaska...

The World's Coldest Bicycle Race

By Chris Kostman

Originally published in ULTRA Cycling

A half dozen cyclists proved that they are serious about their 93 season by kicking off the New Year with a 365 mile race from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska. The event was produced by Dan Bull and his cohorts from the Iditasport, the human-powered ultra marathon race held each February on the Iditarod Trail. While the January 1 race was held on the highway, ice buildup and nearly constant snowing made fat tyres, great bike handling skills, and a decent amount of luck critical to success. Interestingly, there was no entry fee, waivers, or advance registration required, but $7,000 was up for grabs, courtesy of the organizers.

Everyone learned who was actually going to race two hours before race start at the pre-race breakfast meeting, then the riders hit the highway in five minute intervals beginning at nine AM. Each rider had to have a support vehicle, RAAM style. Temps ranged from zero to twenty above and there was just six hours of very weak sunlight during the day. To say that it was largely a dreary ride into blinding snow with nothing but an occasional snowplow showering snow onto the riders would be about accurate. But this was a bike race in Alaska on New Year's, so what could anyone expect? Still, it was a fascinating event that may even grow bigger in the future.