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Bill at the Knik Glacier photo by Mark Gronewald
Winter Camping and Snowbiking School on the Iditarod Trail
Sunday, December 27th - Thursday, December 31, 2009
We just returned from our December training camp.
Click on the slide show to enlarge it.
Saturday, February 13th- Wednesday February 17th 2010
Learn to enjoy the extremes of winter backcountry travel, camping and biking in the snow. 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.
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.
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.
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 camps can also be part of a snowmachine supported bike trip on various sections of the Iditarod Trail or ride to and on a glacier.
Our winter training camp is for future racers or anyone who would like to learn about winter biking and human powered winter travel.
The 5 day school will be spent in the Alaskan wilderness in a base camp with a heated wall tent. 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.December 27th - December 31, 2009
February 13th- February 17th, 2010
additional dates may be available, contact us
click here for article about the November winter bike camp in BIKE magic UK by Aidan Harding
click here for 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 , 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
Winter Biking For those looking for the ultimate challenge check out our guided winter adventures on the Iditarod Trail and our Fatbike Mountain Biking Expeditions on Alaska's glaciers, frozen rivers, lakes, snowmobile routes or join us for a day snowshoeing in the Talkeetna Mountains or Expedition to the Knik Glacier. We use specialized mountain bikes with 3.7 inch tires in the snow.
Alaska Ultra Sport PO BOX 1125 Chickaloon Alaska 99674 (907) 745 6680
