Hello,

I am fairly new to winter cycling, but have fallen in love with the sport and am planning on entering the Susitna 100, a 100-mile ride along the frozen Iditarod trail in Alaska. I was wondering if anyone here has ridden the Susitna 100 before, or maybe some other long winter race. I would love to get some advice.

I also keep a blog of my riding progress, with photos. If you want to check it out, it's located at http://arcticglass.blogspot.com

I'm so glad to have found this forum! Great information!

Jill

Welcome to the forums. I"m looking forward to keeping up with your progress on your blog. I've been thinking about doing the Susitna 100/Iditasport ever since I spent a fall and winter in Anchorage several years ago. I really developed a taste for winter riding there. You Alaska riders are amoung the hardest-core! :eek:

I've never ridden it, but I've had my eye on it for several years as something I'd like to do. This year I had the opportunity to chat briefly with a couple people who have done it and also the longer one ... which just made me want to do it even more!!

I hope you get nice cold temperatures for it. I know a couple years ago it was quite warm (about freezing) and very sloppy. The riders couldn't stop to sleep or anything along the way because everything was wet. Both the people I talked to say it is much better when everything is frozen and drier.

I just briefly checked out your site...it's great !!
I look forward to reading it in detail later tonight.
I admire your accomplishments...

Best of luck with the Susitna 100 !

Joe
Oxford, CT.

Hello,

I am fairly new to winter cycling, but have fallen in love with the sport and am planning on entering the Susitna 100, a 100-mile ride along the frozen Iditarod trail in Alaska. I was wondering if anyone here has ridden the Susitna 100 before, or maybe some other long winter race. I would love to get some advice.

I also keep a blog of my riding progress, with photos. If you want to check it out, it's located at http://arcticglass.blogspot.com

I'm so glad to have found this forum! Great information!

Jill

Try some long rides around your home, on the road or sidewalk if there aren't suitable trails. You'll figure out what works and what doesn't to a certain extent. Once you can manage a 10 hour Sunday winter ride around home then you can consider a crazy winter race.

p.s. Are these Alaskan races near polar bear territory?

p.s. Are these Alaskan races near polar bear territory?
No but the mooses might get you!