This coming January, I really want to take a trip to Anchorage to race in the Frosty Bottom for 2015. I think it'd be a memorable trip and a fun experience. My plan is to book two weeks of vacation and get there early. Then I can ride the course at least a few times in advance, and take some time to be a tourist.

Problem is, I found almost no information about the race anywhere. The Chain Reaction Cycles website does have a description of the course, and some old race results, but not much else. If there are any members here who have done that race, I'm hoping you can help me find the answers I need.

Are there any restrictions? Do you have to be a local resident, or an American citizen, to join? The course description said that vandalism is a problem, with people pulling the orange flags; does it really happen that much? And finally, how far in advance do they usually allow you to sign up (its only September, so I suppose I'm a bit ahead of myself)?

Have you tried E Mailing Chain Reaction? I bet they would answer your questions. I can't imagine there would be any residency restrictions. You also might try the Alaska forum on the MTBR forums I suspect you will get more responses there.

I've never rode it as I'm usually deep into ski season at that time, but the guys at Chair Reaction are good folks. As stated above, I would just drop them an email or give them a call. I can't imagine there would be a residency requirement... this is Alaska, our outdoor community is generally pretty low-key about stuff. Make sure you check our weather at that time of year. I can get really cold and windy, and you will be right next to Cook Inlet.

I signed up last year at the last minute because I was not sure I would make it back from Fairbanks. The guys at Chain Reaction let me pay at the start. However, the best is to sign up now on their web site. Unfortunately, I had a mechanical so I did not finish. The event is a wonderful time and there were about 200 fat bikes last year and a couple who tried with 29'er but the trail was too soft for them. There are lots of riders so if you are not an elite fat biker there is very little chance of getting lost because so many riders go ahead of you. The trails are large established trails for the most part. Come early and ride it first if you want or enjoy the miles of other single track available here in Anchorage. Chain Reaction is a wonderful LBS and they know their stuff. Arctic Bike Rentals has fat bike rentals for the Frosty Bottom if you don't want to ship to Anchorage. This race is from basically sea level up to the mountains and back again, so it is a fairly intense ride for the 50. Lots of newbies do just the first half up to the hills. The race is open to all, however. I did find that you want to make sure you keep ahead of the runners because at least last year they churned up the trail pretty good and it was like riding in really fluffed up sand after the runners went through as I was working on my chain. We have had virtually no snow yet this year, so trail riding is poor because of ice. There will be snow, however. The first part of the trail is on groomed trails.

If you are still coming to Anchorage, welcome. Send me a message and I would be honored to meet for a drink or some coffee to talk about our biking scene and options. The snow has finally arrived and it looks like the trails will be fast this year.