OK, so that may sound a little grand. After all, we’ve talked about the Tour de France, the Coast to Coast in South Africa, the 508 Furnace Trail in California, but to cycle the Iditerod trail? In winter? Surely the most extreme cycle challenge in the world (akusport)!

Our congratulations to Kathi Hirzinger Merchant for becoming the first female cyclist to finish the 1100 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational race from Knik to Nome, Alaska.

So…. what more can I tell you about this race?

Not much. Facts appear to be elusive.

Although cycling the Iditerod does appear to have crossed it’s centenary. There are accounts of extraordinary rides in 1898 and 1900…

Winter cycling in the Arctic predates the verse of poet Robert Service…

“The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights…”

Bicycles were used as a serious means of transportation in Alaska before the automobile.  In ‘Wheels on Ice, Bicycling in Alaska 1898-1900′, editor Terrence Cole compiled many original accounts and photographs of men who drove bicycles instead of dog teams during the Klondike and Nome gold rushes.  In 1901 the Skagway newspaper estimated there were some 250 bikes on the Dawson trail and predicted that the pre-eminence of the dog team would soon be over.  Several journals recounted incredible 1000-mile rides along the frozen Yukon River from Dawson to Nome, and one translated the comment of a native North American, unfamiliar with the new technology: “Whiteman sit down, go like hell.” Sadly the comment still applies; most people in Alaska, as in the Lower 48, soon began their love affair with cars and roaring snowmobiles!

So, we know that bikes were used by many “stampeeders” in the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. Their accounts of thousand-plus mile journeys fill the short, magazine-sized book  ‘Wheels on Ice’ (Alaska Northwest Publishing Company, Anchorage). What’s interesting about these stories is how casually great hardships are matter-of-factly recorded. “It was the only night on the trail I didn’t have a blanket. My food had run out so the next morning it was a situation of ride 35 miles to lunch.”

But where do these extraordinary cycle rides fit into the present?

Many years later, five Anchoragers decided to organise a bike ride up to Nome on the famous Iditarod dog sled trail, some 1,049 miles long. And so began The Iditabike race. It began as a mere 170 miles  ride, and was conceived as a ’shakedown training run’ to test equipment and stamina. It was first run in 1982. Three years later, Dan Bull, Les Matz, Roger Cowles and Mark Frise made a successful run to Nome in 22 days.

Patti Brehler who participated in the 1990 February race said, “Anybody can mountain bike on a wooded trail. For a real challenge, try pedaling through two feet of snow with a 20-lb pack in minus 40 degree temperatures.”

“I rode the trail for only about two miles, and had to push my mountain bike the other 50 miles,” she adds. “It took me 37 3/4 hours to travel 52 miles, and sometimes it seemed more like a survival test than a mountain bike race.”

One of  only 23 cyclists to finish the race, which began with 58 entrants, Brehler credits her achievement to a regimented cross-training fitness program. She began training seriously for the cold-weather conditions of the Iditabike in November by keeping the heat off in her home and by training in Michigan’s 10 degree F winter weather in t-shirts, shorts and lightweight tights.

1990 was a particularly warm year which turned the snow and ice to slush. Bad for cyclists and ultimately the race was nicknamed the ‘Iditapush’. After that, Iditabike combined with Iditaski, an older race formerly held a week earlier on the same course. Skiers love soft snow but have trouble with the hard, icy snow best for cycling. Thus it was reasoned that if competitors could choose their weapon on the start line there would never be a year in which nature dominated completely. Just to be sure, snow shoe, foot race and triathlon categories were created with a shorter 80-mile length and the event was restyled Iditasport.

Way back in  ‘82, the first year they ran the race, Laddy Shaw bragged  “Cowards won’t show and the weak will die.” Laddy proceeded to drop out of the race, inspiring the creation of the Laddy Shaw Award for the loudest braggart most humbled by the race… history relates a few others!

“I’m not at all sure I really enjoyed that…” famous last words, but this competitor survived to tell the tale. That’s the Idatbike for you, or should I say ‘The Iditasport’.

So what exactly has the Iditasport boiled down to?

Well, it’s an Alaskan Human Powered Ultra-Race with four different divisions: Ski, Bike, Foot, and snowshoe. The trail is snow-covered and packed down for travel. It is marked for both day and night with brightly colored and reflective markers. The trail crosses wooded, rolling hills and frozen rivers and lakes.

There are 3 divisions:

The traditional Iditasport 130, which runs 130 miles from Knik, Alaska to Finger Lake, running along several portions of the famed Iditarod trail.

The Iditasport Extreme, which runs 350 miles up and over the Alaska Range. No roads – support by snow machine and airplane only.

Finally, the beyond category Iditasport Impossible, which runs 1100 miles up the entire Iditarod Trail to Nome. This is the ultimate. Dan Bull says “You will not find a more envelope-pushing, on the edge, out there, life-changing adventure race anywhere! This race is designed for the serious racer looking for the that one-in-a-lifetime adventure experience” … and we couldn’t agree more.

This is Dave Norona doing the Iditarod Impossible in 2000 looking cool, collected and comfortable.

The interesting thing is that I cannot find any record of the race after 2001 – is it still being run? Can anyone tell me?

The FIS Junior World Champs Snowboard and Freestyle competition is to be held in New Zealand in August,2010.

All three of Wanaka’s ski areas, Cardrona, Snow Park and Treble Cone, will share the spotlight for this August’s 2010 FIS Snowboard & Freestyle Junior World Championships.

High mountains and extensive terrain, reliable snow and powder days, Lake Wanaka Winter Resort has it all and is the most preferred skiing and snowboarding resort in the Southern Hemisphere.

Typically, FIS World Championships are staged during the Northern Hemisphere winter, but with New Zealand’s growing reputation as a world-class snow sports destination, organisers are confident they’ll be able to attract full fields for the event, which is expected to include a range of off-snow events and attractions in Wanaka. After all, last year’s World Heli Challenge in Wanaka  was a huge success attracting more than 40 top snowboarders and skiers from around the world.

This event, scheduled for 19-31 August, marks the first time a FIS World Championship will be staged in New Zealand, and also marks the first time that snowboarding and freestyle skiing will share the same stage in a World Championship.

“For two weeks in August, Wanaka will be centre stage for a major international ski and snowboard competition,” said Snow Sports New Zealand CEO Ross Palmer. “It’s a great opportunity for the local ski resorts and for elite junior freestyle and snowboard athletes to showcase our sports and the region.”

Snow Park will host the slopestyle competitions for both skiers and snowboarders; Treble Cone is set to host the snowboard parallel giant slalom and snowboard parallel slalom; Cardrona will stage the ski and snowboard halfpipe, ski- and snowboard-cross and snowboard big air competitions. All three resorts are just 30 minutes drive from downtown Wanaka.

The inclusion of slopestyle competitions in both skiing and snowboarding is one of the major breakthroughs for the event. FIS has never staged a slopestyle competition for skiers and only this year staged their first snowboard slopestyle competition at the World Cup level.

“Securing the FIS Junior World Champs is a coup for our reputation as a snow sports destination, with Wanaka offering arguably the best skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand across 4 ski areas and extensive heli-ski terrain,” said Lake Wanaka Tourism General Manager James Hellmore. “Hosting these up-and-coming athletes and future stars is a great opportunity to showcase the Wanaka region, with interest from worldwide media likely to be huge. While skiing and snowboarding are key reasons for people to visit Wanaka, the whole of the Wanaka region will benefit hugely from this event.”

A finalised schedule will be announced in the next week, and posted on the Snow Sports New Zealand website (www.snowsports.co.nz).

Thanks to Aussiemystic for this great video showing the resorts of Treble Cone and Cardrona…

From one extreme to another – yesterday we talked about the up-coming Yak-Attack in Nepal: mountains, snow, freezing waters, etc. And today RacingThePlanet’s first annual event of the year, the Atacama Crossing, begins – desert: the hottest, driest, windiest and coldest place on earth. This race is no walk in the park. It is about as extreme as an event of this kind could possibly be (racingtheplanet)..

RacingThePlanet and Extreme World Challenges have one thing in common. They both seek extreme locations for their very extreme events. And these are not self-congratulatory events… they both raise money for charities of their choice, charities that benefit the country that they are eventing in.

“As anyone who has run to raise money will tell you, a charitable cause is a powerful motivator and can often mean the difference between failing and finishing. And, in a world bursting with special fund-raising events and charitable challenges, the 4 Deserts still ranks as one of the hardest but most rewarding ways in which to make a positive contribution to your community,” says Dave Flanagan.

And this year Chile has suffered a catastrophic earthquake – so big that it has knocked the earth of its habitual axis. That’s quite something to contemplate isn’t it? RacingThePlanet considered the appropriateness of running a race after a cataclysmic event like this and decided that they could hopefully do more good than harm. Raise money for charities that desperately needed the help, and show the bereaved country that it was not bereft of friends.

“The Atacama Crossing 2010 represents an opportunity to support a wonderful country that is currently in mourning. The event will be a tribute to everything that is great about Chile – its people, its astonishing landscapes and its indomitable spirit. And now there’s also the prospect of raising funds to help the disaster relief effort through the link RacingThePlanet has established with the international charity Habitat for Humanity.”

The event  is part of the 4 Deserts races which were named by TIME magazine as #2 on its list of the Top 10 Endurance Competitions in the world. This is the sixth time this particular race has been run. Thirty four countries will be represented with competitors coming from six continents. The youngest competitor  is Sam Sharrock of the United Kingdom who is 18 years old – he will be taking part with his father.  The eldest competitor is Laurence (Laurie) J. Brophy of Wales who will be 78 years old on the start line.

Not only that, but Laurie will, if he completes,  set a new record of being the oldest person to have completed a 4 Deserts event. He currently holds this title from his completion of the Sahara Race (Egypt) 2005 at the age of 72 — this title was then equaled by Jack Denness of the United Kingdom in the Sahara Race (Egypt) 2008.

That’s quite something to be able to boast about…

77% of the competitors are male and 23% are female in this Atacama Crossing  – this is a 4% increase in the number of women compared to the same event in 2009. A record nine competitors from Chile will take part. There are 14 competitors from South America in total, also a record. The largest contingent of competitors are from the United Kingdom (39), followed by the United States (34). Five teams will be competing this year, Team Help for Heroes includes Rob James from Wales who finished second in the Atacama Crossing 2008. There is also an all female team from Chile — Team Andesgear.

Some facts about the Atacama Desert:

• The Atacama Desert is 15 million years old and 50 times more arid than California’s Death Valley.
• Some of the oldest mummies found on earth come from the Atacama, dating as far back as 9000 years.
• The entire race will be held at least 1.6 kilometers / 1 mile above sea level and cover the distance required to make a horizontal crossing of the country of Chile (250 kilometers).
• The day time temperatures expected are 32 Celsius / 90 Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures may drop to 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
• The Atacama Desert has the most lunar-like landscape on Earth and is frequently used by NASA to test its Mars rover vehicles.

A word from RacingThePlanet:

RacingThePlanet – The Official Page We are dedicating the Atacama Crossing 2010 the victims of the earthquake in Chile and are raising money for Habitat for Humanity. If you would like to donate, please click the link below and be part of the race as well. 100% of your donation will go to Habitat for Humanity.

Competitors are checking in in La Casa de Don Tomas, San Pedro de Atacama, right this moment,  including administrative, medical and equipment review. They will be departing for Camp 1 this afternoon. The race begins tomorrow – good luck to all, and although I don’t want to sound partisan, very very good luck to Laurie Brophy.

The race ends on 13th March.

We talked about this race in December, but as it is about to start we thought it well worth reminding you bout it and pointing out a few more details. After all, it is an extroadinary extreme endurance race with the aim to finally decide who is the faster over severe tough and varied terrain – mountain biker or runner.

Some seriously fit mountain bikers and long-distance endurance athletes will be determined to prove that their medium is king and will be either en route to Nepal or already there acclimatising to the very different altitude. This is a reminder of the imminent start of this year’s Yak-Attack.

“Yak Attack is not runner versus mountain bike, it’s man versus nature and nature seems to have the upper hand,” says Phill Stasiw, Manang to Thorong Phedi, Yak Attack 2007.

March 8th is kick-off day for the annual Yak-Attack with race registration beginning at 2pm infront of the Kathmandu Guesthouse. Starting in the heart of Kathmandu, the race follows a mixture of back country roads and jeep tracks to traverse the Himalayan foothills on its way to  Besi Sahar, where the real mountains begin.

After 9 days of riding (and 1 rest day) with stages ranging between 100 km and 18 km,the race will finish in Tatopani where competitors can enjoy a well deserved soak in the rejuvenating hot springs just a short walk away from the hotel and an all-important post race celebration. The final day incorporates a group ride to Beni and then transfer by bus to the lakeside tourist destination of Pokhara.

“I’ve come away with great memories, new friends and a pair of sore legs and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat,” says former entrant Geoff Bamber (runner).

“Yak Attack is the only MTB stage race to take place in Nepal and it offers competitors a rare opportunity to ride in the Annapurna region. There aren’t many locations around the world where you have to ride uphill for 4 days, followed by a close to 100km of descent,” says Phil Evans, event organizer. “The route also takes competitors through the deepest gorge on earth, with the trail passing between two 8000m plus mountains,” he adds.

Evans, the man behind Extreme World Challenges, liaised with Mr Chhimi Gurung, president of the Nepal Mountain bike Association,in 2007 and the idea for Yak Attack was born. It became Extreme World Challenge’s first independent event. Using one of Nepal’s most fabled trekking routes, the Annapurna circuit, as the venue, this innovative runner-versus-mountain bike race had its inaugural opening in March 2007.

Extreme World Challenges was born out of a love for traveling to far out places and a passion for pushing the body to its physical extremes.

This is a fascinating race between man and bike, and an incredible experience in some of the most beautiful and harsh terrain on earth. In 2007 a runner, marathon man Hari Rokaya, easily won the final stage and finished the entire Annapurna circuit in an astonishing 24hrs and 5mins, making him the fastest person ever recorded to complete the circuit.

In 2008 it was the turn of the mountain bikers with Kaji Sherpa winning in a hard fought battle in a time of 20:52:43. Amazingly, considering the weather had favoured mountain bikers, second place was taken by a runner, Phudorjee Lama Sherpa, in a time of 21:08:34. Both competitors beating the 24 hour mark and proving that that the Nepalese were stealing the show although Philip Morris held up the flag for the Europeans with a third place and a praiseworthy time of 22:06:22 !

2009 … can anyone tell us who won this race? I cannot find the results anywhere. We would also love to know if it was a runner or a biker…

The 2010 yak-Attack, starting on 8th March and ending the 20th, will be the best ever as this year there’s  330 km riding with over 8000 m of climbing. Brought to you by Extreme World Challenges UK in collaboration with Dawn Till Dusk, Kathmandu, this is the fourth Yak Attack challenge. Dawn Till Dusk is the first mountain bike company in Nepal run by professional Nepali mountain bikers, Chhimi Urkyen Gurung & Sonam Gurung. It runs bike tours to Nepal, Tibet, Ladakh, Sikkim and Bhutan.

We wrote the other day about paragliding and the great experience it is to soar like an eagle – the feeling of freedom that it gives you, the rush of the air and the wonderful vista that is spread out before you.

Some people do not consider paragliding an extreme sport because, as they say, it is so easy to learn how to do it. In our mind that is great to know but it doesn’t take away the extreme element of the sport. Lets face it – homo sapiens was not meant to fly under his or her own steam. Artificial assistance is a must. Thin air is not our natural environment and consequently if there is an accident you could be in serious trouble.

What is a must if you want to learn how to paraglide is that you take proper qualified instruction using tested and guaranteed equipment.

Here are some suggestions:

• Join a paragliding club that has been well established and is close to your home.
• You must then take lessons from a fully qualified instructor, registered with the likes of the USHGA.
• Equipment – always a tricky one – to start with you probably will not need to purchase too much – you may be able to hire kit from your club and you will anyway be going in tandem with an instructor and therefore using his equipment. But if the bug bites you will want to buy your own kit. By that time you will understand the jargon, what is required and how much you will need to spend. Our only advice, particularly if you are thinking of buying second hand kit, is that you talk with your mentor and make sure that he or she checks it over and gives you the green light.
• When and if you have bought some equipment it must be well maintained – as we have already mentioned thin air is not man’s natural environment. Necessary equipment includes a canopy, harness, boots, helmet and flight suit.
• Finally do not rush your training – although it is easy to learn you must respect your environment. One mistake can be fatal which is why this is an extreme sport and generally we find that if you take your time the right procedures are followed and there are therefore no mistakes.

This excellent video from expertvillage shows what happens in the launch sequence. How you should set up with reverse inflation and then let go of your risers with a little tension on your brake. Then turn and move into the wind assuming the torpedo launch position. And then how you should run head well forward until you are lifted off the ground by the wing.

It is not as difficult as it sounds – give it a go and enjoy that weightless sensation. Of course the other matter to pay attention to is the weather – strong winds are a no no – you will be pleased to hear this is a fair weather sport – its really a matter of common sense – but as we all love to talk about the weather there will be no shortage of advice to be found at your local club.

This is Cut Across Shorty a VS 4c climb, courtesy of The Jersey Rock Climbing Club:

I was going to tackle the British Isles as a group, but Jersey has so much to offer – great climbing, surfing and scuba diving to name just a few of the recommended activities, that I am going to go no further than this jewel of an island where a weekend full of action is waiting for anyone looking for a variety of extreme sports in one small area.

Climbing is a great way to get a body workout, while at the same time challenging your mind, and Jersey has a wide selection for you. The island has some of the best climbing areas in Europe and the variety of rock and unspoilt scenery make it a spectacular experience for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

It’s an ideal place to visit: perfect days, un-crowded cliffs and great climbing, regular dips in the sea to cool off and great pubs to retire to at the end of the day.

From the impressive 50m tower of The Pinnacle to the extensive and confusing buttresses of Grosnes, through the delightful ‘mini-cliffs’ at Corbiere and out to the north coast, there really is plenty here to keep you busy.  Homesick Angle on The Pinnacle is one the the best HVS (hard very severe) routes you could possibly hope for.

All the routes on the island (there are 1100 listed in the book) are trad and most of them are on high quality granite. The island has long been a bolt-free zone – the local climbing club originally had just two rules for the members – abide by the Country Code, and no fixed protection!

If you want to arm yourself in advance with some useful information, ‘Jersey Climbs’ is the first guidebook to be produced for Jersey in twelve years. It has 188 pages with lists, grades, advice and details of the 1100 routes  to be found there.

And then there’s the surfing…

Jersey’s shores are bombarded by waves and not only are they some of the best waves in the British Isles but they are also some of the warmest… always worth bearing in mind.

And there are great scuba diving opportunities here too, whether you want to investigate an old wreck or float amongst black faced pennies, corals and luminous jewel anemones in pinks, blues, greens and oranges. The summer months are even more interesting when the warm waters bring in  exotic marine wildlife  such as sea horses, dolphins and basking sharks. Jersey’s coastal seawater is of award-winning cleanliness and this is reflected in the abundance of sea life to be found there.

Other things you can do in Jersey besides rock climbing, abseiling and surfing are BloKarting on the beach, Sea Kayaking, Caving, Coasteering, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Cycling, Golf, Powerboat Trips, Fishing Excursions, Horse Riding and Zorbing. I’ve probably missed some out.

Not just a banking paradise then…