This is Alaska biking... Photo courtesy of Elliot McAllister

Editor’s Note: Elliot McAllister is one of 50 people currently competing in the 2005 Alaska Ultra, which follows the famed Iditarod route. Only instead of mushing dogs, contestants either ski, bike or run their way from Knick Lake (near Anchorage) to Nome, 1,100 miles of unadulterated hardship. Racing in his fourth Alaska Ultra, Elliot will ride his bike across the frozen tundra. He is sending us updates of the race whenever he steps in from the cold - so read on and stay tuned.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Well it's been a hellacious ride for the past few days to say the least! When we last left our heroes, they were walking into Shell Lake after an all-night-push-a-bike. The sleepies were starting to get to everyone as frustrations were taken out and written on the sides of the trail.

I know from racing this that these are fleeting and forgettable thoughts. Even at my worst day, seeing the marker for a checkpoint is only two miles away my legs get that extra charge and I can rally it in for a hot meal and "trail sympathy" from the others who had as bad or worse a day.

Speaking of bad days...or luck. I missed a turn and had to back track about six miles of trail. I didn't think too much of it since I only had to walk two of the six miles I was off. I was hurting as I pulled into Finger Lake. The snow was heavy and wet all day, and my legs were really burned from pulling the sled. I couldn't keep up with other riders that had caught me. I was happy to have my recees PB cups and fresh water. I've never had the experience of blowing out my legs this much and just not having the strength to push the pedals around. I can walk fine but riding muscles are really sore!

Jeff and Chloe must have been following my steps and unfortunately didn't get the help of some snowmachiners who stopped me. Worst luck of the week though goes to Roberto who missed a turn at Shell as well and trekked an extra 20-30 miles!

Finally after what seemed like the 30th time I rode through the exact same pine grove I hit a series of small hills that I knew were close to the lodge and a bit of hope came up. It was around 6:30 and the sun was just starting to go down. I made a little bet with myself to get to the lodge before I'd need to pull out my soft-shell, and it gave me a bit of extra motivation. (Plus I knew I had a drop bag there as well!)

Finger Lake, Puntilla, Rohn and Bison Camp are the most beautiful places on the trail, for the next 100 miles or so I would be in or near the Alaska Range, and it's breath-taking. It's all the eye-candy your mind needs after river and woods travel to keep you going. It's also the stretch of infamous unpredictability and coldest temperatures on the trail as I would find out the following night near Rainy Pass. I found out that Bill and Kathi Merchant were still about 12 hours ahead of me and Mike was on form as usual. Pat and Kathy our checkers said that he was there about 1/2 hour and looked "very fresh." I don't think he's going to get caught.

I'm planning on sleeping here tonight and getting a good start tomorrow to try to get over the pass by the following morning. Hopefully hitting the top of Rainy Pass around 7 AM. From there it's down the gorge to Rohn and a trek across bison country and flat ground to Nikolai. That'll be the next time I can check in and 50 miles from McGrath.

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