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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Wednesday, March 16, 2005

That's it. I'm burnt. I'm spent. I need some moose stew! And after a little relaxing and eateng and relaxing...I'm ready to see what has really happened to my rear hub and bike. My knees are killing me and this sled is a nightmare of the worst proportions. I trained this year towing a trailer behind my bike loaded with more weight than I'm pulling now, but there is no comparison between pulling a sled over snow and towing a trailer on the road...even if the tires were run at 5psi to increase the friction.

I've been on Advil for the past two-three days at a rate of four-five tabs / four hours. Not good. First, that's the kind of dosage I'd expect to be taking for full blown tendonitis; Second, my kidneys are already working overtime to process the six - eight thousand calories and three liters of water my body has been processing every day. They don't need the Motrin as an added bonus. The only thing I can do is ride about 40 miles till my knees start to feel like ice-picks are in them, then hop off and push for about five at a jogging/walking spurts until I can ride again for a bit.

The rear-hub has been dragging from what I can remember since Skwentena. I thought it would loosen up because it just felt like a tight seal in the free-wheel. Unfortunately it has progressed to not having any freewheel to feeling like the brakes are dragging all the time. I've got no one to blame but myself....and PUNT (I give him a good kick every now and then...just for effect). Can't do anything about it...just got to ride it. No choice.

The only part of my new gear selection I chose for the race that I'm happy about are the Skin-Fit items I added a few months ago. The Aero wind-shirt, Kilma under-layers and Wind-Bloc hat are absolutely incredible. I never thought I'd replace the kit I'd been using for the past few years, but these items are so good that they would actually enable me to drop other parts of my kit that are now doubles.

The past two days were a combo of incredible views and a harrowing experience coming over Rainy Pass. I was forced to bivouac around seven miles out of the cabin after leaving at around 11PM. Most of the time the pass is unrideable...In fact, I think this is the only year since John Stamstad set the record that there was even the remote possibility to ride it. I was able to ride up to a small plateau where the 18 mile climb levels for a bit. I had been exerting myself for a bit, and had actually taken off some clothing because I started to sweat a bit. Looking at the Pass I could see the clouds ripping over the peaks and knew it was going to be windy.

As I crested the plateau, I realized just how windy it was. I had to dap repeatedly because the wind was so strong. Finally, unable to ride because of the blown-in snow and head-wind I pushed, and got cold. Quickly, I started running, but I couldn't get warm. I couldn't feel my hands or my feet. I ran as hard as I could until I was winded and still wasn't warm. At the next tripod I flipped the sled sideways against it as a wind stop, ripped the bag out, and stamped out a gully in the snow for my -20 degree bag. I ate about 1000 calories worth of chocolate and sweets. I stuffed my down jacket around my feet and alternated forced shivering and isometrics to warm my bag. It was a fitful night and not an experience I would like to repeat.

The next day was no better, as I was spent from the bivy, and I had to actually pedal down the backside of the Pass because of the sled. (I hate PUNT...I really really do). Rohn River checkpoint was incredible as usual, and a welcome after the previous 24 hours. Our next drop bag and any left over goodies from the other racers already through. (Someone has been leaving Chamois Lube in their drops and all I gotta say is you've got a lotta Karma coming your way, thanks!)

I pulled out of Rohn and rode most of the way to Buffalo Camp with no big surprises. John Runkel's camp with spruce boughs on the floor and incredible hospitality is the favorite stop for many racers here. The stews at Bison Camp and Nikolai are legendary. The next trail section to Nikolai was incredibly flat and I made great time for the first 20 miles covering it just shy of two hours. The next 20 was rough and I had to alternate walking and riding. But here I am in Nikolai and just gotta get this bike fixed for tomorrow.

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