Whitehorse Daily Star

More than 1,200 riders registered for bike relay

What a difference a year makes.

By Whitehorse Star on June 13, 2018

What a difference a year makes.

Meteorologist are calling for clear skies and warm temperatures for Saturday’s 25th anniversary of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike relay.

Last year was supposed to be the silver year, but for the six centimetres of snow that fell overnight and created untenable and dangerous road conditions that forced the first cancellation in the race’s history.

As popular as ever, four days after registration opened on March 15 this year, the team events for the race were full.

Race organizers are expecting approximately 1,223 cyclists this Saturday, making up 316 teams:

• 62 solo teams;

• 70 two-person teams;

• 101 four-person teams;

• and 83 eight-person teams.

Solo riders and two-person teams are scheduled to leave Haines Junction at 8:20 a.m. for the 240-kilometre race to Haines, Alaska; four-person teams are scheduled to depart at 8:45 and the eight-person team are scheduled to depart at 9 a.m.

Results from the 2016 bike relay show the first team to cross the finish line in Haines was a team of two men from Whitehorse, clocking in at seven hours, nine minutes and 48 seconds.

Exactly one second behind was the first solo man, from Whitehorse. Three seconds later, in a time of 7:09:52, was the first solo woman, from Nanaimo, B.C.

The first team of four riders finished in 7:27:25, and the first team of eight riders finished in 8:18:07.

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