The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay (KCIBR) registration opens this Friday.

The race goes Saturday, June 15.

It covers a total distance of 238.3 km from Haines Junction, Yukon to Haines, Alaska. Hence, it is also known as the Haines to Haines race. (The finish is actually at Fort Seward in Haines.)

The relay consists of eight legs and seven checkpoints.

Over 300 volunteers run the event.

Solo riders and teams can secure spots in the race.

This years’ categories are: Solo, two, four or eight-person teams.

According to a KCIBR press release, the event often fills up within days.

It draws riders from the Yukon, Alaska, the lower 48 states and beyond.

Race officials expect all 1,200 rider spots to fill up, with a limit of 95 teams in the eight-person category.

E-bikes are permitted for eight-person teams. Teams can choose whether or not to include E-bikes for an added layer of strategy. However, any eight-person team with an e-bike may not place first, second or third.

Riders wanting to sign up can go to https://www.kcibr.org to register starting Friday at 9 a.m. Yukon time.

Racers are also asked to watch a safety video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yybiJaWGtA4&t=7s

As mentioned in the video, riders must remember to bring their passports with them.

Sponsors for the race include ATCO Electric Yukon, Air North Yukon’s Airline and Chieftain Energy, iCycle Sport and Sports Experts.

Approximately 1200 riders, including 280 teams, took part in the 2023 KCIBR.

Tyson Flaharty (Still Fuzzy) from Fairbanks took first place overall in six hours, 59 minutes and 32 seconds.

Bryce Molder (Goose) from Prince George and Kevin Ahl from Nelson finished second and third, respectively.

Heather Clarke of Whitehorse won the Solo Women’s category in 8:24:03.

– With files from KCIBR