This weekend was busy on the race front. A few folks continued on towards Nome, the first ever Fat Pursuit bike race went down, and the World Cycling Race, a race around the world started. It’s fun to cover events in the winter. The fact that there are so many biking events in the winter shows the progression and determination of the industry.
Iditarod Trail Invitational:
The race started February 23rd at 2:00 pm. Since then a lot has gone down and records were broken. Because of the lack of snow and warm temperatures this year, this course was fast, and it showed in the results. Lets lay it out for you…
Mens (bike) 350:
Old Record: Jay Petevary – 2 days, 19 hours, 16 minutes
New Record: Kevin Breitenbach – 2 days, 4 hours, 43 minutes
Difference: 14 hours and 27 minutes
Womens (bike) 350:
Old Record: Eszter Horanyi – 3 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes
New Record: Heather Best – 2 days, 14 hours, 13 minutes
Difference: 1 day, 2 hours, 7 minutes.
Note: Heather Best beat the previous men’s record by 5 hours and 3 minutes.
These records may never be broken again, unless similar conditions present themselves in years to come. Breitenbach told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, “I don’t know how else to explain it. It was a crazy, fast trail.”
Meanwhile, the 1,000 mile slog up to Nome is ongoing, currently there are 12 racers en route. The top 3 racers are significantly further than the rest of the pack. Jeff Oatley is currently in first place with only 200 miles left, and is about 14 hours ahead of Aiden Harding (single speed). Unless something crazy happens, the current record for the 1,000 mile route, Mike Curiak 17 Days, 2 Hours, will be smashed.
Fat Pursuit:
The last qualifier for the 2015 Iditarod Trail Invitational occurred this weekend in Island Park, Idaho. It was the first annual Fat Pursuit put on by endurance cyclist Jay Petervary. Trail conditions were also a bit warm weeks prior to the race making conditions a bit variable. The 60K and 200K races started and ended both in Island Park, with the 200K looping all the way up to West Yellowstone and back. We are very excited for a winter ultra to take place in the west.
Results:
60K
1st – Ben Aufderheide 4 hours, 40 minutes
2nd – Ty Hopkins 4 hours, 41 minutes
3rd – Jason Sparks 4 hours, 52 minutes
200K
1st – Andrew Kulmatiski – 27 hours, 8 minutes
2nd – Tracy Petevary 29 hours, 10 minutes
3rd – Mike Barklow 29 hours, 19 minutes
World Cycling Race:
Ever dreamed of cycling around the world? Probably not. Four individuals have decided to do so this year in hopes of not only a successful trip but also to break the world record. The World Cycling Race started Saturday afternoon in London, England. Racers must travel at least 18,000 miles around the world while a continuous clock times their progress. It looks Like Lee is determined to go for the record.