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From 2002 to 2025: My Iditarod Comeback

Back in 2002, when I first rode the OG bikepacking race, the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 (ITI), I said I would be back to ride the 1000 (if I had the time off work back in 2002, I would have just continued). The thought of riding in the long race has remained in my head, though with raising children, and other commitments, I never found the time to go back.

In the ensuing decades, the race has skyrocketed in popularity, and they are now selecting among people who have ridden the 350 miles two or more times to ride the 1000 miles. Clearly I should have gotten my act together sooner.

A Standard 26 inch mountain bike from 2002, with its wheels axle-deep in snow, loaded with camping gear
My Bike From 2002


This February, I am heading back to do the 350 again in hopes of returning in 2027 for the 1000. I am not quite the 35-year-old youngster I was back in ’02, but I am training hard, and I have the experience riding bikes in the cold that most people can only imagine.

As winter bikepacking has become mainstream, I have a lot more options this time around than last time when I rode a standard 26″ steel mountain bike. This year, I have a custom build-out of a Rocky Mountain Blizzard fatbike, with every component selected to be as suitable for how I ride as possible.

a rocky mountain Blizzard Fatbike, unladen, in the snow under a full moon
My 2024 Rocky Mountain Blizzard

 

There will be more posts coming, but search for ITI 2025 tracking, and I should be on there come February 23 when the race starts 

 

2 thoughts on “From 2002 to 2025: My Iditarod Comeback

  1. Awesome! A friend to dot watch. 😀

  2. Oh another adventure!! I will be watching for sure!! Good luck and more importantly have fun!!
    Theresa

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