2023: Day Two Update - Bentalit (Mile 76.6) to Maybe Finger Lake (Mile 123), But At Least Shell Lake (102.7)

 After a lovely and comfy night at Bentalit Lodge, most of the chatter surrounded an impending snow storm.  9-14 in. of snow and strong winds predicted, with drifts and poor visibility being of most concern.  Thankfully, cold temperatures weren't going to be an issue.  Turns out the storm stayed mainly south of most racers (certainly not all though 😞) and the riding was pretty good.

Ryan was able to have lunch with his friend Nicholas (the bike angel from Anchorage), who is casually biking to Nome for "fun".  Here he is with his bud George again.

Ryan and a few 1000 bikers left around the same time in the morning, just before 8am AKST.  I was able to briefly chat with him by phone and said bike was behaving, they ended last night in a heat wave (-5), and he was able to get some quality sleep.  Vibe: quite content.  He reported no wind and only about an inch of snow when he got to unofficial checkpoint, but frequent respite, Skwentna (86.6), two and a half-ish hours later (10:40am AKST).  Took a load off, had a bit to eat, and hit the trail two hours later.  By this point, foot was off the gas a bit because he doesn't want to get to some of the next checkpoints with a bottleneck of racers (the south-shifting storm eases that concern a bit)...(Emily's observation: but also because his pace was projecting a 15 day finish and we all know that is just unacceptable 😂😂😂).

Ride to Shell Lake (102.7) appeared fast; being able to catch some foot friends had to be uplifting (Go Jeff, Go!).  He timed it just right with his 8pm arrival, as I missed his text due to night class by 13 minutes.  Prior to class (okay, during class...but it was during students' small group discussions...swear!) I was able to share some 3-week update photos of soon-to-be new puppy.  I'm so glad Shell Lake has cell!

Side note: Shell Lake has historically been a welcomed checkpoint for racers, but two weeks ago (!!!) the property was destroyed in a fire.  For more on this devastating loss, see here and here. They do have shelter cabins, where 12 racers are currently holed up in at least two cabins.  Nothing like "solitude on the trail" 😝

Ryan shared a video of the close quarters, as well as images of his delicious looking Moose's Tooth Pizza (if you were going to ask, "isn't that in Anchorage?" you should and would be correct...text said, "Carried this 110 miles.").

 

Plan this morning was to hopefully get to Finger Lake (123) by day's end, but I haven't broached the subject tonight. He's curious about number of racers at or soon-to-be-at Finger Lake, as well as whether people have been using the same routes. He's sporadically texting, so not resting or (re)packing. So, ya, no clue if that means a push on or camp out.  I do know that we will find out!

...and find out we shall!  Looks like it's push on! "Talk to you at Rainy!"