By now you may have heard...we've got a three-peat! For the third year in a row, Ryan's successfully completed the adventure known as the ITI 1000. Once on foot, twice on bike...I haven't confirmed with him yet (we'll let him nap before doing a deep-dive on his experience), but I'd have to imagine this might be the toughest one yet!
Ryan left Topkok at 5:15pm, just two hours after arriving (for what he did, check out the previous post). The trail and weather were no bueno...but also were no choice. Check out the video to see how one chooses to focus instead on how the trail always provides.
He marched that damn bike like the "walker" that he started as! Around 10pm he messaged to tell me the snow had picked up, and coupled with the wind, he felt like he was in a snow globe...and not in a happy, nostalgic way.
He carried on, bypassing stops at Tommy Johnson's shelter cabin and Safety. I assumed he was horse to the barn, but in reality it was the RAIN. Yes, rain. In Alaska. In March. I guess we are officially in Spring now... Word from Gavan was that the rain was just awful, so bad he was wearing a "bin bag" (oh, how cute the Irish accent is!) to help stay dry and warm. Ryan reported there was no stopping because there was no drying of clothes or warming up...other than moving. So move they did.
The two caught up with each other about 4 miles out, had entirely too much fun messing around and visiting with locals who were just downright perpelexed. I was on the phone with him when two different locals approached to ask if he needed anything, conveyed they thought he was nuts, and cheered him on as hard as they could. Not going to lie, I cried. I cry now just thinking about how great his accomplishment is and how great it is that others can recognize this. Thank you now and again for all of you who have followed along.
Ryan finished at 8:10am AKST. He covered 948(ish) miles in 24 days. He averaged 38.3 miles a day, with a moving speed of 3.6mph. He encountered moose, bison, and fox. He only used one bike ;-) He may have used only one shirt!
To say we are in awe and proud and pumped is an understatement. Relish in this adventure. Rest and recover. And then, haha, enjoy the reentry into the real world (I can safely say our political scene hasn't really changed since you left). Theo says he could go for a romp whenever ;-)
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