ITI 2025 Day 5: Rohn (189.5) - Nearing Nikoli (259.3)

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TL; DR: Quiet news day…we no communicado.

I haven’t heard from Ryan since yesterday afternoon, so all I can do is recap the Dot’s day thus far…and include pictures I forgot yesterday, as well as another round of What Would Ryan Say?

Ryan’s ride (all times in AKST):

*Rohn (187) departed @ 2:00pm, slight detour (too soon?), and then tussocks until 1:15am, where he bivvied just shy of the Bear Creek Cabin (226).  My guess for the bivvy vs. cabin is there was no room at the inn, quiet and solitude, and/or he needs to lower the cost per use on his new sleeping bag.

*6.5hr bivvy and has been pedaling towards Nikoli (259.3) at various speeds (tracks with what 350 finishers have said about the area) since 8am. 

Yesterday I mentioned tussocks and how frustrating they are for racers…I forgot the picture I wanted to provide for a visual of what their WINTER ultra looked like in this section.

What Say You Ryan?

**Click HERE for an article on all the "Rigs of ITI" including Ryan's setup!**

Day 4: What’s your favorite piece of gear?

    A. ***Salsa Mukluk bike (technically his answer, as it was his immediate answer for obvious reasons)

    B. Toasty pogies (habitually hot hands means these matter less to him than they would for you or me)

    C. New Smith goggles (I can’t believe he remembered to pack them…but, yes, he does think he looks good)

    D. ***Ride Forward rear bag for sleeping bag (what I think his answer really is, as it was the most excited I’ve seen him while prepping for the race, and if it works as good as he hoped it would alleviate so.many.frustrations. So far, so good…thanks JayP!)

Day 5: I say the (Farewell) Burn, you say…..

    A. Kinda ugly…(#sorrynotsorry)

    B. Bring on the wildlife! (2024 Bison Jam!)

    C. I really liked (I can’t help but note the past tense when he gave this answer)

    D. I actually miss the climb & descent of Rainy Pass (how short his memory is!)

Comment with your guess and I’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!!