Follow @itialaska for general race updates, itidiaries.blogspot.com for Ryan updates
TL; DR: All good in the hood 😎
Ryan’s ride (all times in AKST):
*Departed Koyuk (791.7) @6:50p, opting not to stop at the Kwik River Cabin (813)
*Arrived in Elim (836) @8:10a, departed 8:37a
*Napped at Walla Walla Cabin (845), 10:45-3:10p
*Pedaled on to Golovin (864)
Quality rest in Koyuk, coupled with “great Lights” had Ryan pedaling all night and through the morning. While a “bustling” village, Ryan said he had little use for the Elim checkpoint (no dropbox shipped there, other needs met), opting for just a cup of coffee and quick chat with 3rd place musher Paige Drobny. He was a man of few words via inReach, but did make sure to comment that her dogs looked really good. 20 min later he was on to Walla Walla, a “really nice cabin” (first time stopping here I believe) for some quiet time.
He’ll make it to Golovin tonight, possibly White Mountain (879)–but I can’t imagine he’d pass up a night with his bestie Frank, aka the nicest man who has provided unbelievable care over the last couple of years…welcoming him into his home when the school wasn’t allowing outsiders (COVID), providing hearty meals, fellowship at the school, sending me updates when he sees his lights coming over Little McKinley Mtn miles away. We love Frank.
Plan is to dine with Frank tonight in Golovin, certainly better than last night's Big AZ Bacon Addict 😶
Pictures are my guess for the reason he stayed later in Koyuk (after pizza rolls, needed to make room for a burger) and an earlier pic I missed (en route to Little Mtn Cabin)
What Say You Ryan?
Day 18: One thing you can’t live on the trail without….
Butter (more of a luxury)
Vaniply ointment (it’s just the best, as your unanimous opinions confirm)
Black Diamond headlamp (actually, prefers not to use if possible…light of the moon, baby)
**Coffee (I mean, y’all, did you not see the giant bag of @rubyroasters coffee in his bike rig pic?!?!)
Day 18: Most authentic Alaskan experience to date….
Finding shelter in a legit igloo on the Yukon outside of Grayling
Making his own ruff with a trapper near Nikolai
Making moose sandwiches for the school kids in Golovin
Sharing McKinley Cabin with a group of snowmobilers on their way back from a high school basketball game in White Mtn
Comment with your guess and I’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!!
Mark W: D
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