Big Wild Ride 1200K

Sep 25th, 2012 by Tom Parker

— 2013 Preliminary Rider Information —

The Alaska Randonneurs

Sanctioned by: Randonneurs USA & Randonneurs Mondiaux

The Big Wild Ride is a spectacular grand loop of Interior Alaska, traveling from the fog-shrouded fjords of Prince William Sound, through the glacier-clad spires of the Alaska Range, past the ramparts of Mount McKinley (Denali), to the shores of Cook Inlet’s Knik Arm.

The Big Wild Ride will give the rider something new and exciting over every hill and around every turn. Along the way, you’ll experience everything from picturesque coastal fishing towns, modern cities, and quirky roadhouses — holdovers from Alaska’s territorial days.

You’ll ride through part of Denali National Park, and overnight in the hub of Alaska’s legendary climbing town: Talkeetna. On your journey you’ll cross over six majestic free-flowing rivers the Delta, Tanana, Nenana, Chulitna, Susitna, and Knik, and ride through miles of unbroken forests of black spruce, birch, and aspen.

The Alaska Randonneurs have been providing full Super Randonneur brevet series for riders since 1998. Many of our rides take place in remote areas of our state, such as Homer on beautiful Kachemak Bay, and as far north as Gakona, Delta Junction, and Tok. As the Alaska Randonneurs, The Big Wild Ride is our opportunity to showcase for you all the grandeur and challenge Alaska has to offer.

The route follows low-to-medium traveled, high-quality roads that are used for such world renowned cycling events as the Fireweed 400 and the Sadler’s Alaska Challenge – the longest and toughest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world – in its 26th year, as well as the Alaska Randonneurs’ Solstice 600Km brevet.

Logistics for this ride have been planned with simplicity in mind for the traveling cyclist. Flights in and out of Anchorage are numerous and affordable. Additionally, we’ve arranged an optional, discounted scenic train-and-ferry transportation package to streamline travel for you and your bicycle from Anchorage to the start in Valdez; no need for you to rent a car to get to the starting line, if you don’t want to.

Consider this our invitation for you to “come ride with us!”

Photos from BWR 2011: HERE & HERE

Video Trailer: HERE

Application

BWR 2013 Application

Event Status

Registration opens January 1, 2013

Event Dates

July 21-25, 2013 (Sunday-Thursday)

Bike Inspection/Meet & Greet

July 19, Anchorage

Air Tavel to Anchorage (ANC)

If you're flying from Europe, consider either:

Condor from Frankfurt to Anchorage

Iceland Air, direct to Anchorage from 27 cities across Europe

For domestic U.S. flights, JetBlue begins service to Anchorage in May of 2013. There may be some great prices.

Optional train/ferry transport Anch/Valdez

July 20, Depart 10:00 Anchorage Railroad Depot – you may get to Valdez yourself, but we recommend traveling together with all of us. It's a richer experience, and much more fun that way.

We urge you to make hotel and travel reservations as soon as possible. July is the height of Alaska's tourist season.

Event Start Time

July 21. Sign-in 17:00, Depart 18:00 Valdez

Application Deadline

June 21 – Also the deadline to qualify

Rider Limit

Fee

$425 – includes lodging, food at overnights

Qualification

Full Super-Randonneur series, or a 1000km+, in 2013

Registration

Application + payment puts you on the confirmed rider list, or waiting list, pending qualification.

Jersey

2013 BWR event jersey, wind-vest, and cycling caps will be available for purchase.

Total Climbing

8,535 meters (approx.) – mostly all highway grade.

Highest Elevation

1,017 meters

Registration
Sending an application and fee payment gains you a spot on the Confirmed Rider List, or if the rider limit has been met, on the Waiting List. (Riders move from the Waiting list to the Confirmed list as confirmed riders withdraw.) These policies are intended to let committed riders plan ahead, while encouraging folks to free up their spots should their circumstances change.

Priority – Registration is first-come, first-served (based on when application and payment were sent).

Payment – by check in US dollars.

Qualification – You may apply before qualifying. If you have not yet qualified, note this on your application, and give us the details when you do complete qualifying. If you have not qualified by June 21, your spot on the Confirmed list will be freed.

Cancellation – You may cancel by notifying us and receive a full refund if you are on the Waiting List, or a partial refund if you are on the Confirmed list. Preliminary policy for confirmed riders (subject to change):

Before March 1: full refund minus $75
Before April 1: full refund minus $100
Before May 21: 50% refund.
Thereafter: no refund.

Qualifying
Qualifying Events – Riders must complete, between January 1 and June 21, 2013, a Super-Randonneur series (200km, 300km, 400km, 600km brevets), or a 1000km or longer randonnée, or equivalent RUSA Permanent(s). Brevets/Permanents do not need to be ridden in order of increasing distance. ACP or RUSA-sanctioned non-ACP brevets may be used. All qualification rides must be verifiable. We reserve the right to require verification of qualifying rides.

Substitutions – A longer-distance brevet or permanent may be substituted for a given distance requirement – for example, an ACP 300km brevet or a RUSA 250km brevet for the 200km requirement. RUSA Permanents of equal or greater distances may be substituted for the Super-Randonneur series (200km, 300km, or 400km, 600Km) requirement. In limited circumstances, the rider may apply to the organizer for other substitutions.

***Gratuitously adapted from RUSA Colorado RBA John Lee Ellis and the RMCC, with great appreciation.***

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