03/07/2025
***Chapel cyclist Karl Booth has returned from the adventure of a lifetime - cycling 1,000 miles across a remote part of Alaska in the world-famous Iditarod***
To qualify for selection, Karl had to complete the 350-mile event, which he did two years ago as reported in the Review.
This year, Karl was one of only 28 competitors including walkers, skiers and fat bikers - and one of only two from the UK - to take part in the prestigious race. As in 2023, he was the only UK national to finish.
The Iditarod trail takes competitors over frozen riverbeds, including the Yukon River, lakes, a mountain pass, and through ‘burns’ - tracks created by forest fires, often caused by lightning strikes.
“I finished in 20 days and 2 hours,” Karl said. “The clocks went forward during the event as they went into summertime, which was a bit confusing, but meant the trails were lighter at night. The weather conditions were better this time which was unexpected. The longer you’re out there, the greater the chance of it changing but at the end of the three weeks, we still had near perfect weather.”
“The temperature was around -20 to -25 so actually felt warm when you were riding. The coldest was just below -30. That was probably the toughest day. We set off at 2 am to cross sea ice in a 30MPH headwind and were out for 22 hours. I ended with superficial frostbite on my foot due to the constant wind chill. There was nowhere to get away from the wind. We pushed fully laden bikes which you couldn't ride because every time you tried, the bike sank into the soft snow. There were still some beautiful sections though.”
Competitors must carry all their kit including a camping stove and a small, single skin tent in a bivvy bag. They post their food supplies in advance to stages along the route which, for Karl, posed an additional challenge as his food parcels failed to arrive. Whilst there are cabins along the trail, they’re basic and may not have any firewood or bedding.
Karl remained undaunted. He told The Review: “One of the highlights was on the first part of the trail which I did last time. There’s a mountain pass called Rainy Pass and climbs to about 3,300 feet - about the height of Snowdon. It's an amazing section. In 2023 it was a push all the way up to the top, 20 odd miles, and you could only ride down a little bit because the trail conditions weren't very good. This year, conditions were much more favourable, and we got to ride 95% of it. That's what you go for, those snowy trails. It’s so beautiful, and there are beautiful curves and ice bridges, which form over the river, to cross. As snow falls, it packs down and hardens, but the river still flows underneath, grinding away at the ice, so you have to be careful.”
“There were so many highlights I almost didn't want to finish, but it's something I've worked towards for ten years. To cross the finishing line was a massive achievement as I was never 100% certain I could do it. We don’t live in a perfect country for training and preparing for an event like that; it’s why it has taken me so long to get there.”
For more or to book Karl as a speaker visit on Instagram, or email [email protected]
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