While some cyclists are stocking up on protein bars and extra water bottles for the upcoming 24th Annual Kluane-Chilkat International Bike Relay, the Chilkat Chicks are packing colorful wigs, tutus, top hats, oversized sunglasses and, of course, lots of glitter.

Chicks rider Kate Boor, veteran participant in the 148-mile race from Haines Junction, Y.T., to Haines, said having fun with her friends is one of the main reasons she comes back year after year.

“We cheer on other people and they laugh and clap,” Boor, 61, said. “You’re in the race and it’s windy and you’re miserable and you look up and see someone in a gorilla suit.”

Boor will ride Leg 7 of the eight-leg race along with teammates Sue Waterhouse, Ashleigh Reed, Nichole Lasich, Teresa Hura, Stephanie Yard and Debra Schnabel. Team captain Tara Bicknell may have to bow out, Boor said.

The race begins 8:20 a.m. Yukon Time, Saturday, June 18, just before the Dezadeash River Bridge with solo riders and two-person teams heading out first.

Boor said the race has become more competitive over the years, with increased numbers of solo riders signing up. Though she and teammates train and ride together before the big day, Boor is glad the race has maintained a place for 8-person teams that are more interested in recreational riding.

“When it first started, it was really about community between Haines and Haines Junction. Single riders I don’t think were even allowed to do the race at that point,” Boor said. “I do appreciate them keeping the 8-person team in and keeping a place for family and fun. How long will that last, I don’t know.”

Boor said, as always, she is praying for good weather and a strong tailwind. “To be safe and have no accidents is really what we hope for,” she said.

Race coordinator Mike Kramer said more than 1,250 riders will compete this year. There are about 70 solo riders and about 90 8-person teams, he said.

Haines has registered two 8-person mixed teams, two 2-person mixed teams, two male solo riders, two female solo riders, one 8-person female team, one two-person female team, and one four-person male team.

“I don’t think we can definitively say it is becoming more competitive,” Kramer said. “Even though we know there are competitive riders who do this event, the board has been quite strong in insisting we don’t reduce the number of 8-person teams.”

What has changed is the amount of time it takes to fill the race up. This year, registration filled up in one week as compared to the normal three. In the first 24 hours, more than 800 rider positions had been filled, Kramer said.

“That’s quite a change for us, to have such a strong interest in registering a team,” he said.

Haines resident Brandie Stickler is riding solo, but says she doesn’t expect to be particularly competitive. She entered as a solo rider once before, about three years ago, and this year hopes to match her elapsed time in that event, just under eight hours.

Husband Jim Stickler will drive support for her, passing her bananas, peanut butter and jelly, protein bars, and lots of Gatorade. She drank 12 bottles of the sports drink on her last solo ride and sweated out most of it, stopping only once for a bathroom break.

Besides training, there’s no particular secret to pedaling nearly 150 miles in eight hours, Brandie said.

“You just have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s just long enough to be painful but still fun. If it was much farther, it would be no fun,” she said.

Board member Judy Ewald is trying to figure out a way to accommodate more entrants next year, which is the race’s 25th anniversary. That might involve running buses to avoid traffic hazards posed by a large number of support vehicles, she said.

The main change for this year is the race’s partnering with the Southeast Alaska State Fair for the 9th Annual Haines Fishermen’s Community Free King Salmon Barbecue, which has for years vied for attendance with a post-race dinner at the Fort Seward Parade Grounds.

Ewald said a shuttle will make runs between the finish line at the parade grounds and the barbecue in Dalton City. “The fair’s made a lot of changes to accommodate us,” Ewald said. “They are preparing for the numbers.”

Race organizers are encouraging families to camp at Tlingit Park, but not directly in the playground area, which was a concern during last month’s Beer Fest.

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