I have been thinking about the Iditasport race for a few years now. These long-distance tests of endurance, similar to Paris-Brest-Paris in the snow and cold really seem to be a personal crusade of mine. Maybe fodder for a life list, were I ever to make that list. Sometimes I wonder if I could do this race, alone, at my own pace. Better perhaps to call it a ride, rather than a race because racing tends to take the fun out of riding for me. I'd rather just ride for a long time.
I've got some resources all picked out. Surly is hitting this niche really hard right now with their new Pugsley frameset. In order to fit the 3.7" Endomorph tire on the front, you use a rear hub. That means that you have interchangeable wheels... (!) The front can go on the back and the back on the front. Is that awesome or what? If your freewheel freezes up you can switch to a fixed gear to keep you moving forward. I want it.
I first saw some fat-tired, high-flotation bikes when investigating riding in the sands of the American southwest. These large-tired (26") bikes are totally different... They are intended for extreme cold and snow more than for extreme sand. Check out Wildfire bikes in Alaska. The photos of them riding near Knik glacier are awesome. What a place. Another thing to add to that list?
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