900219	0815

Iditapush

Confusion reigns in Alaska.  The Iditabike is cancelled and/or 
foreshortened.  Spoke with Tom and Jennifer last night around 2300.  
Jennifer was flown back home by a helpful airplane (I wonder if she 
will have to pay an evacuation fee?) and seemed in a good mood.

The conditions are sloppy, they were unable to ride more than about 
two miles of the entire distance to - Big Su station, the FIRST 
checkpoint on the original race course., perhaps about 50 miles into 
the event.  Some of the riders with double-wide wheels were doing 
better and it was clear that they were going to "win", although it 
was not obvious that they could cover the full course within the 3-
day limit.

Tom was not sure if the promoters had declared winners, or if they 
had moved the finish line to Big Su, apparently there was 
considerable confusion among the riders too.  Jennifer bagged it due 
to cold feet, which she blamed on some standing around waiting for 
the word from the promoters.  It was not clear where she was 
standing around.  But she seemed quite content and happy, said she 
had a good time.  She spent the entire time with Elaine and a bunch 
of other folks.  

Saturday night, they bivouacked in the snow in the wee hours of the 
morning when it became clear that they might have only a limited 
span of clear-headedness to deal with the logistics of camping.  It 
was clear and beautiful, according to Jennifer.

Elaine is still on the trail to Big Su, she wants to "finish".  She had 
some problems with wet clothing, but managed to trade with other 
riders to solve the problem.  She was in good spirits and in good 
company when Jennifer left her.  The group intended to push straight 
on to Big Su, which might have gotten them there at midnight, but 
Jennifer felt they would probably wind up camping again and arrive 
sometime this morning.

I was very relieved by Jennifer's report...