A sure sign of spring is the appearance of some hardy road cyclists on the Alaska Highway.

The annual ritual of training for the Kluane to Chilkat International Bike Relay has begun and the great spring weather is a bonus.

The event will run for the 18th time on June 19.

Early registration has opened and once again, over a thousand riders on 200 teams are expected

All registration is online. Changes and refunds must also be done on-line. To register or to find out more about the KCIBR visit the website at www.kcibr.org

The early deadline is May 21. Only teams that register by then will be guaranteed a souvenir t-shirt.

Teams can enter in one of several categories. There are solo, two, four, and eight person teams for men, women, and mixed. For rules about team makeup, check the website.

The host towns of Haines Junction and Haines are the start and finish points for this 238-kilometre race.

The 1,200 riders take over the town of Haines Junction by Friday evening before race day and then swarm onto the highway for the mass starts.

This year there will be four start times, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Yukon time. There may be changes to the start order this year, which will be announced on the website.

The majority of riders and support teams will enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Haines Highway and hopefully see some wildlife, at a distance, as they make their way to Haines.

As one KCIBR board member, Greg Cook, likes to say, "There is more bear scat on the road per kilometre than any other bicycle race on Earth.”

The fastest riders may not take in the scenery but they'll be able to enjoy a longer visit in the friendly town of Haines. The first riders will arrive in Haines by 3 p.m. and the red lantern winners will cross the finish line at Ft William Seward by 9 p.m. This year the awards ceremony will be held immediately after the event.

The highlight of the event for many riders is the party scene on the parade grounds of Ft. William Seward. A tent city pops up in the afternoon and by evening the hillside is a mass of tents and riders. The question of the day as always, "How was your ride?”

Cyclists will be timed using the SI system that was introduced two years ago. Last year, the finish times as well as leg times were provided by the SI system with good results. Each team will carry an SI stick on a lanyard and will pass it from rider to rider.

Solo riders will also carry a stick and all riders will get a finish time by inserting the SI stick in the finish line station. The Yukon Orienteering Association has provided the software and expertise to make this timing system so successful.

All visitors to Haines must show a passport at U.S. Customs. Leg 7 riders will have to dismount and show their passport. It is best for Leg 7 riders to be U.S. or Canadian citizens. All other participants entering the U.S. should have their passports ready when they get to U.S. customs. If all occupants of a vehicle do not have passports ready when required, the vehicle may be sent to a slow lane to await clearance.

Lotteries Yukon and Yukon Electrical Company are major sponsors for the event again this year. They provide funding to help organize the event and to recognize the volunteers. Norcan Leasing and Northwestel are also sponsors that we rely on every year.

Submitted by Mike Gladish, race coordinator.