It was that time of year again on Saturday. The Kluane International Chilkat Bike Relay briefly shut down traffic on the first four kilometres of the highway and turned it single lane the rest of the way as an expected 1,253 cyclists and 317 teams made their way from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska.

The first wave of cyclists left from Haines Junction from just before the Dezadeash River at 8:20 a.m. The sun hid behind the clouds and the peaks of the mountains were hidden by the fog.

The highway remained silent as those parked at the side waited for the cyclists to come past – it is somewhat surreal to be on a highway with no vehicle traffic and in complete silence.

Then, off in the distance, you could hear them, the cyclists, tire on asphalt, a low hum like a swarm of bees growing ever louder as they approached.

The opening stretch after leaving the start was an uphill, but that did not deter the riders as they sped on past. As the later legs, the cyclists left the start in intervals, the riders waved at the camera or held up the universal sign for rock-and-roll, index and pinkies up and the thumb out, while sticking out their tongues.

The 2019 Kluane International Chilkat Bike Relay was in its 26 ride but 27th attempt. Race co-ordinator Mike Kramer was quick to point out the asterisk.

"In our first attempt at the 25th anniversary there was snow and we couldn't run it so we had to have the 25th the year after," said Kramer. "This is was the 26th riding and 27th attempt."

Before the riders took the 238.3-kilometre (148.1-mile) ride to Haines, there were 73 solo riders, 56 two-person teams, 109 four-person squads and 79 eight-person units registered. As well, there were over 200 volunteers – there was a lot of people on the road.

Kramer said not all started the race because "sometimes life can get in the way," but that 1,200 people was a safe guess to the number on the road.

The first cyclist to clear customs and make it to Haines Junction was Whitehorse cyclist Matthias Purdon, racing as team "Celery General".

Purdon, who reached Alaska in seven hours, 25 minutes and 34 seconds, said it was a good possibility that he could win.

"The goal was to win, and I knew it was possible because I won it last year," said Purdon.

His winning time this year, he said, was quicker than his time during the 25th rendition of the race.

"Road biking is funny," said Purdon. "You can do a course 10 times and have a one or two hours variation. Last year, I was an hour slower, but this was probably the fastest I've ever done it."

Due to the nice spring weather, Purdon said he was able to get some decent training in the lead-up to the race, which helped him out on the 238.3-kilometre ride.

"If you can go three or four hours, then you can make the whole thing," said Purdon. "It really just gets uncomfortable the longer you go."

During his training, Purdon said, he trained with friend and second place finisher Dave Gonda, who had a final time of seven hours, 25 minutes and 43 seconds – only 11 seconds behind Purdon.

"It was really close," said Purdon. "David was less than a foot behind me. "It's tough to go from a long endurance feeling to a sprint. At that point, you are pretty outside of yourself."

Third place in the solo men's and third overall time belonged to Tyson Flaharty of Fairbanks, Alaska in a time of seven hours, 25 minutes and 52 seconds.

Kramer was following behind the race in his truck. He said the amateur riders between checkpoints two and four had to deal with strong headwinds while the folks near the front were able to draft and work off of each other.

"The amateurs had to work hard for every wheel turn," said Kramer.

On the American side of the race, Kramer said, rain began intermittently, comparable to the rain we've been getting in Whitehorse, and that it somewhat dampened the post-race celebration.

However, he noted, people enter the race because it is challenging, outside and with beautiful scenery, and that is what attracts people to keep coming back.

Out on the course, Kramer said, things went smoothly.

"There were a few bike crashes, and maybe people wiped out while reaching for a water bottle, but all our support crew and volunteers did a great job and I can't stress that enough," said Kramer. "There were no vehicle crashes."

Alisabeth Thurston Hicks, from Fairbanks, was the top solo female rider reaching the end in eight hours, 37 minutes and 18 seconds. Vancouver cyclist Lindsay Knezevich, 9:08:07, came second, while Michelle Klaben of Whitehorse was third.

The two-person men category was dominated by Whitehorse teams. Sled Dog Afterbirth made up of Ian Parker and Aaron Foos, 7:27:44, were eight seconds ahead of the second-place team of John Stamp and Simon Lapointe. The duo of Ben Lambert and Craig Machtans, 7:40:04, came third.

The Edmonton pair of Emily Young and Chantell Widney ran away with the top two-person women class. The pair finished in 8:37:13 a good 20 minutes ahead of the Whitehorse team of Sarah Crane and Emily Macht. Elizabeth Wirak and Tracy Wirak from Haines were hot on the heels of the second place team and finished in 8:57:58, 17 seconds behind.

The top mixed team of Chip Lende and Heather Lende from Haines made it home in 8:37:35. Douglas, B.C. duo Adam Moser and Alisha Falberg, 9:00:51, came second and William Mackay and Leigh Sadler seven minutes behind for third.

It was an all-Whitehorse podium for the four-person men category. The team "Get After It… Again", 8:09:27, reigned supreme. They were followed by "Next Gen" and "Pony Express".

The four-person women class saw another Whitehorse sweep in the top three positions. "You Should Have Seen Us Before Kids" were the golden finishers in a time of 8:50:45. They finished 12 minutes ahead of "McFast", who was followed by "Go HAM".

The "Black Dolphin" mixed team, from Juneau, rode to the top position in 8:09:54. "Dynamite Wolf Squadron" came second and "Triangles" third.

The eight-person team top spots were all taken by Whitehorse squads.

"Draft Kings" was the top men's team and they were followed by "RCMP Steele's Wheels".

The "Cycopaths" were the top eight-person mixed team with a final time of 8:37:30. "The Drivetrain Wrecks" and the "Grinders" came in second and third respectively.

"Cruz Control" was the top women's team and needed 10:30:13 to win. "De-cade Legs" was second and "WGH Blood-Guts-and Gears" was third.