The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is all set to go on Saturday morning, with the first teams leaving Haines Junction at 8:30 a.m.

The 18th annual relay covers 238.3 kilometres from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska. The fastest cyclists will arrive within seven to eight hours, and the rest of the pack could take as long as 13, according to chief of race Mike Kramer.

But the being the first into Haines isn't what the relay is all about, Kramer said.

"We certainly don't measure the success of the race by the time,” he said.

This year a record number of teams will be starting the relay, with 250 signed up for a total of 1,250 riders.

"I'm pretty sure that's our record number of registrations,” Kramer said.

For the 18th annual race, Kramer said there has been little change from previous years, besides a few alterations to the highway closures.

"Some things have changed over the years, but it's still riding from Haines Junction to Haines,” he said.

On Saturday the Haines Highway will be closed southbound from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and northbound from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In checkpoint one from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., only southbound traffic will be allowed through.

Kramer urges motorists to be careful and yield to any bicycles they encounter on the highway.

The first cyclists are expected to begin coming into Haines around 4 p.m. Yukon time.

Teams are made up of one, two, four or eight people, on men's, women's or mixed teams. For two person teams, the first rider must ride legs one through four, and the second rider must pick up at the fifth leg and finish the race.

For race support, there will be St. John Ambulance personnel providing first aid, as well as RCMP and Alaska State Troopers providing assistance in the case of emergency and traffic control.

Changes to race registration can be made up until 6 p.m. this evening. Kramer said a number of emails had been received today for minor changes, including shuffling around riders to replace injured ones.

"Our start list is still evolving,” he said.

Kramer said one of the toughest legs start right off the bat – with the first riders hitting a hill right away.

"It's a pretty steady climb right out of Haines Junction,” he said.

Leg six can be a test of each rider's skill, with a steep downhill.

"You can pick up some pretty good speed on leg six,” Kramer said.

He adds the trick is to stay at a speed that is comfortable for your skill level.

Legs seven and eight are notorious for head winds, Kramer adds. The wind hits during a steady, steep climb that twists into the Klehini Valley for leg seven, where riders will cross the U.S./Canada border.

Despite leg eight being flat, the challenge is the winds as the route travels along the Chilkat River. Once into town, there is a small hill to aid the final sprint to the finish.

Even though the final two legs are known for strong winds, Kramer said sometimes the race is all about which direction the wind is going.

"It seems no matter where you're riding there's winds,” he said.

A dinner will follow for teams, support and race organizers and the awards ceremony will be held on Saturday evening. In previous years the awards have been handed out Sunday morning, but Kramer said they have few participants the following day.

Haines will be a bustling place this weekend, with the finish and the parade grounds open.

"There's lots going on in Haines this weekend,” Kramer said.