Haines Junction will more than double in population this weekend, as about 1,500 people descend on the Yukon town for the 12th annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay (KCIBR).

The relay, which starts in Haines Junction and ends in Haines, Alaska, will feature 234 teams this year 27 solo riders (considered teams), 19 two-person teams, 79 four-person teams and 109 eight-person teams. About 300 volunteers will also take part in the event.

Both the number of competitors (1,207) and number of teams are event records.

While most of the competitors are from Yukon and Alaska, there are a few teams from Outside, including the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C. and Nova Scotia as well as American teams from Texas, Montana and Oregon.

'We almost had a team from Switzerland but they just fell through at the last minute,' said race coordinator Mike Young in an interview Thursday.

Young said riders should be aware there will be no registration this evening in Haines Junction, as has been done in previous years.

'We will not be doing that this year,' he stated. 'So anyone hoping to get a team together and go to Haines Junction and register the night before the race is out of luck. You might as well save yourself the gas and don't make the trip.'

Any teams that are short a rider, or lose a rider during training to injury, can call Sport Yukon, which has a list of riders looking for teams.

KCIBR organizers are still looking for at least ten more volunteers as well, to man checkpoints one and two. Anyone wishing to volunteer can either call Sport Yukon or e-mail info@kcibr.org.

The bike relay course consists of eight Legs, each ranging from 19 kilometres (Leg 1) to 39.5 km (Leg 2). Young, who has biked part of the course himself, insisted despite the differing lengths, there isn't necessarily any legs which are harder or easier than others.

'Every one of them has their benefits and every one of them has their difficulties,' he said.

Last year's overall relay winner, solo men's rider Tighty Whighties, will not be competing in this year's event.

Other winners from 2003, including Les Schwab 1, which finished first in the men's four-rider category, will compete again this year. Skagway's Blood, Sweat and Gears, the team which emerged victorious in the eight-person mixed division, will hit the pavement for the third year in a row.

The overall record times for all categories except women's two-rider were set in 2002. The record men's solo time is held by Whitehorse's Cowboy Junkie, with a time of 5 hours, 56 minutes and 15 seconds while the record men's two-rider time is 6:13:16, set by Team Rotary International.

The record men's four-rider time is held by Bleeding Seabird Flavour, with a time of 5:55:55 while the record time for an eight-rider men's team is 6:40:59, set by Blood, Sweat and Gears.

In women's divisions, the record time for a solo rider is 7:28:25, posted by Janice Tower of Anchorage in 2002. A team from Calgary holds the record in the two-rider women's category, at 7:34:59 while Four For Fun set the record in the four-rider division with a time of 7:10:55. 16 Hungry Thighs posted the best record for a women's eight-rider group with a time of 7:44:19.

The mixed records were all set in 2002 as well. A two-person mixed team from Whitehorse set a time of 6:56:04 while Juneau's Sumdumnaim holds the four-person mixed record at 6:04:25. And finally, the record time for a mixed eight-rider group stands at 6:43:47.

Of course, times will very each year depending not only on the quality of riders, but the weather as well. Forecasts for Saturday are calling for sunny skies all the way to Haines and highs near 30∫ C, or about 90 ∫ F.

Young said cyclists should be very prepared.

'We can't supply water for the cyclists ay checkpoints,' he pointed out. 'We just don't have the vehicles to carry all that water. So riders, make sure you have lots of water on you. And support vehicles, make sure you have enough water too.

'If you're getting too hot, slow down, stop and take a break. It's not a race. It's an event.'

There will be an ambulance on hand during the race, as well as ski patrol staff in case of any injuries or heat exhaustion. The Yukon Amateur Radio Association will be helping out with emergency communication and some RCMP members, as well as State Troopers, will be patrolling up and down the highway.

'Hopefully cyclists will ride with total caution and make their jobs easy,' said Young, adding it's also good to have the police in case of problems with bears or other wildlife.

Once riders and volunteers arrive in Haines on Saturday, dinner will be provided in a tent at the parade grounds, and free camping is available to participants on the grounds. There is also a dance being held in Haines by a separate group and everyone is welcome.

Cyclists who bring their bibs or volunteers who bring their t-shirts can get into the dance free.

Spectators and those driving support vehicles should be aware that the Haines highway will be closed from Haines Junction to the first checkpoint (about 20 kilometres from the start) from 8:15 a.m. Yukon time Saturday until about 10 a.m., due to the mass start.

All vehicles supporting riders on Legs 1 and 2 should be through prior to the road closure.

The 12th annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay will get underway at 8:30 a.m. for all solo, two-person, 4-person and tandem teams.

All 8-person teams and recumbents will start at 9 a.m.