Online registration for the annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay opened yesterday.

This year’s event takes place June 20. Registration for this year’s relay officially closes on May 29. Teams can enter in one of several categories: solo, two-, four-, and eight-person teams for men, women, and mixed.

The last few years have seen this international event fill up in just a few weeks, attracting riders from the Yukon and Alaska, as well as other parts of Canada and the U.S.A.

Race officials again expect all 1,200 rider spots to fill up by early April. Along with the 1,200 rider cap, there is a limit of 95 teams in the eight-person category. Start times and orders for the 2015 event will be announced later in the spring.

As motor vehicles continue to be the primary safety concern, signage and messaging to participants will continue to encourage safe driving habits.

The bike relay is a 240-kilometre international event, crossing the U.S.A.-Canada border 65 km from Haines. All visitors to Alaska, including riders on leg seven must show a passport at U.S. Customs, so it is best for those riders to be American or Canadian citizens.

Participants who want to purchase a souvenir bamboo T-shirt must do so by April 17. The shirt design for this year was created by Dawson City artist, Cud Eastbound, and may be viewed on the KCIBR website.

Solo riders can again take advantage of food bag drops and support stations at checkpoints three and five, sponsored by Cadence Cycle.

Leg one riders on four- and eight-person teams will be able to leave their warm-up clothing at the start line coat-drop service sponsored by Icycle Sport.

Yukon Electric, The Driving Force Vehicle Rental, Sales and Leasing, and Air North are this year’s major event sponsors.

After the success at last year’s event, the free catch-and-release fishing derby for kids age 12-and-under will take place again this year on the Sunday morning.

This is a special event for many of the young children who spend all day Saturday watching their mom or dad pump their bikes down the highway.

The Haines Sportsmen Association is again sponsoring the event at the Haines Harbour with fishing gear and PFDs provided.

To register for the bike relay, visit the website at www.kcibr.org.