1 00:00:35,518 --> 00:00:36,933 [WIND BLOWING] 2 00:01:40,824 --> 00:01:42,826 TIM: When I'm out there, I think 3 00:01:42,861 --> 00:01:46,036 this trail hasn't changed in thousands of years, you know. 4 00:01:46,071 --> 00:01:49,143 I'm sharing that trail with ancestors, 5 00:01:49,178 --> 00:01:52,319 and with people that went out there to find gold, 6 00:01:52,353 --> 00:01:55,045 you know, in the 1890s. 7 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,048 There's nothing that I know of that's like it. 8 00:01:58,083 --> 00:02:01,121 And when you're on the trail, it's you and that trail alone. 9 00:02:05,815 --> 00:02:08,887 FRANK: The Iditarod trail Invitational, it's a race 10 00:02:08,921 --> 00:02:12,684 of 350 miles to McGrath starting from Anchorage. 11 00:02:12,718 --> 00:02:14,582 For the people who want to keep going, 12 00:02:14,617 --> 00:02:18,276 you can go for 1000 miles to represent the entire Iditarod sled dog race 13 00:02:18,310 --> 00:02:20,416 up to Nome, the Bering Sea. 14 00:02:20,450 --> 00:02:23,522 The race can be done either on foot, 15 00:02:23,557 --> 00:02:26,939 on a bike, or on cross-country ski. 16 00:02:28,217 --> 00:02:29,735 TROY: Nothing will challenge you, I think, 17 00:02:29,770 --> 00:02:31,910 quite like the Iditarod trail Invitational would. 18 00:02:31,944 --> 00:02:34,775 RJ: It's one of those races where really anything can happen. 19 00:02:34,809 --> 00:02:37,916 MAN 1: This is the epitome of Winter Ultras. 20 00:02:37,950 --> 00:02:40,298 MAN 2: This is the big one. Certainly, going to Nome, 21 00:02:40,332 --> 00:02:43,266 I imagine, has got to be the toughest bicycle race on Earth. 22 00:02:43,301 --> 00:02:46,096 And going to McGrath isn't probably all that far behind. 23 00:02:48,754 --> 00:02:52,172 BILL: My history of the Iditarod trail began in 1998. 24 00:02:52,206 --> 00:02:55,727 I heard about a race from Knik to McGrath. 25 00:02:55,761 --> 00:02:58,108 And I was a musher at the time. 26 00:02:58,143 --> 00:03:00,663 So I took the front end of my dog team 27 00:03:00,697 --> 00:03:04,701 and went and did the race to McGrath skijoring. 28 00:03:05,668 --> 00:03:08,567 One year on the trail to McGrath, 29 00:03:08,602 --> 00:03:10,880 and I was addicted. 30 00:03:10,914 --> 00:03:14,884 And I've been back every year since, either as a competitor, 31 00:03:14,918 --> 00:03:18,612 or as race marshal slash trail breaker. 32 00:03:27,690 --> 00:03:30,313 I met Frank when I was planning 33 00:03:30,348 --> 00:03:32,626 to do the 2014 race. 34 00:03:32,660 --> 00:03:36,768 I couldn't have asked for a better partner in this experience. 35 00:03:39,771 --> 00:03:42,152 FRANK: How far will we be able to go this year? 36 00:03:42,187 --> 00:03:44,569 What kind of decision will I have to take 37 00:03:44,603 --> 00:03:46,398 to bring me to the finish line. 38 00:03:46,433 --> 00:03:48,228 You need to be prepared for 39 00:03:48,262 --> 00:03:50,816 whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at us. 40 00:03:50,851 --> 00:03:53,198 You don't have to take a decision according to someone else, 41 00:03:53,233 --> 00:03:56,339 or following the rules of something. Here there's no rules. 42 00:03:56,374 --> 00:03:58,238 The rules is try to stay alive, 43 00:03:58,272 --> 00:04:00,654 and if something is wrong, you are the only one 44 00:04:00,688 --> 00:04:02,897 responsible for the decision you took. 45 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:05,245 And that's really exciting. 46 00:04:08,765 --> 00:04:10,180 MAN: All right, here we go. 47 00:04:17,602 --> 00:04:21,330 KATHI: I know Tim Hewitt has walked on a stress fracture for 500 miles. 48 00:04:21,364 --> 00:04:22,503 So he can do it. 49 00:04:22,538 --> 00:04:25,299 He's back for his tenth go 50 00:04:25,334 --> 00:04:27,336 to go to Nome. 51 00:04:27,370 --> 00:04:30,822 TIM: What's bringing me back this time is I want to do the bicycle. 52 00:04:30,856 --> 00:04:35,344 The last few times I've had a purpose each time that I've come. 53 00:04:35,378 --> 00:04:38,795 This year I just want to get to Nome on my terms, 54 00:04:38,830 --> 00:04:41,039 and we'll see what happens. 55 00:04:42,627 --> 00:04:46,941 Until I came to Alaska, I didn't really know what wilderness was. 56 00:04:46,976 --> 00:04:49,185 [CHUCKLES] But I was very attracted to it. 57 00:04:49,219 --> 00:04:54,397 When you're in it, there's just no sign that humans have touched it. 58 00:04:54,432 --> 00:04:55,985 WOMAN: Thanks, everyone, for coming. 59 00:04:56,019 --> 00:04:58,919 This is our 16th annual event. 60 00:04:58,953 --> 00:05:01,093 Cut off times is four days to Winter Lake, 61 00:05:01,128 --> 00:05:03,613 five days to Rainy Pass Lodge, 62 00:05:03,648 --> 00:05:04,683 six days to Rohn, 63 00:05:04,718 --> 00:05:07,617 ten days to McGrath, and 30 to Nome. 64 00:05:07,652 --> 00:05:11,000 Evacs are your responsibility. 65 00:05:11,034 --> 00:05:12,898 I'm not going to give you all the pricing 66 00:05:12,933 --> 00:05:14,969 but don't scratch and run. 67 00:05:17,903 --> 00:05:22,045 [INDISTINCT CHATTER] 68 00:05:25,739 --> 00:05:27,085 WOMAN: I'm afraid of a lot of things out there 69 00:05:27,119 --> 00:05:28,811 and that's one of the reasons I do stuff. 70 00:05:28,845 --> 00:05:32,124 I'm actually kind of a fearful person by nature. 71 00:05:32,159 --> 00:05:35,127 I don't like that about myself, so... 72 00:05:35,162 --> 00:05:36,853 my solution it to confront my fears. 73 00:05:36,888 --> 00:05:40,823 You got to go out there and push yourselves and that's my inner calling. 74 00:05:40,857 --> 00:05:42,859 You can't grow by sitting idle. 75 00:05:42,894 --> 00:05:44,965 FRANK: We don't challenge ourselves anymore. 76 00:05:44,999 --> 00:05:50,902 And I think that's one of the opportunities that this kind of race offers. 77 00:05:50,936 --> 00:05:55,631 KATHI: There's one saying that Bill has that we all have cracks in ourselves. 78 00:05:55,665 --> 00:05:56,942 And then we come back the next year 79 00:05:56,977 --> 00:06:00,290 to see if we've done something about those cracks. 80 00:06:00,325 --> 00:06:02,707 TIM: It's not something to take lightly. 81 00:06:02,741 --> 00:06:04,847 I know that's a concern of Bill's, 82 00:06:04,881 --> 00:06:07,401 is that people don't appreciate 83 00:06:07,436 --> 00:06:10,853 how bad it can be out there. 84 00:06:10,887 --> 00:06:12,924 TROY: There are always risks around every corner. 85 00:06:12,958 --> 00:06:15,720 Thin ice across rivers, that's something that you assess, 86 00:06:15,754 --> 00:06:17,722 I guess, minute by minute. 87 00:06:17,756 --> 00:06:19,551 GUY: More than having respect for it, 88 00:06:19,586 --> 00:06:22,968 you better be prepared to know what you're going to do when you get into trouble. 89 00:06:23,003 --> 00:06:24,867 JAY: As much as those conditions make me nervous, 90 00:06:24,901 --> 00:06:26,040 I kind of like those decisions. 91 00:06:26,075 --> 00:06:29,009 I think it keeps you aware, 92 00:06:29,043 --> 00:06:32,219 keeps you alert, and you better be. 93 00:06:32,253 --> 00:06:34,497 It's all about the risk you want to take. 94 00:06:34,532 --> 00:06:37,707 How willing are you to spend the rest of your life 95 00:06:37,742 --> 00:06:40,572 without your fingers, or your feet? 96 00:06:40,607 --> 00:06:42,367 Or how those that you love 97 00:06:42,402 --> 00:06:44,714 spend the rest of their lives without you? 98 00:06:44,749 --> 00:06:48,442 Because that's the consequences of not being prepared out here. 99 00:06:54,828 --> 00:06:56,795 Feels great. 100 00:06:56,830 --> 00:06:59,142 Feels like how I left it. 101 00:06:59,177 --> 00:07:01,006 TIM: I'm anxious because I'm on a bike 102 00:07:01,041 --> 00:07:04,044 and I don't have the same level of confidence 103 00:07:04,078 --> 00:07:06,426 in my abilities on the bike. 104 00:07:13,950 --> 00:07:16,159 Always love these last minute adjustments. 105 00:07:16,194 --> 00:07:18,230 WOMAN: Okay, less than two minutes. 106 00:07:25,514 --> 00:07:26,894 [SHOT FIRES] 107 00:07:30,208 --> 00:07:32,072 [PEOPLE CHEERING] 108 00:07:37,457 --> 00:07:41,150 BILL: I have never told anybody what they need to survive. 109 00:07:43,186 --> 00:07:47,259 I have let people make their own decisions out here. 110 00:07:49,572 --> 00:07:51,747 And then my responsibility 111 00:07:51,781 --> 00:07:54,370 is to sit here and sweat blood 112 00:07:54,404 --> 00:07:57,304 and hope that I made the right decision 113 00:07:57,338 --> 00:07:59,513 when I told them, "Yes, you can come do this." 114 00:07:59,548 --> 00:08:03,206 So when I make that decision, and I don't have a board. 115 00:08:03,241 --> 00:08:05,554 When I make that decision, it's on me. 116 00:08:06,969 --> 00:08:09,799 And what I'm saying to that person 117 00:08:09,834 --> 00:08:12,181 is, "Okay, you've convinced me 118 00:08:12,215 --> 00:08:15,287 "that you're not going to hurt yourself or die on me out here." 119 00:08:32,235 --> 00:08:35,066 TROY: First couple of minutes are always intense. 120 00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:37,413 Everyone's burning off some sugars. 121 00:08:37,447 --> 00:08:40,243 Everyone's pretty excited about the Trail. 122 00:08:40,278 --> 00:08:43,626 In the end, you know, you just got to ride your own line. 123 00:08:44,869 --> 00:08:47,527 Do your best 124 00:08:47,561 --> 00:08:50,288 to stay upright and frosty. 125 00:08:57,916 --> 00:09:01,264 FRANK: On the Iditarod trail it's going to be my fourth edition. 126 00:09:01,299 --> 00:09:03,612 In 2012 I've done it on foot 127 00:09:03,646 --> 00:09:05,510 and I've done the 350 miles. 128 00:09:05,545 --> 00:09:08,824 I said if we go to Nome then I'm going to go with a fat bike. 129 00:09:08,858 --> 00:09:10,929 So that was in 2014. 130 00:09:10,964 --> 00:09:13,345 And I had a huge meltdown. 131 00:09:14,208 --> 00:09:17,246 And I poorly managed that situation. 132 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,560 Last year I tried to get back to 1000 miles 133 00:09:20,594 --> 00:09:24,011 and I had to stop because I'd been stuck in a blizzard for three days. 134 00:09:25,012 --> 00:09:28,257 So I thought, "Okay, 2017, let's go for it." 135 00:09:28,878 --> 00:09:30,777 So here I am 136 00:09:30,811 --> 00:09:33,365 hoping to be able to go to Nome this time. 137 00:09:35,264 --> 00:09:37,024 -MAN 1: You're good. -MAN 2: We're good. 138 00:09:41,339 --> 00:09:43,548 Gotta get me looking fast one time. 139 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:45,930 That'll be much better than this struggling. 140 00:09:54,697 --> 00:09:58,356 TROY: Well, it's just become a push-fest on Flathorn Lake. 141 00:09:59,668 --> 00:10:01,601 There's a lot of overflow, 142 00:10:01,635 --> 00:10:04,534 and it's very punchy, the snow is very soft. 143 00:10:14,303 --> 00:10:18,100 TIM: Overflow is caused on lakes and rivers. 144 00:10:18,134 --> 00:10:19,998 If we have a lot of heavy snow, 145 00:10:20,033 --> 00:10:22,069 it causes the ice to settle. 146 00:10:22,104 --> 00:10:24,209 The ice has little cracks in it. 147 00:10:24,244 --> 00:10:27,661 And when the ice settles, it puts more pressure on the water below, 148 00:10:27,696 --> 00:10:30,043 and the water comes up through the cracks in the ice 149 00:10:30,077 --> 00:10:32,045 and fills all the low spots. 150 00:10:32,804 --> 00:10:34,979 And I've always told racers, 151 00:10:35,013 --> 00:10:38,948 "If there's water in the trail, cross the water. 152 00:10:38,983 --> 00:10:43,263 "If you step off the trail, you may step into crotch-deep slushy." 153 00:11:09,427 --> 00:11:11,325 -MAN 1: Everything okay? -MAN 2: Yeah. 154 00:11:14,708 --> 00:11:15,744 -MAN 1: Done? -MAN 2: Yeah. 155 00:11:15,778 --> 00:11:17,677 MAN 1: It's not pretty. Beginner. 156 00:11:18,678 --> 00:11:19,540 Keep working. 157 00:11:21,750 --> 00:11:23,855 WOMAN: Hi. 158 00:11:23,890 --> 00:11:25,788 -MAN: Good stuff, guys. -WOMAN: Thanks. 159 00:12:00,029 --> 00:12:01,893 INTERVIEWER: How are you feeling? 160 00:12:01,928 --> 00:12:04,654 MAN 1: Hopefully, get some drying going 161 00:12:04,689 --> 00:12:06,760 and probably take off, I don't know... 162 00:12:08,244 --> 00:12:10,730 in half hour or 45 minutes. Maybe an hour. 163 00:12:10,764 --> 00:12:12,732 -INTERVIEWER: Mm-hmm. -Something like that. 164 00:12:13,491 --> 00:12:14,975 Hey! 165 00:12:15,010 --> 00:12:17,598 -MAN 2: Oh, yeah. Looking good. -MAN 1: Old Man Winter. 166 00:12:17,633 --> 00:12:18,807 Yeah. I just saw myself. 167 00:12:18,841 --> 00:12:20,670 [ALL LAUGHING] 168 00:12:27,505 --> 00:12:30,094 -We'll hopefully make it to Finger Lake... -MAN: Mm-hmm. 169 00:12:30,128 --> 00:12:31,820 ...before I fall apart. 170 00:12:34,167 --> 00:12:35,996 I thought with the snow 171 00:12:36,031 --> 00:12:38,758 it was going to be slower but we're still moving pretty good. 172 00:12:38,792 --> 00:12:39,759 So that's awesome. 173 00:12:41,691 --> 00:12:44,764 Not too far back, him and Phil look like they're riding together. 174 00:12:46,317 --> 00:12:49,251 -Where are we? -Right there. 175 00:12:59,399 --> 00:13:01,815 Feels good to be dry. 176 00:13:05,198 --> 00:13:06,855 See you down the trail, eh? 177 00:13:13,827 --> 00:13:16,243 KEVIN: I've lived in Alaska for 15 years. 178 00:13:16,278 --> 00:13:18,004 But there's never a comfort level here. 179 00:13:18,038 --> 00:13:21,041 I can leave my house for a bike ride at night, and I get nervous. 180 00:13:21,076 --> 00:13:22,940 I think that's kind of the draw of Alaska 181 00:13:22,974 --> 00:13:24,804 is there is that challenge 182 00:13:24,838 --> 00:13:28,255 of trying to feel like you've got some sort of control, and you don't. 183 00:13:28,290 --> 00:13:30,775 KEVIN: Man, you guys are out here! Ah. 184 00:13:33,122 --> 00:13:34,814 -What's that? -MAN: How you doing, buddy? 185 00:13:34,848 --> 00:13:36,401 KEVIN: Oh, hanging in there. 186 00:13:36,436 --> 00:13:38,438 -It's not too bad. -MAN: How's the trail? 187 00:13:38,472 --> 00:13:42,028 KEVIN: It's been good. Especially since Yentna it's been good. 188 00:13:42,062 --> 00:13:44,513 There's big chunk of overflow for a while. 189 00:13:44,547 --> 00:13:47,102 -That kind of woke me up. -MAN: Yeah. 190 00:13:47,136 --> 00:13:48,689 Did you go through it all? 191 00:13:48,724 --> 00:13:52,072 KEVIN: Yeah, yeah, I had to put on waders 192 00:13:52,107 --> 00:13:55,696 and went through it and then I went back and found the way around it. 193 00:13:56,180 --> 00:13:57,940 So... 194 00:13:57,975 --> 00:14:00,770 It's good, it wakes you up. You need something a little different out there. 195 00:14:00,805 --> 00:14:02,842 Otherwise nod off. 196 00:14:02,876 --> 00:14:05,603 -Enjoy the evening, man. -MAN: Yeah, I'll see you later. 197 00:14:14,060 --> 00:14:15,958 MAN: Looking forward to some sleep. 198 00:14:18,823 --> 00:14:21,412 We should be there. 199 00:14:21,446 --> 00:14:23,483 -I don't know. I'm not... -[CHATTING INDISTINCTLY] 200 00:15:02,487 --> 00:15:07,354 RJ: We stopped at Cindy's cabin, slept there for four, five hours. 201 00:15:07,389 --> 00:15:09,978 Had food, night and in the morning. 202 00:15:10,012 --> 00:15:13,602 So we'll just probably pop here for a quick snack 203 00:15:13,636 --> 00:15:16,881 and warm beverage and then carry on for the day. 204 00:15:16,916 --> 00:15:18,676 It was a bit tough yesterday. 205 00:15:18,710 --> 00:15:21,265 Actually today I'm feeling really good. 206 00:15:25,234 --> 00:15:27,581 FRANK: If the conditions are fine you don't want to stop. 207 00:15:27,616 --> 00:15:30,032 Because let's say I stop here, I enjoy the moment, 208 00:15:30,067 --> 00:15:31,275 but the storm is may be coming. 209 00:15:31,309 --> 00:15:32,932 Tomorrow it may be totally different. 210 00:15:32,966 --> 00:15:35,624 So what I haven't today in a good condition, 211 00:15:35,658 --> 00:15:38,696 may be much harder tomorrow if it's snowing. 212 00:15:38,730 --> 00:15:41,285 Or when the trail is not in such a good condition. 213 00:15:42,113 --> 00:15:43,804 So it's more the unknown. 214 00:15:43,839 --> 00:15:47,498 It's just not knowing what's going to happen next hour. 215 00:15:47,532 --> 00:15:50,052 And that's one of the reasons I'm coming here. 216 00:15:54,608 --> 00:15:58,233 For the most part, I really, really enjoy being out there. 217 00:15:58,267 --> 00:16:00,097 People say, "Why do you keep going back?" 218 00:16:00,131 --> 00:16:01,961 I like it out there, you know. 219 00:16:01,995 --> 00:16:03,548 And I like the solitude. 220 00:16:40,171 --> 00:16:42,139 -TIM: Going good, right? -MAN: Yeah. 221 00:16:42,173 --> 00:16:43,968 It was okay. 222 00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:46,902 I mean, it's... The bike's a little different than pulling the sled. 223 00:16:46,936 --> 00:16:50,112 I'm not that good with tire pressures and such. 224 00:16:50,147 --> 00:16:51,596 So I was really squirrelly. 225 00:16:51,631 --> 00:16:55,186 Yeah, I tried it in 2015, but it was unsuccessful. 226 00:16:55,221 --> 00:16:56,360 MAN: Okay. 227 00:16:56,394 --> 00:16:57,982 TIM: I got to get this stupid thing done. 228 00:16:58,017 --> 00:16:59,087 [BOTH LAUGHING] 229 00:16:59,121 --> 00:17:00,364 -FRANK: No more. -TIM: Yeah, no more. 230 00:17:00,398 --> 00:17:03,539 That's my bucket list item. 231 00:17:03,574 --> 00:17:06,818 -MAN: And back to foot. -No more. 232 00:17:06,853 --> 00:17:08,372 [ALL LAUGHING] 233 00:17:32,534 --> 00:17:34,674 RJ: I think people always ask, "Why do you come back?" 234 00:17:34,708 --> 00:17:36,365 I had a lot of people ask me that question, you know, 235 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,367 "You went the first time, you were able to finish the race, 236 00:17:38,402 --> 00:17:39,610 "why would you go back?" 237 00:17:39,644 --> 00:17:41,819 I think a lot of people give similar answers. 238 00:17:41,853 --> 00:17:44,304 I think there's something about the trail that is very, 239 00:17:44,339 --> 00:17:45,857 you know, that lures you back in. 240 00:17:45,892 --> 00:17:48,515 And it's an incredibly magical place, and a magical feeling. 241 00:17:48,550 --> 00:17:52,312 And I think, yeah, it's easy once you've been away from it for a while 242 00:17:52,347 --> 00:17:55,039 to want to go back and feel that again. 243 00:18:34,354 --> 00:18:36,045 It's pretty windy out there. 244 00:18:38,910 --> 00:18:41,706 Oh gosh, the wind. 245 00:18:41,741 --> 00:18:44,675 Mostly I just couldn't really see upright on the bike, 246 00:18:44,709 --> 00:18:45,917 so I had to push it. 247 00:19:05,247 --> 00:19:06,697 [MAN COUGHING] 248 00:19:50,534 --> 00:19:52,052 All right. Nice. 249 00:19:53,088 --> 00:19:55,642 -Hey, hey, awesome job! -[WHOOPING] 250 00:19:56,643 --> 00:19:58,611 WOMAN: Oh, yeah. 251 00:19:58,645 --> 00:20:00,716 -Welcome! -Thank you. 252 00:20:00,751 --> 00:20:03,823 BILL: Right now we've got a rookie 253 00:20:03,857 --> 00:20:08,068 with two of our top veterans, you know. 254 00:20:08,103 --> 00:20:11,071 I'm pretty impressed with Neil Beltchenko. 255 00:20:11,106 --> 00:20:15,524 And that big smile he came through this blizzard with into Rob. 256 00:20:15,559 --> 00:20:18,458 That is way impressive. 257 00:20:18,493 --> 00:20:20,046 That's a badass young man. 258 00:20:23,843 --> 00:20:26,294 KEVIN: Well, it'll be sweet if no one else came. 259 00:20:26,328 --> 00:20:29,158 'Cause it just gets crowded quick. 260 00:20:29,193 --> 00:20:32,955 We left the Rainy Lodge at two o'clock yesterday. 261 00:20:32,990 --> 00:20:36,235 We bivvy'd for four hours and it's been nonstop. 262 00:20:36,269 --> 00:20:39,134 Probably what, 30 miles of pushing, or more. 263 00:20:39,962 --> 00:20:42,068 It's bad wind. 264 00:20:42,102 --> 00:20:46,245 It's like filling the trail in pretty quick. 265 00:20:47,556 --> 00:20:49,248 So I think it's going to be the same for everyone. 266 00:21:09,475 --> 00:21:11,787 It's a long 80 miles. 267 00:21:15,066 --> 00:21:17,034 And with this wind 268 00:21:17,068 --> 00:21:20,002 it's gonna be kinda rough out there, I think. 269 00:21:21,176 --> 00:21:23,040 Tough to be blown into. 270 00:21:34,016 --> 00:21:36,605 JAY: Well, we say, traveling on the Iditarod trail, 271 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,711 I don't need to answer the phone. 272 00:21:38,745 --> 00:21:41,023 I don't need to answer to anybody. 273 00:21:41,058 --> 00:21:44,337 I just need to take care of myself and keep moving. 274 00:21:44,372 --> 00:21:47,823 There's also a mentality of enjoying what you're doing. 275 00:21:47,858 --> 00:21:50,619 I don't like the word "suffering." Hate it. 276 00:21:50,654 --> 00:21:52,759 I don't like being called crazy. 277 00:21:52,794 --> 00:21:54,968 I volunteered to do this myself. 278 00:21:55,003 --> 00:21:57,281 I sign up for it, I pay money for it, 279 00:21:57,316 --> 00:22:00,353 I work at it, I've turned it into a living. 280 00:22:00,388 --> 00:22:01,975 I enjoy it. 281 00:22:06,048 --> 00:22:07,947 TIM: It's a really special place. 282 00:22:07,981 --> 00:22:11,985 You go inside of yourself and it's a whole different world of hyper focus. 283 00:22:12,020 --> 00:22:15,092 And your aching legs and the screaming blizzard 284 00:22:15,126 --> 00:22:17,128 becomes part of the background. 285 00:22:17,163 --> 00:22:19,407 If someone was watching you do this, 286 00:22:19,441 --> 00:22:21,685 they would think the conditions were horrible. 287 00:22:21,719 --> 00:22:23,997 But right now you're in your little place, 288 00:22:24,032 --> 00:22:26,206 and it's not really that bad. 289 00:22:32,109 --> 00:22:33,697 [WIND BLOWING] 290 00:23:06,799 --> 00:23:08,732 TIM: You do think about the trail 291 00:23:08,766 --> 00:23:11,666 and when it's good and you're happy 292 00:23:11,700 --> 00:23:13,081 and, you know, you're pinching yourself 293 00:23:13,115 --> 00:23:15,980 because you can't believe you have this opportunity. 294 00:23:16,015 --> 00:23:18,880 You also know that it's going to get bad. 295 00:23:19,881 --> 00:23:21,192 When the trail is good, 296 00:23:21,227 --> 00:23:23,712 you want to take what the trail will give you 297 00:23:23,747 --> 00:23:24,782 and really make time. 298 00:23:24,817 --> 00:23:27,198 Because I know it's going to get bad. 299 00:23:27,233 --> 00:23:30,995 And some people, I think, get into negative places 300 00:23:31,030 --> 00:23:34,274 when that trail gets bad, when that storm comes in, 301 00:23:34,309 --> 00:23:36,656 when that headwind starts blowing. 302 00:23:36,691 --> 00:23:38,002 But I know it's coming. 303 00:23:38,037 --> 00:23:39,763 So I'm kind of prepared for it. 304 00:23:39,797 --> 00:23:41,730 I'm happy when it isn't like that 305 00:23:41,765 --> 00:23:44,250 but I know it's coming. 306 00:23:45,458 --> 00:23:46,977 [BREATHING HEAVILY] 307 00:23:51,947 --> 00:23:53,984 TIM: My bike went through the ice. 308 00:23:54,018 --> 00:23:56,504 My shifter was frozen and I just forced it 309 00:23:56,538 --> 00:23:59,058 and it wouldn't do anything. 310 00:23:59,092 --> 00:24:01,819 I kept mistakenly clicking the up gear. 311 00:24:01,854 --> 00:24:03,303 You know, and I was fussing with it. 312 00:24:03,338 --> 00:24:05,789 So I was okay when I was stuck in third, 313 00:24:05,823 --> 00:24:08,412 but when it got up to 11, I was in trouble. 314 00:24:08,447 --> 00:24:12,071 -MAN: Gotcha. -I screwed around for about three hours with that. 315 00:24:13,521 --> 00:24:15,488 How far is Rohn? 316 00:24:15,523 --> 00:24:19,837 Twenty miles? Oh, I thought we were almost around. 317 00:24:19,872 --> 00:24:22,357 All right. I better walk to keep warm. 318 00:24:39,270 --> 00:24:41,928 KEVIN: Rohn is about 130 miles 319 00:24:41,963 --> 00:24:44,931 from the finish in McGrath. 320 00:24:44,966 --> 00:24:48,556 In a way we're on the easy part of the race 321 00:24:49,384 --> 00:24:50,834 for the 350. 322 00:24:50,868 --> 00:24:53,664 You've made it across the Alaska Range. 323 00:24:53,699 --> 00:24:56,840 If you've made it this far, 324 00:24:56,874 --> 00:24:58,876 and you're physically in good shape, 325 00:24:58,911 --> 00:25:01,016 you've probably got McGrath. 326 00:25:01,051 --> 00:25:02,604 And that feels good. 327 00:25:25,489 --> 00:25:28,216 -MAN 1: I'll get you something warm to drink, okay? -RJ: Please. 328 00:25:28,250 --> 00:25:30,701 -MAN 1: Hot coco? -Hot coco would be great. 329 00:25:30,736 --> 00:25:31,806 RJ: Done. 330 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:33,186 MAN 2: Where did you bivvy last night? 331 00:25:33,221 --> 00:25:36,293 Uh, at the pass did you see that little cabin? 332 00:25:36,327 --> 00:25:38,985 It was a little cabin on the right. You can't get in it. 333 00:25:39,020 --> 00:25:40,297 So we just bivvy'd there. 334 00:25:40,331 --> 00:25:41,885 It was so windy. 335 00:25:41,919 --> 00:25:44,335 It was unbelievable, we could barely move. 336 00:25:44,370 --> 00:25:46,959 So we just pulled over. We actually made a fire. 337 00:25:47,994 --> 00:25:49,582 Frank is not doing great. 338 00:25:49,617 --> 00:25:51,032 He's coughing, hacking up a lung. 339 00:25:51,066 --> 00:25:54,000 -Oh, really? -I think he might be done here, too. 340 00:25:54,035 --> 00:25:56,416 His chest is bad. 341 00:25:56,451 --> 00:26:00,006 So he told me go on 'cause he's going to probably walk most of it. 342 00:26:00,041 --> 00:26:02,353 -I broke through the ice on the river. -Oh, did you? 343 00:26:02,388 --> 00:26:05,115 -I broke through, it went up to my thighs. -Oh, no. 344 00:26:05,149 --> 00:26:07,566 So that pretty much ended my race right there. 345 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:08,946 I'm glad you guys were safe. 346 00:26:08,981 --> 00:26:11,673 We were wondering about the folks that were bivvying out last night. 347 00:26:11,708 --> 00:26:13,502 'Cause it was just heinous. 348 00:26:14,296 --> 00:26:16,160 Maybe, like, it's a safety cone 349 00:26:16,195 --> 00:26:18,507 and there's like a hole in the water there. [LAUGHING] 350 00:26:27,896 --> 00:26:30,347 [SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY] 351 00:26:30,381 --> 00:26:32,936 My lungs are not doing that well. 352 00:26:34,247 --> 00:26:38,010 I can hear my GP say, "You shouldn't go, you shouldn't go." 353 00:26:38,700 --> 00:26:41,013 He gave me the inhaler. 354 00:26:41,047 --> 00:26:43,187 And he said, "No more than five times a day." 355 00:26:43,222 --> 00:26:45,673 And I've done five times in three hours. 356 00:26:45,707 --> 00:26:48,123 MAN: How's your throat feeling? 357 00:26:48,158 --> 00:26:51,402 It's burning everywhere all my ribcage. 358 00:26:51,437 --> 00:26:54,578 It started here then it went down here, now it's everywhere. 359 00:27:10,767 --> 00:27:12,492 [MAN HUMMING] 360 00:27:20,569 --> 00:27:24,366 Hello, gentlemen. What are you guys doing here? 361 00:27:24,401 --> 00:27:27,162 Now although we broke it up. We went half way, 362 00:27:27,197 --> 00:27:29,406 and then bivvy'd on the trail. 363 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,684 Had a good sleep. We've been taking it really conservatively, 364 00:27:31,719 --> 00:27:33,272 so we feel really strong right now. 365 00:27:41,590 --> 00:27:42,833 MAN: How's it going? 366 00:27:42,868 --> 00:27:45,491 I feel dry, but you see the blisters? 367 00:27:46,906 --> 00:27:48,494 MAN: Oh, fuck, Guy. 368 00:27:49,012 --> 00:27:50,807 Oh, shit. 369 00:27:50,841 --> 00:27:52,671 GUY: That's a problem, apparently. 370 00:27:54,362 --> 00:27:56,882 Sorry to be such a jovial prick. 371 00:27:56,916 --> 00:27:58,090 That's searing stuff. 372 00:27:58,124 --> 00:27:59,608 Can you feel that? 373 00:27:59,643 --> 00:28:01,990 -GUY: No. -No problem. 374 00:28:02,025 --> 00:28:04,199 -How about here? -Yeah, I can feel over there. 375 00:28:04,234 --> 00:28:07,616 We're going to watch you, keep your hands warm. 376 00:28:07,651 --> 00:28:09,895 RJ: You're doing your own thing, moving along the trail. 377 00:28:09,929 --> 00:28:12,069 Then all of a sudden you end up in a transition area, 378 00:28:12,104 --> 00:28:13,899 and you see what other people are going through. 379 00:28:13,933 --> 00:28:16,246 And all of a sudden I realized that a lot of people were in trouble. 380 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:18,317 Frost bite on fingers on noses, on feet. 381 00:28:18,351 --> 00:28:20,008 People were going through the river. 382 00:28:20,043 --> 00:28:22,873 These are all the problems that you could, you know, run into 383 00:28:22,908 --> 00:28:24,703 but you were able to get through. 384 00:28:26,739 --> 00:28:29,638 -FRANK: You put a tarp on top of you? -RJ: I'm going to. 385 00:28:30,501 --> 00:28:32,503 Just to keep some of the snow off. 386 00:28:34,264 --> 00:28:36,507 -FRANK: You're going to look like a Burger King. -What? 387 00:28:36,542 --> 00:28:38,717 FRANK: You're going to look like a Burger King burger. 388 00:28:38,751 --> 00:28:39,787 RJ: That's right. 389 00:28:41,996 --> 00:28:43,756 FRANK: Ah, I'm short of breath. 390 00:28:46,138 --> 00:28:48,761 [COUGHING] 391 00:29:01,636 --> 00:29:04,328 My kit's really small compared to that one. 392 00:29:18,584 --> 00:29:21,345 GUY: You know, it was quite painful last night. 393 00:29:21,380 --> 00:29:23,382 Didn't get much sleep. 394 00:29:23,416 --> 00:29:25,694 I must have made a mistake somewhere. 395 00:29:29,181 --> 00:29:30,803 MAN: Hey, Guy, it could happen to anyone of us. 396 00:29:30,838 --> 00:29:32,943 Anyone of us. 397 00:29:32,978 --> 00:29:35,497 MAN: It was really cold. 398 00:29:37,603 --> 00:29:38,673 Yeah. 399 00:29:38,707 --> 00:29:41,400 -I got numb. -It could happen to anyone of us. 400 00:29:47,130 --> 00:29:48,579 KEVIN: Right now what I could tell you is 401 00:29:48,614 --> 00:29:50,409 we'll have a flight for you somewhere 402 00:29:50,443 --> 00:29:53,032 between two hours and two and half days from now on. 403 00:29:53,067 --> 00:29:54,378 [ALL LAUGHING] 404 00:29:54,413 --> 00:29:56,346 -But I hope... -You sound like American Airlines. 405 00:29:56,380 --> 00:29:58,555 And about as useful. 406 00:29:58,589 --> 00:30:00,695 Okay. Cool. 407 00:30:00,729 --> 00:30:04,595 KEVIN: I would try to keep those wrapped up as much as you can. 408 00:30:04,630 --> 00:30:07,771 -GUY: Okay. -You know, things will... It's just 409 00:30:07,806 --> 00:30:11,637 you got a deep penetration into your body there at that point now. 410 00:30:11,671 --> 00:30:15,848 So, one person out in the previous seven years on the airplane, 411 00:30:15,883 --> 00:30:17,954 and so far we've got eight 412 00:30:17,988 --> 00:30:20,059 that have been flown out here now. 413 00:30:20,094 --> 00:30:22,717 And maybe some more, maybe not, we'll see. 414 00:30:32,658 --> 00:30:36,420 The plane is supposed to come in about 30 minutes or so. 415 00:30:37,352 --> 00:30:40,183 Um, back to Anchorage. 416 00:30:40,217 --> 00:30:44,566 So, lucky the weather is helping us to have a plane to take us. 417 00:30:44,601 --> 00:30:46,603 Could be stuck here for a while otherwise. 418 00:30:53,955 --> 00:30:57,372 RJ: I know he was fighting through and trying to persevere, 419 00:30:57,407 --> 00:30:59,202 but it wasn't getting better. 420 00:30:59,236 --> 00:31:02,895 And so him having to drop out was definitely, you know, devastating. 421 00:31:02,930 --> 00:31:05,415 But I had to really quickly get out of there. 422 00:31:05,449 --> 00:31:08,590 Because I think that all of that can suddenly affect, 423 00:31:08,625 --> 00:31:11,559 you know, your own sense of mortality in the race. 424 00:31:20,948 --> 00:31:23,226 And right now there's no wind. 425 00:31:23,260 --> 00:31:27,437 It's blue sky, it's still... Which is it right now? 426 00:31:28,265 --> 00:31:30,026 Minus 15 Celsius, 427 00:31:30,060 --> 00:31:32,269 I mean, it's ridiculous. 428 00:31:33,339 --> 00:31:35,652 So, the choice has been made. 429 00:31:37,102 --> 00:31:38,655 I may regret it. 430 00:31:38,689 --> 00:31:40,899 It won't be the first time I make a choice that I regret after. 431 00:31:41,969 --> 00:31:44,385 I know how it's going to work. 432 00:31:44,419 --> 00:31:46,594 We come here to challenge ourselves, 433 00:31:46,628 --> 00:31:48,872 but also to challenge the wilderness, 434 00:31:48,907 --> 00:31:50,356 which is pretty arrogant. 435 00:31:50,391 --> 00:31:51,910 Yeah, it's part of the race. 436 00:31:56,155 --> 00:31:59,227 GUY: I'm completely and utterly gutted. 437 00:31:59,262 --> 00:32:01,057 It is a mistake. 438 00:32:01,091 --> 00:32:04,646 There's a few other people with frostbite and they would've also made mistakes. 439 00:32:04,681 --> 00:32:07,960 'Cause there's a lot of people out there who haven't got frostbite. 440 00:32:07,995 --> 00:32:11,515 TIM: When it's the weather that causes people to not finish, 441 00:32:11,550 --> 00:32:13,621 then it was the fact 442 00:32:13,655 --> 00:32:16,520 that they weren't prepared either equipment wise, 443 00:32:16,555 --> 00:32:19,730 or in inexperience to use it properly. 444 00:32:19,765 --> 00:32:23,907 And that's what being comfortable and taking care of yourself 445 00:32:23,942 --> 00:32:25,081 out here is all about. 446 00:32:25,115 --> 00:32:26,565 It's having the fore thought, 447 00:32:26,599 --> 00:32:29,119 you know, to take care of problems before they come up. 448 00:32:29,154 --> 00:32:31,121 And then you just have obstacles. 449 00:32:31,156 --> 00:32:33,123 Obstacles to overcome, 450 00:32:33,158 --> 00:32:36,575 not problems to solve. 451 00:32:36,609 --> 00:32:39,958 GUY: Flying back today I was just looking at it 452 00:32:40,475 --> 00:32:42,857 and felt very empty. 453 00:32:42,891 --> 00:32:45,549 I'm not so sure what I'll be doing with the hands. 454 00:32:45,584 --> 00:32:47,862 It's quite a mission having both hands in bandages. 455 00:32:47,896 --> 00:32:50,934 It's a very selfish sport, endurance racing. 456 00:32:50,969 --> 00:32:54,627 You know, you go through a six or seven-hour training ride 457 00:32:54,662 --> 00:32:56,836 in the morning and maybe something in the afternoon. 458 00:32:56,871 --> 00:32:59,667 You're not great company in between. 459 00:32:59,701 --> 00:33:01,876 And then, you lose out on the weekends. 460 00:33:01,910 --> 00:33:04,499 So it's time to give back, I think. 461 00:33:25,382 --> 00:33:29,283 TROY: We're out here on the trail between Bear Creek and Nikolai. 462 00:33:29,317 --> 00:33:32,976 The day has certainly turned, we've had a bit of snow overnight. 463 00:33:33,011 --> 00:33:36,048 Trail's got a little bit of dusting on it this morning. 464 00:33:37,705 --> 00:33:40,121 But, yeah, another 800 miles. 465 00:33:40,156 --> 00:33:43,055 You know, it is what it is. I guess when it starts to feel like it's getting tough, 466 00:33:43,090 --> 00:33:46,541 then you start to think everyone else is hurting just as much. 467 00:33:46,576 --> 00:33:49,061 So, you're nothing special. 468 00:34:31,172 --> 00:34:32,863 -Good to see you. -Same to you, girl. 469 00:34:35,176 --> 00:34:36,902 -How you doing? -Pretty good. 470 00:34:36,936 --> 00:34:39,111 Nice job. 471 00:34:39,146 --> 00:34:42,045 I know, it got really cold. 472 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:43,702 Get in here. 473 00:34:44,427 --> 00:34:47,119 God, it's good to see you. 474 00:34:47,154 --> 00:34:50,847 KEVIN: Yesterday I was just dead tired and I felt every rib in, like, 475 00:34:50,881 --> 00:34:53,263 hundred feet of trees, I'd stop. 476 00:34:53,298 --> 00:34:56,784 'Cause I'm going on to Nome so I wasn't pushing like these guys. 477 00:34:56,818 --> 00:34:59,959 I wasn't, you know, trying to kill myself. 478 00:34:59,994 --> 00:35:03,066 I was riding today, and I was thinking, 479 00:35:03,101 --> 00:35:06,587 "This is still a lot easier than taking care of a two-year-old." 480 00:35:06,621 --> 00:35:10,073 Like, this is... I'd still much rather do this. 481 00:35:10,108 --> 00:35:14,526 I haven't had anyone hitting me, or yelling at me, you know. 482 00:35:15,665 --> 00:35:17,943 I kind of feel bad being gone for so long. 483 00:35:17,977 --> 00:35:20,635 -Yeah, this is my fourth time. -MAN: Fourth time to Nome? 484 00:35:20,670 --> 00:35:22,844 Ah, no. I haven't gone to Nome yet. 485 00:35:22,879 --> 00:35:25,502 This is my fourth time getting here at least. 486 00:35:31,439 --> 00:35:32,958 TIM: Once you get to McGrath, 487 00:35:32,992 --> 00:35:37,135 it changes from a race to an adventure for whatever reason. 488 00:35:38,619 --> 00:35:42,105 TIM: Well, Nome is three times the distance to McGrath, 489 00:35:42,140 --> 00:35:45,936 but it's exponentially bigger commitment. 490 00:35:45,971 --> 00:35:49,216 It's not only three times as long, it's ten times as hard. 491 00:35:49,250 --> 00:35:52,253 RJ: Going to Nome, you have to work under the assumption 492 00:35:52,288 --> 00:35:55,567 that you're going to get every possible condition. 493 00:36:02,021 --> 00:36:04,714 KEVIN: I'm extremely nervous about just leaving here. 494 00:36:04,748 --> 00:36:07,061 I've never been anywhere past here ever. 495 00:36:07,095 --> 00:36:09,926 From here Ruby is about just under 200 miles. 496 00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:12,998 There's no communities, no one uses the trail. 497 00:36:13,032 --> 00:36:15,656 I don't know if I'm going to be walking a 100 miles. 498 00:36:15,690 --> 00:36:17,451 I don't know if I'll be riding at all. 499 00:36:17,485 --> 00:36:19,211 And now I'm going to take off tomorrow. 500 00:36:19,246 --> 00:36:22,801 Maybe a day ahead of anyone else who's going to be following along with me. 501 00:36:22,835 --> 00:36:26,908 I don't have a way to bail out. If I leave here, I just, I go. 502 00:36:26,943 --> 00:36:29,048 See, I'm really nervous right now. 503 00:36:29,083 --> 00:36:31,948 Probably more nervous than the start of the race. 504 00:36:31,982 --> 00:36:34,778 The trail does that to you, Alaska does that to you. 505 00:36:45,789 --> 00:36:48,275 TIM: It could be a real challenge this year. 506 00:36:48,309 --> 00:36:51,139 I mean, without trail breakers 507 00:36:51,174 --> 00:36:55,282 any snow that's falling out there is going to be a problem for us. 508 00:36:56,524 --> 00:36:59,941 That's 200 miles of pretty much nothing. 509 00:36:59,976 --> 00:37:03,221 KEVIN: If it snows a foot you're sort of... I don't think... 510 00:37:03,255 --> 00:37:05,740 There are very few people who are going to push their bikes 511 00:37:05,775 --> 00:37:09,261 from Ophir to Ruby with a foot of snow out there. 512 00:37:09,296 --> 00:37:12,022 When a very dear friend of mine 513 00:37:12,057 --> 00:37:14,784 who had finished the race eight times I think 514 00:37:14,818 --> 00:37:17,304 at that time on foot, 515 00:37:17,338 --> 00:37:21,963 Tim Hewitt was stuck between Poorman and Ruby for days. 516 00:37:21,998 --> 00:37:25,139 50 below zero and knee-deep snow. 517 00:37:25,173 --> 00:37:29,039 And I had to make the decision how long to wait 518 00:37:29,074 --> 00:37:30,731 to check on Tim, 519 00:37:30,765 --> 00:37:33,458 knowing that if I 520 00:37:33,492 --> 00:37:36,840 sent someone too soon, I was going to lose a friend. 521 00:37:38,290 --> 00:37:41,776 And if I waited too long, I was going to lose a friend. 522 00:37:41,811 --> 00:37:43,951 I asked a man to take his machine, 523 00:37:43,985 --> 00:37:45,953 make four peanut butter-jelly sandwiches. 524 00:37:45,987 --> 00:37:48,852 'Cause there were three more racers that had passed him out there. 525 00:37:49,715 --> 00:37:51,199 And go out and tell those racers 526 00:37:51,234 --> 00:37:55,342 Bill thought they might want a coke and a sandwich. 527 00:37:55,376 --> 00:38:00,485 Well, first two racers took the coke and the sandwich. 528 00:38:00,519 --> 00:38:04,730 The next was Loreen, Tim's wife and she had a pretty badly frozen thumb. 529 00:38:04,765 --> 00:38:08,044 And he went on to check on Tim to take his sandwich. 530 00:38:09,390 --> 00:38:12,566 And it was time to bring Tim back. 531 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:14,809 But I have to make that decision, you know, 532 00:38:14,844 --> 00:38:17,985 how long to give them to be self-sufficient. 533 00:38:18,019 --> 00:38:19,400 You know, they were the little kids 534 00:38:19,435 --> 00:38:21,540 that wore the right shoe on the left foot, you know. 535 00:38:21,575 --> 00:38:24,854 Because their parents figured it was a fight they didn't want to take there. 536 00:38:24,888 --> 00:38:28,754 Those are the little kids that grow up to be the people that come out here 537 00:38:28,789 --> 00:38:30,860 to do it their self. 538 00:38:30,894 --> 00:38:33,345 And in Alaska we're given that opportunity. 539 00:38:40,594 --> 00:38:42,803 [ALL WHOOPING] 540 00:38:44,908 --> 00:38:47,221 -MAN 1: Yeah! -MAN 2: You made it. 541 00:38:47,255 --> 00:38:48,981 -I did. -Let's go inside. 542 00:38:49,016 --> 00:38:50,845 It was much harder than anticipated. 543 00:38:50,880 --> 00:38:53,227 -It was a much harder day than anticipated. -[MAN LAUGHS] 544 00:38:53,261 --> 00:38:54,987 -It's 11. -Good job! 545 00:38:55,022 --> 00:38:57,749 -Good to see you, buddy. -Good to be here. 546 00:38:57,783 --> 00:39:00,648 So, kinda rough out there this year. 547 00:39:00,683 --> 00:39:02,029 Yeah, it was real. 548 00:39:02,063 --> 00:39:03,858 Good to know. Have a seat. 549 00:39:03,893 --> 00:39:06,378 I have to fix my bike. 550 00:39:06,413 --> 00:39:10,140 Still in fifth gear since 20 miles on the other side around. 551 00:39:12,350 --> 00:39:14,110 -Well... -Hi, Tim. 552 00:39:14,144 --> 00:39:16,388 I'm an impostor as a cyclist. 553 00:39:16,423 --> 00:39:18,010 [ALL LAUGHING] 554 00:39:18,045 --> 00:39:20,841 I think you graduated to cyclist, Tim. 555 00:39:20,875 --> 00:39:22,843 Oh, my, I'm glad I'm here. 556 00:39:22,877 --> 00:39:25,466 -[ALL LAUGHING] -We're glad you're here. 557 00:39:29,090 --> 00:39:31,886 I think it was 29 below when I left. 558 00:39:31,921 --> 00:39:35,683 So, everybody's quitting? Is that what door it is? 559 00:39:35,718 --> 00:39:37,996 [INDISTINCT CHATTER] 560 00:39:38,030 --> 00:39:40,654 MAN: 30 scratches so far. 561 00:39:40,688 --> 00:39:43,277 -Wow, 30 scratches? -Yeah. 562 00:39:43,311 --> 00:39:44,174 Gee. 563 00:39:47,315 --> 00:39:50,733 JAY: And so where Kevin currently is is Passover. 564 00:39:50,767 --> 00:39:53,874 That's the are that traditionally doesn't get any traffic outside 565 00:39:53,908 --> 00:39:56,014 some snow machine races and a dog sled race. 566 00:39:56,048 --> 00:39:58,430 Certainly, before I leave, I'll check the tracker, 567 00:39:58,465 --> 00:40:00,467 make sure Kevin isn't stuck. 568 00:40:00,501 --> 00:40:04,332 [LAUGHS] That would be... put a damper on this whole thing. 569 00:40:04,367 --> 00:40:06,473 It seems like the field has shrunk a lot 570 00:40:06,507 --> 00:40:10,097 and the next people are several days behind me. 571 00:40:27,079 --> 00:40:29,219 I'm trying to take the ice off, 572 00:40:29,254 --> 00:40:31,774 but it's hard to change the tube. 573 00:40:31,808 --> 00:40:36,295 Well, it's been hard but also worthwhile. 574 00:40:36,330 --> 00:40:37,849 It's nice. 575 00:40:37,883 --> 00:40:41,887 I'm grateful that I found Martjin, he's a great guy to ride with for a bit. 576 00:40:41,922 --> 00:40:45,684 We'll see how we do, and we've enjoyed the last two days riding together. 577 00:40:45,719 --> 00:40:50,551 And yeah, I think, psychologically, it definitely helps to share 578 00:40:50,586 --> 00:40:54,728 a part of the trail with someone, you know, and look out for each other. 579 00:40:54,762 --> 00:40:57,075 Kind of just two heads are better than one. 580 00:41:06,533 --> 00:41:09,432 BILL: That section has historically been tough. 581 00:41:09,467 --> 00:41:12,228 No tougher even than 2015 582 00:41:12,262 --> 00:41:14,472 for what the back of the pack went through. 583 00:41:15,231 --> 00:41:16,370 Tim. 584 00:41:16,404 --> 00:41:18,855 But the other bikers flew through there. 585 00:41:18,890 --> 00:41:21,996 Because it can change in a flash. 586 00:41:22,031 --> 00:41:26,242 You can be flying like the leaders did in 2015, 587 00:41:26,276 --> 00:41:30,246 and then next day it's a five-day walk. 588 00:41:30,280 --> 00:41:32,524 All it takes is one little wind storm. 589 00:42:45,424 --> 00:42:47,668 [PANTING] 590 00:42:57,540 --> 00:42:59,922 [PANTING] 591 00:43:01,199 --> 00:43:02,925 [GASPING] 592 00:43:33,783 --> 00:43:37,407 KEVIN: It's been one of the most interesting four days of my life. 593 00:43:37,442 --> 00:43:39,962 Intensely personal. It's very bizarre. 594 00:43:39,996 --> 00:43:44,552 I felt like I was in minor trouble the entire time. 595 00:43:44,587 --> 00:43:46,140 Now, here you guys are. 596 00:43:46,175 --> 00:43:49,557 This is magic. This is like insane. 597 00:43:49,592 --> 00:43:51,974 Trail Angels. You guys are all trail angels. 598 00:43:52,008 --> 00:43:53,423 This is crazy. 599 00:43:53,458 --> 00:43:55,218 MAN: How long were you by yourself? 600 00:43:56,081 --> 00:43:57,427 Three days. 601 00:44:00,741 --> 00:44:04,227 I totally felt like I walked across a chunk of the Earth. 602 00:44:05,194 --> 00:44:07,334 Which is a weird feeling. 603 00:44:10,337 --> 00:44:15,031 And I feel good. My hands are numb but nothing else hurts. 604 00:44:16,032 --> 00:44:17,378 I didn't have any problems. 605 00:44:17,413 --> 00:44:20,243 I took care of stuff before it was a problem, 606 00:44:20,278 --> 00:44:23,074 and in all honesty, the slower and slower you go, 607 00:44:23,108 --> 00:44:26,353 the easier it is to be happy with anything. Like, 608 00:44:26,387 --> 00:44:29,667 you think you're going slow at two miles an hour one and a half 609 00:44:29,701 --> 00:44:34,775 and then you're doing a thousand feet an hour 610 00:44:34,810 --> 00:44:37,778 and you just can't believe it can get lower than that. 611 00:44:37,813 --> 00:44:42,024 God, anything over... moving over a thousand feet in an hour 612 00:44:42,058 --> 00:44:45,752 is just unreal! It feels so good. 613 00:44:45,786 --> 00:44:48,720 If I didn't have to lift my bike up and carry it, 614 00:44:48,755 --> 00:44:54,726 anything felt, everything that's not the worst feels good. 615 00:44:54,761 --> 00:44:58,316 I don't know, I thought a lot. Freedom is the choice 616 00:44:58,350 --> 00:45:00,111 to struggle with what you want. 617 00:45:00,145 --> 00:45:03,942 A lot of us have to struggle and we don't get to choose 618 00:45:03,977 --> 00:45:05,599 what struggle we take on. 619 00:45:05,633 --> 00:45:10,224 And I'm lucky enough that this is just a choice of mine. 620 00:45:10,259 --> 00:45:12,433 I've been kind of overcome with that, that, 621 00:45:12,468 --> 00:45:17,093 that feeling of like, "this is just a choice" 622 00:45:17,887 --> 00:45:20,096 is really freeing and odd. 623 00:45:21,063 --> 00:45:23,099 End of ramble, like I said 624 00:45:23,134 --> 00:45:25,343 it was a really profound few days. 625 00:45:37,424 --> 00:45:41,497 WOMAN: Glad you were able to crash... crash parties this one time. 626 00:45:41,531 --> 00:45:44,017 -Oh, I just get one pass? -Yes. 627 00:45:44,051 --> 00:45:47,123 Okay. I think this is it. 628 00:45:47,158 --> 00:45:50,023 This is a good one. I'll take it. 629 00:45:50,057 --> 00:45:52,646 I'll take this as my pass. 630 00:45:52,680 --> 00:45:57,306 Kinda like your soup, the vegetables... also, I wonder if I should 631 00:45:57,340 --> 00:46:00,896 -cover these? -I will eat them right now. 632 00:46:00,930 --> 00:46:03,450 Okay. [CHUCKLES] 633 00:46:07,834 --> 00:46:09,283 I was... 634 00:46:10,250 --> 00:46:12,355 not excited the last couple of days. 635 00:46:13,356 --> 00:46:15,427 But I was excited about getting here. 636 00:46:15,462 --> 00:46:18,051 I wasn't sure what I was gonna do, but 637 00:46:18,085 --> 00:46:19,638 I'm gonna keep on going. 638 00:46:31,685 --> 00:46:35,862 JAY: I passed him, Hewitt, just outside of Ophir. 639 00:46:35,896 --> 00:46:41,039 I think he's a probably a very fast walker but he's not very good at riding his bike. 640 00:46:41,074 --> 00:46:44,491 It's much slower, and it's a lot more lonely. I was really hoping... 641 00:46:44,525 --> 00:46:47,218 I was very excited because Nome feels about... 642 00:46:47,252 --> 00:46:49,841 20 plus people signed up. 643 00:46:49,876 --> 00:46:52,119 So, I was like Yay! I'll get a ride with someone. 644 00:46:52,154 --> 00:46:55,433 Instead, not at all! [LAUGHING] 645 00:46:55,467 --> 00:47:00,024 Well, I like the solitude, but I would prefer to actually have people around me at some level. 646 00:47:00,058 --> 00:47:03,510 This has been a little bit longer than I like to have no one around. 647 00:47:07,894 --> 00:47:10,482 It's okay, it's still fun. 648 00:47:12,726 --> 00:47:14,521 [HUMMING] 649 00:47:14,555 --> 00:47:16,626 [COUGHING] 650 00:47:32,470 --> 00:47:35,922 TIM: It's been rough. It's been really rough. 651 00:47:35,956 --> 00:47:38,062 There's been no trail, so 652 00:47:38,096 --> 00:47:40,478 it's exactly what happened to me in 653 00:47:40,788 --> 00:47:42,618 2015. 654 00:47:42,652 --> 00:47:46,829 Yeah, it's a lot different riding a bike than walking. A lot different. 655 00:47:46,864 --> 00:47:48,313 Horrible.[CHUCKLES] 656 00:47:48,348 --> 00:47:51,316 I'd rather be on foot. I mean, I wanted to ride the bike, 657 00:47:51,351 --> 00:47:53,801 you know, I mean... 658 00:47:53,836 --> 00:47:58,461 I imagine soon. I would have thought maybe by now there'd be a track outta here, 659 00:47:58,496 --> 00:47:59,980 and it would be all right. 660 00:48:01,257 --> 00:48:02,810 But I was wrong, I guess. 661 00:48:02,845 --> 00:48:05,572 I guess, I get too sleepy and then I'll over sleep. 662 00:48:05,606 --> 00:48:07,298 It's been cold out, I think. 663 00:48:07,332 --> 00:48:09,541 I mean, really cold, hasn't it? 664 00:48:09,576 --> 00:48:11,095 Do you know what the temps are at night? 665 00:48:11,129 --> 00:48:13,200 MAN: I would have guessed, I was camping out here last night. 666 00:48:13,235 --> 00:48:14,892 I would have guessed -35. 667 00:48:14,926 --> 00:48:18,171 Yeah, that's what I was thinking, somewhere in the 30-40 range. 668 00:48:18,205 --> 00:48:20,552 It's been like that every night for a while. 669 00:48:20,587 --> 00:48:24,418 I've wasted hours trying to ride this stupid bike. 670 00:48:24,453 --> 00:48:26,558 You know, just hours and hours. 671 00:48:26,593 --> 00:48:28,802 My crank hurts so many times that I've... 672 00:48:28,836 --> 00:48:31,805 I haven't made it 10 meters yet on this bike. 673 00:48:32,392 --> 00:48:34,428 This bike and my fussing. 674 00:48:37,811 --> 00:48:40,572 Who's left in the race? Anybody behind me? 675 00:48:40,607 --> 00:48:44,059 MAN: Yeah. RJ and Martjin are maybe a day back. 676 00:48:44,093 --> 00:48:45,923 Oh, I'm happy to have company. 677 00:48:45,957 --> 00:48:47,959 Buddy a day today. 678 00:48:47,994 --> 00:48:51,514 -Could you walk with me? I could use some company. -Sure. 679 00:48:57,072 --> 00:48:59,315 A lot of tracks out here, animal tracks. 680 00:48:59,350 --> 00:49:03,078 Between the two safety cabins, the wolves. Had one that was messing with me. 681 00:49:03,112 --> 00:49:07,151 I mean, it was along the side really, really howling, loudly. 682 00:49:07,185 --> 00:49:09,843 And I was thinking 683 00:49:09,877 --> 00:49:13,847 well, I've got a snow shoe, I'm gonna wack 'em in the head if I have to. But, 684 00:49:13,881 --> 00:49:17,540 there were thousands of wolf tracks... 685 00:50:01,584 --> 00:50:04,725 RJ: Oh, that sucked. 686 00:50:04,760 --> 00:50:07,763 I mean, it was beautiful, and it was sunny out, so 687 00:50:07,797 --> 00:50:11,353 to be honest, I was in a pretty good headspace for most of it. 688 00:50:11,387 --> 00:50:16,565 But, boy, that's long when you're walking with your bike. [COUGHING] 689 00:50:18,153 --> 00:50:22,053 I didn't see a soul, not one person the whole way, 690 00:50:23,468 --> 00:50:25,022 basically from McGrath. 691 00:50:27,093 --> 00:50:28,991 The last five days... 692 00:50:29,026 --> 00:50:30,717 maybe four days, I don't know. 693 00:50:38,587 --> 00:50:41,969 MARTJIN: Yesterday I took off my hat because it was 694 00:50:42,004 --> 00:50:45,007 pretty warm, and then I felt this sort of 695 00:50:45,042 --> 00:50:48,424 wet stuff pouring down my neck. 696 00:50:48,459 --> 00:50:53,119 So, I realized it's a little piece of my ear came off. 697 00:50:53,153 --> 00:50:56,915 So, that was just a little bit of a shock there. 698 00:51:01,472 --> 00:51:03,129 I'm not feeling so great. 699 00:51:21,216 --> 00:51:23,839 KEVIN: Sure, we're halfway mileage, but in some ways I'm hoping 700 00:51:23,873 --> 00:51:25,599 we're more than halfway through the time. 701 00:51:25,634 --> 00:51:28,602 It's never been more relative in my life 702 00:51:28,637 --> 00:51:31,018 of halfway means nothing. 703 00:51:32,675 --> 00:51:34,850 Maybe the coast is awful, and maybe in days. 704 00:51:34,884 --> 00:51:37,749 Now, maybe I'm only a third of the way, so who knows? 705 00:51:37,784 --> 00:51:41,063 I just know that the next bit of trail is on the river, 706 00:51:41,098 --> 00:51:42,375 and that's where I gotta go. 707 00:51:42,409 --> 00:51:45,792 I don't have to go back, just keep going forward. 708 00:51:45,826 --> 00:51:49,520 Can't sit around. You don't make it anywhere that way. 709 00:52:18,721 --> 00:52:20,723 TIM: What's going on? I got both mechanicals. 710 00:52:20,758 --> 00:52:23,692 I got my first two gears fixed 711 00:52:23,726 --> 00:52:27,213 but the teacher helped me with me. 712 00:52:30,699 --> 00:52:33,805 A guy in Ruby gave me a tube of 713 00:52:33,840 --> 00:52:36,394 some kind of cream, which 714 00:52:36,429 --> 00:52:38,603 is helping.[LAUGHING] 715 00:52:40,157 --> 00:52:42,193 And a new arse would be nice. 716 00:52:45,403 --> 00:52:50,753 I kinda suspected Ruby might see a couple of reconsiderations. 717 00:53:08,633 --> 00:53:12,568 WOMAN: So, the doctor also doesn't recommend continuing the race. 718 00:53:12,603 --> 00:53:16,193 If it's just clear fluid behind the blisters, then you leave it intact 719 00:53:16,227 --> 00:53:19,196 'cause once you break the skin, an infection could get in. 720 00:53:19,230 --> 00:53:21,577 So, it's just better to leave it intact. 721 00:53:22,820 --> 00:53:24,994 MARTJIN: I really tried to look after myself, 722 00:53:25,029 --> 00:53:29,620 but it's just these tiny mistakes that have huge consequences. 723 00:53:29,654 --> 00:53:31,587 She said it was frostbite. 724 00:53:31,622 --> 00:53:34,797 I sort of knew that.[CHUCKLES] 725 00:53:34,832 --> 00:53:39,975 There's no doctor I think in the world who's going to advise me to continue to race. 726 00:54:25,572 --> 00:54:28,955 RJ: Doing this event is about experiencing this trail, and 727 00:54:28,989 --> 00:54:31,854 things going on, and so if the Iditarod is in full fledge, 728 00:54:31,889 --> 00:54:34,478 then you're getting the full meal deal. 729 00:54:34,512 --> 00:54:36,307 All that's very rejuvenating. 730 00:54:36,342 --> 00:54:39,862 You need those boosts of people 'cause you spend a lot of time alone. 731 00:54:40,760 --> 00:54:42,865 [DOGS HOWLING] 732 00:54:53,669 --> 00:54:55,430 I got into Ruby 733 00:54:55,464 --> 00:54:58,916 and it was the first time I could actually see trackers and then like, "Oh! 734 00:54:59,537 --> 00:55:01,470 "Tim's here too." 735 00:55:01,505 --> 00:55:04,922 and then at night, "Oh, Tim's leaving." I'm like... 736 00:55:05,440 --> 00:55:07,062 crazy. 737 00:55:07,096 --> 00:55:09,789 I mean, not crazy, but it's just sort of, like, after that section, 738 00:55:11,031 --> 00:55:13,655 you know, stop for a bit, refuel. 739 00:55:13,689 --> 00:55:19,488 I don't wanna get distracted by what anybody else is doing, like... 740 00:55:19,523 --> 00:55:23,527 again, you're racing yourself and you're racing the trail. 741 00:55:23,561 --> 00:55:26,184 I'd love to see Martjin get back on the trail and finish. 742 00:55:26,219 --> 00:55:28,842 It'll be devastating if he had to stop there. 743 00:55:29,809 --> 00:55:31,500 I'm not sure if Tim's thinking "I'm gonna win." 744 00:55:31,535 --> 00:55:34,572 I think Tim's just thinking, "Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta go." 745 00:55:34,607 --> 00:55:36,988 But, that's kinda his... 746 00:55:38,887 --> 00:55:41,027 approach, I think that he's really used to as well. 747 00:55:41,061 --> 00:55:43,892 It's just go. He just doesn't stop. 748 00:55:51,486 --> 00:55:53,729 [TIM SINGING] 749 00:56:00,046 --> 00:56:04,913 TIM: I love night. By far my favorite time is night. 750 00:56:04,947 --> 00:56:07,778 I look forward to going out now. 751 00:56:07,812 --> 00:56:10,228 To go and have a nice time out there, 752 00:56:10,263 --> 00:56:13,473 and I wanna enjoy it. 753 00:56:13,508 --> 00:56:16,027 It's hard for me to judge where I'm gonna get to on a bike, 754 00:56:16,062 --> 00:56:18,685 'cause everything I'm used to is in flick time, 755 00:56:18,720 --> 00:56:22,102 and I'm really not very good at converting. 756 00:56:28,281 --> 00:56:31,905 RJ: So, after that long, horrible section we did way back, 757 00:56:32,285 --> 00:56:34,011 into Ruby, 758 00:56:34,045 --> 00:56:36,565 I think that would have been the worst nights... one of my worst nights' last night. 759 00:56:36,600 --> 00:56:38,843 You get this wave of weird loneliness, 760 00:56:38,878 --> 00:56:43,123 and you just go through such huge emotional swing, and you're like 761 00:56:43,158 --> 00:56:47,127 going all over the place and feeling all down, and 762 00:56:47,162 --> 00:56:49,889 just had a bit of an emotional moment. 763 00:56:49,923 --> 00:56:52,926 I think when you kinda, maybe miss people or something. 764 00:56:52,961 --> 00:56:55,412 So, I don't know, it was just a wave, a flash. 765 00:56:55,446 --> 00:56:57,897 It was funny, 'cause I'm going along and all of a sudden, 766 00:56:57,931 --> 00:57:00,140 I'm feeling like that and I'm like, oh my God, 767 00:57:00,175 --> 00:57:05,111 I'm not gonna make it to Nulato, that's impossible. I should have been there, and 768 00:57:05,145 --> 00:57:07,216 I see this figure on the side of the tail, and 769 00:57:07,251 --> 00:57:10,530 I'm like, "The hell's that?" Then I'm like, "Oh, yeah, it's Tim Hewitt. 770 00:57:11,289 --> 00:57:12,567 So, I found Tim 771 00:57:12,601 --> 00:57:15,190 and he was just starting to setup his bivvy for the night 772 00:57:15,224 --> 00:57:16,985 'cause he was totally in the same mode, except 773 00:57:17,019 --> 00:57:19,021 maybe not as emotional as I was for whatever reason. 774 00:57:19,056 --> 00:57:21,817 And I'm like, "Get up, let's go. Let's, 775 00:57:21,852 --> 00:57:25,683 "force each other." All things considered, it was only another couple of hours 776 00:57:25,718 --> 00:57:28,548 and it meant being somewhere dry and warm. 777 00:57:36,763 --> 00:57:39,697 I got him here quickly yesterday, and 778 00:57:39,732 --> 00:57:42,044 we napped, we ate, and 779 00:57:42,079 --> 00:57:45,910 chilled. Had another good sleep, so I feel now I'm... 780 00:57:48,844 --> 00:57:50,846 got decent amount of rest... 781 00:57:51,985 --> 00:57:55,333 to take on this long 92 mile section to Unalakleet. 782 00:58:31,508 --> 00:58:37,099 [INDISTINCT CHATTER] 783 00:58:39,239 --> 00:58:41,345 BILL: I can tell. [LAUGHTER] 784 00:58:41,379 --> 00:58:44,831 I've seen two non-morning people this morning. 785 00:58:44,866 --> 00:58:47,006 I have an eye for those people. 786 00:58:47,040 --> 00:58:49,146 BILL: I was at the dinner table, and 787 00:58:49,180 --> 00:58:51,976 Ruby and Martjin was there and 788 00:58:52,011 --> 00:58:54,254 I couldn't help but 789 00:58:54,807 --> 00:58:56,325 offer an opinion and 790 00:58:56,360 --> 00:59:00,157 with the qualification that huge amount of my 791 00:59:00,191 --> 00:59:02,504 frost damage education is come from 792 00:59:02,539 --> 00:59:05,507 seeing it other people and having it myself. 793 00:59:05,542 --> 00:59:09,407 And that I thought he had done superficial damage 794 00:59:09,891 --> 00:59:11,409 to his fingers. 795 00:59:11,444 --> 00:59:14,758 And that the only thing that would make 'em worse, 796 00:59:14,792 --> 00:59:16,345 would be to re-freeze 'em. 797 00:59:16,380 --> 00:59:20,522 And that if he didn't have any doubt that he can keep 'em warm, 798 00:59:20,557 --> 00:59:22,938 there wasn't any reason he shouldn't just go on. 799 00:59:22,973 --> 00:59:24,630 I don't wanna spend too much time. 800 00:59:26,286 --> 00:59:28,323 -BILL: Yeah? -Yeah. Yeah. 801 00:59:29,635 --> 00:59:32,016 Okay, I'll see you later I guess. 802 00:59:32,051 --> 00:59:34,605 -Yeah, take care of them fingers. -Yeah, I will. 803 00:59:34,640 --> 00:59:36,952 -I'll see you in Nome. -Okay. 804 00:59:40,577 --> 00:59:45,927 BILL: Most folks should have took their blistered fingers and went home, 805 00:59:45,961 --> 00:59:48,308 but I just gave him the options. 806 00:59:49,551 --> 00:59:53,141 Let him make his own choice, which shoe to put on which foot. 807 01:00:15,059 --> 01:00:17,648 JAY: Haven't decided to pull the plug. He wasn't having any issues. 808 01:00:17,683 --> 01:00:21,894 He wasn't throwing up, but he just wasn't able to eat or keep food in his system. 809 01:00:21,928 --> 01:00:23,516 It's sad to see him scratch, 810 01:00:23,550 --> 01:00:25,345 but that was probably the best decision for Kevin. 811 01:00:25,380 --> 01:00:28,348 He didn't anything wrong. It's just bad luck. 812 01:00:39,636 --> 01:00:41,396 TIM: I feel better today. 813 01:00:42,086 --> 01:00:43,778 I feel a lot better today. 814 01:00:43,812 --> 01:00:46,297 Finally starting to come around to this biking thing, I think. 815 01:00:46,332 --> 01:00:49,680 It was probably the most fun I've had 816 01:00:49,715 --> 01:00:52,303 but I got scared after... 817 01:00:52,338 --> 01:00:54,547 after crashing a couple of times. 818 01:00:56,307 --> 01:00:58,275 MAN: When was the first time you did this? 819 01:00:58,309 --> 01:01:00,001 2001. 820 01:01:00,657 --> 01:01:02,382 I reflect on all of 'em. 821 01:01:02,417 --> 01:01:05,592 I mean, they run together a little bit, but 822 01:01:05,627 --> 01:01:07,284 I do, yeah. 823 01:01:07,733 --> 01:01:09,666 I think of the... 824 01:01:09,700 --> 01:01:14,187 the anxiety that I had the first time that I don't have anymore. I mean, 825 01:01:14,222 --> 01:01:17,328 I'm comfortable out here, you know? 826 01:01:17,363 --> 01:01:21,332 And part of that, I think I miss the unknown. So, it's just the 827 01:01:21,367 --> 01:01:22,748 question what the trail is gonna bring, 828 01:01:22,782 --> 01:01:25,923 and the weather's gonna bring more than anything else. 829 01:01:25,958 --> 01:01:28,236 But before, I had no idea where I was going. 830 01:01:28,270 --> 01:01:31,722 We weren't allowed to use GPSs that first year, 831 01:01:31,757 --> 01:01:34,035 and I never talked to anybody 832 01:01:34,069 --> 01:01:36,106 who had done the trail, so... 833 01:01:36,969 --> 01:01:39,316 so, it was a total unknown. 834 01:01:57,921 --> 01:02:01,510 RJ: There's a little cabin right there You can see, with the orange roof. 835 01:02:01,545 --> 01:02:06,205 I'm gonna stop in and maybe just have a bite, 836 01:02:06,239 --> 01:02:08,414 and pray to the gods. 837 01:02:08,448 --> 01:02:11,555 Maybe some Nordic god will turn this down a little bit, 838 01:02:11,589 --> 01:02:12,832 this wind down. 839 01:02:14,903 --> 01:02:18,113 My only issue is that my peddle broke. 840 01:02:18,148 --> 01:02:22,117 So, riding with one peddle, tried to fix it in 841 01:02:22,152 --> 01:02:25,017 Shaktoolik but they only had BMX peddles around 842 01:02:25,051 --> 01:02:27,329 on the broke bikes in the snow. 843 01:02:28,365 --> 01:02:30,436 Let the games begin. It should be cool, 844 01:02:30,470 --> 01:02:32,679 there's a lot of mushers that are gonna be coming through, so 845 01:02:32,714 --> 01:02:34,509 that also inspired me quite a bit. 846 01:02:34,543 --> 01:02:35,821 To be honest, I don't wanna miss it. 847 01:02:35,855 --> 01:02:38,168 So you're most anxious to get out there and be with them 848 01:02:38,202 --> 01:02:40,687 and under a full moon, then coming by, 849 01:02:40,722 --> 01:02:42,759 it'll be pretty cool. 850 01:03:26,526 --> 01:03:28,874 [DOGS WHINING] 851 01:03:42,542 --> 01:03:44,441 [FIRE CRACKLING] 852 01:03:46,477 --> 01:03:48,341 RJ: There's moment like these that it gets really hard. 853 01:03:48,376 --> 01:03:52,035 It tends to get harder, I think, too, when we're like 15 days in, 854 01:03:52,069 --> 01:03:54,761 just trying to keep boosting your 855 01:03:54,796 --> 01:03:56,936 energy level to kinda take on another day. 856 01:03:56,971 --> 01:04:00,698 Like, the starting part is always the hardest, once you're going it's fine. 857 01:04:03,356 --> 01:04:05,911 Kinda rekindling that motivation every time is... 858 01:04:07,913 --> 01:04:11,882 It's cool hanging out here with the dog team, so 859 01:04:11,917 --> 01:04:13,539 at least want do that. 860 01:04:13,573 --> 01:04:17,060 So maybe I'll just take advantage of this shelter, and 861 01:04:17,094 --> 01:04:18,544 eat something, 862 01:04:18,578 --> 01:04:21,650 get like fours sleep and just leave really early. 863 01:04:45,122 --> 01:04:46,641 [EXHALES] 864 01:04:51,301 --> 01:04:53,475 TROY: Just really struggling to 865 01:04:54,407 --> 01:04:57,859 make this last 1.7 miles... 866 01:04:59,102 --> 01:05:00,655 into Kaltag. 867 01:05:04,555 --> 01:05:06,419 It's been a long night. 868 01:05:08,042 --> 01:05:10,699 It's 30 below on the river. 869 01:05:12,632 --> 01:05:16,533 I got an hour's sleep at Nulato. 870 01:05:18,052 --> 01:05:20,261 Then a big push from Galena. 871 01:05:22,159 --> 01:05:23,367 [EXHALES] 872 01:05:26,543 --> 01:05:27,613 It's... 873 01:05:29,926 --> 01:05:31,755 You will get there... 874 01:05:33,999 --> 01:05:35,414 if you keep going. 875 01:05:36,035 --> 01:05:37,519 Just don't stop. 876 01:05:39,107 --> 01:05:40,557 Just don't stop. 877 01:06:08,309 --> 01:06:12,796 JAY: It's fun. I'm really looking forward to being in White Mountain, 878 01:06:12,830 --> 01:06:16,662 which I assume it's about seven miles out. 879 01:06:16,696 --> 01:06:18,975 Yeah, it's really windy out there. 880 01:06:19,009 --> 01:06:21,667 Like, I could barely bike. 881 01:06:30,158 --> 01:06:31,711 WOMAN: Jay! 882 01:06:32,954 --> 01:06:35,957 JAY: I was really trying to ride for at least an hour. 883 01:06:35,992 --> 01:06:41,652 [INDISTINCT CHATTER] 884 01:06:42,964 --> 01:06:44,793 I'm very glad to be here. 885 01:06:46,174 --> 01:06:47,555 WOMAN: That's awesome. 886 01:06:50,282 --> 01:06:52,180 Yeah, we were looking at the weather, 887 01:06:52,215 --> 01:06:53,871 I was wondering how it was gonna be. 888 01:06:53,906 --> 01:06:56,184 BILL: We're all welcomed in off the trail, 889 01:06:56,219 --> 01:06:58,393 not having had a bath for days, 890 01:06:58,428 --> 01:07:00,568 and yet, they bring you in with a big hug, and 891 01:07:00,602 --> 01:07:03,709 sit you down and get you warm and dry your clothes 892 01:07:03,743 --> 01:07:06,332 in their personal homes along the trail, 893 01:07:06,367 --> 01:07:07,816 these people that live out here year round. 894 01:07:07,851 --> 01:07:12,407 It's just something you would have a hard time finding 895 01:07:12,442 --> 01:07:13,995 anywhere that I know of. 896 01:07:14,720 --> 01:07:17,102 And it goes back to a time 897 01:07:17,136 --> 01:07:22,383 when everybody out here was a traveler at one time of year or another. 898 01:07:22,417 --> 01:07:25,351 You depended on this person's hospitality this time, 899 01:07:25,386 --> 01:07:28,078 and someone else depends on yours another, 900 01:07:28,113 --> 01:07:32,703 an I think it's what brings a lot of people out here, year after year. 901 01:07:32,738 --> 01:07:36,293 It's to part of that culture that comes alive out here. 902 01:07:36,328 --> 01:07:38,537 It's alive out here all the time 903 01:07:38,571 --> 01:07:41,574 and we're lucky enough to experience it once a year. 904 01:07:42,058 --> 01:07:43,266 -I'm Jay. -Hi. 905 01:07:43,300 --> 01:07:45,095 Heard you came by last year. 906 01:07:45,130 --> 01:07:46,855 And this our grandson Gable. 907 01:07:46,890 --> 01:07:49,444 -Hi. -This is Sweetie Pie, the doggie. 908 01:07:50,376 --> 01:07:52,275 [ALL LAUGHING] 909 01:07:52,309 --> 01:07:56,417 Anyway I'll get you set up with food here. 910 01:07:58,350 --> 01:07:59,799 JAY: I definitely miss my kids. 911 01:08:00,938 --> 01:08:02,250 I miss my wife. 912 01:08:02,285 --> 01:08:05,598 So, it'll be nice to see the kids and Nancy again. 913 01:08:05,633 --> 01:08:08,567 Along the coast, there are a lot of areas with cell phone coverage. 914 01:08:08,601 --> 01:08:11,328 So, I've been able to call them and talk to them. 915 01:08:11,363 --> 01:08:15,263 Remind my family that I exist. [LAUGHING] 916 01:08:15,298 --> 01:08:18,128 That's good. 917 01:08:18,163 --> 01:08:22,615 Yeah, hopefully the final day. You never really know if it's gonna be the final day. 918 01:08:22,650 --> 01:08:24,617 That's the plan, yes. Final day. 919 01:08:52,335 --> 01:08:55,924 TROY: A lot of these experiences are very hard to get 920 01:08:55,959 --> 01:08:59,135 in the white noise society that we live in at the moment. 921 01:08:59,169 --> 01:09:01,896 Even though it seems like a little bit of a flea circus, 922 01:09:01,930 --> 01:09:05,658 you still drag along a lot of technology, and it requires 923 01:09:05,693 --> 01:09:09,904 quite an expensive tool to make it all happen. 924 01:09:09,938 --> 01:09:12,320 But the same note too, it is an escape 925 01:09:12,355 --> 01:09:16,876 and it is an indulgence in quite a few pleasures that you like. 926 01:09:35,240 --> 01:09:36,517 It's over-kill. 927 01:09:37,932 --> 01:09:39,727 It's probably... 928 01:09:39,761 --> 01:09:42,592 probably 15 kilos more junk than 929 01:09:43,282 --> 01:09:44,697 Tim Hewitt's got. 930 01:09:45,871 --> 01:09:48,184 That's why he's so far up the trail. 931 01:09:49,633 --> 01:09:51,946 I don't think he's human. 932 01:09:51,980 --> 01:09:54,466 I think he's a cyborg from another planet. 933 01:09:54,500 --> 01:09:56,053 Think he just runs on 934 01:09:57,054 --> 01:09:58,953 sunshine and oxygen. 935 01:10:09,826 --> 01:10:11,276 [SNORING] 936 01:10:13,692 --> 01:10:16,281 TIM: I probably sleep on the trail 937 01:10:17,247 --> 01:10:19,111 maybe more than anybody else. 938 01:10:19,145 --> 01:10:21,286 I'm just not comfortable 939 01:10:21,320 --> 01:10:26,843 sleeping in people's houses or in the lodges very much. So, 940 01:10:26,877 --> 01:10:30,502 I'll sleep in a school every now and again, but 941 01:10:30,536 --> 01:10:33,781 I probably only average about four hours of sleep a night 942 01:10:33,815 --> 01:10:36,715 and I can get that on the trail usually. 943 01:10:40,719 --> 01:10:43,239 TROY: So, as soon as we left Unalakleet, 944 01:10:44,136 --> 01:10:47,173 the wind smacked us. 945 01:10:47,208 --> 01:10:49,106 [WIND BLOWING FEROCIOUSLY] 946 01:11:06,607 --> 01:11:08,333 This does the trick. 947 01:11:09,265 --> 01:11:10,818 It's not just about fashion. 948 01:11:12,026 --> 01:11:13,614 [CHUCKLES] 949 01:11:47,406 --> 01:11:49,270 [PEOPLE CHEERING, BELLS RINGING] 950 01:11:51,755 --> 01:11:53,516 WOMAN: You can smile now. 951 01:11:53,550 --> 01:11:55,759 This is for your family. 952 01:11:55,794 --> 01:11:59,901 I'm looking forward to getting off the bike, and changing into other clothes. 953 01:11:59,936 --> 01:12:01,420 It would be awesome... 954 01:12:02,248 --> 01:12:03,802 and eating real food. 955 01:12:03,836 --> 01:12:05,562 I really look forward to like real food, 956 01:12:05,597 --> 01:12:07,495 and a full night's sleep. 957 01:12:07,530 --> 01:12:09,014 Yeah, that would be awesome. 958 01:12:09,048 --> 01:12:11,982 It's been an interesting experience. 959 01:12:16,504 --> 01:12:18,334 [WIND BLOWING] 960 01:12:23,822 --> 01:12:26,583 MARTJIN: Well, they're getting better, I think. 961 01:12:26,618 --> 01:12:29,034 I mean, they still don't look great. 962 01:12:33,038 --> 01:12:36,144 The blisters start disappearing and 963 01:12:37,698 --> 01:12:40,770 my hands get cold easily. 964 01:12:40,804 --> 01:12:44,187 So, that's something that always happens, I guess. 965 01:12:45,326 --> 01:12:47,432 Just need to be very careful 966 01:12:48,191 --> 01:12:49,744 not to increase it. 967 01:12:49,779 --> 01:12:52,195 It's supposed to warm up, but... 968 01:12:52,229 --> 01:12:54,266 [MUMBLING] 969 01:12:57,718 --> 01:13:02,170 You see, also, it's not about being 970 01:13:02,205 --> 01:13:05,657 an extremely good bike rider like Tim Hewitt for instance. 971 01:13:05,691 --> 01:13:08,107 If I would ride with him in the forest in summer, 972 01:13:08,142 --> 01:13:11,456 I'm pretty sure I'd beat him, but mentally, 973 01:13:11,490 --> 01:13:14,286 he's extremely strong, and he knows 974 01:13:14,320 --> 01:13:17,565 really well how to deal with this cold weather. 975 01:13:17,600 --> 01:13:19,843 That's why he's doing so well. 976 01:13:22,052 --> 01:13:26,402 So, it's a lot more to it than just riding a bike. 977 01:13:49,355 --> 01:13:52,358 WOMAN: Hopefully this much, the man has never slept 978 01:13:52,393 --> 01:13:54,568 -more than three hours on the course. -[KID YELLING] 979 01:13:54,602 --> 01:13:56,846 RJ: Yeah, considering how many times he's come through too. 980 01:13:56,880 --> 01:13:59,055 WOMAN: Yes. As tired as he has been, 981 01:13:59,089 --> 01:14:02,507 he has never slept more than three hours. 982 01:14:07,443 --> 01:14:08,823 [KID GRUNTS] 983 01:14:09,893 --> 01:14:12,862 You must be wired the same way as Tim. 984 01:14:14,760 --> 01:14:16,486 -[KID FUSSING] -John. 985 01:14:18,281 --> 01:14:21,629 No, I mean, some of it is kinda playful, 'cause it's like... 986 01:14:21,664 --> 01:14:24,011 'cause it's generally funny. 987 01:14:24,045 --> 01:14:28,084 Just his approach. Like, we all know he's just nonstop, nonstop. 988 01:14:28,636 --> 01:14:30,500 Which I totally admire. 989 01:14:30,535 --> 01:14:33,227 Kudos to Jay for taking off and getting it done. 990 01:14:33,261 --> 01:14:35,125 I didn't get a change. That was smart. 991 01:14:35,160 --> 01:14:39,509 I think I feel really... content. 992 01:14:39,544 --> 01:14:43,582 Like, completely content and at peace which is a great feeling going in to the end here. 993 01:14:46,620 --> 01:14:51,348 Except for that little nagging thing which is Tim, 994 01:14:51,383 --> 01:14:53,316 who's chasing behind. 995 01:14:53,350 --> 01:14:57,423 I decided to stay here and I'm cool with that. I'll live with that decision. 996 01:14:57,458 --> 01:14:59,874 You mind giving me a knock on the door? 997 01:14:59,909 --> 01:15:01,704 I've set two alarms, but... 998 01:15:01,738 --> 01:15:04,016 -Okay, so by 11? -Yeah. 999 01:15:04,051 --> 01:15:06,881 He's going like 3 miles and hours, so 1000 01:15:06,916 --> 01:15:10,264 he maybe a little longer. 1001 01:15:24,554 --> 01:15:29,110 Plus maybe it'll give Tim a little taste of his own medicine.[CHUCKLES] 1002 01:15:29,145 --> 01:15:33,045 Maybe then he can enjoy, chill out here, and 1003 01:15:33,080 --> 01:15:36,911 regal you guys with his stories of wolves following him... 1004 01:15:38,499 --> 01:15:41,157 -which is totally made up. -[ALL CHUCKLES] 1005 01:15:42,365 --> 01:15:44,194 Thank you so much. 1006 01:15:44,747 --> 01:15:47,059 No big deal, I just... 1007 01:15:50,062 --> 01:15:52,444 One last stretch, so 1008 01:15:53,549 --> 01:15:55,171 I might just go for it, 1009 01:15:56,552 --> 01:15:58,312 and get 'er done. 1010 01:16:32,484 --> 01:16:34,659 TIM: So, he gotta... 1011 01:16:34,693 --> 01:16:37,351 MAN: He left maybe an hour ago. 1012 01:16:37,385 --> 01:16:40,285 -I should chase him down. -[MAN LAUGHS] 1013 01:16:42,805 --> 01:16:46,256 I'm able to do that right now, I'm feeling a lot better. 1014 01:16:46,291 --> 01:16:48,396 Starting to learn how to ride this stupid thing. 1015 01:16:49,674 --> 01:16:52,055 MAN: Are you planning to make this your last trip to Nome? 1016 01:16:52,815 --> 01:16:55,403 -I do every year. -Oh. 1017 01:16:57,682 --> 01:17:00,961 No, I think it probably will be. 1018 01:17:00,995 --> 01:17:05,206 WOMAN: You said that the last three times you've come through. 1019 01:17:05,241 --> 01:17:08,002 -Um-hmm? Well... -Yes. 1020 01:17:09,590 --> 01:17:12,110 -I wanted to do the bike thing. -Yeah. 1021 01:17:12,144 --> 01:17:14,181 And that didn't work. And then last year, 1022 01:17:14,215 --> 01:17:17,184 the trail looked so good I thought I could go fast 1023 01:17:17,218 --> 01:17:19,704 on foot, so that's what I did. 1024 01:17:42,416 --> 01:17:44,660 [BREAKS CREAKING] 1025 01:18:05,335 --> 01:18:09,857 BILL: You cannot explain why people do this 1026 01:18:09,892 --> 01:18:12,480 to anyone that's not done it. 1027 01:18:12,515 --> 01:18:16,830 When you go home, you won't be able to explain it to your friends 1028 01:18:16,864 --> 01:18:20,765 what you have experienced here on the Iditarod trail. 1029 01:18:22,318 --> 01:18:25,079 And that's why those comraderies and are so important 1030 01:18:25,114 --> 01:18:30,844 because those are the only people you can really share it with. 1031 01:18:30,878 --> 01:18:36,470 TROY: I wanted to catch up with another racer and ride with him if possible. 1032 01:18:36,504 --> 01:18:40,508 The happiness isn't real unless it's shared kinda thing. So, 1033 01:18:40,543 --> 01:18:43,270 when you can share experiences with other people, then 1034 01:18:43,304 --> 01:18:46,273 I think it deepens the experience for both parties. 1035 01:18:48,068 --> 01:18:51,140 BILL: Life's about stories... 1036 01:18:51,174 --> 01:18:55,454 but what good is a story if you can't speak the other person's language. 1037 01:19:21,101 --> 01:19:24,518 RJ: Yeah, it's actually emotional coming down the street. I think it's gonna... 1038 01:19:24,552 --> 01:19:27,797 Probably 'cause I'm tired. Haven't slept in a long time, but 1039 01:19:27,832 --> 01:19:31,180 you keep playing those mind games, like, "Oh, you just gotta get there. 1040 01:19:31,214 --> 01:19:33,665 "And you just gotta get there. And you just gotta get there." And all of a sudden, 1041 01:19:33,699 --> 01:19:37,289 "Holy crap, I'm finally riding down Front Street." 1042 01:19:41,293 --> 01:19:43,123 [PEOPLE LAUGHING] 1043 01:19:43,986 --> 01:19:47,644 I'm super proud. It means a lot to me 1044 01:19:47,679 --> 01:19:50,026 to get here again. So, 1045 01:19:50,061 --> 01:19:51,683 I'm very, very happy. 1046 01:19:51,717 --> 01:19:53,789 -I want breakfast. -MAN: How do you feel? 1047 01:20:05,524 --> 01:20:08,527 My butt is so sore. So sore. 1048 01:20:08,562 --> 01:20:12,842 They don't tell you about that. [CHUCKLES] Let's go in. 1049 01:20:12,877 --> 01:20:16,673 Well, no sense chasing RJ anymore 'cause he's done, huh? 1050 01:20:18,227 --> 01:20:19,849 WOMAN: It sure is. 1051 01:20:19,884 --> 01:20:22,887 [LAUGHTER, PEOPLE CHATTING] 1052 01:20:28,789 --> 01:20:30,618 [TIM SPEAKING] 1053 01:21:13,869 --> 01:21:17,803 TIM: I guess I'm just reflecting on the journeys over the years, 1054 01:21:17,838 --> 01:21:19,736 getting here. 1055 01:21:19,771 --> 01:21:22,912 Thinking about the year I did it with Lorraine. 1056 01:21:22,947 --> 01:21:25,570 It was really nice to come into Nome together. 1057 01:21:28,262 --> 01:21:30,644 Yes, I think anybody can do it. 1058 01:21:30,678 --> 01:21:32,784 Anybody that really puts their mind to it. 1059 01:21:32,818 --> 01:21:37,582 I mean, how hard is it? You're just peddling a bike, or walking. 1060 01:21:37,616 --> 01:21:40,826 You'll get there one day. Yep, it'll come to you. 1061 01:21:49,663 --> 01:21:51,630 [BELLS RINGING] 1062 01:21:53,874 --> 01:21:56,394 I'm okay, yeah! 1063 01:21:56,428 --> 01:21:58,983 MAN: You still got all your pieces and parts? 1064 01:21:59,017 --> 01:22:00,260 Yeah. 1065 01:22:00,294 --> 01:22:01,951 Yeah, I got everything. 1066 01:22:01,986 --> 01:22:03,884 Everything I need. 1067 01:22:04,609 --> 01:22:06,991 -Good job, man. -Thanks. 1068 01:22:07,025 --> 01:22:08,613 Oh, my. 1069 01:22:09,372 --> 01:22:10,960 MAN: Don't you love the bike? 1070 01:22:10,995 --> 01:22:13,583 I hate the bike. [LAUGHING] 1071 01:22:13,618 --> 01:22:17,380 Comes out here and finishes well 1072 01:22:17,415 --> 01:22:20,418 to Nome on a bike for his 10th finish. 1073 01:22:20,452 --> 01:22:24,525 A feat that is just beyond belief. 1074 01:22:24,560 --> 01:22:28,598 More people summit Everest in an afternoon, 1075 01:22:28,633 --> 01:22:31,360 than have made it Nome on a bike. 1076 01:22:31,947 --> 01:22:33,776 TIM: Ten times to Nome... 1077 01:22:33,810 --> 01:22:35,364 [SIGHS] 1078 01:22:35,709 --> 01:22:37,676 means... 1079 01:22:37,711 --> 01:22:42,819 I've done everything I can do on this venture, I think. 1080 01:22:42,854 --> 01:22:45,650 Yep, there's really nothing left. 1081 01:22:45,684 --> 01:22:49,792 For the past several years, I've had an objective or a goal 1082 01:22:49,826 --> 01:22:51,932 and I really don't have any more. 1083 01:22:51,967 --> 01:22:53,969 The bike was the last one. 1084 01:23:22,756 --> 01:23:25,448 BOY: Your tires are very hard. 1085 01:23:33,422 --> 01:23:35,976 You did this for Wasilla? 1086 01:23:36,011 --> 01:23:37,633 -[LAUGHING] -Shoot! 1087 01:23:37,667 --> 01:23:42,500 Kyle! Kyle! He biked here from Wasilla! 1088 01:23:44,605 --> 01:23:47,091 -[PEOPLE LAUGHING] -Aren't you cold? 1089 01:23:50,611 --> 01:23:52,372 MAN: How are the pedals treating ya? 1090 01:23:52,406 --> 01:23:56,479 [CHUCKLES] Great. I'm gonna swap my plan 1091 01:23:56,514 --> 01:23:58,412 and left a lot earlier than expected. 1092 01:23:58,447 --> 01:24:01,622 MAN: Cool. Did you have much winds coming across the last area? 1093 01:24:01,657 --> 01:24:03,624 No, it was really good. 1094 01:24:03,659 --> 01:24:06,386 I stopped in safety for like a bit, 1095 01:24:06,420 --> 01:24:08,595 just 'cause my face was plastered with ice. 1096 01:24:08,629 --> 01:24:11,494 So, I thawed off a little, and 1097 01:24:11,529 --> 01:24:13,186 waited for the sun to come up. 1098 01:24:13,220 --> 01:24:16,844 I was like, I wouldn't mind riding in with a little light... 1099 01:24:16,879 --> 01:24:19,433 -to enjoy it. So... -I'm the Mayor. 1100 01:24:19,468 --> 01:24:21,642 -Welcome. Good to have you here. -Hello. Hello. 1101 01:24:21,677 --> 01:24:23,920 -I'm Martjin. -Nice to see you, Martjin. 1102 01:24:23,955 --> 01:24:27,338 Good job. Excellent. Welcome to Nome. Welcome to Nome. 1103 01:24:27,372 --> 01:24:28,994 How are your fingers? 1104 01:24:29,029 --> 01:24:30,893 -Yeah, okay. They're healing. -You okay? 1105 01:24:30,927 --> 01:24:33,689 They look better actually, which is weird. -Oh, yeah. 1106 01:24:33,723 --> 01:24:36,623 They were like hard and big before, eh? 1107 01:24:38,038 --> 01:24:39,212 Okay, well, that's good. 1108 01:24:39,246 --> 01:24:41,869 You're here. That's all that matters, it doesn't matter how 1109 01:24:41,904 --> 01:24:44,562 -we all got here. We got here. -Yeah. 1110 01:24:44,596 --> 01:24:47,806 Now, it's easy to say that 1111 01:24:47,841 --> 01:24:51,603 it wasn't so hard or anything, but in fact it was really hard. 1112 01:24:52,673 --> 01:24:54,572 It wasn't easy at all. 1113 01:24:55,090 --> 01:24:56,850 [BELL RINGING] 1114 01:25:00,957 --> 01:25:04,064 Good job, Petr. 1115 01:25:04,099 --> 01:25:07,032 Well, I'll tell you what, it was fun to be out there with you. 1116 01:25:07,067 --> 01:25:08,551 [LAUGHING] 1117 01:25:08,586 --> 01:25:12,107 Well, you pushed me. But, you know, you need to. 1118 01:25:12,141 --> 01:25:15,972 -See, that's what makes it real when we have an Alaskan man. -Yeah. 1119 01:25:16,835 --> 01:25:18,389 This was normal. 1120 01:25:18,423 --> 01:25:21,944 In March sometimes too, there is a race... otherwise you're just touring. 1121 01:25:21,978 --> 01:25:24,395 And not just to race on that section, 1122 01:25:24,429 --> 01:25:26,500 -[giggles] it's out there. -Yeah. 1123 01:25:26,535 --> 01:25:28,675 -Yeah. -And we gotta get across that. 1124 01:25:28,709 --> 01:25:31,471 All of a sudden, you was hauling ass. 1125 01:25:31,505 --> 01:25:34,129 [BOTH LAUGHING] 1126 01:25:34,163 --> 01:25:36,165 Yeah, Mike, thanks again. 1127 01:25:36,200 --> 01:25:38,443 It was just absolutely awesome. 1128 01:25:38,478 --> 01:25:39,927 This is a great year. 1129 01:25:39,962 --> 01:25:44,104 The long journey... I read a book, 1130 01:25:44,139 --> 01:25:48,833 few years ago, maybe six years ago about this race, 1131 01:25:48,867 --> 01:25:53,113 and I would never... think that I 1132 01:25:53,148 --> 01:25:56,806 I'll be part of it one day. So, it's kind of amazing. 1133 01:25:56,841 --> 01:26:00,569 It's a dream that came true. 1134 01:26:00,603 --> 01:26:03,572 We're all living proof that anybody can do it. 1135 01:26:05,953 --> 01:26:07,990 RJ: You got a little bit of experience. 1136 01:26:08,024 --> 01:26:11,131 TIM: Experience is a name we give our mistakes.