Competitors set off from Knik Lake, near Anchorage, on Sunday 25 February and Wilcox hopes to reach the remote village of McGrath in three days. <\/p>
They follow in the paw prints of the Iditarod dog ‘mushing’ race, which Wilcox followed while growing up in Alaska. <\/p>
There is not a set route, but competitors must pass through seven checkpoints, where food and basic accommodation are provided.<\/p>
Nonetheless, Wilcox has strapped sleeping gear to her Corvus Akio fat bike, in case she needs to sleep out.\u00a0<\/p>
Let\u2019s take a closer look at the bike and kit Wilcox is taking.\u00a0<\/p>
Lael Wilcox\u2019s Corvus Akio fat bike\u00a0<\/h2>Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>One of the previous record times for the Iditarod Trail Invitational was set on the Corvus Akio, a carbon fibre fat bike.\u00a0<\/p>
Corvus, an Anchorage-based brand, says its most balanced and capable bike is equally at home in the backcountry and on trails as in the snow.<\/p>
Wilcox\u2019s Akio is built around a 12-speed, mechanical SRAM XO Eagle groupset with a 30t Truvativ Stylo carbon crank.<\/p>![\"Lael](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-12.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>At the back, the Akio has a 10-52t SRAM XO Eagle cassette, which Wilcox may need to winch the heavily loaded bike up the Iditarod Trail\u2019s mountain passes.<\/p>
If the snow is particularly deep, Wilcox tells BikeRadar she may end up having to walk at 3km\/h for hours at a time.\u00a0<\/p>
To cool off speed down descents, Wilcox has specced SRAM CenterLine rotors (180mm front and 160mm back) and SRAM Level TLM brakes.\u00a0<\/p>
Four-inch, studded tyres<\/h3>![\"Lael](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-02-scaled.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>The Akio rolls on 27.5in Corvus Big Su carbon wheels, which can be run with tyre pressures as low as 4-6psi, according to the brand.<\/p>
The Alaska Edition 150SL hubs are claimed to provide fast engagement, even in cold weather.\u00a0<\/p>
Wilcox has chosen to run the Terrene Yippee Ki Yay 27.5×4.3in lightly studded tyres set up tubeless<\/a>. They are said to weigh 1,640g each and cost $230.<\/p>A 3D-printed saddle\u00a0<\/h3>![\"Handlebars](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-04-scaled.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>The \u00a3290 \/ $325 Specialized Power Pro with Mirror<\/a> saddle stands out as a luxury component on an otherwise functional build.\u00a0<\/p>But 500km is a long way, even by Wilcox\u2019s standards, so it\u2019s understandable she wants the added comfort afforded by a 3D-printed saddle.<\/p>
Flat pedals are a common choice on fat bikes<\/a>, but Wilcox will ride Time Atac XC 8 clipless mountain bike pedals<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>A crowded cockpit<\/h3>![\"Lael](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-13.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>Packed around a 780mm Corvus Carbon Dive Bar, Wilcox has slotted two Hydro Flask insulated bottles into feedbags. At least one of these will carry Gnarly Nutrition Fuel20 energy drink<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>An Egress Pocket handlebar bag sits in front. A Mag-Tank 2000 top-tube bag will hold \u201clots of cookies\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>
Wilcox says: \u201cYou have to carry food with high concentrations of fat so it doesn\u2019t freeze rock hard.\u201d<\/p>
She will have to carry a lot of food and water with her because opportunities to resupply on the Iditarod Trail are rare.\u00a0<\/p>
You\u2019re a fire starter<\/h3>![\"Panniers](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-07-scaled.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>The same goes for spares and repairs. In her frame bag and panniers, Wilcox has packed a pump<\/a>, inner tube<\/a>, tyre lever<\/a>, tubeless plugs<\/a>, derailleur hanger, quick-links, a quick-link tool, a multi-tool<\/a>, zip ties and chain lube<\/a>.<\/p>The inclusion of a fire starter and matches underlines the Iditarod Trail Invitational is not a typical bikepacking<\/a> race.\u00a0<\/p>Wilcox has also packed a powerbank to recharge her Wahoo Rival cycling watch<\/a> and extra AA batteries for her Black Diamond Icon Polar Headlamp.\u00a0<\/p>A $1,170, -32\u00baC sleeping bag<\/h3>![\"Sleeping](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-05-scaled.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>Wilcox\u2019s Puma GWS Expedition sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering is rated for -32\u00baC. The shell is made mostly from Gore Infinium fabric and it costs $1,170.\u00a0<\/p>
Along with an insulated sleeping mat and Mountain Laurel Designs FKT Event Bivy bag, this is packed into a stuff sack strapped onto the rear rack.<\/p>
Unsurprisingly, Wilcox is aiming to make it between the checkpoints, where there are canvas bell tents, without sleeping. However, there is a 130km gap where she might have to.\u00a0<\/p>
When sleeping in such low temperatures, Wilcox says: \u201cYou don\u2019t really recover. It’s just so cold and it’s hard to rest. And it’s hard to pack all your gear the next day with big mittens on.\u201d<\/p>
Ski goggles and a balaclava\u00a0<\/h3>![\"Lael](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Lael-Wilcox-2024-ITI-Bike-Radar-09-scaled.jpg\")
Rugile Kaladyte<\/figcaption><\/figure>Wilcox will don a Fjallraven Nordic Heater synthetic fur hat over a North 45 Anti-Fog magnetic Balaclava. This full-face mask has a magnetic attachment to hold her Smith ski goggles.<\/p>
Included on her heavily wool-based clothing list are the $495 45Nrth W\u00f8lfgar Boa Boots.\u00a0<\/p>
One of the previous record times for the Iditarod Trail Invitational was set on the Corvus Akio, a carbon fibre fat bike.\u00a0<\/p>
Corvus, an Anchorage-based brand, says its most balanced and capable bike is equally at home in the backcountry and on trails as in the snow.<\/p>
Wilcox\u2019s Akio is built around a 12-speed, mechanical SRAM XO Eagle groupset with a 30t Truvativ Stylo carbon crank.<\/p> At the back, the Akio has a 10-52t SRAM XO Eagle cassette, which Wilcox may need to winch the heavily loaded bike up the Iditarod Trail\u2019s mountain passes.<\/p> If the snow is particularly deep, Wilcox tells BikeRadar she may end up having to walk at 3km\/h for hours at a time.\u00a0<\/p> To cool off speed down descents, Wilcox has specced SRAM CenterLine rotors (180mm front and 160mm back) and SRAM Level TLM brakes.\u00a0<\/p> The Akio rolls on 27.5in Corvus Big Su carbon wheels, which can be run with tyre pressures as low as 4-6psi, according to the brand.<\/p> The Alaska Edition 150SL hubs are claimed to provide fast engagement, even in cold weather.\u00a0<\/p> Wilcox has chosen to run the Terrene Yippee Ki Yay 27.5×4.3in lightly studded tyres set up tubeless<\/a>. They are said to weigh 1,640g each and cost $230.<\/p> The \u00a3290 \/ $325 Specialized Power Pro with Mirror<\/a> saddle stands out as a luxury component on an otherwise functional build.\u00a0<\/p> But 500km is a long way, even by Wilcox\u2019s standards, so it\u2019s understandable she wants the added comfort afforded by a 3D-printed saddle.<\/p> Flat pedals are a common choice on fat bikes<\/a>, but Wilcox will ride Time Atac XC 8 clipless mountain bike pedals<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> Packed around a 780mm Corvus Carbon Dive Bar, Wilcox has slotted two Hydro Flask insulated bottles into feedbags. At least one of these will carry Gnarly Nutrition Fuel20 energy drink<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> An Egress Pocket handlebar bag sits in front. A Mag-Tank 2000 top-tube bag will hold \u201clots of cookies\u201d.\u00a0<\/p> Wilcox says: \u201cYou have to carry food with high concentrations of fat so it doesn\u2019t freeze rock hard.\u201d<\/p> She will have to carry a lot of food and water with her because opportunities to resupply on the Iditarod Trail are rare.\u00a0<\/p> The same goes for spares and repairs. In her frame bag and panniers, Wilcox has packed a pump<\/a>, inner tube<\/a>, tyre lever<\/a>, tubeless plugs<\/a>, derailleur hanger, quick-links, a quick-link tool, a multi-tool<\/a>, zip ties and chain lube<\/a>.<\/p> The inclusion of a fire starter and matches underlines the Iditarod Trail Invitational is not a typical bikepacking<\/a> race.\u00a0<\/p> Wilcox has also packed a powerbank to recharge her Wahoo Rival cycling watch<\/a> and extra AA batteries for her Black Diamond Icon Polar Headlamp.\u00a0<\/p> Wilcox\u2019s Puma GWS Expedition sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering is rated for -32\u00baC. The shell is made mostly from Gore Infinium fabric and it costs $1,170.\u00a0<\/p> Along with an insulated sleeping mat and Mountain Laurel Designs FKT Event Bivy bag, this is packed into a stuff sack strapped onto the rear rack.<\/p> Unsurprisingly, Wilcox is aiming to make it between the checkpoints, where there are canvas bell tents, without sleeping. However, there is a 130km gap where she might have to.\u00a0<\/p> When sleeping in such low temperatures, Wilcox says: \u201cYou don\u2019t really recover. It’s just so cold and it’s hard to rest. And it’s hard to pack all your gear the next day with big mittens on.\u201d<\/p> Wilcox will don a Fjallraven Nordic Heater synthetic fur hat over a North 45 Anti-Fog magnetic Balaclava. This full-face mask has a magnetic attachment to hold her Smith ski goggles.<\/p> Included on her heavily wool-based clothing list are the $495 45Nrth W\u00f8lfgar Boa Boots.\u00a0<\/p>Four-inch, studded tyres<\/h3>
A 3D-printed saddle\u00a0<\/h3>
A crowded cockpit<\/h3>
You\u2019re a fire starter<\/h3>
A $1,170, -32\u00baC sleeping bag<\/h3>
Ski goggles and a balaclava\u00a0<\/h3>