Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)

Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)

Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska bike relay returns June 17

Registration opens March 15 with spots for 1,200 cyclists

WHITEHORSE, Yukon — The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is getting set to return in June after a three-year hiatus.

The relay had been an annual tradition for years up until 2020, when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Another two years of cancellations for the in-person relay from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska followed as the pandemic and border restrictions continued.

The relay sees teams of two, four and eight as well as solo cyclists ride the Haines Highway between the Yukon and Alaska communities.

In a Feb. 20 announcement, officials confirmed the 2023 relay is set to go ahead.

“After three years of cancellations due to COVID and cross border challenges, we are excited to be in full swing, ready to welcome all riders, volunteers and support crews on Saturday, June 17, 2023,” KCIBR president Rob Welton said. “We really are looking forward to seeing everyone back in the saddle again.”

Online registration will open March 15 at 6 a.m. in all categories — solo, two, four and eight-person men, women and mixed teams.

For the first time, the race will allow e-bikes for eight-person teams only. They are not required for every rider on the team and any eight-person team with an ebike may not place in first, second or third.

Spots in the relay are typically filled within days as the race attracts riders both locally from the Yukon and Alaska, as well as from other parts of Canada, the U.S., and other parts of the globe.

Race officials expect all 1,200 rider spots to be filled this year. May 12 is the deadline for registration, but many categories are typically filled well-before the deadline. Along with the 1,200 rider cap, there is a limit of 95 teams in the eight-person category.

Rules, start times and other information for the 2023 event are posted at www.kcibr.org

With motor vehicles continuing to be a primary safety concern, signage and messaging to participants will focus on safe, cautious driving habits.

All visitors to Alaska, including riders on Leg 7 of the race are required to show a passport at U.S. Customs. Cyclists will have to dismount and show their passport. It is best for leg 7 riders to be US or Canadian citizens. Participants should check the KCIBR website for details about clearing customs, officials said.

Participants wanting to purchase a souvenir T-shirt must do so by April 7. Orders can placed online while registering teams.

Whitehorse artist Monika Melnychuk designed the shirt in 2020 and it can be seen on the KCIBR website on the registration page.

• Contact Stephanie Waddell at stephanie.waddell@yukon-news.com

More in Sports

Hoonah and Filcom players battle for a loose ball during C Bracket action in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Monday, March 20, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Filcom topples Hoonah 87-66 to earn Thursday semifinals

C Bracket shootout featured Filcom’s Cooper, Heumann and Hoonah’s Dybdahl.

Klukwan’s Russ Stevens (23) scores against Hoonah’s Michael Mills (1) during Masters Bracket action in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Monday, March 20, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Klukwan wins battle of boards to defeat Hoonah in Masters Bracket

Win puts Chilkat Thunder into Thursday semifinals

Hydaburg’s George Peratrovich drives along the baseline while defended by Haines’ Tyler Swinton (44) early in Hydaburg’s 75-57 win Monday night. Swinton led all scorers with 28 points, doing much of his damage in the second quarter. Peratrovich game down with 10 boards in the contest, which helped cinch the win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Hydaburg chops down Haines’ height

George Peratrovich, Darren Edenshaw come up big on the boards

Juneau’s Chase Saviers goes in for a layup Monday afternoon in a B Bracket game against Metlakatla during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau lands 111 points in win over Metlakatla

The team won by exactly 40-points.

Yakutat’s Trinity Jackson goes up for a shot Monday afternoon in a game against Kake during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. Yakutat prevailed against Kake 69-33. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Yakutat finishes with 36-point lead over Kake in W bracket

Kake women bested on second day of the tournament.

Juneau’s Ed Mercer (7) puts up a shot against Sitka Monday morning during this year’s Gold Medal basketball tournament at JDHS. Mercer finished the game with 6 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Juneau notches another M Bracket W against Sitka

Juneau beats Sitka in M Bracket game

Hoona’s Travis Dybdahl shoots a layup against Angoon Sunday night during the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. Dybdahl led his team with 32 points (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Hoonah beats Angoon in fourth quarter steal on Sunday

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold… Continue reading

K. Santo Franks of team Haines puts up a 2-point shot against Yakutat on Sunday night during this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. Franks led his team in points for a total of 14. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Haines hangs on for Sunday night win against Yakutat

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold… Continue reading

Angoon’s Duncan O’Brien shoots between Hydaburg’s George Peratrovich (1) and Darren Edenshaw during B Bracket action during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Sunday, March 19, at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Hydaburg nips Angoon with a Gold Medal buzzer beater

Vinnie Edenshaw put his game-high 32nd point off the glass and through the net as the buzzer sounded

Most Read