Juneau riders place well at Kluane Chilkat International bike race

Klas Stolpe
1 day ago
8 min read

Eight mileage legs totaling 148 miles could be raced solo or via two-, four- or eight-person teams

A peloton of riders race along Highway 3 from Haines Junction towards Haines during the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay on Saturday, June 22, 2026. (Photo from Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay’s Facebook page)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

Roughly 292 hearty teams took part in a true Alaska experience, traveling by ferry and car to participate in the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay on Saturday. Athletes could participate as solo riders or part of two-member, four-member or five-to-eight-member teams across the 148.1-mile (238.3-kilometer) race.

Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, resident Hudson Lucier (team Hudson) was the first finisher, winning the solo bike race in 6 hours 34 minutes and 31 seconds. Lucier defended his solo title from last year in which he placed second overall behind two of his trainees, Nicolas Giangrande and Heron Land-Gillis (The Bonk Bros), who had placed first overall last season.

Juneau’s John Bursell and Brandon Ivanowicz were the top capital city finishers in 12th and 13th place overall. The two had ridden as team J&B last season and finished third in 7:23:07. They had won the duo race in 2024 with a time of 6:31:55.

Juneau's Charlie Waters, Juan Orozco, Tom Faust, Brandon Ivanowicz, Jamie Bursell and John Bursell are shown on Sunday in Haines, the day after competing in the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay from Haines Junction to Haines. (Photo courtesy Jamie Bursell)

“I really enjoy being in the Yukon, and the race is an opportunity to ride through some amazing country,” Bursell said. “Actually the drive up is when we get to see the sights with the mountains, snowfields and old mining sites. Don’t actually get much time to enjoy the sights during the race. Haines is great — very welcoming with the salmon/cod fry. We go for an easy ride on Sunday after the race which is always a nice way to enjoy the Haines area. Burgers at the Bamboo Room, breakfast at the Chilkat Bakery with exceptional baked goods and service. The ferry ride is relaxing — time to catch up with friends and plan the race on the way up and plan for next year on the return trip.”

On Saturday, Bursell (team JohnnyBYourself) finished in 7:12:10, eighth out of 56 in his gender. Ivanowicz (Send Flowers) hit 7:12:15, 9/56.

“It is a chance to test your fitness against some tough competition,” Ivanowicz said. “And a really hard course through some of the most spectacular scenery you could imagine.”

The top female solo rider was Whitehorse resident Heather Clarke (Instinct x Icycle) in 7:02:39, first out of 26 in her gender and ninth overall among all finishers. Goldstream Sports four-person mixed team featured two females and placed sixth overall in 7:01:24, first out of 42 teams in their division.

Juneau’s Charlie Waters (Chuckwagon) placed 15th overall in 7:14:32, 11/56.

Douglas’ Adam Moser and Alisha Falberg (Crazy A’s) placed 24th overall in 7:21:12 and were first among 30 two-person mixed teams. Moser cycled half the course in 3:17:03 and Falberg the second portion in 4:04:09.

Juneau’s Thomas Faust and Dave Ringle (New Blood and Old Trickster) placed 54th overall in 8:18:48, 6/25 in their 2-person men’s division. Faust cycled 3:18:09 and Ringle 5:00:39.

Juneau’s Juan Orozco and Jamie Bursell (Isaiah) placed 61st in 8:27:16, 4/30 in 2-person mixed. Orozco cycled 3:41:55 and Bursell 4:45.21.

"It is just about doing a pretty cool bike ride with some spectacular views, and doing it with good friends more than anything," Orozco said. "I really enjoyed the teamwork and support we received from Vic and Tina (Downs - support crew). It was great learning how to do a longer distance race and the logistics that go behind that. Also the weather was amazing, which really made the ride even more enjoyable."

Petersburg’s Tommy Thompson and Juneau’s Dan Robinson (DuoKolo) placed 72nd in 8:34:53, 8/25 in 2-person men.

“The next best thing to riding the Alps or Pyrenees, but we can get there by ferry,” Thompson said. “You can ride it or race it, solo or teams up to eight. So it makes it an event for such a wide variety of people. We have to keep moving.”

Thompson cycled half the race in 4:12:54 and Robinson in 4:21:59.

“The attraction of the Kluane is getting to spend eight or nine hours on that spectacularly beautiful road,” Robinson said. “Hanging out with hundreds of our great Canadian neighbors and riding fast bikes with old friends. The ferry rides up and back are pretty sweet too.”

Juneau's Jim Ustasiewski and nephew Alex Munk cycle during the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay on Saturday. (Photo by Mary Irvine)

Chud Monkeys, a four-person team featuring Juneau’s Jason Lindley and Brian Maller and Haines’ Jonathan Rasch and Liz Segars, placed 100th in 8:51:36, 16/59 in four-person mixed. Lindley cycled a 2:22:19 portion and Maller a 2:00:06 portion.

Winging It Again, another mixed team of Juneau’s Chris Sperry, Janice Heaton-Sheufelt, Haines’ Noble Anderson and Fircrest’s Nick Johnson, placed 103rd in 8:56:02, 18/59. Sperry cycled a 2:31:42 leg and Heaton-Sheufelt a 2:07:40.

Pedal to the Medal, a four-person women’s team of Juneau’s Jasmin Holst, Haines’ Lydia Andriesen and Fairbanks’ Lucca Duke and Alanna Greenwell, placed 116th in 9:06:46, 2/16. Holst cycled a 2:07:47. Top female team were the Anchorage Angels in 8:39:02, 78th overall, 1/16.

Ice Worm Wigglers, Juneau’s Michael Hekkers, Kenichi Shay and Haines’ Ernie Taylor and Conner Pedersen, placed 121st in 9:13:37, 14/21. Hekkers cycled a 1:52:27 and Shay a 3:11:13.

Juneau’s Jim Ustasiewski (Nolo Contender) finished 138th in 9:24:28, 36/56.

Finn’s Flyers, a Juneau four-person mixed team placed 142nd in 9:25:15, 29/59. April Rezendes cycled 2:19:18, Randy Peterson 2:09:32, Claire Geldhof 2:16:10 and James Grammel 2:40:15.

Juneau's Juan Orozco, Brandon Ivanowicz, Charlie Waters and John Bursell are shown on Saturday prior to the start of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay from Haines Junction to Haines. (Photo courtesy Jamie Bursell)

Alcan Express, Douglas’ Robert Welton and Whitehorse’s Colin McCann, Christine Prescott and Eric Olson, placed 151st in 9:31:30, 34/59. Welton cycled a 2:10:54 portion.

Juneau’s Samantha and David Blommer (BLOMBLOM) placed 166th in 9:40:39, 16/30. Samantha cycled a 5:17:31 and David a 4:23:08.

Alaska Scud Riders, featuring Juneau’s Rob Welch (56:14), Adelaide Johnson (1:41:14), Dawn Welch (1:05:12), Carey Akagi (1:27:41), Sydney Akagi (1:26:41), Kevin McQuaid (51:41), Elliot Welch (1:17:26) and Australia’s Annabelle Aspinall (1:09:45), placed 182nd in 9:55:54, 13/36.

Juneau’s Brent Tingey and Darin Tingey (Scrambled Eggs) placed 197th in 10:03:15, 20/25. Brent cycled 4:27:31, Darin 5:35:44.

Juneau’s Bucket Heads, featuring Tim Mikulski (41:27), Jourdyn Nicholson (1:53:47), Rachel Puckett (1:10:32), Therese Pokorney (1:18:18), MJ Goedeken (1:56:09), Sydney Negus (58:11), Tori Kirkiewicz (1:29:37) and Mikulsi (1:04:17), placed 224th in 10:32:18, 27/36.

Sitka’s Annika Krafcik and Colton Holmes (Nano Grigio) placed 257th in 11:52:17, 23/30. Krafcik cycled 5:36:19 and Holmes 6:15:58.

A peloton of riders race during the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay on Saturday. (Photo from Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay’s Facebook page)

TOP TEAM RESULTS

Solo Men - Hudson (Hudson Lucier, Whitehorse, YT) 6:34:31 (1st overall, 1/56).

Solo Women - Instinct x Icycle (Heather Clarke, WH, YT) 7:02:39 (9th OA, 1/26).

Solo Open - Jaimie Stevens (WH, YT) 12:32:09 (264th OA, 1/1).

2-Person Men - Spandex Senders (Sitka Land-Gillis, Kuya Wellman-Gagne - WH, YT) 7:12:03 (11th OA, 1/25).

2-Person Mixed - Crazy A’s (Adam Moser, Alisha Falberg - Douglas, AK) 7:21:12 (24th OA, 1/30).

2-Person Women - Sian in mint condition (Aramintha Bradford, Sian Hamilton - WH, YT) 7:59:41 (40th OA, 1/11).

2-Person Open - The Jebbies (Jason Rowland, Deborah Paine - Anchorage, AK) 10:45:53 (229th OA, 1/1).

3-4 Person Mixed - Goldstream Sports (Olivia Manley, Maddie Schuh, Luke Buth, Dylan Low -Fairbanks, AK) 7:01:24 (6th OA, 1/59).

3-4 Person Men - Here 4 the Fish (Roger Luxemburger, Jack Belanger, Max Labelle, Sam Boucher -WH, YT) 7:48:34 (37th OA, 1/21).

3-4 Person Women - Anchorage Angels (Natalie Kiley-Bergen, Mackenzie Barnwell, N. Kiley-Bergen, Olivia Pfeifer - ANCH, AK) 8:39:02 (78th OA, 1/16).

5-8 Person Mixed - Total North (Richard Thompson, Nathan Wallace, Evan Campbell, JJ Gainsforth, Melanie Wallace, Chad Niddery, Ryan Niddery, Ben Mcpherson - WH, YT) 8:33:09 (71st OA, 1/36).

5-8 Person Men - Banana Seats (Mark Lohnes, Michael Felber, John Thomas, Ross Barrett, Joe Jackson, John Thomas, Mark Lohnes, Spencer Morgan - Skagway, AK/Delray, FL) 8:36:26 (74th OA, 1/2).

5-8 Person Women - Ride or Dies (Krista Mooney, Kayla Fitzsimmons, Laura Davis, Britney Densmore, Karen Lemire, Katie O’Brien, Elise Bousquet - WH, YT) 9:13:50 (122nd OA, 1/6).

5-8 Person Open - Big Baller Bikers (Pier De Leon, Jeff Rumba, Seb Tajonera, Brittony Pagobo, Miguel Portea, Karl Tesoro, Matthew Baual, Kurt Rubio -WH, YT) 10:11:34 (202nd OA, 1/2).

TOP LEG TIMES (gender, time, rider, team, town)

Solo

Leg 1-8 (148.1 miles) - Male 6:34:31 Hudson Lucier, Hudson, Whitehorse. /// Female 7:02:39 Heather Clarke, Instinct x Icycle, Whitehorse.

2-Person

Leg 1 (69.3 miles) - Male 3:08:04 Sitka Land-Gillis, Spandex Senders, Whitehorse /// Female 3:22:42 Grace Allaway, Dad Daughter Duo, Haines.

Leg 2 (78.7 miles) - M 3:58:27 Levi Bruce, Cool Bird, Whitehorse /// FM 4:04:09 Alisha Falberg, Crazy A’s, Douglas.

4-Person

Leg 1 (36.4 miles) - Male 1:39:20 Victor-Emile Thibeault, Tibo, Whitehorse /// Female 1:40:56 Olivia Manley, Goldstream Sports, Fairbanks /// Ebike 2:34:34, Heather Carter, Four Old Cranks, Whitehorse /// Tandem Bike 2:08:59 Maddox Stormont/Sarah Isaac, Squirtballz, Vancouver B.C.

Leg 2 (33 miles) - M 1:39:03 Thibeault /// FM 1:46:57 Mackenzie Barnwell, Anchorage Angels, Anchorage /// EB 2:23:33 Marc Cattet, Four Old Cranks, Whitehorse /// TB 2:18:09 Insley Kieser/Gabby Andres, Squirtballz.

Leg 3 (36.3 miles) - M 1:32:02 Luke Buth, Goldstream Sports, Fairbanks /// FM 2:03:54 Laura Scott, Hot legs, Whitehorse /// TB 2:17:52 Squirtballz /// EB 3:47:35 Martin Theriault, Four Old Cranks, Red Deer Alberta.

Leg 4 (42.4 miles) - M 1:59:15 Dylan Low, Goldstream Sports /// FM 2:18:30 Olivia Pfeifer, Anchorage Angels /// TB 2:49:14 Ferguson Ritsuko/Shanto Imai, Double Trouble, Whitehorse /// EB 3:10:45 Dolly Callas, Four Old Cranks, Red Deer.

8-Person

Leg 1 (11.8 miles) - Female 0:41:13 Beatrice Collier-Pandya, BGCycle, Vancouver, B.C. /// Male 0:41:27 Tim Mikulski, Bucket heads, Juneau /// EBike 0:44:21 Robyne Lopushinsky, Bears & Gears, Whitehorse /// Tandem Bike 0:52:45 Zeller van Blankenstein & Zia Austin, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Whitehorse.

Leg 2 (24.5 miles) - M 1:11:24 Michael Felber, Banana Seats, Skagway /// FM 1:20:37 Claire Openshaw, Sockeye 8, Skagway /// EB 1:23:06 Anisa Albisser, Pace Cadets, Whitehorse /// TB 1:39:07 Monk Moir/Kevin Wes, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Whitehorse.

Leg 3 (15.4 miles) - M 0:46:57 Evan Campbell, Total North, Whitehorse /// FM 0:53:08 Laura Davis, Ride or Dies, Whitehorse /// EB 0:50:25 Sam Vanderlinden, Spinsters, Skagway /// TB 0:56:46 Vincent-Braun/Whipple-Grantham/Sigourney Pelly, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Whitehorse.

Leg 4 (17.6 miles) - M 0:58:43 Rodney Holstein, Whitehorse Firefighters, Whitehorse /// FM 1:06:40 Katie Douglas, Pedal Pals, Whitehorse /// EB 1:10:17 Phoebe Bizarro, Too Tired, Whitehorse /// TB 1:21:01 Christ Burghardt/Emily Aidan, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Whitehorse.

Leg 5 (19.6 miles) - EB 1:04:28 Marney Paradis, The Wheely Bad Ideas, Whitehorse /// M 1:07:04 Elijah Ens, Insane Cycling Posse, Whitehorse /// FM 1:17:41 Melanie Wallace, Total North, Whitehorse /// TB 1:30:35 Lemaire Loban/Alina Emily, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Whitehorse.

Leg 6 (16.7 miles) - M 0:46:03 Jedd Hoover, Sockeye 8, Skagway /// EB 0:49:15 Reba Hylton, Spinsters, Haines /// TB 0:51:21 Fraser Shier/Julia Han, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s /// FM 0:53:36 Marie LaForme, World Elites, Whitehorse.

Leg 7 (23.3 miles) - M 1:10:39 Ryan Niddery, Total North, Whitehorse /// FM 1:14:50 Dawn Mix, Old Growth Riders, Leduc Alberta /// TB 1:17:27 Javed Shier/Sana Han, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s /// EB 1:19:13 Este Fielding, Spinsters, Skagway.

Leg 8 (19.1 miles) - M 1:04:17 Tim Mikulski, Bucket Heads, Juneau /// FM 1:06:58 Christiana Reitsma, Yukon Explorers, Smithers B.C. /// EB 1:16:04 Deborah Marshall, Smokin’ Geezers, Haines /// TB 1:37:26 Wilton Wilton/Hilary Jim, Night of 1000 Jimbo’s, Adelaide Y.T.