1. Can someone register themselves as Solo but later join a team?
a. Our primary goal is to facilitate a safe, fun event for all, and we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate registration changes. Changes will be reviewed on a “per-basis” request and may or may not be approved under the exact circumstances of each request.
2. Can someone purchase a Race Ticket/Registration Fee for someone else as a gift?
a. Absolutely! During the purchase process you will have the opportunity to register the racer. If the racer is different than the purchaser, just fill out the forms appropriately.
3. How will the additional team members be registered for the team with only a single payment for registration accepted?
a. During the initial registration/purchase of your event ticket, you will be given the opportunity to register all team members at that time. We believe that in the spirit of friendships and teammates, you will be able to sort out who owes who money amongst yourselves.
4. I want to register a team, but don’t have all the members picked out yet. What should I do?
a. We encourage you to have your whole team decided upon before registering. If for some reason this is not possible, Please email us and request an exclusion to be allowed to register with missing information.
b. Please note that this requires additional work for our Volunteer Registration Team, and we thank you in advance for policing yourself
5. What if I get a flat tire in the first few miles from the start? Can my support vehicle stop and help me?
a. No, they may not. Whomever on your team (or if you’re riding Solo) is the starting rider, needs to be self-sufficient (meaning carry at a minimum a small tool bag with tire repair components) and possess the skills to repair their own tire. Unassisted, and safely off the road in the ditch/shoulder area.
b. The Official 2023 rules state " For safety reasons, from Sheep Mount Lodge to Mile 120.2 (approximately 6.7 miles into the race at the Heck Monument pull out) of the Glenn Highway, no Support Vehicles are allowed to assist any riders and no relay exchanges may take place. In this area of the course, riders must be self-sufficient and be able to fix basic mechanical problems."
c. We want the race to be as fun as possible for everyone involved. Enforcing certain hard rules to ensure that nobody dies, is a large part of having fun.
6. What if I can’t make it to the Pre-Race Safety Meeting?
a. If you live in the Greater Anchorage area you are expected to adjust your personal schedule and attend an in-person Pre-Race Safety Meeting in Anchorage. There will be several dates and times (TBD).
b. A limited Sheep Mountain Lodge Safety Meeting and opportunity to sign and turn in your Race Waiver will be given to those who do not live in the Greater Anchorage area or are otherwise unable to attend one of the Pre-Race Safety Meetings in the weeks leading up to the race. You MUST email us at "fireweed400@gmail.com" for prior authorization to be considered for this accommodation.
c. This effort is intended to accommodate actual necessity, not to give room for racers to prioritize hiking Flattop, going for a bike ride because the weather is nice, etc, rather than show up for an Anchorage based Pre-Race Safety Meeting
7. It appears that the only race(s) on the website (thefireweed.org) are 200 miles. When will other distances be available to register for?
a. 2023 will see only a single distance of 200 miles, The Great Alaska Double Century, beginning in Sheep Mountain and ending in Valdez. There will no other distances.
8. Is this a team relay or solo or what?
a. Any event other than “Solo”, may be ridden as a relay, as a team in draft formation, or any mixture thereof provided at least one (1) rider is always on the road. Relay exchanges must have same tire overlap between exchanger and exchangee (ie: front tire of incoming rider must fully overlap front tire of departing rider prior to departing rider taking over as primary racer).
9. I understand there are no aid/food stations/port a potty this year. What does my registration fee get me?
a. The Fireweed is a non-profit raising funds for youth cycling and trail access across the state. Race fees go towards helping fund youth cycling in the state, as well as race insurance, logistic fees, permit fees so we can host a race on this section of road.
b. We put together the best goody bags we can find.
c. We provide a pretty fun party for you in Valdez.
d. Traditionally, we also supply porta potties at two or three pullouts, with some snacks and water coolers. We are currently still determining the exact feasibility of amenities for this year.
10. We will have multiple people doing the "no more than 72 peeps" one (200 mile Open).
As far as registering, do I pay for everyone and they just pay me back? Or do I register a (2-Person team) for the people in my family who I am paying for, and the others sign up on their own?
The "Team Captain" will register and pay for their entire team at the time of registration.
Any financial arrangements should be handled internally amongst yourselves. The Fireweed will not be handling any split tabs or partial payments on the behalf of any team, regardless of event.
Please see Question 3.
Please see Question 4.
11. Will there be a ferry leaving Valdez on the Sunday after the race?
Yes! Alaska Marine Highway has published their 2023 schedule and it reflects arrivals and departures between Valdez, Whittier, and Cordova on Sat/Sun.
Head over to our Lodging and Travel page on the website for direct links