Lael Wilcox is a standout figure in the ultra-distance biking community, holding the current women's records for the Tour Divide and the Trans Am, as well as being the fastest woman to ride around the globe by bike in an impressive 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes—covering 18,125 miles. With numerous wins and remarkable achievements to her name, it’s fair to say that Lael Wilcox is a significant presence in the ultra-distance biking world.

Last season, Lael took on a new challenge: the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, a grueling race across Alaska’s frozen wilderness. Tackling the historic trail for the first time, she faced its unforgiving elements with the fearless determination that defines her career. Reflecting on the Iditarod’s storied past, Lael shares, “The Iditarod is a historic dog mushing trail. First, they were transporting medicine a thousand miles from south of Anchorage to Nome, and it was kind of a relay because they had to get this medicine to sick people. It's become a race since then, and it started as a dog mushing race. We’d follow this as kids; we would call into a hotline to see where the mushers are.”

With a determination to "beat the boys" and a dedication to advocating for women in sports, Lael's infectious passion has taken her on some wild rides. She sat down with us to share the harrowing yet awe-inspiring tale of her experience on the Iditarod 350 Trail Invitational.

From Commuting to Conquering Ultra-Distance

Lael's journey into cycling started humbly—by biking to work. “I’ve never had a car,” she recalls, revealing her early reliance on bikes to navigate her life. “I got into riding just from trying to get to work. I’ve probably driven a handful of times, and I don't like it; it scares me a lot. So I started riding to get to work and then really quickly realized, wow, I can go a lot farther with this bike than on foot. Before that, I was just walking and running everywhere, which can be fun too, but it's just a lot more time-consuming and harder on your body. So I started to bike to get to work. That was like 15 years ago, so I've been doing that since.”

What began as a practicality turned into a passion, leading her into the world of ultra-distance racing. The Iditarod had been a long-standing dream for Lael, one she worked towards for over a decade. Her Alaskan roots made the race even more meaningful as she faced freezing temperatures and brutal conditions on her home turf.

Battling the Harshest Conditions

The Iditarod is infamous for its extreme cold, where temperatures can plummet to -40°F, and the terrain itself becomes a formidable foe. Gear and preparation are necessities for survival. Lael explained, “Because this stuff for the cold is so bulky and heavy, you just want to have the smartest layering system that you can. You stay pretty warm moving, but you definitely need everything to be covered. That's really one of the biggest scares and risks about this ride: the exposure.”

Candidly, Lael shared her fear of frostbite, especially after learning that a previous racer had suffered frostbite on their eyeballs. “I would wake up every night scared of the cold because I'd never been in that low of temps before. It was predicted to be really, really cold, and I was scared of losing fingers and toes. A friend of mine who won the race this year also gave me a little container of product to rub all over my skin for frostbite. So I’d put all of that goop on my skin, then cover up with the [STRATUS] face mask with the magnet and goggles. That worked because someone last year got frostbite on their eyeballs. Apparently, they recovered within 24 hours, so it’s good, but it's also terrifying.”

Though the cold was her biggest concern, it was not her only challenge. Partway through the race, Lael developed symptoms of pulmonary edema—a condition where fluid builds up in the lungs, causing breathlessness. Still, she soldiered on, resting just enough to cough up the fluid and regain her ability to breathe. Despite battling her body, Lael crossed the finish line, securing 1st place among the women and 11th overall. However, she is far from satisfied: “I know I can compete at a higher level than that.”

Community, Camaraderie, and Navigation in Extreme Racing

In a heartwarming departure from typical competitive races, the Iditarod Trail Invitational encourages racers to help one another. “In most races, you can’t even give someone sunscreen,” Lael explained. However, the high stakes of the Iditarod fostered a spirit of camaraderie. Despite competing, racers would lend each other a hand, especially when facing the dangerous elements together. “In the Iditarod, you’re not trying to strategize how to simply beat everybody else, if you see someone in need, help them out because the risks are so high. I still want to win, but if you see someone who’s struggling or missing something, you can help them out. It just brought me back to the idea that we all want everybody out there to be safe and have their best ride.”

Navigation remains one of the biggest challenges of the race. Lael explains how the race is structured: “We race checkpoint to checkpoint, but there's no set trail that you have to follow. There's a somewhat signed trail through the woods where you see reflective points, but there are also snow machines traveling between these places, so sometimes they make a faster route. That’s a huge strategy to find the quickest way. Sometimes, I would just be following other racers' tire tracks.”

Final Words of Inspiration

Lael’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance. “The main thing is not to feel like it’s a failure if things don’t work out as you thought,” she advised. For those looking to dive into ultra-distance cycling or bikepacking, Lael's advice is simple yet profound: start small, push your limits, and don’t be afraid to fail.

Wilcox's journey proves that whether it's a 350-mile Alaskan trail or a global record attempt, with passion, grit, and a bit of audacity, anything is possible.