Frostbite, wolves and charging moose part of cyclist’s epic Alaskan adventure
Troy Szczurkowski is a glutton for punishment.
Last month he braved frostbite, the threat of wolf attacks and exposure to Alaska's frozen wilderness to finish third in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, the world's longest winter ultramarathon.
He had 30 days to follow a constantly disappearing trail from the city Anchorage to Nome with nothing but a fat-tyred bike, some clever layers of clothing and just enough food.
The event is a feat of strategy and mental endurance as much as a test of each competitor's physical ability.
Mr Szczurkowski — now a three-time race veteran — said few people chose to tackle the full 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometre) course, and even fewer crossed the finish line.
"Last year we had 26 starters heading for Nome and only six of us finished," he told ABC Radio Brisbane.
This year only 19 people signed up for the challenge. The winner, Jay Petervary, set a new record of 16 days.
Mr Szczurkowski a bike mechanic from Brisbane, took 23 days to complete the course.
Deprived of sleep and food
He said he was drawn to extreme endurance racing because it married together some of his greatest passions.
"Human performance is something that's always been of interest, and my love of the outdoors," he said.
This is the third year in a row Mr Szczurkowski has put his health and sanity on the line for a win and said he had not ruled out going back for more in 2019.
"The race entries for veterans opened last weekend; my mouse has certainly been hovering over the button for submit.
"Each year you learn how to do things a little bit better and your body does adapt a little bit better.
External Link: Troy Szczurkowski facebook post
"A negative is you end up with some sleep deprivation problems and some minor eating disorders."
To maintain enough energy for the race, competitors load up their diet with high-fat, high-calorie and high-sugar foods.
Braving the elements
Failing to cope with temperatures well below freezing also threaten to derail even the most experienced competitor's journey.
But the clothing they rely on to cope with -30C days and nights is surprisingly light.
"You're hovering on a line of staying just warm but not too warm," Mr Szczurkowski said.
"You don't want to be sweating and wetting out all of your insulation.
"Another thing you're constantly aware of is maintaining contact with all of your digits; I had some frostbite issues last year with my big toes."
Packs of wolves have been known to stalk riders as they push their bikes through snow drifts, pedal along the icy trail or seek out shelter in remote cabins.
"Attacks are relatively low but … you may end up with them attacking your bike where you store all of your food," Mr Szczurkowski said.
"Moose are another common challenge on the trail. They're big, they're cumbersome, and if they perceive any threat they will charge."
Training on sand instead of snow
So how does a Queenslander prepare for what seems like endless days battling through the Alaskan wilderness?
"Replicating what I'll encounter on the trail is the biggest thing," Mr Szczurkowski said.
"Getting down to the beach and riding the fat bike on the sand is probably the closest thing that will represent the resistance involved in the race."
As for surviving a month of bitterly cold weather, he said the conditions were impossible to replicate until you touched down in Alaska.
"There's absolutely nothing you can do from a physiological standpoint for the cold that will have any lasting effect for training.
"It's all physical."
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