The Iditarod Trail Invitational is the world’s longest running winter ultra-marathon.
One of the most challenging experiences on the planet, participants brave extreme physical, environmental and mental challenges as they travel along the historic Iditarod Trail on bicycle, foot or skis. Requiring self-sufficiency and the considerable resilience to make it through up to 30 frozen days and nights, the Iditarod Trail Invitational has built its reputation on notoriously inhospitable conditions and minimal outside support.
Based on this event's terrain, difficulty and riding style.
Riders taking on Iditarod Trail Invitational will cover 565km / 1600 km.
A Fat Bike is the right tool for Iditarod Trail Invitational. Set it up with 4.0-5.0" Tubeless rubber and gear it low — a 28-30T (1x) chainring and 10-52T cassette will keep you spinning on the steeper sections.
The terrain itself is seriously technical, unforgiving terrain throughout, and conditions tend to run cool.
Iditarod Trail Invitational runs on February 28, 2027, placing it firmly in the winter riding season, so cold-weather gear and shorter daylight hours are part of the planning.
Surface-wise, expect snow throughout Iditarod Trail Invitational — 4.0-5.0" Tubeless tires are a safe bet.