Probably The Best Event In the World

Tailgate Alaska is well underway and hundreds of riders have shown up from throughout the world. Riders from the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Chile, Australia and New Zealand are representing at 29.5 mile on Thompson Pass. The scene has been almost surreal with riders hovering on a plateau of stoke that I have never seen.

This is what I mean. Before and after.
Olympian Graham Watanabe before and after riding the helis at ABA.

The two lots are overflowing now and cars have been lining the streets.

All sorts of rigs have been showing up - from Mike Basich's Transformer to Travis Rice and his CineFlex rig.

Danny and the Dingo rolled into camp with their RV rig and riders Dustin Craven and Eric Messier as well as a crew from Fuel TV. They have further fortified their camp area with additions like a fire pit, screen tent for sleeping and a shooting range.

Even skiing royalty are coming to town, with Olympians like Czech Thomas Krause (shown with Olympians Graham Watanabe and Czech Michal Novotny. Backcountry legend Dan Treadway rolling in with a crew and three selds along with ski pro Mike Riddle, Nick and John from Alaskan Brewing.

We have been filling what down time there has been (lots and lots of blue skies the last few days) with educational activities like beacon search contests and classes, like this Crevasse Rescue class taught by AMGA guide Mark Kelly.

The BBQ has been going off daily with free salmon and reindeer sausage for all.

With the Recco King of the Hill now in the books - with some of the sickest riding ever seen in any event format, the stage is set for another week of living the dream in Alaska.