Dry snow over ice. slow moving but steady like the terminator. Cold sapping batteries.

Team ak check in. Vibes good 14 deg f. 4inch fresh snow. please confirm ur getting these.  (60.8219, -149.6472) – Mike Yuhnke

First bulletin of the team Rayon Vert , we started two hours ago from San Quirico d’Orcia and now we are going up passing inside the countryside to get to Montalcino. We have already done some climbing and descents. we passed inside a stream and a couple of fords in short so far it looks beautiful. We are already hungry but we are also very determined. To all teams participating in the race good luck!

– Matteo from Rayon Vert

Mile 15 – We’ve past 2 petroglyphs/pictograph walls, a dino foot track and stumbled upon a cave! We’ve hit our first Catastrophic Event of the trip… through a rocky section I lost my peanut bars they flew everywhere and are now ruined. This was a very low point.

2hr update. We’re alive. We’ve climbed like 2k feet and just hit 10 Miles, we’re drinking water and eating and wet and riding in the snow

Rayon Vert International have the best current weather, starting in the mid 50 degree range. Most of our other challenger teams are starting with temps in the 40s. Forecast for the Shooglin Sisters is, unsurprisingly, rain.

The Alaska Snow Kittens have a decidedly intense start. Current forecast for their location:

Already 1,500ft of climbing done, stopped for a pee stop, I gotta go too. Just noticed how crooked my bottom teeth are.

Starting trail. Will lose service. Fully charged GoPros already out of battery to the cold. Will tape hot hands to them.

And, we’re off! All of our ATB Challenge Teams have begun the All Terrain Bicycle Challenge: Fleche it Out. Stay tuned here for updates from the teams and information from MSO HQ for the next 29 HOURS.