Petervary Shatters Iditarod Race - 5,900 miles remain

What is the No Idle Tour? It’s what happens when someone decides to race the 3 longest human powered races in North America in one season. The No Idle Tour is the culmination of Jay Petervary’s 18 years of endurance racing and a team of people with a vision. A vision to help educate Americans about the harmful effects of vehicular emissions, and the unanimous value of bicycling.

When did it begin? It began when a young man named Willie Neal decided to volunteer his time to raise environmental awareness. Willie was a high school student when he began going from business to business in Jackson, WY with “Please Don’t Idle” signs. He was also a decorated Nordic Skier featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” while representing the USA Olympic Development Team all over the world. In June 2009, while roller ski training, Willie was struck by a driver who was reaching for his phone, and was instantly killed. The No Idle Tour exists to continue Willie’s dream, with his fervor, to amplify his message.

3 Rides - 7,000 miles - 1 Goal:

• Iditarod Trail Invitational, AK - 1,100 mile Snow Bike Race - first place
• Race Across America - 3,100 miles from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD - June
• Great Divide TT Ride - unsupported, 2,745 miles from Banff, Canada to Antelope Wells, NM (Mexican Border) - August

Iditarod Trail Invitational - first place, shatters course record!

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (March 21, 2011) – Endurance cyclist Jay Petervary started his 7,000-mile No Idle Tour with a record shattering ride on the southern route of the burly Iditarod Trail Invitational. On March 16, Petervary eclipsed the previous record of 22 days with a time of 17 days, 6 hours.

“It was pretty epic for sure,” says Petervary. “It was the best year ever with favorable weather as well as good riding conditions.”

This year marks the fifth year Petervary raced his snow bike in Alaska. Last year Petervary completed the 1,100 mile northern route of the Iditarod Trail with his wife Tracey, who also set the women’s course record this year and in 2010. Petervary is one of only 33 riders to ever complete the route to Nome by bike.

Petervary’s record ride didn’t come without a few mechanical issues with his pedals. Near mile 300, Petervary’s right pedal exploded which forced him to ride on a narrow piece of metal until he reached McGrath - 50 miles away – to get a replacement. Then, Petervary broke another pedal 250 miles from the finish line after having to walk through icy trails.

“I had to hold my foot in the right position, but the bumpy trail made it difficult to keep my foot on,” says Petervary.

One of the highlights of the race for Petervary was the sky’s light show.

“The night sky was astonishing. I have never seen it like that before. The Northern Lights never get old to look at,” says Petervary.

Other highlights for Petervary included sleeping next to the trail while the Iditarod dog sleds passed by and getting to experience a blow hole.

“Fifty-mile-an-hour wind that you just fight to get through to the other side - holy powerful. I had to lean into the wind at about a 30-degree angle the entire time, “ says Petervary of the blow hole section.

Petervary’s No Idle Tour is about riding your bike and driving less. In the U.S. alone, idling vehicles waste nearly 3.8 million gallons of gasoline each day while emitting 40,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. All funds raised through the No Idle Tour will support the Willie Neal Environmental Awareness Fund who’s mission is to: “promote responsible choices through education, community involvement, and environmental initiatives.” Neal, who was a standout Nordic ski racing star in Jackson Hole, Wyo., died tragically in June 2009 when he was struck by a car while training in Maine.

Race Across America (RAAM) is Petervary’s next cycling challenge which begins in June. This will be Petervary’s first attempt at the 3,000-mile road cycling race with starts in Oceanside, Calif., and ends in Annapolis, MD. To qualify for this year’s RAAM, Petervary took first at the Adirondack 540 in 2009.

“Maybe people will see my win and record in Alaska and take what I’m doing a little more seriously,” says Petervary.

Petervary’s final race of the No Idle Tour will be the 2,745-mile Great Divide Time Trail from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, N.M. at the U.S./Mexican border. In August, Petervary will attack the Great Divide bike route solo and self-supported in hopes of accomplishing a personal best time. In 2007, during the Great Divide Race, Petervary set a course record of 15 days, 4 hours.

To learn more about the No Idle Tour and how to get involved, please visit: www.noidletour.org.