Support Alex's Iditarod Dream

Hello! Thank you for your interest in supporting my cause!

My name is Alexandria Manley and I am on a journey to maintain my lifelong health through ultra endurance cycling. Alaska’s extreme seasons–including the violent pendulum swings in daylight and our extreme temperatures–used to bring me to my knees. This struggle is known all too well by the affectionate name of “cabin fever.” Riding my bike year-around in all conditions is the only thing that keeps me sane. Not only that, but it has brought me to a higher level of realizing my own potential in all aspects of my life.

I started this fundraiser for myself because I was recently accepted into the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 (https://itialaska.com/iti-350). This race takes place on the historic Iditarod Trail as competitors bike, ski, or walk 350 or 1,000 miles through some of the harshest conditions on earth. Participating in this race is my biggest childhood dream. The race entrance fee itself is $1,600–and that is just the beginning of the costs.

Other costs include, but are not limited, to the following:

-Lodging on the trail and finish line ($1,000+?)

-Lodging in Anchorage ($150?)

-Gas to start line (~$100)

-Gas to home (~$100)

-Flight from whichever village to Anchorage (unknown)

-Western Mountaineering -40F sleeping bag ($1400)

-Bivy (unknown)

-Bivy liner (unknown)

-Clothes (variable, unknown)

-Puffy shorts ($200)

-Puffy pants ($300)

-Wind breaker pants ($100)

-Cold Avenger mask ($60)

-Any new winter riding gear (unknown)

-Fork with mounting points for rack ($204)

-Front cargo rack ($48.75)

Apocalypse Design bag for front fork ($150?)

-Rear rack ($48.75)

-Revelate Nano Panniers (up to $250)

-Food and snacks ($300+?)

-Shipping for drop bags (unknown)

-GPS (unknown)

-Large Lupine battery pack (~$250)

-Emergency cash in case I need to see a doctor ($1,000)

-Spending money for lodge food ($200)

-Wind goggles (unknown)

-Fur ruff and installation ($200?)

The race starts February 23, 2025, but most of the gear will be needed by the fall of 2024 so that I can train with it.

I am currently working as a wildland fire dispatcher and anticipate working 60+ hour weeks, but this money will be used for bills from the summer through the school year. I will be applying for Occupational Therapy (OT) school this fall, and that is a spendy venture as well. I plan to return to Fairbanks after finishing a degree in OT, and look forward to the difference I will make in this community as a therapist who sees no limits, only potential in the patients I will work with.

Happy trails and thank you for reading my story!