SMU Alaska Expedition IV

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The expedition had reached its fifth and final leg. From Kluane Base Camp we rode through the Haines Junction to the Otter Falls Cutoff. From there the team entered the beautiful capital of Yukon, Whitehorse where we enjoyed Japanese and Indian meals prepared by the locals. The rain was replaced by scorching sunshine and intense winds for the last two days of our expedition. We cycled from Whitehorse to the smallest dessert in the world at Carcross, located at the tip of the coastal mountain range on Day 18. The final ride on Day 19 brought us through 100km of the coastal mountain range, where we ascended painstakingly for the majority of the first 80km before a 20km downhill run that brought us back into Alaska, to the lovely town of Skagway.

Final Day. Destination Skagway.
"Cold winds raged mercilessly yesterday, freezing my knees over when we had to stop for pictures, and I could not get back on the saddle after that. Jaws clamped shut from the pain, I had to endure and load up for the last 9km of the ride. Today, the wind is back, and I have got a score to settle.

Skagway is derived from the Tlingit name Skagua; meaning ‘the windy place'. Today's ride was simple - 80km of uphill climbs, 20km downhill, and then we pop champagne. From the onset it was not to be so as Skagway truly lived up to its name. Most of the day's ride brought us through a scenic glacier carved valley, with breathtaking views around every bend. While the view took your breath away, the hills made everyone short on breath; with the strong winds constantly shoving fist-fulls of air down your trachea, whilst robbing you of the respite it should have brought. The winds did not come in gusts; it came in an endless torrent of stone scouring rage, sweeping through the valley of bare stone.

Our last day of riding was without dispute the hardest. I wouldn't have it any other way. The 80km uphill climb locked everyone in the ‘grip of death' in a six hour struggle against gravity and winds. Eventually we reached the top of the climb, the Yukon Alaska border. After riding over the clouds it was a total reversal of a 20km effortless downhill finish to mark the end of the expedition. Had it not been for the last 20km of slope, we would all have looked very different in the pictures..." - Leong

Emotions were pretty high on the last day. We knew it was all coming to an end. Our commitment, hard work and dreams had borne fruit. It had been a long journey for us novices, which made us understand our strengths and weaknesses to achieve a cohesive bond that allowed us to truly enjoy the wholeness of the experience. We had spent 14 days camping in our North Face tents and the other 5 at budget hostels or motels. The camping allowed everyone to gel together well, while enjoying self-prepared dinners and spending the nights in complete wilderness. Everyone got a real taste of a true Alaskan Zero Limits adventure.

For all of us, Alaska has indeed proven itself to be the ideal place for the Zero Limits expedition. It had challenged us both mentally, physically and emotionally. Swept by the winds, ravaged by the rain, torn apart by the roads, left for dead in the cold, we encountered mountainous terrain that only our team spirit could have guided us through. Fortunately, we were also blessed with days of clear blue sunny skies and magnificent scenery unmatched by anywhere else in the world. Cycling through snow-capped mountain ranges, across colourful tundra, past turquoise-emerald-blue lakes and greenery teeming with wildlife that can only be found in this part of the world - we could not have asked for more.

Amidst the injury, pain, tears, treacherous conditions, laughter and excitement, Zero Limits has done it! Arriving in Skagway, we erupted into a state of euphoria as we celebrated our personal achievements. It has been an experience that we will never forget. The bonds forged and the journey shared will always remain etched in our hearts as a memorable moment in our lives.

On behalf of Team Zero Limits 2008, we would like to thank all those who have given us their support. We are grateful to Singapore Management University and the Office of Student Life for giving us the opportunity to pursue our desires. Sponsors: Comfort Delgro for their generous contribution towards our aim in understanding the environment; Limar for sponsoring the world's lightest helmets and in the process saved one of us from a bad crash; The North Face for providing the best equipment to deal with the challenging weather; and Skins compression garments for helping in our recovery. Not forgetting the many people out there, including the Office of Corporate Communications for helping us with media coverage, friends, family and loved ones for your endless support and encouragement that saw us through, giving us the strength to continue.

We would like to thank everyone who has helped in one way or another, for without your support, Zero Limits would just be an unrealized dream.