Zero Limits 2008 the eco cycling adventure across Alaska has been successfully completed. 6 months of preparation saw us cycle 1890km over 19 days, entering 2 countries (Alaska, USA & Yukon, Canada), across 2 time zones brought us to our end point, Skagway, AK.

The expedition began on the 11th of July and ended on the 5th of August. It was simply an unforgettable cycling experience coupled with several days of immersing ourselves with the culture and learning about the effects of global warming on the environment.

Our first leg started in Anchorage with the team feeling fit and strong. We rode through the Glenn Highway to Palmer and then to Wasilla. We were treated to the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival in Talkeetna on day 2. After the festivities, we finished leg 1 with long, hilly rides to the lovely Byers Lake and the small town of Cantwell.

The second leg treated us to the heritage of Alaska. From Cantwell we rode through Anderson to reach Denali National Park, the home of Mount Mckinley, the highest peak in North America. It was hear we learnt the most about the Alaskan wildlife and the changes that have been happening to the environment.

The team was challenged by the non stop, 15km climb up the scenic Mckinley park road, truly one of the most memorable climbs of the trip. After 3 days exploring the national park, we headed on to Fairbanks where we learnt about the history of Alaska through visits to the University of Alaska Museum. We had the chance to interact with native Antabashkans to attain a greater understanding of the land. Sadly, it was on route to Fairbanks that our dear team mate, Lesley suffered an unfortunate accident. Nevertheless, the team saddled up and carried on with the rest of journey.

Our third leg started with beautiful sunshine and blue skies as we rode to Harding Lake. The sunshine was short lived as we went on to endure relentless rain and cold on route to Clearwater Lake, Cathedral Creek and the small town of Tok.

With no break from the third leg, the fourth leg started with a bang. In what was arguably the most challenging ride of the expedition, the team endured 130km of ferocious winds, unending rain, steep inclines and drawn out stretches of dirt road on route to Deadman Lake. The next day we crossed the border into Yukon, stopping at Beaver Creek. This was followed by another rainy ride to the Kluane Wilderness Village where the team crashed the night in a couple of long abandoned lodges. After eight days of on the saddle, we took a break at Kluane Base Camp amidst the beauty of the turquoise blue, Kluane Lake reflecting the the snow capped mountains in the background.

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

Emotions were high on the last day. We knew it was all coming to an end. Our commitment, hard work and dreams have born fruit. It has been a long journey for us novices. We’ve understood our strengths and weaknesses to achieve a cohesive bond that allowed us to truly enjoy the wholeness of the experience. We spent 14 of the days camping in our North Face tents and the other 5 at budget hostels or motels. The camping allowed us to gel together, with us enjoying self-prepared dinner and spending the nights in complete wilderness. We managed to get a taste of a true Alaskan Zero Limits adventure.

For all of us, Alaska has indeed proven itself to be the ideal place for a Zero Limits expedition. It has challenged us both mentally, physically and emotionally. It has thrown all it has to offer in our faces over the past 19 days. Swept by the winds, ravaged by the rain, torn apart by the roads, left for the dead in the cold, we encountered mountainous terrain that only our team spirit could guide us through. Fortunately, we were also blessed with some days of clear blue sunny skies and magnificent scenery that is unmatched to 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 be only be found in this part of the world, we could not ask 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 achievement. It has been an experience that we can never forget. The bonds forged, the journey shared will always remain etched in our heart as a memorable moment in our lives.

On behalf of Team Zero Limits 2008, we would like to thanks all those who have given us their support. Singapore Management University and 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; The North Face for providing the best equipment to deal with the challenging weather; Limar for sponsoring the world's lightest helmets; and Skins compression garments for helping in our recovery. Not forgetting the many people out there, including Office of Corporate Communications for helping us get 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 you, for without you people, Zero Limits would just be an unrealized dream.

Zero Limits 2008 – we have conquered Alaska.

James Ng - Team Leader Zero Limits 2008