Lael's FKT on the Alaska Pipeline

Four feet wide and carried five above the ground by a seemingly endless series of stanchions, the Alaska Pipeline is, for most of its 800-mile route, the only mark humanity has made on the pristine wilderness of this last frontier. The only mark, that is, except for the road that accompanies the pipeline on its long journey south from the Arctic outpost of Prudhoe Bay to the terminal at Valdez.

For born-and-bred Alaskan Lael Wilcox, this remote road has always held a special interest. In fact, she’s ridden most of it before. But this summer, she set out to set a Fastest Known Time, FKT, on the route, bringing an additional source of energy to a road usually dedicated to serving the fossil fuel infrastructure. By pushing herself, she hopes to encourage other riders, wherever they live, and however long they’ve been riding, to do the same.

Created by an all-female crew, this latest episode of Rapha Gone Racing shows how Lael got on in the Alaskan wilderness while attempting to set an FKT and having fun along the way. The film confirms that Lael is indeed quicker than crude oil in the pipeline.