ENTRIES & START ORDER
What's 2026 entry limit?  We plan 50, but will accept more to allow attrition.
How about auto & cycle balance?  Likely 60% autos 40% cycles.
How do I reserve a spot?  We may hold space briefly based on an e-mail, but entry is not confirmed till we have a deposit and entry form.  Even if co-driver & vehicle say "tba", send a form!
How are starting numbers assigned?  Early entries get lower numbers, but some are reserved for past winners, sponsors, press and long-time entrants.  Final numbers will be confirmed late July.
Who starts first, cars or bikes?  For desert races it's usually bikes, but we start autos first:
  * More autos have rally experience, and with co-drivers are less likely to miss a turn.
  * Serious dust isn't likely but gravel & mud are, and this puts sweep vehicles closer.

ROUTE BOOKS & GPS
What route book formats are available?  Printed route instructions show mileage at each. but no "Alpine" diagrams (here's a 2022 sample)  There are 2 route formats, all receive copies of #1, and #2 is available:
  1)  8 1/2" x 11" with one staple in the top left corner
  2)  6" x 11" intended for a scrolling holder like the Touratech RB-01.  (We supply pages, you tape as needed).   
Do cycles need a scrolling roadbook holder?  The entire route book will be about 28 pages, roughly 3 per day.  It's your choice, but a Touratech or Aerostich Map Case would probably work.
How far in advance do teams get daily roadbooks?  You'll receive the entire route at registration, and a Day 1 route pdf will be available a week in advance.
Where can I find more GPS info?  Try these links from Touratech USA (Cycloactive) in Seattle:
  http://www.touratech-usa.com/instl/instl_GPSroute.html
  http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/extras_gps/mapsource_instr.html
  http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/default.htm

VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
How much gear will cycles need to carry?  Support vehicles will transport 40# of clothing & parts for each cycle, plus 2 spare tires, with "overnight" bags readily available.  Staff also has StarLink and local contact lists.
How about additional lights?  Don't bother unless you plan long days driving home. Daylight hours are still about 6am - 9pm with no night driving planned
What kind of vehicle do you recommend?  Summer choices are wide open.  Look for comfort, fuel range, and ease of maintenance.  If it isn't mainstream, ring important spare parts.  Avoid low profile factory tire & wheel options which ride rough and fail quickly, and carry two spares!  For reserve capability and less preparation try an SUV or truck, but lifted & lowered vehicles are both strongly discouraged. 
What kind of cycle?  There are no "technical" sections that favor smaller bikes so any good dual-sport could work.  For opinions, join our Facebook group and check old postings..

GENERAL
I'm new to rallying, what should I read?  An excellent general rally book is "The Road Rally Handbook" by Clint Goss.
What are the risks?  We've had just one serious injury in 41 years, but even a small one spoils fun and multiple autos have been badly damaged or left behind. This event involves 300,000 vehicle miles, and caution is expected of everyone.
How much help can I expect?  Our first concern is safety, equipment is second.  In practice this means radios, planning, a "buddy system", and capable teams & officials make quick response normal, but there may not be enough resources to spend hours on a broken vehicle.  At a minimum, expect a ride or tow to commercial help.
When is the next Alcan?  Usually every even numbered year. Our next Alcan is September 2026, next Alcan Winter Rally February 2028.

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Old cycle advice from Skip Faulkner.   Skip is an enthusiast from Montana.  He's lived in Alaska, been dual-sport touring for 30 years, ran the 2002 Alcan, and done Alcan Highway five times on bikes.  Skip was our first cycle entrant in 2002 & 2004, and the one who first proposed a cycle class. "Here is a small list of recommendations for the cycle entrants. This is not a complete list , nor am I wanting to preach to the choir. This is to help the cycle entrants who've never made a ride like this and /or ridden in the areas we will be in. Most is common sense or derived from several Alcan trips I`ve made".  * Proper engine protection (quality bash plate that will also protect lower engine sides)  * Radiator protection, and radiator line protection (ruptured one on my 01' Dakar this summer in B.C.)  * Headlight protection  * Fork gators  * Some exhaust header tubes have been cracked due to gravel  * Slime in tires (there are mixed views on the use of Slime but I`ve used it for over 70,000+ miles of mixed riding from Moab to Alaska)  * Good tire repair kit with good aluminum irons  * Quality chain cleaner and lube (the chemicals used for dust control along with clinging mud will cut your chain life in half)  * If you wear a full face helmet, get one of the finger squeegees from Rider Accessory Warehouse, you will need it to keep the mud film off on the gravel sections if the road has been sprayed.  * If you wear an open face helmet with goggles, get goggles that will accept tearoffs.  * Replacement shields for helmet and/or goggles  * Hand guards/brush busters.  Yes, the gravel from a passing vehicle will hit that high, and some gravel is very large.  * Tie wraps and/or duct tape - I have seen fairing sections cracked by flying rocks on two trips "This is by no means a total of what should be carried (electrical, tools, spares,etc.) but just items specific to this route. As you`ve figured out, the large gravel and the roads with dust control chemicals can do a lot of damage so it`s best to be prepared. I`ve come off the Cassiar Highway totally black with wet dust mud and have seen many a bike on these routes with broken headlights, turn signals, cracked fairings, punctured radiators, flats,etc.  This can of course be added to if I`ve left off something of vital importance. FWIW."    Skip   msfaul@digisys.net