Adventure Racing

I've been asked multiple times to join teams for an adventure race, but for some reason or another was never able to do it. I finally got my chance last weekend. Stephen Regenold (of www.thegearjunkie.com) my adventure journalist partner, old pal Stanley (whom I met on North Dakota's Mah Dah Hey trail in '06), and a friend of his, Stephanie embarked on a 6.5 hour race.

First we started on foot, reading maps, orienteering our way to checkpoints. We ran through groves of saplings, swamps, rocky ravines and more. Length: Approx. 6 miles.

Then we were routed to a creek. We hiked/ran up the creek, hitting checkpoints along the way. The creek wound through several huge culverts that were dark and dripping. As if hiking through a creek is not hard enough, try turning out the lights! This was actually a favorite part of the race for me.

When the creek dead-ended at a 80' waterfall, we climbed out of the creek and onto bicycles. We rode roughly 12 miles on the road to a river.

At the river we loaded our bikes into a truck, grabbed 2 inflatable kayaks, paddles, and set off for 6 miles of wet drudgery. Not really. My legs were welcoming the rest and the day was perfect for a paddle. Hot, but not too hot. The water felt good. River was s bit low, so there were some short portages.

Upon reaching the 6 mile point we exited the water and grabbed our bikes for another few miles of road biking that would bring us to Mount Kato - a ski hill that has singletrack trails all over it. We rode 8 or 9 miles of singletrack, hitting checkpoints along the way. Another 4-5 miles of road biking to the finish point.

We were the second co-ed, 4 person team to show, but a missed optional checkpoint bumped us into 3rd when the team behind us made it to the finish with their time bonus. Dern. We had to settle for 3rd place. For a first race, I was happy enough. It was super fun to be in the woods and wild all day. There was suffering and cramps to be sure, but it was too fun to dwell on the negatives.

I might get into another one of these this year - I'll post if I do.

***Not sure who to credit photos to. Someone borrowed Stephen's camera. If you want credit, stand up.

The Ragnarok 105 race

Tomorrow I am leaving my home at 5:00am in order to get to Redwing, MN in time for the start of the Ragnarok 105. It is not a very conventional race. It is as much an adventure race as a bicycle race. Riders must bring enough water and food for the duration of the race and cannot accept outside support in any way. It follows as many gravel roads (especially hilly ones) as the race directors could find. So, it is neither a road race, nor a mtn bike race. Racers are given "tulip" notes - a sort of simplified map to follow, and all of us are really hoping not to get off course. Every mile you ride in the wrong direction must be retraced. Add that to the 105 miles of normal race course and you get a REALLY long ride. Last years winners finished in a little over 8 hours. I hope to finish within 10. I am hopefully not as slow as that goal suggests, but am riding a single-speed bike and will cover ground a little slower than those with a full set of gears. Think - Tortoise and hare.

I am going to carry a small camera and hopefully get a few shots of the race course. It should be beautiful! Southern, river valley Minnesota is easy on the eyes. Lake City is like a little paradise tucked away in the hills. I just hope that the blinding pain will subside long enough for me to take a few images. I will post whatever I end up with sometime later this week.

To learn more about the "Race", click here.