Hello Racers, Hope all of you are getting excited for the race. We’ve got a great route planned for ya. We’re planning on a loop course. Throughout it, you’ll be canoeing over fast waters, trekking through wet hilly terrain, and biking on a scenic trail. There is still about 20” of snow in the woods (as of 25 March 08) and the ground will be saturaded with water come end of April. This means the river will be running strong, the bike trail will be muddy, and you’ll encounter many ephemeral streams at full flow throughout you orienteering. It’s going to be a great race for the spring. Keep an eye on the weather before you come on down so you'll be able to properly dress. Keep in mind that race start is 7:15 and registration will start at 5:45.
There is lodging available in the area of the race start and in Philips. Right near the race start where the Flambeau River crosses Cty Hwy W Big Bear Lodge offers cabins for rent ($55 for 2 people up to $90 for six); so check out their website for reservations (http://www.bigbearlodgeww.com/). Big Bear is providing both our canoes and catering at the end of the race. In Philips there are many hotels (click hotels for a list to choose from).
As I eluded to earlier, canoes will be provided for teams. This will allow for everyone to be on a level playing field. Regular paddles and life vest will also be provided for all as well, but if you wish to use your own paddle or a more comfortable life jacket then bring it along. We’ll make sure everyone gets their gear back.
Just a little more info on the course…There will be some substantial orienteering on foot where you’ll be navigating over and/or around streams, hills, and swamps. We’ll be using a combination of aerial photos and topography maps for this race to capitalize on these features. Throughout the course we’ll have a variety of team challenges and gear checks to keep your mind sharp and your preparation honest. We’ll be driving your bikes to a remote location so make sure you snap your bike helmet to your bike before you drop off your bike for transport. Click on Connors Lake to get a map of how to reach the start/finish area of the race. On the morning of the race, I’ll introduce you to all of the volunteers and give a very detailed course description. There is one secret I’ll shed right now that you’ll want to keep in mind for the race. We’ll once again have the rule that teams will get 1 minute subtracted off their total time for every piece of garbage they pick up (limit 20 pieces). However, the teams who get the most or all of the checkpoints will be place above all others regardless of time.
Lastly, we have this race sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA). This means that all racers must purchase or show proof of insurance (by membership card) on the morning of the the race. Your options are as follows: purchase a single event license ($8/racer) for the 2008 Timber Wolf Adventure Race; or purchase a one year USARA membership for $35 a racer (includes one year subscription to the Adventure World Magazine, and easy registration for other USARA events in that year. Remember ALL RACERS MUST PURCHASE USARA LICENSE (1 YEAR OR SINGLE EVENT) ON THE MORNING OF THE RACE. Sorry if I scared you with my bold all caps writing...just wanted to make it clear :-)
Any questions, don't hesitate to email me at mhalv839@uwsp.edu. or just make a comment here.
Thanks and keep working out hard,
Mark Halvorson
President
Adventure Racing Club
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2009 Pictures!
15 years ago
10 comments:
Was wondering if anyone knows what order the race goes in? do you do biking first, or is a suprise on race day?
Definately a surprise to wait for on race day.
~Mark Halvorson
Are you responding to emails regarding race questions? I've sent two, the latest on Monday, 4/7, and neither have been returned?
I didn't recieve them in my inbox and just found them in my junk email. Don't know how that happened. I'll get you some answers and post them here on the blog.
1. In adventure races with canoeing that I've done in the past, most racers use kayaking paddles. Can you tell me if there's anything specific about the canoeing section that would make kayaking paddles more difficult to use than canoe paddles (narrow sections, rocks, etc.)?
I would say there aren't any hinderances or anything else that would make kayak paddles tougher to use. I personally would use kayak paddles, you just go a little faster.
2. You mention "getting gear back" if we bring out own paddles and life vests (canoe or kayak). Does this imply we won't need to carry them at any time during the race?
You wouldn't have to carry the specific canoe gear that you brought (i.e. life jacket, or paddle). You just would need these while canoeing.
3. You mention signing up for USARA at the race. This may sound obvious, but I'm assuming we can sign up prior to the race and just show proof at the race? It's just one of thos things I'd rather not worry about the morning of the race.
Well, we just have paper forms for everyone to fill out. If you'd like for me to mail them to you, just give me your address. But, I takes less than 5 minutes to complete and you may be able to fill them out while waiting in line anyway.
4. In the description of the race, you mention a "ropes element", but there's nothing in the gear list that would indicate this. Is there a ropes section and, if so, how should we prepare?
We'll have ample gear for a large capacity of people. I know the manager of the climbing wall at our college. but you're right on the fact there's nothing to cue you in about that. Good question. We'll have everything you need for the ropes section.
On a side note, do you expect there to be open water for canoeing? There's still a lot of ice.
Most of the river that the canoes will be floating on is currently open, that's as of today (10 april). You could canoe it now, but it'll all be off by race day. There may however be alot of snow. Rubber boots maybe a good idea just because the snow may be high and the lower areas will be very wet. Your feet will be very cold if you don't have anything that goes up high. I would suggest finding some waterproof socks that go up high. Defineatly bring some extra socks and clothes for after the race. I'll send out one last update on the blog the monday before the race to let you know how the snowmelt is coming along.
Is there any way that we would be able to get from you, an idea of the terrain conditions of the bike trail portion as well as the running/ orienteering trail conditions of the 2008 Timberwolf Adventure Race coming up on April 26th?
Our team would like to prepare as far a certain items of gear such as trail shoes, etc.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Kyle Brady
Answer:
The terrain will be mostly moderately hilly. This area has less dramatic hills than the driftless and the Kettle Moraine areas of Wisconsin, but there area still frequently occuring throughout the terrain. I tried to pick areas with more terrain (for orienteering purposes), but there will be a small portion of flat areas which you'll need to hike and/or run across by trail. Expect the bike trail to be muddy and littered with puddles of standing water. WARNING: Don't drink the water!!
just wanted to let everyone know we had at least 8 inches of new snow by connors lake yesterday April 11, 08, and I went snowshoeing today and I sunk down in the snow past my knees, there is lots of areas also where there is a couple of inches of water and slush under the snow. It is going to be a messy and wet race.
Julie Wirsing
Is there a Friday night pre-race meeting? Just trying to figure out what time to roll into town.
We will have the pre-race meeting on the morning of at approximately 6:30-6:45. We'll be set up to check people in at 5:00 am.
Mark
Having trouble coming up with electrolyte tablets.
Any ideas?
ANSWER:
Some stores sell actual electrolyte tablets, but if you purchase an energy bar (cliff, balance, or power bar) those will replace your electrolytes sufficiently. Candy bars (original snickers, butterfinger, etc.) will not be accepted. Take a look at the nutritional information on the energy bar and see which one get you the most vitamins.
~Mark
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