attention Adventure racing fans...

“Starting today the subaru primal quest race begins. Its 450+ mile course and you can watch progress of teams at www.subaruprimalquest.com. Be patient when view,lots of web traffic makes it slow.

No eco-challenge for the duration. This is the biggy now. The total purse is $250,000. Oughtta be a good one. ENJOY!”

“thanks dude”

“I bet a $25.00 donation to Relay for Life that you don't even finish.”

“Pardon my lack of knowledge what happened to the ecochallenge?”

“LOL @ bacpac, I have no delutions of my abilities. I wouldnt enter the primalquest for a million reasons...


Tango, from what i have read about the eco-challenge I have actually been able to find one solid answer. The most common answer seems to be that Mark Burnett has shifted his focus to more reality TV shows like "the apprentice" and "the restaurant" and "survivor". He has always made it clear that a huge part of eco-challenge for him was the "product" it would be. From my understanding it was about money primarliy. He and his people are savvy and know what america wants like survivor. Sadly the 2003 Eco-nationals/qualifier just passed recently and traditionally the winner gets a slot in the big Eco-Challenge race. This year the inner got $2500 and a handshake. Its pretty much understood that Eco is one for sometime, maybe forever.

The guy to watch now is the director and founder of Primalquest. This is only the second year of the race and it has a sport record for cash winnings. He setup this race with 4 friends and private funding only. He only asked Subaru after all the details were done and the race was a go. He is also a racer and a d@mn good one. He has a record for 4 100mile ultramarathons run in just over 78hrs and did the eco in 2000 or 2001 and 7 days later competed in another 7 day race (the raid,or southern traverse,I forget), he was 5th or 6th in both. He knows his stuff and will probably do much to please traditionalists and purists as he is a "racers racer".

Anywho it oughtta be fun to follow the race....”

“Good stuff. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Thanks for the info...I had been going to the ecochallenge website, waiting to see where the race was this year. There isn't any info about not having a race this year.”

“Tango, for some great info and lots of fun reading look into getting a copy of "adventure sports magazine". It came out this march and is an EXCELLENT publication dedicated to multisport racing. Its written by racers themselves and is written for people of all experience levels. I love it.”

“Cool Birch, thanks for the info. I was thinking about that site this morning while having my coffee! Too bad about the Eco Challenge. Now all we need is some real coverage of the sport.”

“birch is the mag only once a year?”

“10 issues per year, for about $14.97.”

“thanks I'll look for it.”

“Just read "Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth" by Martin Dugard. Not as much actual race commentary as I would have liked but excellent commentary just the same. He was a reporter covering the Raid and ended up participating. If you're in to it, it's a good read.”

“Great book Dhutch! One of my favs.”

“Damn, cancel that Christmas gift order!”

“Well, the next race is on Saturday. Infiterrasports December Chill (see Adventure Sports issue for a brief write up) 8 hours. 20-25 miles mountain biking, orienteering, canoeing and a huge zip line. My training has not been consistent and I do not feel ready but the entry is in and I cannot let my partner down. Birch is generously lending me his creation, a binke mounted map holder. Stay tuned for gear review.

Weather forecast: snow and 31 degrees. WooHoo! Trail biking in the snow? Goal: to survive.”

“Kick some ass, D!”

“The Ultimate Adirondacks race is coming up in a few weeks and it's gonna be a real hum-dinger (I don't even know what that means)!

Not racing? Injured? Wanna see the beauty of the Adirondacks AND participate in the race? Then volunteer and show your support for the racers and help make this race a big success. What's in it for you? You'll receive a Tek T
-shirt, dinner on Saturday night and an invitation to Sunday's post race event which includes prizes and food. And the race director has promised to lavish you with thanks and hugs too. The love doesn't stop there. If a NYARA member volunteers at one of the Ultimate races in the series, they will offer you a 25% discount on a future Ultimate race. If you volunteer at 2
events you will receive a 50% iscount. If you volunteer at all three events, you'll be offered a 100% discount from a race next year. Please note that the discount is on an individual basis-not a team.

And for those of you that haven't registered for the race, remember that NYARA members are entitled to a 10% discount. Yes, your NYARA membership comes through for you once again.

So where do you sign up, you ask? You can call our good friend Marty at 866-303-RACE and tell him, "I WANNA VOLUNTEER DUDE!

For more information or to register for any of the Ultimate Adventure Series races, please go to: www.ultimate-race.com.”

“Cool Fritz. I highly recommend volunteering for one of these events if you are interested in doing one some day. I learned a ton that way. And it's fun!”

“http://infiterrasports.com/pics/2004fury/images/DSCF0388.jpg

this is adventure racing? Looks more like Birch is at a picnic ;)”

“lmfao! This was after the race! That chair looks comfy.”

“bump

btw that's the little birchandsassling in blue behind him! What a doll.”

“bump, hoping Birch sees this”

“What a wonderful picture, lol.”

“OK, so this weekend:

15 hours
50-60 miles biking (uuuuuggghhhh!)
10+ miles canoeing
6-12 miles of orienteering/trekking (more if you get lost)

3 person coed team, "Dude...where's the checkpoint"

All in the beautiful Michigan Manistee area that many of you know so well.

I'M GEEEEEEEKED!!!
why am I so excited to put my body through this punishment? I think they have doctors for this!”

“Cool! Good luck, it sounds like fun! Don't worry, you're probably sane--some people play golf on weekends.”

“lol aero! You're right, I'm fine.

Oh and 48 hours beforehand for gear prep, map prep and strategy.

Adventure racing=justification to own LOTS of gear ;-)”

“Good luck and have fun!

I've always been interested in adventure racing - watching that is, hehe...
I admire those of you with the guts to go out and do it!”

“Go Dhutch go!”

“Good luck Dhutch! (Please don't hurt yourself) Have fun and GO FAST!”

“Hey D, did you get the SMAC email about the July race? (Carry ALL your food and water and gear)”

“I probably got it at home? Did it confirm registrations for the gearsluts?

lol. The only thing I can think of is my favorite advertisement. There's the guy standing behind some SUV with a 10 ft pile of gear on his back including a kayak, snowboard, several backpacks.....it cracks me up every time.”

“No, I still haven't gotten anything in the way of confirmation. It does say that July 3 is the cutoff for the lower price registration.

And it did say everything except the canoe and bike (so I hope we don't have to take the paddle and helmet)”

“Me too. Helmets aren't so bad, but paddles would just be a bear.

My explorer is loaded to the brim with gear! Hope I remembered everything. Didn't bring the kitchen sink but the table just barely fit. lol”

“Good luck, Dhutch! Don't break nuthin!”

“where is the trip report??”

“Me too, I'm waitin'.....”

“It's next weekend folks. Wait one more week. =)”

“Or are you waiting for Dhutch's TR? YEAH! Where is that trip report? (taps foot impatiently)”

“Here goes:

4:30 pm Friday arrived at the campground in beautiful Whitehall, MI. No phone signal so I set up camp, bike maintenance area and a "headquarters canopy", took a shower and set off to find a phone signal and food. Around 6:30 my teammates arrived and we registered and at 8:30 attended the race briefing where we recieved a set of 10 topos along with some race instructions. At around 9:30 arrived back at camp to prep maps and route courses. 3 hours later, there was a game plan, maps were highlighted and laminated, notes were organized and mandatory gear was checked. I insisted that my truck be loaced with our transition bag and paddling gear. After confirming that 4 alarms had been set by the guys for a wake up call at 2:30 am, I dressed in my race attire and went to catch about 2 hours of sleep. Race time 4 am, instructions to be at the start no later than 3:30 am.

DIANE, WAKE UP, WE'RE LATE.... My teammates had set alarms in another tent and overslept. "HOW LATE....HOW LATE..." "It's 3:45" I jumped out of bed and knew that I was fully prepared. But my teammates had failed to dress before bed and were scurrying for additional gear???? We drove around and caught the last organizer's vehicle on his way out of the canoe livery where the race was to start. Adrenaline was pumping and I was fighting to gain a semblance of composure. We were lucky they let us start. I was starving, no breakfast, no coffee!!!

We headed off, a lone canoe in pitch darkness along the White River, swollen over it's banks by recent rains. With only headlamps to light our way, it was a terrifying experience dodging rocks, submerged trees and paddling a route. Scott, got dumped once (don't know how, Asher and I managed to stay in the canoe) Otherwise it was tense but uneventful. We passed a team that had real trouble and was alone and fighting their way down the river. We stayed with them out of necessity for safety until dawn began to break.

A sigh of relief was breathed by all as the sun rose in glorious fashion and we had our first glimpse of the landscape. Stunning. 10 miles and 3 hours later we had captured cp1 and were pulling out at cp2 for a transition to bikes. Once on our bikes the cold that had penetrated our bodies was reinforced by the winds as we headed off down a rails to trails route for 15 miles. It was my savior as it was fairly flat and fast. The route at that point was straightforward and we headed to Rothsbury where we would exit the trail and the true navigation would begin.

Off the bike trails we soon realized what the wind can do with sand off the big lake. Massive hills and sandy dirt roads and trails slowed us considerably. Much was unridable due to 6 or more inches of sand on the trails and two tracks. The decision had been good to switch tires to "smoothies" (?) but it made several of the miles pretty slow. Made cp7 by around 9 where we trasitioned to orienteering over the sand dunes, down in to the forest and coasteered up the shores of Lake Michigan. All the time reveling in our surroundings, the navigation went well, but I almost blew off a dune or two. Free dermabrasion provided by gusty windblown sand.

Reaching cp 17 coming off the dunes to grab water and head off to a second orienteering leg. Mandatory was capturing 2 cp's out of the 9 before us. We got 4 and checked time. A deadline for time management purposes had us heading back to the bikes at 3. It was disappointing not to go for all cp's but if we did not return to the starting line by 7 it meant a DNF. With 27 miles of biking left. It was the right and only thing to do. By 4 we were back on our bikes and I felt suprisingly strong. Yes, my legs were not what they had been in the morning, but we did not ride any sandy trails. Hitting all of our cp's on the way we arrived at cp30 exactly at our self imposed deadline of 5:15. Just under 2 hours to go with only 8 miles left to bike, I wanted to hit optional cp31. One of the guys was bonked and against my wishes, we rode towards home. Still riding strong, we hit the finish line at 6ish and had completed the Infiterrasports Summer Fury.

Overall, I'm happy with the race, a late start could've completely derailed many teams and forced bad decision making. There's always something to be learned. Yes we had an extra hour, no we shouldn't have gotten more cp's in the wooded second orienteering section (where compasses were not working properly?) and yes, we should have gone for cp31 with the extra hour but it wasn't worth dissent in the team.

1. Never, rely on any one else to wake you up on time.

2. Actually appoint a team captain to insure that everyone is prepared properly

3. Transitions for a sprint race should only take 5-6 minutes. (it isn't a "break" guys) this should be discussed beforehand so that everyone is working on the same expectation. The captain should enforce this and if anyone needs assistance, they should allow it to happen.

4. More preparation for navigating would include understanding how long it takes to walk in the terrain. Our first several orienteering cp's could've been measured and we would not have understood more about our rate of travel on the dunes. One team member should be responsible for keeping track of that time in relation to distance.

IF I race with this team again, we're going to call ourselves, "The sleeping beauties"

All in all a great race, with wonderful vistas and important learnings. An overall success, although we may have ranked fairly poorly.”

“BTW - sorry this didn't get posted yesterday. I was pretty tired after my drive home and putting away all my gear.”

“Anytime Diane puts on spandex shorts there can be no losers. We are all winners!

Congrats Dhutch! :)”

“Wow, great trip report dhutch! Sounds like you had fun even with a few glitches. I imagine it would take a while racing with the same team before getting the kinks worked out.

congrats!”

“Hey dhutch, sounds a little disappointing but overall, a fun and educational experience that you should be PROUD of. Congrats!

I think AR's (MUCH more than other kinds of races, even tri's) reward a fair amount of experience because there are so many opportunities for glitches.”

“Yeah, Kinks can be worked out. The learning is the important thing. This was a lesson in not only discussing overall race goals but detailed expectations of how we would acheive them as individuals on the team.

It's all about the fun....painful, beautiful, exausting fun!”

“"It's all about the fun....painful, beautiful, exausting fun!"

Hey! I thought we were talking about AR here? Why bring sex into it?”

“lol @ Nigal! Keep in mind folks this is the guy who has the delusion that I actually look good in bike shorts!”

“Congratulations Diane! Another finish is something to be proud of. Good job!”

“Great job Diane! You have ptu the "adventure" back in racing for sure LOL!

Next Sat for my big race of the season.”

“Hope you got all packed despite my interruption last night Birch!

You are so prepared..this is going to be a great race for you no matter what. There may be a way for me to still show up. Regardless, have a great time.

Just keep moving forward :-P”