Team thebackpacker.com Adventure Racing

“Look on the far right side of your screen to see the newest addition to the site.

THANKS MATT!”

“Cool deal. Kick some butt!”

“So that's why Bunnet's not doing the eco this year! He heard Team TheBackpacker.com was being formed and was afraid they'd be too much of a ringer for his race!

Thanks a lot Matt. Joe’s really been busting his ass for sponsorship and it’s awesome that you helped out in such a big way.

I think Joe should have some t shirts made so Tters can buy them to help support the team (there‘s still plenty of costs left uncovered). Maybe something like “Trail Talk World Domination Tour 2005. Taking over the world one race at a time.”, or “Trail Talk World Domination Tour 2005. Today the [insert race]; tomorrow Rodale Press!”, or Dhutch’s idea, “Trail Talk Support Ho”.”

“I just now noticed that and wanted to post...then I saw your post. Congrats!! That's so cool.”

“WooHoo!! Cool !”

“Sweet!”

“Very nice. What's the race schedule?”

“I noticed that last night... I thought I missed something.

Sounds awesome, good luck!
last edited: 3/12/05 10:33:05 AM”

“Awesome.”

“This is very very cool, good luck guys!”

“Saw it last night too - thats cool! Kudos to Matt for sponsoring and to you guys for raceing!

Keep us all posted on your races.”

“Nice!”

“MM, our schedule is as follows
Apr 30 Spring Fury 8 hr race S.E. Michigan. Three of us are doing this race (Jake has a kayak race he wins annually so he wont be there). Dhutch and Jeff are a co-ed team I will race solo (no 3 person division) but we all will work as a team. Sort of a preliminary or shake down race.

May 14 Hocking Appalachin Adventure 16hr race. So far Jake and I are doing this as solos (I will be using the sites name instead of my onw) with Nigal and Upluver joining us to work on support stuff. This is a great race that'll have a 20 mile paddle leg (my favorite discipline) and lots of urban navigation. Location is Southern Ohio

June 1-5 Michigan Coast to Coast a 250mile 77 hour race across the state of Mi. This is the biggy, fully suported expedition style race. 120m bikes 50-60m paddle 50-60m trek with ropes, pack rafting and orienteering along the way. Starts on lake Mi (Frankfurt) ends ???? we'll find out the night before at the briefing.

There may be more races as the season progresses, not sure yet. Thanks for the well wishes! we are all really excited and motivated (and really tired somedays). We'd love to have a TT contingent to experience this with us...”

“Very cool! Thanks Matt and great job birch!
Racing season is almost upon us, we're ready!

Bring it on!”

“Cool! Good luck and have fun!”

“Excellent. Good luck to team thebackpacker.com!”

“Excelente!
12 oz. curls in yer honor.
Ooooo... I'm feeling the burn.”

“Thanks gojo, back at ya.

Not enough can be said about our support crew for this race. Of course you know Nigal and UPLover. They'll be such fun! We also now have birch's sister and an adventure racing friend Stefan.

Thanks guys, this is a real commitment and you are so appreciated!”

“races in 6,8 and 10 weeks...geeze that is soon. Maybe I'll go running.”

“4 weeks to the Spring Fury

8 weeks to the Coast 2 Coast!

Training hard. Anyone want to keep me company on a 4 1/2 hour run/trek/kayak workout this Saturday? ;-) Ok, what about pacing Birch and I on our 3 1/2 hour bike on Sunday??

Just published is that Adventure Sports Magazine will be at the Michigan Coast to Coast race as part of their season tour. Salomon will also be attending. These are big names in the Adventure Racing world. I guess we're in the big time now! :-)”

“Go for it Team TT!”

“Good luck!”

“hey Dhutch-- Who's on your team?”

“Pinkbubelz - See the TEAM thebackpacker.com button to the right of this page just above Latta outdoors. Click and see. :-)”

“dhutch is dbomb and birch is, ... birch is, ... ummm, birch, ... awfugedaboutit!”

“Very cool..I enjoy watching Eco Challenges and races of that ilk..I had a bit of a reading glitch..at first, I though Pinkbubelz was on the team (inset goofy face here)..

What does an "assistant navigator" do, exactally? I've seen so many teams go awry I'd think navigation a primary, and very important, task skill..

I admire you both for enjoying the effects of dopamine...may you thrive and prosper (Bill's watching Star Trek on the telly..sorry)
last edited: 3/31/05 11:38:48 AM”

“If Jeff goes blind, I take over???

Everyone technically has a job but the lines are very blurry. Teamwork through concensus usually works the best until someone is walking in their sleep. Then, the people that are awake get to make the decisions. evil snicker (picture Birch following the team with underwear on his head) Really Joe, it seemed necessary at the time!

Actually Jeff and I will be the primary route choosers and responsible for plotting out the required course on blank topos they give us. We have to make sure the team get's to the right place to punch our passport in the quickest, most effective way. Once on the course, Jeff and I will make sure we are sticking to that route. It is prudent to have at least 2 people following progress on the maps because when sleep deprived, senses are dulled and judgement can/will falter. It really doesn't matter if everyone is in tip top shape and moving fast if they are going in the wrong direction. (sort of like my golf balls)

I've also volunteered to be the primary whiner, complainer and requisite female.

Joe is doing a great job organizationally. He's been making sure we have all forms filled out, race updates distributed and equipment information organized.

Nigal and UPlover are all over the support team thing and will be working with Joe's sister and Stefan to get our gear from transition to transition, scoute route choices and recommend changes if necessary. (No guys that road actually takes you over a cliff!) They are prepared to do what it takes to help us move efficiently.

Man, I love this stuff!”

“Ahhh, but over the cliff is so much shorter ...”

“this is the coolest thing going on TT right now.


you guys rock.”

“Thanks for the explanation, dhutch..I never thought about how routes were chosen..I didn't know you received blank topos and had to choose your own path..I thought there were set trails teams followed..

You take care of yourselves..the last challenge I saw had one participant fall and get killed in the Cascades..very sad but, he was doing what he loved...

I think I speak for many when I say we at TT are really proud of you...this is so cool!”

“mataharihiker, regarding maps...its like dhutch said blank maps with certain areas being off limits to travel. Having D and Jeff as navigators puts us in a great position they are both very experienced and competent, their role is the most critical. Running in circles really fast may be fun but wont win it for us LOL.

I think that wearing my underbritches on my head really may be what sets our team apart. I will do my part to help....

Adventure Sports Mag will also be covering the race at Hocking on May 14th, very cool.

The new prizes are out too, very generous indeed...


Overall Prize Winners - 1st through 5th Place
1st Place $4000.00 Cash
4 Pair of Salomon Shoes
4 Articles of Rail Riders Apparel
4 Pair of Smartwool Socks
Free Entry into the 2006 Michigan C2C
2nd Place $2500.00 Cash
4 Pair of Salomon Shoes
4 Pair of Smartwool Socks
3rd Place $1500.00 Cash
4 Pair of Salomon Shoes
4 Pair of Smartwool Socks
4th Place 4 $50.00 Moosejaw Gift Certificates
4 Pair of Salomon Shoes
5th Place 4 Pair of Salomon Shoes
4 Pair of Seal Skinz
Stage Winners - Fastest Time in each Stage
1st Stage 4 Sets of Petzl Ascenders from Planet Rock
2nd Stage 4 Lendal Kayak Paddles
3rd Stage 4 Sets of Jet Lites Bike Lites
4th Stage 4 Pair of Salomon Shoes & Backpacks
5th Stage 4 High Gear Watches
6th Stage 1 Nemo Tent & 4 High Gear Digital Compasses”

“ooh-h..prizes..I asked about the navigation because, from my limited knowledge, this is a crucial component for a winning team...I've watched many teams lose because they took the wrong path..carrying a bike through thickets is just no fun!

I think your commitment to the team is impressive, birch...I'm proud to share a forum with someone who will wear his underbritches on his head for the team! Whatta man!
last edited: 3/31/05 6:13:21 PM”

“I have yet to do a race where I didnt make a navigational error. Its an inevitability in my opinion (unless you are Ian Adamson I geuss), having two good navigators and an invovled team (knowing the big picture and individual sections) is a big help. The thing I look forward to the most is the cooperation through 77 hours of pushin, watching and helping each other as we all go through the inevitable lowest of lows and experiencing the absolute joy of completion. I expect I will learn more about these 3 people in three days then I will know about others in so many years. I am as giddy as a school girl!”

“Definitely sounds like a great time. I wish both of you luck.

I am hoping to be ready to try my first race at the Summer Groove or maybe one of the River Rat races. Wished I could find a teamate(s).”

“extrudinator, if you need a teammate, go to the infiterrasports message board and there is a teammate finder thread, it may help. Good luck! You'll love it.”

“Extrudinator - See you at the Groove. Always looking for training buddies to keep me company through the miles and hours of biking/kayaking/running/trekking. Send an e-mail, check for it in my profile. Birch is right, check out infiterrasports.com for teammates. There's always someone looking to race.

Also check out Southern Michigan Orienteer Club. They have some meets coming up if you want to practice the nav.

Have fun, train hard, be safe!”

“Just an added note. Only shanedoggy thinks running in circles really really fast is fun. It just makes me dizzy :-]”

“It just makes me dizzy :-]”
Isn't that your normal state??? :p~~”

“Dhutch & Birch you are going kayaking on Saturday? Has the lakes opened up yet on the westside or are you going on the river. As of Tuesday Stoney Creek still had about 80% ice coverage.
Train on, and we will see you at the races.”

“It's our little secret ;-)”

“Ooops forgot why I brough the thread up.

Extrudinator - there are teams looking for Spring Fury racers right now on the website. Often injuries or just unforeseen things happen, if you really want to race, get your name out there.

btw - Hi ER”

“The status of the ice on the lake is a secret? OK?”

“Nope, but where we'll kayak is.”

“I see if you say they is still ice on the lake then that means that you are paddling the river. Therefore giving away your secret.
You have issues”

“Big secret reveled!!!
The lake is free of ice according to park officials.”

“ER - This is a public forum. You are free to ask. A ;-) means kidding, please refer to my original response. Why do you push? Don't bother responding to this rhetorical question because I've put you on ignore.

Everyone has "issues". Mine is with you and your snide comments. They usually end up with a direct statement about your opinion of me. Last time you pi$$ed me off I think you called me crazy?? Thanks for sharing. But this is not the place.

Bye Bye”

“dhutch and birch, thanks for the advice. I will check the infiterra message board for people looking for teamates.”

“Tomorrow morn begins the teams first race of the season. Dhutch and Jeff are racing co-ed two person, I am racing solo (no 3 person teams). It'll be interesting to see the payoff for the training, I am super geeked. I have been pavked all week. Took a day off to tie up loose ends and to head up for camping tonite.

click http://www.infiterrasports.com/05fury.htm for info.

Oughtta be a blast! 100% chance of rain, high of 49 degrees.

We'll post reports and pics as soon as we have em.”

“Good luck guys! I'm sure you'll dig deep down and get the job done in spades! :)”

“Great..you guys have a BLAST! It's cool to know someone who actually DOES that stuff..well, "know" is a bit ambitious but, you know what I mean..or at least, I hope you do..again, good luck!;)”