Adventure racing

At least a couple of times a year I try to sign up for adventure races. These multidisciplinary races utilize map and compass navigation while running, biking, and paddling between checkpoints. Here I am studying maps in preparation for my second solo 24-hour race.

Getting ready

Clue sheets and a series of maps are studied and then laminated in preparation for the elements they are sure to endure. Races happen rain or shine and there is a high level of route choice when navigating over large expanses.

Starting line transport

Sometimes a bus transports racers to a previously undisclosed start location - such was the case here.

23 1/2 hours later...

I made it to the finish, with the end of the race being a fun rolling downhill bike down a ski slope trail. I spent awhile absolutely lost on hilltops in the foggy woods in the middle of the night but my bailout navigation miraculously ran me right into the trail I had so desperately been searching for. I also learned how much I like caffeinated stroopwafels in the middle of the night. Yum.

The finish

Time to sign up for the next one. Any takers? The races are typically done in teams of 2 to 4 racers who must remain together throughout the entire race, though I do some races solo when I can't convince anyone to race with me.