[RACE REPORT] This year’s Mt Tam Triple Crown Hill Climb was the inaugural and included a small field of local riders and runners. The event comprised 3 stages over 3 days over Labor Day weekend 2007. And each stage started in Mill Valley and end at the top of Mt Tam. It started with a mountain bike race on day 1, followed by a road race on day 2, and concluded with a trail/road run on day 3. Below is short summary of each day’s event and my MotionBased GPS digest.

Day 1, MTB
MotionBased Digest

I finished 8th out of 22 riders. The field was mixed; but the good riders were very good! The interesting thing about this race was the variety of bikes. It was as much about one’s choice of a bike as much as your fitness. There were single speeds, 29er single speeds, fixed gear single speeds, fully rigid singles speeds, cyclo-cross bikes, traditional mountain bikes. The winner rode a fully rigid single speed.

Day 2, Road Ride
MotionBased Digest

I finished 8th.again! The field was mixed; but the good riders were still very good!

Day 3, Trail Run
MotionBased Digest

The sufferfest ended with a 2.5 mile hill climb, on foot, from Mill Valley to the summit of Mt Tam. I spent 43 minutes of heart-pounding, vomit-inducing running, climbing, and scrambling to finish that stage in 5th and finish the 3 stage Triple Crown in 8th.

(Day 3 was also part of the renowned 27 year-old Mt Tam Hill Climb foot race http://www.tamalparunners.org/html/hillclimbarticle.php)

Overall, the Triple Crown was such good times. I learned more about Marin’s cycling and especially running culture and history. Very interesting!! I’ll be back next year for more suffering.

My climbing season continues with the 47 year old Mt Tam Hill Climb pro and amateur road race; followed by the more laid-back Diablo Challenge; and in the meantime the weekly Low Key Hill Climbs around the Bay Area.

Last month Jen and I were invited by Scott Gibson of Wingnutgear.com, the inventors of the MPS Alpha pack, to support them at the 2007 Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, UT. It was very last minute and I wasn’t sure if we would be able to pull it together so fast. But I was able to reroute my return business trip home and Jen was able to hop over from the Bay Area.

I arrived in SLC Friday morning and made my way over to the convention center in my sweet Pontiac Grand Am rental car.

I parked and walked up to the convention center, but words can’t describe the excitement I felt as I approached. Adventure racers are certified gear addicts. So sending one to the Outdoor Retailer show which is like an REI flagship store on steroids, could prove to be disastrous!

I opened the door and Scott was there to greet me with my badge, Jen was to arrive later that evening. When we reached the top of the stairs all I saw was gear, clothing and toys as far as the eye can see! Rows and rows and rows of STUFF.

For the rest of the day I assisted Scott at his Wingnutgear booth and demonstrated to passerby’s how we as Adventure Racers use his packs for racing. I did manage to peel off and make the rounds to check the scene out.

Buzz Burrell from La Sportiva’s Mountain Running team and our newest sponsor was there and shows us some of the new footwear for the ‘08 season. Gordon Wright, Bay Area icon for adventure racing press and the infamous BAAR BRAWL “training event” surprised me. I found Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren over at the Sole booth and was lucky enough to show up the same time one of my mountaineering idols, Ed Viestures was about to do a book signing.

Later that day Jen finally arrived and before Scott hosted a booth-beer-thirty party we made the rounds. We met lots of great people. One that stands out was Bert from Life is Good. The clothing line that you see at REI that have the little sick man on them. Bert was also having beer-thirty party. As we made our way back to the Wingnut booth we stumbled into a few more parties and an espresso café.

After the show, Scott took us and a few other gear addicts out for sushi for dinner. Turns out that Scott and a couple other had scored passes into the JanSport private party later that night. Jen and I were without the special “wristband” which could only be used once for entry. So no two-in and one-out scheme! So we made our own party down the street at the Red Rock Brewery… which looked to be full of other party rejects as well!

Saturday was more of the same. Mind bending quantities of booths, swag and things to test and play with. Even a couple rock walls and a tide pool!

I’m also including the blog post from Gordon Wright below. He the newest Checkpoint Zero author.

The first time I arrived in Salt Lake City’s Salt Palace Convention Center for Outdoor Retailer, I knew I had found a second home. Walking around was like seeing my Rolodex come to life. This year is no different.

Fellow CheckpointZero blogger Mike Bitton is here, working hard as always. Troy Farrar is making the rounds, representing adventure racing with his usual easy-going authority. I had dinner last night with Rebecca Rusch and Jon Dorn, the editor of Backpacker Magazine, to talk about our incipient plans to race in Primal Quest. Even Adam Doti, the face of adventure racing in the Bay Area and a key member of Team Dirty Avocados, is here, hitting up gear makers and generating sponsorships.

In a word, AR is well-represented. There’s been some talk recently, some hand-wringing, some whinging, about how how our sport is on the decline. To that I say: not really. Sure, it’s incredible growth hasn’t sustained itself over the past ten years, but that would be impossible. Adventure racing is now in a maturing phase, a phase that means we’ve actually made it as viable, well-known sport - at least around these people.

And these are the people who count most to our community. They’re the ones that run the retail outlets where we buy our gear. These are the people who cough up sponsorships so that we can AFFORD gear. And they’re the people who actually make the gear that we use.

I met with the two head marketing people at Wigwam, makers of killer socks, and they couldn’t have been more happy with Robin Benincasa, who has been relentless in putting out the word on her sponsor. I had a meeting with the PR maven of The North Face, Amy Goldhammer, who was pumped about her company’s new AR shoe, the Crusade. (An early look at this shoe is exciting folks - it’s a very light, really functional, grippy shoe that should really get some attention from us).

In the show’s daily magazine, they interviewed six people and asked, “Who is your Outdoor Idol?” That’s a big question, and the responses ranged from Magellen to Meriweather Lewis. But two people cited adventure racers: Rebecca Rusch and Ian Adamson.

So that, I think, shows that the exploits of racers still resonate with the people who count. So quitcher whinging and make plans to attend Outdoor Retailer next summer.

Did I mention that a ton of booths have free beer every afternoon???

- Gordon Wright 

***

I’ve heard from several people who are struggling to get it together to come out and race the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, GR24.  Here’s some reasons that all adventures racers in California and neighboring states shouldn’t miss it:

1. Team Karma is a grass roots group who promotes races because we love the sport.  Professional promoters have struggled to make ends meet finacially promoting 24 hour races.  There’s no big series by one promoter on the horizon.  Supporting grass roots events ensures the future of this great sport.
2. It’s a real 24 hour race.  No team will blow through this course in 14 hours and be home showered and in bed when the last team crosses the line.  The winners can expect to be done in no less than 19-20 hours.  Gold Rush offers route options so that all teams finish within a few hours of each other. 
3. The post race meal is well attended.  Because the winners didn’t finish 10-12 hours before the last teams most teams stay for the post race meal and awards.  Teams compare race stories and routes with other teams.  Novice teams learn from advanced teams, and teams that finish well are recognized by their peers.
4. Great volunteers are a long standing tradition at Gold Rush events.  We have several who make it a point to come out and volunteer at Gold Rush every year. 
5. An amazing course awaits those who race.  Team Karma always puts together a good course and learns more about what racers like every time. 
6. Free orienteering clinic by adventure racing pioneer Adrian Crane.  Adrian is one of only a handfull of people to have competed in all of the Eco-Challenge races.  This is an opportunity to learn from an adventure racing legend.  Check out his resume at www.teamkarma.com. 
7. The GR24 course is very scenic.  Missouri just is not pretty in November so skip USARA Nats and save yourself the airfair and travel expenses.  Race Gold Rush instead, you won’t be sorry.
8. GR24 is tough and the tougher the course the more rewarding the finish.  GR24 2007 will be very rewarding.
9. Great sponsors will provide prizes and swag bag items.  Hi-Tec, ZombieRunner.com, ARNavSupplies.com, Dinotte Lighting, Zanfel, and Kool N Fit will be supporting GR24.  You can demo lights by Dinotte Lighting and rotating mountain bike map boards from ARNavSupplies free of charge.  If you like it after you try it you can buy it on the spot…pretty cool!

Treat yourself to a great race and support grass roots adventure racing at it’s best.  Clear the calendar for November 10-11 and get a team together for the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, you’ll be glad you did.  See www.teamkarma.com for details.  Also, join goldrushar@yahoogroups.com to keep up with the latest Gold Rush news.

I’ve heard from several people who are struggling to get it together to come out and race the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, GR24.  Here’s some reasons that all adventures racers in California and neighboring states shouldn’t miss it:

1. Team Karma is a grass roots group who promotes races because we love the sport.  Professional promoters have struggled to make ends meet finacially promoting 24 hour races.  There’s no big series by one promoter on the horizon.  Supporting grass roots events ensures the future of this great sport.
2. It’s a real 24 hour race.  No team will blow through this course in 14 hours and be home showered and in bed when the last team crosses the line.  The winners can expect to be done in no less than 19-20 hours.  Gold Rush offers route options so that all teams finish within a few hours of each other. 
3. The post race meal is well attended.  Because the winners didn’t finish 10-12 hours before the last teams most teams stay for the post race meal and awards.  Teams compare race stories and routes with other teams.  Novice teams learn from advanced teams, and teams that finish well are recognized by their peers.
4. Great volunteers are a long standing tradition at Gold Rush events.  We have several who make it a point to come out and volunteer at Gold Rush every year. 
5. An amazing course awaits those who race.  Team Karma always puts together a good course and learns more about what racers like every time. 
6. Free orienteering clinic by adventure racing pioneer Adrian Crane.  Adrian is one of only a handfull of people to have competed in all of the Eco-Challenge races.  This is an opportunity to learn from an adventure racing legend.  Check out his resume at www.teamkarma.com. 
7. The GR24 course is very scenic.  Missouri just is not pretty in November so skip USARA Nats and save yourself the airfair and travel expenses.  Race Gold Rush instead, you won’t be sorry.
8. GR24 is tough and the tougher the course the more rewarding the finish.  GR24 2007 will be very rewarding.
9. Great sponsors will provide prizes and swag bag items.  Hi-Tec, ZombieRunner.com, ARNavSupplies.com, Dinotte Lighting, Zanfel, and Kool N Fit will be supporting GR24.  You can demo lights by Dinotte Lighting and rotating mountain bike map boards from ARNavSupplies free of charge.  If you like it after you try it you can buy it on the spot…pretty cool!

Treat yourself to a great race and support grass roots adventure racing at it’s best.  Clear the calendar for November 10-11 and get a team together for the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, you’ll be glad you did.  See www.teamkarma.com for details.  Also, join goldrushar@yahoogroups.com to keep up with the latest Gold Rush news.

I’ve heard from several people who are struggling to get it together to come out and race the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, GR24.  Here’s some reasons that all adventures racers in California and neighboring states shouldn’t miss it:

1. Team Karma is a grass roots group who promotes races because we love the sport.  Professional promoters have struggled to make ends meet finacially promoting 24 hour races.  There’s no big series by one promoter on the horizon.  Supporting grass roots events ensures the future of this great sport.
2. It’s a real 24 hour race.  No team will blow through this course in 14 hours and be home showered and in bed when the last team crosses the line.  The winners can expect to be done in no less than 19-20 hours.  Gold Rush offers route options so that all teams finish within a few hours of each other. 
3. The post race meal is well attended.  Because the winners didn’t finish 10-12 hours before the last teams most teams stay for the post race meal and awards.  Teams compare race stories and routes with other teams.  Novice teams learn from advanced teams, and teams that finish well are recognized by their peers.
4. Great volunteers are a long standing tradition at Gold Rush events.  We have several who make it a point to come out and volunteer at Gold Rush every year. 
5. An amazing course awaits those who race.  Team Karma always puts together a good course and learns more about what racers like every time. 
6. Free orienteering clinic by adventure racing pioneer Adrian Crane.  Adrian is one of only a handfull of people to have competed in all of the Eco-Challenge races.  This is an opportunity to learn from an adventure racing legend.  Check out his resume at www.teamkarma.com. 
7. The GR24 course is very scenic.  Missouri just is not pretty in November so skip USARA Nats and save yourself the airfair and travel expenses.  Race Gold Rush instead, you won’t be sorry.
8. GR24 is tough and the tougher the course the more rewarding the finish.  GR24 2007 will be very rewarding.
9. Great sponsors will provide prizes and swag bag items.  Hi-Tec, ZombieRunner.com, ARNavSupplies.com, Dinotte Lighting, Zanfel, and Kool N Fit will be supporting GR24.  You can demo lights by Dinotte Lighting and rotating mountain bike map boards from ARNavSupplies free of charge.  If you like it after you try it you can buy it on the spot…pretty cool!

Treat yourself to a great race and support grass roots adventure racing at it’s best.  Clear the calendar for November 10-11 and get a team together for the Gold Rush 24 Hour Adventure Challenge, you’ll be glad you did.  See www.teamkarma.com for details.  Also, join goldrushar@yahoogroups.com to keep up with the latest Gold Rush news.

Why adventure racing is the greatest sport on earth.

Whether you come from a running, biking, triathlon or other endurance background, the next step in your evolution is adventure racing. Why is that?

1. You are a competitive person by nature and you are looking for the next real challenge.

2. AR is more fun. Once you start doing this type of event, you find that you can go anywhere and do almost anything. If you don’t feel like running, go for a bike ride or a walk or a paddle. You can lift weights. You can ride at night. You can go explore areas that you have never been and work on navigation. The world is yours to explore.

3. You will see sites and places that you would never see otherwise. Some of the most amazing sites I have ever seen have been during a race. The Milky Way on a midnight paddle in
Oregon. Mountain ranges in British Columbia. The lights of LA as the sun comes up. Faraway lakes, beautiful sunrises, unbelievable waterfalls and exotic plants. All of these things await you in the world of AR. You would be surprised what wonderful landscapes exist off the beaten path.

4. While most people think that you have to train harder for AR then other sports, it’s not true. Yes it’s important to work out consistently. However, AR is more mental then physical. Having a good attitude is way more important then being able to run or bike fast. Any athletic event that you do is training for AR. Whether you go for a run, ride your bike, go camping or even work around the garden, you are training muscles that you will use in AR. In addition because you are doing things like paddling, running and biking, you are using different muscle groups. This means that you should be able to avoid the kind of soreness that one gets when all you do is run or bike. You also avoid the boredom that comes with doing the same thing all the time.

5. AR is a team sport. That means that it is more then just training with other people. Those people will be part of your team. While picking good teammates is sometimes a challenge, once you do, you will have new best friends. Having people to count on in the woods at 2 in the morning is truly a bonding experience. When you finish an event, you have the benefit of celebrating with your teammates. You also have people to help you and make you better then you would be by yourself. Being on a team is a great motivator for both training and getting out doing races. You will always do more for your team then you would for just yourself.

6. You get to buy cool equipment. You will become a jack of all trades. You will learn to climb on ropes, read a compass, and choose routes through the mountains. You will become a better mountain biker, and a better runner/trekker. You will learn to paddle in a river, on a lake and in the ocean. You will learn how to fix bikes with duct tape and zip ties. Problem solving will become second nature.

7. You will meet and become friends with some of the greatest people on the planet – other adventure racers.

8. You will have a chance to compete on the same field with some of the best athletes in the world. I know I will never go to the Super Bowl, the World Series or any other “traditional” type of championship. But in AR, I can go and compete against the world champions (and have) on the same field. Also, because AR is a thinking person’s sport, it’s not about just being fast. It’s about being smart. That is why a 47 year old ex-runner can compete and place (from time to time) in this sport.

Adventure Racing is the greatest sport on the planet. Get out there and give it a go. It’s completely doable. You don’t have to have all the skills to start. Contact one of the local teams in your area, find someone who is in the sport and go outside and play.

Single Speed Mountain bikes – an adventure racers best friend. I am an avid single speed rider, so keep that in mind when I say that, in my opinion, the best way to improve your mountain biking is to ride a bike with but one gear. I didn’t come by this opinion immediately. At first, I thought that people who rode single speeds simply were backwards and needed to join the 20^th century – where we have the technology to actually shift gears at will.

I ride with lots of single speeders and eventually I gave it a try. I was immediately converted. Now I only ride my geared bike in adventure races and much longer training events. I’ve gotten to the point where I did a 24 hour solo on my single speed this pass year.

A single speed will not only make you a stronger rider, it will improve your peddle stroke, improve your bike handling skills and teach you how to use momentum. Over all, your riding will improve in many ways. However, the most important thing is that it’s just plain fun.

Riding a single speed is more a frame of mind then a piece of equipment. I ride a Gary Fisher Rig with 29 inch wheels. I never use an odometer or heart rate monitor when I ride it. I call it pure riding – the effort is measured by feel not electronics. The direct power, from peddle to the rear tire is the difference.

Single speeds, especially with disk brakes are the only way to go in the winter. Geared bikes just get destroyed in the mud and wet. The single speed doesn’t have any of those problems and clean up is simple – just hose it down. Repairs also are simple.

When you first start on a single speed, it may take a while to determine the gear ratio that is best for you. This will depend on your fitness, skill level and the terrain. I started with a 32 X 18 but now normally ride a 33X16. When you first start, you may have trouble keeping up with your geared friends. Over time, you will find that they have trouble keeping up with you. The only place I feel at a disadvantage is on a downhill road section. Then I have to really work on drafting and high peddle cadence, another bonus.

LaSportiva - Pikes Peak

Recently I was given a pair of LaSportiva Pikes Peak running shoes to try out. I choose the
Pikes Peak because the shoe was beefy, well protected and looked like it would be excellent for long treks and trail running. I was specifically looking for a shoe to use in multi-day races for long treks.

The first time I put the shoes on they fit my feet very well. I normally wear an 11 but these are a 12. Normally I use after market insoles. However, these shoes had enough support and fit so well that I didn’t bother with the extra soles. The shoes were very comfortable and didn’t require any break in period. Never the less I wore them around for a couple of hours before running in them.

I have run in them on roads, trails and off trail. I have used them on extremely rocky and rough terrain. The
Pikes Peak have performed on every outing in outstanding fashion. I really like these shoes, especially in the rough, off camber, rocky terrain. My feet feel well supported, the traction is outstanding, and I haven’t gotten a single blister.

The shoes have a roomy toe box, every important for adventure racing. These shoes are comfortable on downhill’s as well as when climbing. My toes appreciated the sizable toe box.

These shoes have “Frixion” Sticky rubber soles. I found that they have excellent traction and are extremely grippy. I really enjoy the fact that I can be confident in my foot placement and can jump from rock to rock without worrying about slipping.

These are not well known, but outstanding shoes for off-road running. While not the lightest shoe on the market, they are comfortable, protect your feet and very stab