Date: Saturday, June 26th, 2010 Packet Pickup Friday, June 25th 4-9PM - Long Lake Location: Long Lake Pavilion - Northern Kettle Moraine, WI Start/End: 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM - Pre-race meeting 4:50 Format: Unsupported, all team combinations allowed. Contact: Craig (
) or Jeff (
)
Final Race Update
This is my planned final race update. I think we have a solid race course, some fun planned for you and an awesome dinner. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you.
Craig and I will be starting to set up the race course tomorrow morning. (Yes, we’re taking two days to do what you’re going to do in one! I am old and fat so I need the extra time.) So, we’ll pretty much not be reachable by email during the day the next two days. However, you should have all the information you need to get to packet pick up. In the interest of making sure you know what you need to know, here’s some additional information and some repeat information.
Packet Pick Up: 4 PM to 9 PM Friday at the pavilion near the boat launch at the Long Lake Recreation Area. You will get your pre-race instructions (and t-shirts for those who signed up early enough). You will need the pre-race instructions and the envelope in which those instructions are contained during the race.
Pre-race meeting: 4:45 AM Saturday at the pavilion near the boat launch at the Long Lake Recreation Area. (same place as packet pick up) Specific race instructions will first be shared at that time.
Race Start: 5 AM Saturday at the pavilion near the boat launch at the Long Lake Recreation Area. (same place as packet pick up and pre-race meeting).
Race Finish: 7 PM Saturday at the pavilion near the boat launch at the Long Lake Recreation Area. (same place as packet pick up, pre-race meeting and race start).
Dinner: Starting at 7 PM Saturday and serving till at least 8 PM at the Dundee Sportsman’s Club (next to the softball diamonds right in Dundee). We ordered enough food for 100 people and we have about 75 racers and volunteers so we should have plenty of food. The race directors are old and stringy (and I’m a meat eater) so if you are still hungry after dinner, I’d suggest cannibalism is not a good option.
Showers: The Long Lake Campground has showers for those wishing to clean up after (or during) the race.
Inclement Weather: Barring severe weather (lightning or severe wind), the race will start as scheduled. If at any time during the race you feel conditions are unsafe, it is your responsibility to seek shelter. There is no way for us to contact you during the race or halt the race. Right now it looks like scattered storms during the day Saturday.I will monitor and respond to email Thursday night.
If you need to reach us during the day Thursday or Friday use the following information.Jeff – (262) 388-2294Craig – (262) 271-6158
Overview and Expectations
We’ve been adventure racing since 2001, and have participated in races run by several race directors.We’ve been watching international adventure racing well before 2001.In designing this race, we’re incorporating elements of other races we liked and adding some new elements.One of the elements we’re incorporating is the lack of a specified course.Each team will determine what route they take to get from point to point, with very few restrictions.Your objective will be to find each control or checkpoint (regardless of the route you take).If you’re not comfortable making race decisions as you go, you may not enjoy this race.
We will tend to keep significant race details a secret until race day.In fact, it’s likely only two of us will have seen the course in advance.So, if the amount of information prior to race day seems limited, that’s probably intentional.Feel free to send us an email with any questions you have and if the answers aren’t a closely guarded secret, we’ll answer your question.
Our adventure racing team’s priorities in order of importance are:
be safe
have fun
finish
do well
You can expect the race to also follow those priorities.While having fun is not a mandatory part of the race, we’re going to give you ample opportunities to get in the pirate spirit and have fun.You can expect your race directors and volunteers to be having a good ole pirate time of it.
We’re trying to design the race to be a balance between athleticism, adventure racing skills, decision making and problem solving.Highly athletic teams and experienced racers will still have an advantage.
The race will be unsupported and you will have ample access to drinking water on the course.You should never have to go more than 2 hours without having access to drinking water.(Whether you chose to stop that frequently or possibly go out of your way to get that water is up to you.)We will identify and supply you with the sources of drinking water we have found and include that information in your race packet.
Expect our web site to change frequently over the coming months as we lay out the course in detail.
Race Length
The race will have an official start time and an official cutoff time (both to be determined). Ther race will be held during daylight hours and is likely to be 12 to 16 hours long. Teams must report in by the cutoff time to be ranked. Teams not in by the cutoff time will receive a DNF.
Disciplines
You can expect to paddle on flat water, bike on the road, bike off road, hike or run, and navigate by bike or on foot.As much as possible we will try to balance the time you spend in a boat, the time on a bike and the time on foot.
Mandatory Gear
The mandatory gear list is available as a link in the Race Menu section on the upper left side of the home page.We will check mandatory gear during the race.We are likely to disqualify any team who is not carrying the mandatory gear when checked.
We hope to establish a relationship with a local canoe rental outfit so teams who need to rent a canoe have the necessary details.
Recommended Gear
The list of items we tend to race with and that might be of value to you during the race is at the bottom of the mandatory gear list.It’s your choice whether or not to carry recommended gear.
Team Size
Any size from 1 racer to 4 person teams.We are not likely to turn a team away due to team size.Depending on the number of teams racing and the money we have left for prizes, the categories for ranking teams in the Open and Intermediate divisions are likely to be all male teams and all other teams.We’ll let you know when this has been decided for certain. We’re focused on a high quality, low cost race and prizes, if any, are not a high priority.
Rules
We’re not real big on lots of rules.You can expect rules concerned with trespassing and littering (remember the origins of this sport were based on “leave no trace”) and teams staying together and not using anything but human power, but not much else. A list of rule will be included in your pre-race packet.
Logistics
No race day registration will be allowed.We will cut off registration on June 18th.
We will be handing out pre race packets the afternoon and evening the day before the race.
Pre race packets will not contain any details on the “course” that would allow you to find any controls.Packets with detailed information will be handed out immediately prior to the start of the race.
The race will start on time. All teams will have the official starting time as their starting time.
Pre race packets may be picked up the day of the race, but it’s likely doing so will cause you to start late.
We will have a post race meal for participants (and possibly fans if your team is lucky enough to have fans).Food will satisfy vegetarians as well as non vegetarians.A variety of beverages including adult beverages will be served.
The location of the start of the race and finish will be Long Lake. Teams displaying pirate paraphernalia are likely to win the race directors’ undying affection (but not much else).
All participants will need a state bike trail pass.
Lodging
The Kettle Moraine Northern unit has some awesome campgrounds, some with showers.The campgrounds will put you closer to the start of the race than almost all hotels / motels.A link to campground information is available in the Race Menu section on the upper left side of the home page.
Hotels / motels are available in Campbellsport, Kewaskum, West Bend, and Fond du Lac and are all within 45 minutes of the starting location. A link to hotel information is available in the Race Menu section on the upper left side of the home page.
See FAQ for answers to all your questions.
A sincere thank you to all who participated in 2009 and we hope to see all our friends back this summer!
