Triangle Adventure Racing Team

Just got word today that the new TORC  www.torc-nc.org jersey’s are in.  As part of our continued support of triangle trails our team web address is proudly displayed across the back of the jersey collar.  Our recent donation to TORC from our 911 Adventure Challenge proceeds was recognized by the TORC board of directors at their recent meeting. 

Ivestor’s Gap CP, Morning prayers, Day two dismay, Back on the trail, Farlow Gap CP, Long way home, Heading Out, Rolling out, Double Dare Start

Well, what can I say it was an epic…truly an epic.  I had been considering jumping in this one for 3-4 years now and went ahead and took the bite.  Let’s not say bite..let’s say smorgasboard of rocky singletrack, gravel roads, 40 MPH paved aero tuck descents and spectacular views of the Pisgah National Forest.  Saturday’s festivities included 11HRs of riding with a total mileage of 70 or so, the computers shut down during the slow hike-a-bike sections (and yes there were a few) we ended the day at 11pm and immediately went into resupply mode for the second stage 6am start time.  God knows those cowbells rung early at 0530am, I just told myself to not think,  got up walked down to the start in the cold and dark conditions and starting turning the pedals over.  Dave and I rolled through some checkpoints after not recieving our passports until reaching the mandatory check-in point some two hours from the start.  Between tiring, seemingly harder terrain and Dave shearing his rear deraillaur off, we were slowed but continued just pushing forward.  Day two ended with 11HRs 50Min of riding with a mileage count again in 60’s again due to alot of walking it was likely a bit short.  In was a big relief to be done and the beer at the end was a most fitting reward to the effort.  Once the calculations were finished we ended up fourth, with only 7 teams completing both days officially.  Check out our photo section for race pics.  In the meantime checkout my teammate Dave’s Race blog at:  http://www.davesbikeworld.com

results-92207-911-adventure-challenge.xls

Well folks the 2007 Edition is over and done with, thanks to the volunteers and all the teams/ SOLO racers for attending! We had a successful day with no injuries and no rescue operations. The results sheet is included above with first run time, time in to the 0rienteering course, finish time, number of 0rienteering markers punched and category placement. Placement is determined by number of orienteering markers punched and time finished. To calculate your time, use the official start time of 8:10am. As an example: Team Enduring Freedom finished at 2:11pm to give them a finish time of 6HRS 01MIN. (good job BTW).

We have to of course congratulate our overall winner SOLOIST Robert May of Cary, a recent Virginia transplant who finished in 5HRS. 29MIN. We are looking for some race reports, so if would like to have yours published here on the website please email me: bruce@triangle-ar-team.com and I’ll select a couple entries and post ‘em up. A special thanks goes out to our repeat racers with Dale Long and Eric Tellefsen 6 years, John Randolph 5 years, Al Sternberg 4 years and Anna Baxter 4 years thanks for sticking with us!!

We have some extra Pint glasses that we are clearing out! If you are interested in purchasing please email above!

Starting Line, Bruce Dale/Finish, Jeff Thompson

Well, what can we say the toughest offering yet of this classic…Bruce and Jeff took it on the chin with 73.8 miles of riding over 11HRS10MIN in the saddle…..classic rocky singletrack climbs….barbwire fence crossing bushwhacks…cramped feet and hands downhills….missed the damn connector trails navigation and very nice West Virginia born and bred BEERS before and after. The director threw it all at the racers this year with some serious long legs between checkpoints…as one rider from Asheville NC commented…”I’m fron Asheville NC, and it doesn’t compare” though I don’t necessarily agree, especially after the PMBAR…it was tough and we were definately glad we took it on! 4th Place DUO team at the end of the day, no major injuries or mechanicals, we’ll gladly take it…………………

Triangle-AR Team, Juancho, Muddy Mess, Raleigh area racers, Miller Time!, Bruce Dale

Local Racers:

PISGAH MTB ADVENTURE RACE RESULTS:

17^th- Ernie Chilcott/ Charlie Roberts 10:01 4 Checkpoints
19^th- Dave Anderson/Preston Aldridge 10:48 4 Checkpoints
21^st- Brian Thompson/ Jeff Thompson 11:02 4 Checkpoints
23^rd- Innes Wright/ Grant McCullough 11:12 4 Checkpoints
40^th- Bruce Dale/Juan Pedrazza 10:20 4 Checkpoints (8HR Penalty)

Overall the day was quite challenging given the heavy rain fall the prior night and intermittent rain throughout the race day. Between the advanced technical nature of the trails and the mud created by the rain, a good portion of the race was spent pushing the bikes uphill and walking them down. In between the riding was also hit and miss with still alot of blown down trees from the heavy winds that came through about two weeks ago.

A lot of teams were plagued by mechanicals such as disabled brakes, shifting problems, broken dérailleur’s etc. The trail conditions contributed significantly to the problems as there were simply no spots for relief from the mud and water. Ten hours or more on a bike is a long and difficult day in good conditions and a testament to teams that pushed through to even finish.

Well this one is in the books and turned out to be a great race, with 112 competitors in the 3 race options. The good news is there were more teams in the 8 and 12 hour race then the four and many of them were obviously new to the sport, given the kickstands and Jansports backpacks. Of course you have to start somewhere and this was a tough one to bite off. I spent about 3 hours on the bike riding around and taking photos, and found out that the Uwharrie Mountains are legit. I pushed up a couple really steep and pitched trails on my quest for teams to photograph. Check out RDU-Trailblazers for pictures from the race. Great Job Don!…Next up is the Ft. Bragg race so stay tuned for details. You will not want to miss this one!

Just updated posting with results from the race here at Impossible Panther. Also take a minute to check out the race reports for a rundown from Northern Lites the 12 Hour winners!!!

We need to definitely take a training trip out there some Saturday to get in some serious hills!

Couldn’t help but post the results for the Save the World Adventure race for my Swamp Fox teammates Dale Long and Rory Avant from S.C. The team completed the race with 35 CP’s in 19HRs 51MIN. Their finishing time placed them 3rd in the Expert Masters category. After coming off a great race in the Swamp Fox they have continued to have a great spring racing season! Good work guys!

We had a solid turnout for our second edition of this event with most teams logging between 30 and 40 miles to obtain the 10 Checkpoints. Local Mtb’ers Dave Anderson and John Whitfield blazed all 10 in 2:49 with Brian and Jeff logging 10 in 3:02, Bruce finished with 9 Checkpoints, opting to head back a bit early with a finishing time of 2:56. Several other RDU-Trailblazer riders hit the course with finish times between 3-4 hours.

Thanks to Bob Wallace for setting up the course and maps.

We are pleased to again be on board with Hammer Nutrition for the 2007 racing season. Be sure to take the time to visit the company link for a 15% discount on your first time order. This company has been very supportive of Adventure Racing and endurance sports in general and produce some of the best products out there for endurance athletes. Some of the team fave’s include Perpetuem, Heed and  Endurolytes. Try ‘em out….

I had decided a couple weeks out to race this one Singlespeed but apparently didn’t remember how hilly the Garner rec trail was the last time I rode it. Well it was definitely hilly and by lap 7 I was forced to dismount and push up two of the more significant climbs. Overall I had a good race and hung out in the top three single speed racers all afternoon until getting passed by a good buddy of mine Mac Dodge on lap 5. The top three for the race was pretty much set after lap 1 with, Mac Dodge, John Myles and me trading 1st, 2nd and 3rd off and on…on lap 5 I dropped from 1st place to 2nd and then after a horrible lap 6 was passed by John Myles into 3rd.

By lap 7 and 8 I was in survival mode trying to keep in contact and hoping for a mechanical miracle by one of the top two racers. Of course I got no break and couldn’t create one myself and rolled in to finish lap 8. Upon completing lap 8, I was informed I could push on for lap 9 as the 1st place singlespeed rider had….I looked over and saw my buddy Mac who was 2nd putting his bike up…it was all I needed to declare I was done as well! I was very pleased to find out my lap count and time placed me fourth overall among all the SOLO male racers, which stood at nearly 30 racers. Overall a good race, though the rigid front fork took it’s toll on my arms and hands…..

Pictures here Garner 4

Bruce Dale