|   The Next Big Thing | Mikec
Oct 17, 2003 10:33 PM | | Advance apologies for the disjointed nature of this post. I'm tired and sleepy and I don't much feel like organizing my thoughts right now.
If you're reading this you've probably been smitten by racing your bike for long hours/long distances. I did my first 12 hour race solo in '94, and did my 33rd and last 24 hour race solo this September. I learned a lot from those events, as well as made many friends, but the time has come (for myself and many of those friends) to take what we've learned and move on.
There's a growing number of people who're into racing long distances, but NOT IN CIRCLES. Basically people who would prefer to do a 175 or 250 or 500-mile loop or point-to-point. Several of these people got together at Interbike to talk about putting together a series of ultra MTB events for 2004.
To be clear, few of these events will be permitted, promoted, licensed, insured, or porta-pottied. Few of them will require an entry fee, and few of them will have media or prize money. Since they will not go in circles around the same course, there will be no need for a second bike or a crew. On the other hand, since most of the races have no support infrastructure, you'll probably want to bring along a sleeping bag, headlight, map, camera, and maybe some extra food.
Getting the idea?
Most of these events will likely have a set date/time/place for folks to meet, and very few rules to follow. They will most definitely involve mass quantities of mileage, climbing, sunsets, suffering, sunrises, thunderstorms, windburns, mosquitos, sunburns, forced bivouacs (due to mud, snow, sleep deprivation, bonk, etc...) huge scenery, and singletrack. You will get lost, probably many times.
I can tell you that events are already scheduled in Colorado, Utah, Alaska, California, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Montana. Many others are rumored but not yet scheduled. Some of these events have been running for years, while others are new for '04.
If interested in learning more, drop me an email at:
mikec at bwn dot net
and I'll keep you updated. Once a final schedule is released, I'll post it here as well.
G'night.
MC |
| re: The Next Big Thing | Sparty
Oct 19, 2003 9:22 AM | | Sounds like fun. Personally, I think there are plenty of these types of "events" going on all the time and everywhere, but they're really "non-events" because those involved in organizing them don't want to feel responsible for any/all of the participants. Therefore these things involve only a few dedicated close friends and stay under everybody else's radar.
But I think handing somebody a map, having them sign a release and then saying "Yer on yer own, have a great time" sounds like a dang good idea. As long as everybody knows what they're getting into and they all embrace a philosophy of personal accountability. Exactly what a lot of suffering endurance junkies are seeking.
Bring it on!
--Sparty |
| re: The Next Big Thing | bulletbob
Oct 21, 2003 2:53 PM | | Sounds like fun to me, especially the ones in CO or NM.
One suggestion about the actual course(s) though. In past years the Baja 1000 off road race has done several DIFFERENT loops from the same origin. The mileage racks up for competitors but support crews, emergency personnel, etc. not beholden to the actual race course, can go from one loop to another fairly quickly if someone needs help. Just a thought because you'll have to take into consideration getting emergency help to someone in the middle of nowhere... |
| re: The Next Big Thing | Mikec
Oct 22, 2003 8:16 AM | | I read an article recently that talked about the proliferation of roads in the lower 48. I forget the exact number, but I think it was 13 miles. As in the farthest you can get from a road in the lower 48 is 13 miles. |
| re: The Next Big Thing | bulletbob
Oct 22, 2003 12:14 PM | | Backpacker mag did an article last year I think, on the spot that was furthest from a road. The best they could come up with was some spot in a wilderness in the Sierras.
Of course it depends on what you consider a road.......... |
| re: The Next Big Thing | Ak Soggy Bottom
Oct 22, 2003 3:31 PM | | MC, for the Sweet Roll 200 the first segment is 38 miles of single track,the second segment is 21.5 continuous miles,on so on, of course this is the "Alaska Style" of an ultra event where self rescue skills are required. |
| re: The Next Big Thing | pi
Oct 22, 2003 4:21 PM | | I don't care how far I am from a road, as long as I'm not on it. Kokopelli is mostly road, and I suppose we were never far from a real road, but that didn't make it any easier. As for an Iditarod type trail where the farther you go, the farther you are from anything, they just don't exist in the summer. The SweetRoll will have long segments of singletrack far from a road, but not that far. As for rescue, good luck. Cell phones don't work. pi |
| you two guys | Mikec
Oct 22, 2003 8:37 PM | | took the words right out of my mouth. It might sound brash or egotistical but these races aren't for everyone. Unsupported means you take care of yourself, because there is no cavalry coming or even interested in where you are.
No matter how you look at it, there is a lot of risk in undertaking an unsupported backcountry event. Some are comfortable with that, others aren't. A few years ago I couldn't even fathom it, but now I'm to the point where I can't imagine racing in circles. Judging by the amount of emails I've gotten in the last few days, a lot of others are ready to take the next step.
I'll post the race schedule when it's done.
MC |
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