October 26th, 2008
It wasn't meant to be easy....for anyone. There is a secret place in most of us that wants to reflect on the adventure racing experience and acknowledge that we do things most people can't handle. In the words of one of the teams that raced in Sand Storm III..."you can't just roll off of the couch and do one of your races"; we took that as a compliment. As weekend warrior racers ourselves...we expect to be tested. That is what creates the energy and experiences that keeps us hungry for more.
Now that the tone is set...here is our race report.
On October 18th, 2008, thirty teams and approximately 70 racers gathered for the pre-race meeting. The scene was spectacular...the untamed Rincon Mountains to the south and mighty Catalina Mountain Range to the north. At exactly 7:02 am the starting horn sounded and all teams sped off to the pre-race scramble to retrieve their checkpoint cards and a zip lock bag to store their trash during the race. The total scramble was approximately 1.5 miles in the immediate vicinity of the transition area. Racers returned to the transition area where long course racers had to plot several checkpoints using UTM coordinates provided by us. Recreation course racers had their checkpoints pre-plotted and immediately took off on their bikes for the first leg of the race followed by the long course racers. The mountain bike leg took racers down Reddington road to the Arizona Trail. The Long course racers headed south down hill on the Arizona trail on some FANTASTIC single track. Long course racers had to retrieve two check points on this 3 mile section of the ride and then loop back up to Reddington road via the Italian Trap jeep road...a grueling climb. Once back up at Reddington Rd., teams continued north on the Arizona Trail and continued a climb of about a mile to a checkpoint nestled on a pass with spectacular views of both mountain ranges on either side. This piece of the mountain bike leg was also used by the recreation course racers. The ride downhill from the pass is nothing but the best single track riding in Tucson (my opinion). This mountain biking had something for everyone...fast downhill single track , semi-technical sections, and beautiful views the whole way down the ridge.
At the end of the single track, recreation course racers turned left on Bellota Ranch Rd. on their return to the transition area which would complete their 11 mile mountain bike loop. Long course teams, had to turn right and head to a bike drop where they had to change into their running shoes and complete a 5k "orange" level orienteering course that was setup by the Tucson Orienteering Club! Racers received formal pre-plotted orienteering maps and clue sheets. Team Big Fish Creative and Traveling Light arrived first and at the same time followed closely by Team Adventure Racing Concepts. Long course teams began arriving in 10-15 minute increments thereafter, many openly confessing their love for the single track they had just ridden--one team even threatened to kiss me for it!
Once the long course racers completed the orienteering section, they had to show our wonderful volunteers their first aid kit as part of the gear check and then back up another grueling climb up Bellota Ranch Rd. to complete their 17 mile mountain bike leg. By this time it is starting to get very hot out.
Racers (both long and recreation course) starting arriving at the transition area to move on to the trekking leg. Here recreation course racers had a 4 mile trek and long course racers 5.5 miles. The trekking leg was a loop where racers had to constantly bush whack ascents to hill tops and then descents into gulleys. Long course racers had to retrieve a checkpoint named BFM...Beg For Mercy. This check point was perched up at the top of a hill that has no name. BFM punished long course racers with a brutal climb in the heat, but rewarded them with tremendous views of the course where they pushed their endurance to the outer limits. Once the trekking points were retrieved, it was back to the transition area to the finish! First across the finish was Traveling Light followed closely (10 seconds) by Adventure Racing Concepts and then Big Fish Creative. For the Recreation course we had Team Yoga Slackers finish first with a blazing finish time of just under 3 hours...they decided to do the recreation course since they had a Yoga Class to teach at noon! Next to finish for the recreation course was Team Summit Hut in about 4.5 hours.
This race was a challenge for everyone...but we are proud to say that out of 14 recreation course teams 13 finished the entire course! A tremendous accomplishment...and it wasn't easy. The team that did not finish was Team Just Kill Me Now...but they get the "Too Tough" award, here is why: During the mountain bike leg one of the team members took a pretty good fall. She dented her helmet and lost half of a finger nail on the single track. We heard news of the wreck at the bike drop from several teams that saw them on the trail. We sent one of our great volunteers (Bryan Thelen) to check on them and assist them. I drove up and down the road searching so I can give them a ride up the long grind up Bellota Ranch Rd. I finally met up with the team and offered the ride...she looked at me square in the eye and said "no way...I'm ok". Not only did they make it to the TA, but took off on the trekking leg and tried to finish the entire race. They only retrieved a couple of check points, but provided us with a reminder of why we do what we do.
The race ended with some great food, beer, and stories of the race. Thank you to all the racers that came out to race with us...we hope you got what you were looking for! Thank you to the Tucson Orienteering Club for your support of this event and allowing us to use your course...racers loved it! We gave the Tucson Orienteering Club a small donation on behalf of the Adventure Racing community and volunteered to go out and clean the orienteering points for them the next day after their club meet. Thank you to all our sponsors for the great prizes and give-aways! And a very special thanks to our AWESOME volunteers, Danny, Chris, Jordan, Anabel, Bryan, Sue, Laura and Robert...without you guys this just wouldn't work as smoothly.
We have posted the overall rankings with time splits on the results page...go see how you did! Aaron and I had a great time serving up a race that you will hopefully remember...stay tuned to our site...we have some new and exciting things coming your way!
October 25th, 2008
Well, the course has been officially CLEANED as of 10am this morning. Whew... we saved the 6 trekking points for last. What a great hike it was (thank goodness we were out there at 6am!). Saw a few deer as we headed up to BFM....it was very cool. Splits/Times/Results are complete and will be posted today or tomorrow. The pictures are in and will be uploaded throughout the week, and the Sand Storm III video is being made. No need to download anything...keep an eye on your mailbox in the next week or 2.
Thanks everyone for making Sand Storm III a success. Hopefully we hooked you up with a challenging course and you felt like you got your money's worth! Till next time, see you out on the course!
- Aaron P
October 14th, 2008
Well racers, it is crunch time! Hopefully everyone was able to download the location/details document up in our downloads section. We have had a blast setting up this course. Some snags here and there as usual, but in the end, things always seem to work out and this event should (hopefully) top our other two....you can tell us after!
We have received some really cool prizes/swag from our sponsors for this race. For Sand Storm we like to conduct our raffle during the pre-race with tags in your goodie bags. So it is possible, when you get your swag bag, that you will have a little card in your bag stating what you have won. Prizes that you can win: Leki Ultralite trekking poles; OR BackCountry Kitchen packs; Camel Back Water bottles; Ergon MTB grips; Nuun Tubes; Hammer Gel; We are also compiling 2 sponsor "Super Bundles" to give away which will have a prize from each sponsor. CHA-CHING!
- Aaron P
October 7th, 2008
Wow! Is it possible to go a month between blog updates? I guess it is. Sorry! Lot's of things happening here at crunch time. 11 days to go and we are ready... Permits in hand. Maps on their way. Lots of swag/raffle prizes arriving daily at my door step. I love that! Trophies and medals are being made. Race location and direction document is complete. No, it isn't available for download yet, you can't have it until the 11th! So come back often for more blog updates (I am sure Rick will have an update soon) and don't forget the Oct 11th announcement of race location.
Everything is falling into place for Sand Storm III and we are going to deliver the GOODS. Also, we may have a BIG announcement around Sand Storm IV during our pre-race meeting. Stay tuned!
-Aaron P
Septemer 7th, 2008
We pre-flighted the long course yesterday and decided on key areas to place CP's on the bike leg. I would really recommend slime tubes...there is a small quarter mile section is grungy and really overgrown. We are having you ride through this section because it leads to a really nice riparian area that shows a great conservation success story. The forest service doesn't allow traffic through that spot, but they have given us permission because they would like to show it off! I promised them that our racers would tred lightly and that we are known for our "leave no trace ethics".
We got two flats yesterday...we had slime tubes. Its nice to just break out your pump or CO2, fill the tire back up, give it a spin, and continue riding like nothing happened. Beats taking your tire off and changing tubes or even patching.
Today is football day! Its all about the New York Jets!
RickM
September 5th, 2008
We got news today from the forest service that they were not going to allow ropes for the Sand Storm III long course, but will consider it for future events. That sucks! The good news is this doesn't change the course layout or distances. We increased the price of the long course racers by $10 per person as a result of the increased cost of hiring a certified mountain guide to rig and manage the ropes. We have contacted all registered long course teams to inform them that they will recieve a $10 per person refund at the race since we are not incurring the additional expense of hiring the mountain guide.
Either way...its going to be a GREAT event for everyone! Aaron and I are heading out tomorrow to pre-run the long course (which will lead to a very long nap when we get home)
Rick M.
September 1st, 2008
What a great weekend! Aaron and I spent both Sunday and today working on Sand Storm III. Sunday we did some riding and got DRENCHED in the rain, but that made the trip all the better. We caught some good footage on the trail and Aaron has started to work on the race trailer. Today we worked on the trekking leg and we are very happy with the layout, distance, and time. Both days we saw all kinds of wildlife...deer, frogs, desert tortoise, and yes...the ever present cattle and steer. We also looked around the TA (Transition Area) to plan out where we'll be laying things out.
In the next couple of weeks we'll be going out again, but this time with our climbing guide to start planning the rappel section of the long course. The good news is that our guide, Jeff Fasset also mountain bikes, so we'll be riding there.
Aaron: Post another sneak peak picture here!
Here it is... It kinda looks like the first picture though...GREEN!!! What a blast it was riding in the rain and trekking with all the water flowing throughout the course. Lets hope it lasts!! The single track is getting a little over grown and the green plant things with the sharp stuff all over them (Cat Claw & Cactus) were hidden by all the tall grass and they did a number to my back tire. I didn't realize it until I got home thanks to SLIME! Worked like a charm. We highly recommend it for this race!
-Aaron P
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August 28th, 2008
We just posted the required gear list for Sand Storm III. Make sure you read it carefully and let us know if you have any questions. You may also have noticed that we opened the solo division for the long course. We made this decision with the understanding that some times people want to race, but their teamates are out of town (been there). One of the things that makes adventure racing an awesome sport is the team factor...that doesn't mean that individuals can't enjoy it if they can't find a partner to race with.
Aaron, Banchy, and I (Team Chupacabra) are gearing up for Gilmore! Really looking forward to that race like we do every year. My daughter is going up with us all to scope it out. She turns 14 next year and will be eligible to race with me which is awesome. Stay tuned for a post on Labor Day...maybe another picture clue of Sand Storm III? Or Maybe even a Sand Storm III trailer by mid week?
Rick M.
August 23rd, 2008
Its been a while since my last post, but alot has happened. We had a great meeting with the forest service and have secured permits. We had a "verbal" agreement that we could use the area, but now its confirmed! Have not been to the race site in a couple of weeks, however Aaron and I will be there during labor day weekend...all of it. We are still in the early bird pricing time frame for about another week. We have had several teams register already! Stay tuned for more blogging next week. Tomorrow morning I'm heading out to Fantasy Island for a morning ride.
Peace!
Rick M.
August 5th, 2008
Had one of the best mtb rides in a loooooong time. Now comes the task of incorporating the best sections of this ride into your race course. Lots of great options navigation on foot...we are going to work hard to ensure trail usage in trekking and orienteering legs are minimal if any. Well...enough said for now, but feast your eyes on a section of the mountain bike leg! Yup...it is Tucson proper...yup...that is single track.....you'll be racing here:
Rick M.
August 1st, 2008
Getting ready to head out to the race site this weekend...probably on Mountain Bike to nail down the recreation course bike leg. Gotta get going early though to beat the heat...I'm looking forward to it though! I think we may post some sneak peak pictures Sunday night from the course.
On another note, if you haven't been hiking at the top of Mt Lemmon lately you have to get up there! Everything is super green and the creeks are running fast! My wife and I found a climbing spot up there that is not documented anywere...there are several bolted climbs in an excellent setting. We are probably heading up there with the dog tomorrow to check the difficulty.
Oh and if you'd like to get a good laugh...check this out: http://www.zdap.com/racereports/viewtopic.php?t=3736
Rick M.
July 14th, 2008
We officially opened Sand Storm III registration today! Exactly 95 days left to race start...Aaron and I will spend most of our weekends scouting the area and tweaking the course. We are always trying to find ways to make the course better. Today Aaron and I started to put together a calendar that outlines our plan for course building. It is critical to have a plan of action before you head out to the hills, otherwise you kinda just walk around in circles pointing at things and saying "that would be cool".
We have learned to have a focus before we head out and start developing/adjusting the course. Once all the work is done for that day, we go eat a huge breakfast burrito. We currently only host two adventure races per year. When we start to work on a race, its hard to balance family, a full time job, and hosting adventure races. But its all worth it when we hear all the positive comments after the race...thats what keeps us putting on races.
Stay tuned...more to follow! BTW, if you enter your email and then click "subscribe" in the orange box on the right...you will automatically get an email when we update this blog! Try it out.
Later,
Rick M.
July 13th, 2008
Nice "hat" Aaron! Lucky bastard gets to see all this cool shit...
Did a really fun race yesterday in Phoenix: Extreme Heat Adventure Race. Due to the heat in Phoenix this time of year, the race is really short and incorporates a great "adventure tubing" section down the Salt River. I raced with my friend Laura from Scottsdale. It was our first time racing together and she was a great teamate. The navigation in the race was alot of fun and the tubing section of course was refreshing...as a matter of fact, we saw this herd of horses jump in the river and swim wade across just 50 feet in front of us! It was a great day at the races...thanks to Rick Eastman of Sierra Adventure Sports for a fun race.
On the Sand Storm III front, we have decided to include a rappel section on the Long Course only. We are working with Jeff Fassett, a local climber that is an AMGA Certified Guide. You don't need any rappelling experience or gear. We will provide the gear, and for those that don't know how to rappel our guide and trained volunteers will do all the work for you...all you have to do is enjoy the ride!
More to follow...
Rick M.
July 10th, 2008
This is Aaron reporting from half way across the globe. As we finalize plans for Sand Storm III, we are looking at areas to launch our first ever 3 month "Amazing Race" style Adventure Race. I am scouting locations to put CP's and believe I found a pretty decent one below. Yes, this is a freebie!
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OK, we aren't really putting on a 3 month Adventure Race, I was just looking for an excuse to share my picture from the Taj Mahal! :)
See everyone out on the course (if I am in the country!).....
Aaron P
July 5th, 2008
Went riding with my good friend Tom this morning at 5:30am. I was quite hung over from a 4th of July party, but sucked it up on 3 hours sleep. We decided we would drive south to Old Sonoita Highway and catch the AZ Trail and head north to Colossal Cave saddle. Tom decided he would take his single speed 29er on this ride...zero suspension. Tom is taking it back to the basics, but rode the course as if he had 9 speeds and full suspension rig; the guy is an animal. The trail was in excellent condition especially since it rained heavily the evening before. The dirt was nice and tacky so carving corners was alot of fun. We completed the ride in about 2 hours (including a 10 min break at the saddle) and traveled 15 miles. During this morning's ride, Tom and I devised a hideous plan of doing a 22 mile day trek of the Catalina Mountain front range that would start up Ventana Canyon, traverse east on the West Fork Trail, swim at Hutch's Pool, and then hike down Phoneline trail into Sabino Canyon. We figured we can finish in 11-12 hours. I'll update this blog when we nail down a date.
Got home took a 1 hour nap with my wife and dog, then headed out to a post 4th of July pool party at a friends house. I should be meeting with the land agency this week about wrapping the the Sand Storm III permit.
Rick M.
June 25th, 2008
Spoke with another person at the land agency...this gentleman was very happy to having an event on the property! What a relief! He explained that it was ok for us to use our original plan as long as we stay 100yds from the archeological site. We reassured him that since this part of the course is on MTB, all racers would be on trail. He was happy to hear it and wants to meet personally to review the safety and course plan. I placed an order at MyTopo.com for a huge map of the region...I love this company, they have a great interface to create your own maps and give race directors a significant discount on orders. We use them for the maps we provide you at our races. Stay tuned! More to follow, and don't forget to ask any questions or leave comments. We'll reply quickly!
Rick M.
June 23rd, 2008
Exchanged emails with the folks that approve permits today. Looks like we are in a bit of a bind...the land agency has concerns that our course comes too close to an archeological site. Therefore, they want us to propose an alternate route...back to the maps!
Rick M.
June 21st, 2008
Aaron, Banchy, and I (Team Chupacabra) rode the Arizona Trail from 3 bridges to the Colossal Cave saddle and back...about 8 miles. Not a very long ride, but technical enough to keep you guessing (and stressing). I know alot of racers prefer loops during races, but sometimes have an "out and back" section may be worth it. When riding the AZ trail "out and back" the climb up to the saddle is kinda technical single track, but on the return trip it takes on a whole new face. It was a nice morning riding with teamates. If anyone ever wants to go for a ride here, just leave a comment below and we'll plan it...its one of my favorite rides in Tucson.
Rick M.
May 17th, 2008
Aaron and I took our first scouting ride today on the MTB leg of Sand Storm III. We are working through some route options that deliver the right vibe. The scenery is awesome and if we get enough rain this summer you'll see more water than you did in Sand Storm II. I think we found our venue...now its time to work on permits...uuughh!
Stay tuned as we'll be updating this blog through our race planning phases. We'll also blog on fun side trips we might take. If you have any questions, just add a comment below. We'll respond to questions or thoughts you might have.
See you soon!
Rick M.