Well we had some great weather for the Challenge Race – lots of sun! We met up way too early to catch the 5:45 ferry to Kingston. Although early, riding the ferry proved to be way more relaxing then actually having to drive around. After months of taking about teaming up, we were finally able to race with Case for this race. I know I am very grateful not only for the awesome kayaks that he was able to secure for us, but also that he took care of the kayak logistics instead of me!
Maps and instructions were handed out just before the team meeting. After reading through the instructions, the three of us males thought we understood everything, of course. It took a couple minutes for Julie to straighten us out as to what the instructions actually were saying. The question of “Did you guys really read this?” rang very true. After having Julie go through everything that we were supposed to understand we were ready to go.
The race started off with a short orienteering section where we all had to be tied together with ropes this made for a fun twist. Each of the points were easy to find. However this allowed for everyone to break up a bit prior to the next TA. From there it was off to the kayaks. The kayak section was actually lots of fun. There was some wind that morning which added to the excitement. The ride was a little bit bumpy until we made our way around the point and into the protected bay. It seems that may times for us in the kayak it takes a couple minutes of us feeling like idiots before we can settle in. From there it was off to grab 4 CPs and then back to the launch point. The punches were all hooked to pillars in the water. It only took us one CP before we got the passport soaked! The way back was more work as we now had to deal with the wind and the current. We got back to the launch point and then hauled the boats back to the staging area. After an obstacle course where one team member (Case) had to move blind folded around all sorts of items, being directed by voice commands (Julie), we were off on bikes. About a mile from the TA, I heard a pop – which could only mean one thing – a broken chain! I looked to Roger to grab the bike tool. Roger goes into his pack and pulls out a tool. However there is one problem, no chain break tool – oops! I gave Roger the evil eye as I had asked him prior to the start of the race if he had the bike tool. (Roger ended up buying a round of ice cream after the race for everyone as he forgot the tool) So Roger and Case take off and bike back to the start, grab the chain break tool and head back. I fixed the chain and off we went. However we probably lost 25 minutes at this point. The biking section featured logging roads and some singletrack. After nabbing the first two bikes CPS. Pop! My chain breaks again! After a quick fix we were off again. From that point on I decided just not to shift – which was lame, but better then having to fix a chain again. At this point I am down several links! Next it was off to the TA, were we moved to a foot section. During this section we weaved through the same area picking up several more CP’s. Then it was back to the bikes. This section featured two CPs and then a long haul back to the finish. There was one great section of singletrack – right Julie! We made in back to the finish to enjoy some great food from Taco del Mar. Despite the bike issues, we had a great time. The course was lots of fun and well done.
Case it was a pleasure to race with you and you are always welcome to roll with Superfly. Plus it was great to get out on the course with Julie as work conflicts have been tough this year! Next up the 4th DAR race in the Olympics.
