Adventure Racing for Geeks: Difference between revisions
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I'm going to talk about adventure racing. I had a whole list of geeky topics to talk about but Ashley liked the adventure racing one, so here I am and I'll do my best to geek it up for you. | |||
I used to play Dungeons & Dragons when I was a kid, and it has a lot in common with adventure racing. Adventure racing is basically a combination of endurance sports - biking, bushwhacking (which is hiking off-trail), paddling, rope courses, rock climbing, whatever - and that's the point, it always has an unpredictability to it. The race planner is your dungeonmaster. And he or she is always out to surprise you with unexpected adventure. I've only been on two races, and I've swum a lake, done a ropes course a couple stories above ground, and gone whitewater rafting at the man-made Olympic training grounds. | |||
Bike... front vs full suspension... 27" vs 29"... check out cyclocross and what they recommend... you'll likely end up doing some road riding so I would keep your tires inflated well. Take a spare tube. | Bike... front vs full suspension... 27" vs 29"... check out cyclocross and what they recommend... you'll likely end up doing some road riding so I would keep your tires inflated well. Take a spare tube. | ||
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Anyway, these same liquids work for energizing your body! In fact, for me anyway, both are required in large quantities. The one element of essential adventure racing gear beyond your mountain bike is called a camelbak. That name, as well as the look, are pretty dorky, but this thing has real tangible benefits to get you through 10 hours or more of racing. You definitely want to put at least some water in there, but I spike it with an energy drink or two. My brand of choice is Sobe life waters, they've got guarana and other caffeine sources depending on the flavor but not enough to kill you and they taste great. | Anyway, these same liquids work for energizing your body! In fact, for me anyway, both are required in large quantities. The one element of essential adventure racing gear beyond your mountain bike is called a camelbak. That name, as well as the look, are pretty dorky, but this thing has real tangible benefits to get you through 10 hours or more of racing. You definitely want to put at least some water in there, but I spike it with an energy drink or two. My brand of choice is Sobe life waters, they've got guarana and other caffeine sources depending on the flavor but not enough to kill you and they taste great. | ||
Wearing the camelbak and biking and bushwhacking through the woods can make you look like a real nerd. (demonstrate) But after you spend some time "in the saddle" with it, you'll hit this point where you feel totally in | |||
Don't think that this is just for people that are super-athletes. I have never run a marathon or done a triathon. I used to ride my bike to work but hadn't done anything for a year or more when I got tricked into my first race. Here's how that happened... | |||
Revision as of 13:30, 12 November 2010
I'm going to talk about adventure racing. I had a whole list of geeky topics to talk about but Ashley liked the adventure racing one, so here I am and I'll do my best to geek it up for you.
I used to play Dungeons & Dragons when I was a kid, and it has a lot in common with adventure racing. Adventure racing is basically a combination of endurance sports - biking, bushwhacking (which is hiking off-trail), paddling, rope courses, rock climbing, whatever - and that's the point, it always has an unpredictability to it. The race planner is your dungeonmaster. And he or she is always out to surprise you with unexpected adventure. I've only been on two races, and I've swum a lake, done a ropes course a couple stories above ground, and gone whitewater rafting at the man-made Olympic training grounds.
Bike... front vs full suspension... 27" vs 29"... check out cyclocross and what they recommend... you'll likely end up doing some road riding so I would keep your tires inflated well. Take a spare tube.
Most hackers I know either drink a ton of caffeine or a ton of water (damn healthy bastards). These keep your mind energized! In fact there are only three things that I consistently rely on to energize me when I'm coding: strong coffee, loud music in wireless can headphones, and a really bad urge to pee.
Anyway, these same liquids work for energizing your body! In fact, for me anyway, both are required in large quantities. The one element of essential adventure racing gear beyond your mountain bike is called a camelbak. That name, as well as the look, are pretty dorky, but this thing has real tangible benefits to get you through 10 hours or more of racing. You definitely want to put at least some water in there, but I spike it with an energy drink or two. My brand of choice is Sobe life waters, they've got guarana and other caffeine sources depending on the flavor but not enough to kill you and they taste great.
Wearing the camelbak and biking and bushwhacking through the woods can make you look like a real nerd. (demonstrate) But after you spend some time "in the saddle" with it, you'll hit this point where you feel totally in
Don't think that this is just for people that are super-athletes. I have never run a marathon or done a triathon. I used to ride my bike to work but hadn't done anything for a year or more when I got tricked into my first race. Here's how that happened...