DORBA/MadDuck Frozen 6hr Winter Endurance Series – Ray Roberts Lake State Park, TX

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2011 DORBA/MadDuck Frozen 6hr Winter Endurance Series
February 12
Ray Roberts Lake State Park:
Isle Du Bois
Pilot Point

We follow the format of last year, including a 4-hour solo option, with the additions of some new “fun” classes to spice things up and to add a fun element to the races.  We will work hard to provide challenging & fun events you will not want to miss.

To the first-time endurance racer:  These races are much more laid-back than fast-and-furious XC races.  You are racing yourself more than others. You can solo or find a partner (either sex).  You are allowed to wear a ONE earbud listening device.  You can accept outside assistance on-course or off.  Many mountain bikers use these races as a winter training platform.  You will learn to allocate your energy and burn-rate.  These races are better for endurance training than road training for mountain bikers.

No rain date.   The courses were chosen based on weather-resistance, and racer input.  The rain-out policy will follow that used in the 2010 Fall Series:  If a date is rained out, we will attempt to re-schedule same venue one week later.  If rained out again (2 weeks in a row), the race will be scratched from the schedule and we move on.
I wanted to get this out now for information purposes.  More details to come.

Registration will be up soon.  In the event of a rain-out, your entry will roll forward.

All venues are subject to change, the dates are not.

Faulkner Four Mountain Bike Race – Tyler, TX

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Faulkner Four Mountain Bike Race 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011    Start Time: 1:00 pm
This race is a 4-Hour mountain bike relay race on a 6+ mile mountain bike course.  See how many laps you, or your team, can log in a four hour time period.  Only one team member on the course at a time.  The racer, or team with the most number of completed laps, in the shortest time, wins!
Categories*:

* 2 Person Male:
* 2 Person Female:
* 2 Person Coed:
* Solo Male:
* Solo Female:

*Mountain bikes only.  There is no Cyclocross category for this race, so they are prohibited in this event.

Each Category also has a “single-speed” bike option, that you may choose during registration.  This means you have only one chainring on the front and rear of your bike.  No derailers.

Race Details:
Pre-race meeting at 12:40 pm
Race Start at 1:00 pm.
Race End at 5:00 pm
Race Start:
* LeMans-Style Start — one racer from team will sprint a short distance (approximately 100 yards) to their bike.
* Each starting racer must be logged in at the Check-in station for their lap to count.
* Teammates are welcome to hold the runners’ bikes at the start, to help them get on and started.

Big Chill Adventure Race – Bastrop, TX

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Big Chill Adventure Race
Bastrop, TX
Are you ready to get up and get out?  Think you are tough enough for the Too Cool challenge?
Back for it’s 7th year running, The Big Chill Adventure Race offers something for veterans and beginners alike.  We serve up all new stuff this year as well as some old favorites plus all the things you have come to expect from us… a tough as nails race, awesome shwagg, cool special tests, and more. New to the ‘Chill’ this year is Too Cool’s famous “skip point”.  Teams that bring in 5 canned goods per racer on the team are permitted to skip a checkpoint during the race.  The race will happen rain, snow, or shine, so be prepared for any type of weather.  Race headquarters will be at South Shore Park at Lake Bastrop. If you need camping, we highly recommend you reserve tent sites or cabins soon because this is a very popular park.
We set the bar high…now it’s up to you to reach it!

Big Chill  Sprint Race:  Teams of 2 or 3 will run, bike, paddle, facing team challenges and obstacles along the way.  This course is designed for the beginner in mind!  Too Cool will be providing the boats (real hard sided canoes), racers just need to have a bike and a camelbak!  Be prepared for approximately 2-3 miles of paddling, 8-10 miles of biking, and 3-5 miles of trekking plus some surprises.  Estimated winning time is 2 hours.  Stay for the after party where we tap the keg, break open the refreshments and warm up the band.  We will cap this race at 100-2 person teams.  Please register early.

Race Date: January 22, 2011
Check In:
5-9 pm Friday 21st, 6:30-8 am Saturday 22nd

Pre-Race Meeting:
8:30 am Saturday 22nd

Race Start:
9 am Saturday 22nd

Race Cut-Off:
3 pm Saturday 22nd
After Party:
noon Saturday 22nd

Awards:
approx 1 pm Saturday 22nd

Teams: 2/3 person co-ed, male, female, masters and solos* (with director approval and own boat)

Entry Fee:
Recession Buster:  $85 per racer by December 1st, 2011
Normal Registration:  $90 per racer by January 4th, 2011
Late Registration:  $100 per racer after January 4th, 2011
Fee Includes:
Land use fees, park entries, schwag (may not be included with late registration), high quality maps, post race refreshments and beer, awards and prizes, obstacles and mystery events, canoes/paddles/PFDs, (*soloists must provide their own boats), EMT, finisher award

What Does A Biker Do In A Texas Winter Wonderland?

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Today and for several more days, southeast Texas will be in the grip of cold weather (by my definition at least) with temperatures in the 30’s and maybe even the 20’s. The question is what does a biker do when this happens? For me I stay inside and ride the trusty Cyclops windtrainer. But for other people these may be options:

  • Hibernate like a bear
  • Bundle up and go riding (Yesterday I was listening to The Spokesmen podcast and one of the participants said cold temperature is not the problem, improper clothing is the problem.)
  • Get fat and out of shape much like the Velonews cartoon character
  • Go to the gym and ride the stationary bike
  • Go to the southern hemisphere (my choice if I had the money)
  • Catchup on the bicycling magazines you did not have time to read during the rest of the year
  • Watch TV shows that highlight summer activities or sports
  • Polish and repair the bike(s)

Regarding the clothing issue, I have a problem dressing in enough clothing now to offset the cold when it gets in the 30’s. Once upon a time I could do that but now I would look like those kids you see playing in the snow when their mothers bundle them up so much they can barely move. The extent of their “fun” is to fall over and make a snow angel.

Do you have another choice you can share?