Notes from the field

Currently we have seven teams officially signed up, but several of you have expressed interest. Drop me a mail if you are still in as I will likely be creating the maps early next week. It takes a while with a brown paper bag and crayons. Maybe I should try using the color printer instead? If you don’t register, you are still welcome to race, there just might not be a map for you. Feel free to pass this mail along to other who you think might be interested in the race.

The course is set and here are some notes:

Course layout:
The course has been set up with the following rules. CPs must be hit in order. However, you may chose to skip a CP if you want to. See diagram below. Will explain in more detail at race start.



Route choice:
Since CPs may be skipped, deciding what route to take will be very important. It will be very difficult to reach all the CPs before time cut offs, so planning and changing plans on the fly are key. Are you strong and fast enough bikers to make it to the top of the big climb then back down and still have the energy to reach all the trekking CPs? What about that team next to you that skipped the bike climb? Is that bushwhack to that CP really worth the time it would take to get out there?

Winning:
The winner will be the team that reaches the finish line before the cut off with the most CPs. If two team have the same number of CPs at the finish line, default falls to finishing time.

Course time:
There will be a 15 hour cut off at the finish line. There will be other cut off times on the course.

TAs/gear:
There will be a few manned CPs and all TAs will be manned. You will be responsible for bringing all your gear with you the entire race. Trekking stuff carried during biking sections. Bikes will be watched during any remote trekking. This means no remote gear boxes or refills. The course will take you back near the start line, so you may choose to return to your cars for resupply, but that will not be a requirement or possibly the fastest route depending on which CP you are coming from.

Stuff on course:
There will be a creek crossing section near the end of one of the bike legs. You will then start a trekking section. So bringing a second pair of socks might not be a bad idea.

Pants: during the trekking sections there will be CPs that require bushwhacking to reach. Thanks to the nice weather even the bushes near the trails have gone crazy. Pant and or tights might keep your legs looking pretty and not covered by needles, nicks, and thorns. I have done the hikes in shorts and paid the price so figured I would be nice enough to warm you.

Water:
Thanks to the rain, there should be plenty of water on the course. More than we might like. But there will also be the opportunity to refill at stores you pass and TAs should have limited water. Depends on how much I feel like carrying to the remote TA.

Biking:
Biking will be on roads, fire roads and single track. There is also one section of trail that requires bikes to be hiked. The rest of the course you can choose to ride or walk whatever you feel. Some of the single track can be technical, so make sure your breaks work or if they don’t double check your helmet.

CPs:
CPs will streamers or signs. The passport will have questions that need to be answered. Be prepared to think as not all answers will be as easy as writing down a letter.

Start:
Prerace meeting will start at 8 am on Saturday the 28th. Next update will tell you where to meet. Location will be within hour of most locations in the greater Seattle area.

Enjoy ,

Evil Race Director