SKMC Fall Race Updates

Race Up Date  10-8-13

Hello racers.   We have a good turnout and weather is looking good, however we always race-  rain, sleet or shine but its looking good. A few important last notes

As I stated in post below, I would like to see all teams bring locks for their bikes.   This will only be needed in one spot.   Its on DNR land and we have never had a problem in the past but we do not want to be responsible for any stolen gear.   So thank you for working with us on that.  If one cable lock will lock the teams bikes, that is ok also.

Remember to look at the Mandatory gear list.  As we have done in the past, we want racers to wear bright colored tops, Bright orange will be best but bright blue or green will work if you dont have orange. Or a Orange hat.  There is small game hunting and bow hunting on DNR land but we have never had a problem with this, however your safety is very important to us .  

If you are bringing your own paddles and pfds, You can drop them in the back of my Red pick up on race day.  Please have them well marked with your team name.

NOTE- We are also letting all racers to drop  ONE  bag for the team for the canoe landing.   We will allow a normal size garbage bag with your teams name on it. This bag can also go in my red pickup.   This is for any teams that want to bring a little more water or food.   The paddle section will be in the middle of the race and for a 9 hour race, your team really should not need much at this point. 

Remember , if you are a 3 person team, that middle person will have to sit on a seat cushion, that you will have to bring.  That too can go in the red pickup.

VOLUNTEERS- While we do have the race pretty well staffed, we can always use one more hand .   If you have a friend or spouse that is coming out to watch the race, if they want, we would give them some simple jobs like taking time splits and such.   If interested , please contact me at andygmac61@gmail.com.  They will be treated to a big meal at the end and a great      T shirt.

Finally, I want to thank all of you for coming out , I am looking forward to seeing all of you.

PS   The race word for this years race will be BEER!, we will have plenty of it....see you saturday between 6 am and 6 45am for packet pickup....Andy and the WARS team

Race Up Date 9-15-13 

Hi All.  Well the weather is starting to cool down and hints of fall are in the air.  One of my favorite times of the year and a good time to get out in the woods and race.   I went over the course the last few weeks and it is shaping up well for this years race.   This years race should take the fast teams about 8 hours to complete and I will have a 9 hour time limit for everyone.   There will be  2 navigation maps ,   one somewhat easy  and the other , somewhat hard.    The other distances will be close to what I wrote up below.   We have racers already signing up and I am once again excited to be putting on another event and seeing all of my AR friends!    Watch this site for a few last up dates before race time.   Take care!   Andy and the WARS team.

RACE UP DATE     7-2013

Hello all,   visit this site for additional race info as we get closer to race date.    New this year is we will have canoes for ALL racers.    Racer will not be allowed to bring their own canoes this year but if your team wants, racers can use their own pfds and paddles if they wish.    Otherwise , all canoes, paddles and pfds will be provided to teams this year.    The canoes and paddles and pfds will be at the canoe put in and we will pick them up after the racers are done with them.

Teams of 2 will receive one canoe and teams of 4 will receive two canoes.    Teams of 3 can all go in one canoe but the 3rd person will have to sit on the floor of the canoe and we would highly suggest that teams of 3 bring a cushion for the middle person to sit in.   The canoe provider will NOT allow any person to sit on the middle canoe bracing.  

If you are a solo racers, and still want to race, then let us know and we will make sure that you receive a kayak.     Thank You.....Andy  

For racers who need either a trail pass for the mt. biking trails or  day passes for their vehicle, I will have the passes at Nordic.   4$ for a trail pass and 7$ for your vehicle, If you are out of state, that 7$ fee is then

10$.   These are one day fees charged by the DNR.

If you can, bring exact change.

NORDIC IS A NICE SHELTER BUT IS SHORT ON  CHAIRS.   IF YOU WOULD LIKE , BRING A CHAIR FOR YOURSELF DURING THE MEETING AND AFTER THE RACE.   THANKS

Hello Racers. We added one more item to the gear list.

I would like all bikes to have a red blinking light on the rear of the bike  that needs to be on at all times while on the road.    Thank You

For the paddle,  there will be a 100 yard portage between lakes.   Your  canoe must be carried , no wheels please. 

This race is open to all team configurations but if your

team wants to race the 1st Basis Race Series,then your

team must be co-ed.   Either 2 person co ed, 3 person

co-ed or 4 person co-ed.   Go to the side link for the series for more info.     All other team configurations such as same gender and solos will be in the OPEN divison.

A few teams asked  about the bikes for the race.  This race will have single track and on road biking.  Most racers like to use Mt. bikes with thinner or faster tires.

Racers may use any type of bike but only   1  bike per racer. No tandem bikes please.

A few teams asked about the navigation.   There will be 2 nav maps.   The maps are of my own design.  They have been field checked  and up dated version of a better Topo.  Map scale will be on the maps.  Your team will be able to see the map scales at the race meeting.

Look forward to seeing all of you soon.   Andy and the

WARS team.

UP DATE

   Again, packet pickup is 6am-6:45am at Nordic shelter and pre race meeting is 7am-7:45am and race starts at 8am.   Race will start at Nordic shelter.  The directions to Nordic are on the directions link.    

  There will be areas on the course to get water, one of the areas will be both Nordic and Rice lake, there is bathrooms there also. 

You may pack away your cell phones during the paddling section so there is no risk to them.

   Locks for gear is another topic, while we will have volunteers at most areas, we can not always be watching or responsible for lost gear.  We have never had a problem with this, but we will require you  to bring  a lock for your bike . 

   Double check the GEAR list again to make sure your team has everything on the list.  

    For those of you who  need State Park stickers for their cars and Trail passes for the mt. biking,  i will have envelopes for both at Nordic or if you are coming to the state forest Friday night, the station at Ottawa lake which is at the north end of the state forest, will be open until 10pm Friday.  Make sure you have them date the mt bike pass for Saturday the 12th.

 VOLUNTEERS

   While we do our best to always be well staffed during the race, we dont mind having a few more souls helping us out, so , if you have any friends coming out to watch the race and would like to volunteer , we have some simple jobs if they are interested , like taking times and such.  just let me know at andygmac61@gmail.com  Thanks.    Andy

If you are renting, you will NOT have to shuttle your canoe to the put in.  The canoe company will deliver your canoe and pick it up.   ,Plese add the 45$  to your registration cost and I will make sure your team will have a rental canoe for the race.   These canoes are first come ,first served, so the sooner I know that your team needs a canoe, the better chance that we can get your team one.  Thank You