Discussion: Big Blue Races and request for suggestions

Hi- I am working with Big Blue Adventure and have uploaded all the races they are putting on for 2010. These include adventure races, trail races, Donner Lake Triathlon, and Adventure Sports Week. See my profile and the races I am attending to see a quick list of them.

Also, we are looking for ideas to improve this years races. I am hoping to gather some ideas for improving the Big Blue Adventure Races to relay back to Todd. Feel free to Chime in.. (e.g. ropes section, longer courses, location interests, etc.)

Thank you!
Strippa

Hey Angel!

Great website... again makes me wish I lived in sunny California, you guys have all the fun. I guess my only suggestion would be longer courses so that I can convince the team to make the trip that far south... but that's just my wishful thinking.

Best of luck in 2010.

Thanks Andrew. I know a 36 hour race formate (extending the previous 24hr race) has been suggested. Is that a long enough race to get some of you guys to come this direction? If not, what length would it need to be, or what if it was a qualifier for nationals, adding a ropes section, etc?

Realistically the possibility of an Eastern Canadian team making the trip is minimal if it's not an expedition length race. Not sure about the Ontario gang.

Hey ON, do any of you guys travel by air for 36 hr races?

Though you've got my gears grinding considering racing south of the border during the winter. Our season ends for about six months because the rest of my neighbors are too soft to race in the winter. Still, I'd think it'd have to be at least a 48 - 72 hr race to warrant air travel etc.

Yup, I agree. I would fly for a 2.5 day but nothing less...unless someone else was paying! The cost of moving a bike through the airport is pretty cost prohibitive so the duration matters. With that said, if it was part of a vacation, then maybe...

We used to have US-based teams come to our Raid the North races across Canada but back then, that's all there was beyond Eco-Challenge.

We used to travel by air for the RtN 36 hr series , BUT - bikes were cheaper to move, prize money/winnings typically covered at least the entry fees, the races (and afterparties) were well attended! :-) ... we didn't fly to race for 36 hrs against 8 or 9 teams.

I would think in California there would be lots of other things going on (business or pleasure) that people could tie two things together to justify the expense.
Business conventions, Wine tours, UFC 11?, Pride Parade, Star Trek Conventions..... :-)

Thanks for the thoughts- I'll pass along!

Team nuun here. Awesome races, here are a couple things I'd like to add/change:

I would love to see a ropes section. That has been sorely missing over the last couple years on the west coast AR scene. I would also like to see an end to the Rogaine format in AR. I think it's incredibly lame. I understand the positive aspect of having all the teams finish around the same time, but it is a different sport than A-Z races where you know where you stand/are ranked. For an extreme case study see this year's Portugal Worlds. Not cool! Just my opinion.

Lastly I'd like to see more time at higher elevations with long challenging climbs rather than bumbling around the flatter forest areas. Nobody wants to be digging through the brush when they've traveled far to see the Lake and get up high in the mountains on and above the Tahoe Rim Trail to look down at the Lake and surrounding mountains.

The 2008 Big Blue Tahoe race had some fantastic high elevation sections, balanced nicely of course with spectacular paddling on lake tahoe. Same thing with the XTERRA swim and bike course.

I raced at this year's XTERRA Lake Tahoe on the old national championships course and the swim and bike are untouchable, world-class. The run was...unfortunate. Zigzagging around an area of several flat acres would be OK for a high school cross country race in a small town in Indiana, but juxtaposed with the spectacular swim and bike it was unfortunate. I would imagine that you must be limited with the logistics of the transition area next to Tunnel Creek road and that may be the limiting factor along with the hotel people.

After the Tahoe Xterra it was strange that the hotel people across the street by the beach park didn't seem to want us there. Everyone after the race was dying to jump in the water to rinse off/cool off. There were extra "gate keeper/security" folks staffed at the parking lot specifically to block this from happening. instead, racers climbed down under the bridge to rinse off in the gnarly 12 inch deep puddle/creek/drainage. Maybe next year there can be a hose or something for folks to rinse off before driving back to their hotels or homes. Not much you can do about the locals/hotel policies/private beach. Or just tell people to bring extra jugs of water to rinse off. I was really looking forward to jumping in the lake after the race! especially since it's right across the street from the finish/awards/TA/parking lot.

I would recommend the Big Blue Tahoe 24 and XTERRA Lake Tahoe to anyone. In addition to the race, the Tahoe area is truly world class for hiking, riding, paddling, swimming and hanging out after the race. Do a google map of Vikingsholm, and you will see what I'm talking about. Jaw-dropping beautiful location. bring your cameras!

Sean
dartadventure.com

Thanks Sean- this is great info/feedback. I'll send this along to Todd and get back to you on his thoughts, and or any changes we maybe making to next years races.

Cheers!
Angel

Hey Sean- just to get back to you: Todd is going to look at putting in a rope section into the Tahoe 24hr and getting some beach access for the XTERRA race. Thanks again for the feedback.

Angel