Training Log Archive: JayXC

After the hour we took off as if nothing had changed and ran strong to the finish. What originally looked like a pretty easy trail run on the map was actually a tricky overgrown snowmobile trail that would have created some serious mayhem in a sprint to the finish with PdN, just as you’d expect from Getawaystix/Bash.

Already looking forward to a shot at redemption next year!

C • Redemption 10

Event: Wilderness Traverse
 

Wilderness Traverse with Mindy Fernando, Garrett Bean and Kyle Peter as Tecnu Adventure Racing, a potent all-US squad with one goal; a year-long sabbatical for Bob the Beaver in the US.

The race started on mtbs (rare occurrence) on some jeep trails and we had a good start avoiding any mid-pack traffic congestion with PdN right on our heels. It didn’t take long for our first wrong turn which put us behind most of the teams but it did almost enable a moose-bike interaction based on the noise in the bush and the tracks on the trail. We made up for the mistake quickly and found the faint snowmobile trail we were looking for. By the time we hit the power line trail we were back in first with Pullin Foot and Mundial in pursuit. The powerline trail eventually dumped out onto a dirt road and we rode strong into the TA.

The top 4 teams all arrived at TA1 within minutes of each other.

Right out of the TA and into our first swim across a channel with the intent of hitting a ‘road’ which we never saw. Instead, we followed the long lake making 3 more swims, hit a portage trail then travelled along the north side of the next lake to CP4.

We crossed the next channel right at the beaver dam and then walked the north side of the next lake to CP5 where Bent and the others provided grapes, strawberries, cheese and crackers, upscale dining in the bush.

We saw our first rattlesnake on our next swim after CP5 then continued bushwhacking to the faint road south of Wilson Lake. Once on the road we travelled very well and passed Pullin Foot along the way.

As we arrived at TA2 we could see PdN just rounding the point of the bay minutes away. “There’s the beaver”.

When we first saw the maps Friday night we thought this leg would most-likely decide the race. Turns out we were correct.

We quickly transitioned and hopped into the Kevlar boats with yokes. When we rounded the same point we could see PdN not more than 5 minutes ahead of us and before the first portage (the easiest) we were all together. We carried to the next lake and put-in together, paddled to the next one, repeat. It seemed we were quicker on the exit/enter the boat portion but PdN was carrying slightly quicker on the open portion of the carries and would get back around us there. We were pretty even on the long canoe-whacking versions of the carries with neither team able to gain an edge.

Once past CP7 it was an open water slugfest to the take-out with Mindy and I drafting off Kyle and Garret while Benoit chose to tow their second boat with the teams side-by-side.

When we arrived at the take-out Bob was there and explained to Kyle that we had left our Delorme tracker in our gear bin at the last TA and we would have to serve a 1 hour penalty. It was quite a let-down to say the least.

We put on our remaining warm gear and hung out with the TA staff and they made us hot chocolate while we waited out the penalty.

To Dryer Rd and back with VL and KP.