Training Log Archive: wilberto

FAR Fall Classic at Muskoka Woods. Decided it was finally time to launch Lather.Rinse.Repeat: The Next Generation as Jasper's son was ready to try it. Arrived Friday evening, with pretty straightforward check-in/briefing. The single map looked like an interesting loop. Cabins were okay, but a full house with 3 teams in ours. Put in the earplugs and got the customary pre-AR crappy night's sleep. Bit of a gong show at the pre-race bike gear drop off (which direction should we go?) and then a last minute panic as we had misplaced our plasticized passport and required another one. Despite a broken canoe seat that had me favouring one side, we were off across Rosseau Lake. Made pretty good time with our rookie in the bow pacing us to the mid-pack. Met the speedy teams coming out of CP1 and reminded what real paddling looks like. Found the right beach, thanks to Bill Young's flash and portaged up the road. Asked at CP2 which portage trail made more sense and was told all were "sketchy". Promptly slipped out on a slick rock and dropped the canoe on my head and cranked my right knee (a recurring theme for the day). Picked it up and headed onto the river. Up the rock climb at the end and speculating that the canoe rental company didn't quite have this in mind for their fleet. Finally to the CP/TA and take a little time to get food into the rookie and the proper gear in the packs for the rest of the day.

C • Great job! 1

On to the bikes and up the road. Made the same mistake as many others at CP4 and followed the bigger gravel road up past the quarry/sewage lagoon. Figured out we were deadended, but only a couple hundred metres from the road we wanted, so I led a parade of bike-whackers down the hill. Onto the road riding and of course, I feel like crap. Every bike leg, it takes me a while to get my bike legs, so I just vow to keep grinding and hold on til I feel better. Finally to CP5, where Geoff tweets about us and we ensure the rookie eats something before on to the old ATV trail. Pretty fun to ride, but the rookie hasn't ridden much of this before, so his pace is pretty slow. He keeps plugging away, though. I check my distance and wonder where CPA is, but check the instructions and it should be obvious, so we press on. Eventually, we pop out at CP6 and learn that CPA has disappeared.

On to the trek. A tight loop up in the corner of the map, but it made me nervous as there wasn't really any strong features to work towards. Decide off the start to retreat a little south over the bridge and then bearing NW towards CP7. The rather vague "high point in a small clearing" didn't help much in an area with multiple high points and clearings. Stumbled around a little until I decided to focus on what I knew, so I followed the bearing until I found the swamp for CP8 and then decided to go back on the reverse bearing from 8 to 7. As we were moving, saw Pete Dobos team come out and they pointed us up the ridge. I think we would have gotten it, but appreciated the help. Finally moving onto CP8 and feeling good and I promptly stumbled with my left foot and as I'm falling, my right foot digs in and I fold back over on my right knee. Yes, the same knee I cranked while dropping the canoe several hours earlier. Double ouch. Lots of pain and first thought is "Call Trenton and get me a helicopter", but a few minutes of grumbling and the sharp pain subsides to being just very, very sore. A couple Vitamin I's and a walking stick and I'm moving forward again, albeit rather gingerly. I debate whether my race is done, but decide to just take it easy and keep moving forward and see how it goes. Either way, I have to walk out, so I may as well finish the checkpoints. Argh. Get CP8, then head up to the lake. Crossing a seasonal creek and tell the rookie that it's time for his first AR swim. He's a little hesitant as I'm standing behind him, but I think he knew that any longer and I was going to push him in, so off he goes. Thankfully, the sun is out by now and it's a great day, so noone got chilled post swim. I start dog-paddling across and without thinking, try some breast-stroking. Of course, my recently cranked knee reminds me rather sharply that the frog kick is the last thing it wants. Triple ouch. Climb up the ridge and then bushwhack to make sure we've picked up the lake. Jason gets the CP, then we follow the ATV trails for a while for the next CP and heading south. Hit the big grassy clearing and follow the "401" as multiple teams have passed through ahead of us, so we just join the conga line to the CP. Eventually hit the ATV trail again and back to end our trek. The rookie gets some swimming and some bushwhacking in and does well. although I can see the 16 year old energy is fading...

Back on the bikes for the final ride south to the finish. The rookie's pace has dropped, but he's still plugging along and his dad is helping lots, walking his bike up hills. My knee is stiff and sore, but okay to keep moving forward. I ride ahead at a reasonable pace and then have a little break while I wait. Riding the regular course out of CP12, I ponder the route of the "advanced" course, as this seems almost as challenging. Get to the road and discuss whether we want to ride around the last 2 CPs on the road, but the rookie is good to plug away and get the complete course. Finally reach CP13 and I'm impressed as Mr. Oblivious finds the off-trail CP13 on his own. Down to CP14 and the bike portage. Lots of teams through and there doesn't seem to be good choice, so we just wade in. Lots of uncertain footing, but I manage to keep the hubs dry despite some deep spots. Finally reaching some civilization and the roads home. CP15 and then the gravel road (the one we missed this morning) back down to Muskoka Woods and the finish line.

Impressed by the rookie. It's obvious he was doing things he hasn't done much of (bushwhacking, challenging mountain biking), but he kept plugging away and didn't complain too much. His dad did a good job looking after him and helping along the way. I remind him on the final ride to the finish that pushing yourself and finishing one of these is an accomplishment and not everyone does these.

Ranked 23 out of 41 teams overall, 11 out of 18 male, which isn't too bad, considering the goals for the race (get the rookie through) and the beating my knee took. With our regular team, I think we're pretty competitive and maybe top 10 overall.

Geoff and Mike put on a pretty good race. I liked the course loop, although I echo some of the thoughts of others - perhaps a different advanced section could stretch out the race for the top teams and some of the trek checkpoints weren't strong. Facilities were good (reasonable $ for accomodations and food was good) and I was happy to not be riding the same hydroline for the third year.