SAC Mansfield Winter Race with Bash and 3Pin.
http://www.elmtreedental.com/Images/2007%20Winter%...
This race had a different format- a bike/hike loop start where you could drop the bikes anywhere in the perimeter and hike in to get 6 CPs in any order, which split the pack up. We had a bit of a nav error at the first bush CP. The second group Bash nailed perfectly. Bash and I used trekking poles, which were great for towing up the occasional steep hill. Bash had Yaktracks, I had screws in my winter shoes, and 3Pin had his monster running ability, so even without the poles or studs he did a bit of good towing too. A bike back to Airport Road, where 3Pin ran 2 bikes! Bash's water hose froze up completely so we shared mine.
With so many teams milling around, we didn't realize we were in the top group until the TA.
The rest of the race was all skiing (Woo-hoo). We'd been told that the trails were not groomed for skating, and there was 20cm of fresh powder. 3Pin and I used combi skis and skating boots, Bash brought classic and skate skis, so we waxed for classic, which Bash and I love.
Turned out to be a great decision. We caught and passed suffering skaters like LSN and Salomon Suunto, and were 2nd to the first CP, and 1st to the next. One drawback to leading the race is that I had to break many km of trail for us and LSN as they double-poled behind us
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Leaving for the advanced course (long ungroomed ski section in confusing area - Woo Hoo!) we saw Supplier Pipeline come in as we split from LSN. Billy W and Trish are both awesome skiers, and DC was looking strong.
I broke trail to the next CP and Bash nailed the nav, where we again saw SP as we were leaving.
Less trail breaking to the last advanced CP, but 3Pin's not a classic skier although he gave it everything. I did a little towing for Bash up hills (Remind me to bring a longer tow rope for skiing) and we shared my water until I went dry. A final scramble down the escarpment, and I towed the determined but spent 3Pin 2km to the finish.
We ended up 2nd overall, 5 minutes behind SP, which is a great finish for us.
LSN was a full 35 minutes behind, followed by our buddies Tiny, Crash and Noshnoj, then LeAnimal, Phatty and Storm who suffered with skate skis.
I loved this race, in that we were in more wilderness than machine groomed trails, and nav and good equipment choice worked well for us. I was glad I've gotten some classic training in these last weeks. Also a great team- 3 Pin's so strong on bike and foot and Bash's such a good navigator and skier.
A few equipment notes- I used winter running shoes in platform pedals with Power Grip straps, with Sealskinz socks and chemical toe warmers on the bike, and my feet were toasty. I used Pogies on my handlebars, so my frostbitten hands were just fine. I had a studded rear tire, which was great for towing up steep hills. I filled my bladder with e-load with some extra salt (antifreeze) and boiling water in the AM, and with the insulated hose I was the only one who had reliable water. I also had an insulated water bottle on the bike with hot e-load.
Glasses fogged up on the bike- maybe ski goggles next time?
The combi skis and adjustable carbon poles at full length worked very well, and would have been OK for skating too.
Wish I'd remembered to ditch my helmet before the ski though.