RockstAR with Bash.
Hot weather forecast, and a modified bike section due to a bridge out.
Bash and I started easy on the hot road run to start, and did the bike in a different sequence to avoid traffic on the Lakota trail ride.
The new Kodiak 'bent rode very nicely on its first race.
Bash had a thoughtful, strategic plan for the day. We started with the underwater CP, which Bash did due to my ear problem. Next, the tricky but valuable Southwest section while we were fresh. The trails were virtually non-existent so it was a true AR bushwhack, and even with Bash's precision nav it was slower going than expected. Hot and full of deerflies in spots, but some ponds to splash in.
Next we paddled to the SUP, trailbuilding and inner-tube controls, then back to the hub for mandatory 5-7hr check-in before paddling up to the North end with the clock running.
We knocked off controls pretty well, as the North end was much easier going, and with some impressive pinpoint Bash nav to 50.
There was one last 70 point control we thought we could narrowly get, but we had to run fast on tow and hammer back to HQ with 5 min to spare.
We ended up with 1400 points, good enough for the co-ed win, and 70 behind the overall winners.
In hindsight, 1470 would have been reachable if we'd known how slow the SW was and chose other areas.
Great to race with Bash, with great planning, excellent nav and strong pace.
I was happy to be able to eat throughout the race, finished feeling great, hungry and with a lot of gas left in the tank despite the hammerfest at the end. What a change from ultras!
The race was well run by Storm of course. Great to see the Gally clan blow away the 4 hour course, including an overall win by the Gally boys in the adult category and a female win by the Gally Girls!