tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49899470010795993902024-03-12T16:13:25.701-07:00Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO) Team USAAll about Orienteering USA's Mountain Bike Orienteering Team, one of the Team USA teams competing in international orienteering competitions. Mountain Bike Orienteering is known as MTBO or MTB-O.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02382196374803148242noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-10934896975718842032015-08-24T01:36:00.003-07:002015-08-24T01:45:18.224-07:00Looking Back On The Czech World ChampsThe MTBO World Champs were bigger this year. The Czech Republic is arguably the home of world Mountain Bike Orienteering, and they did a great job of trying to raise the bar. <br />
<br />
Our team was bigger.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvH-1hwtUOYypnrD73p97ua3aL5x4uNQ-iHbcWaT1cm-kOkAFQfWYJYhoZsXk2baTuFWUk7PrBMxxcpISiXxQRq9PPvh8jcMmlAyIgQFhICPrrdBfHgn9CAuEhMvPom-jRWl5Xajz33o8/s1600/11885367_10153559088438454_1582608895956124072_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvH-1hwtUOYypnrD73p97ua3aL5x4uNQ-iHbcWaT1cm-kOkAFQfWYJYhoZsXk2baTuFWUk7PrBMxxcpISiXxQRq9PPvh8jcMmlAyIgQFhICPrrdBfHgn9CAuEhMvPom-jRWl5Xajz33o8/s400/11885367_10153559088438454_1582608895956124072_n-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The courses were harder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UdRikC6xm5alLfBueL7n7MrNQXmfweoZXC80iN7tkCw38XxUNn3AmDAHiG1E7ysVABpB0HUL8wfdIb2exliYl50sigmo3fmccNiKrYQhklIwM8u72DHQBt2WrHWqYJ04W09BJDGDbQU/s1600/11221774_10153540818444313_250362760319778632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UdRikC6xm5alLfBueL7n7MrNQXmfweoZXC80iN7tkCw38XxUNn3AmDAHiG1E7ysVABpB0HUL8wfdIb2exliYl50sigmo3fmccNiKrYQhklIwM8u72DHQBt2WrHWqYJ04W09BJDGDbQU/s640/11221774_10153540818444313_250362760319778632_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The weather was more extreme. The terrain was uncompromising on both equipment and our legs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLQHVQdW8ZQaYMB_byoJcSksnHqhLyVuISQMXEztR0a_Z_ImwFhgU29_a-7tDqA-o4b1f-ez4ZoqTPq0YUk9Vk1V5YBgen8HZOVnvbNI9AVkvAQrPLk1_IiYWDsBqR0_HzPk9tHz3ekw/s1600/11892065_10207444033568646_1030788741331874499_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLQHVQdW8ZQaYMB_byoJcSksnHqhLyVuISQMXEztR0a_Z_ImwFhgU29_a-7tDqA-o4b1f-ez4ZoqTPq0YUk9Vk1V5YBgen8HZOVnvbNI9AVkvAQrPLk1_IiYWDsBqR0_HzPk9tHz3ekw/s640/11892065_10207444033568646_1030788741331874499_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The media attention was brighter. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57dYmKWzxrNfGtYrRELAkxTsAfzOFz5XBmhyphenhyphenDE4Vj3PFRYC5GS0x7SteVlF36D7EbjwcVFldQ3tL4oWDFlBYC0JaZaGjVDmm34-bfWNPf2SdiM7uEE95hBXy-F2GxCWSY3K9N5pxwiKk/s1600/11137158_821726786423_4277269102288127443_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57dYmKWzxrNfGtYrRELAkxTsAfzOFz5XBmhyphenhyphenDE4Vj3PFRYC5GS0x7SteVlF36D7EbjwcVFldQ3tL4oWDFlBYC0JaZaGjVDmm34-bfWNPf2SdiM7uEE95hBXy-F2GxCWSY3K9N5pxwiKk/s400/11137158_821726786423_4277269102288127443_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkjxDN56fI7mpk4NkgJjkTsxsqXb8OmST7ngBuzDl6bhac3jmYsiQagPiSTNh6X3FgqiaBkkn2j0wfZImYH_t2zF7diDs2glsUXlKGkoWM31eUIoLxiLoKBPCsBGEbxidB0U88KbENVQ/s1600/11143241_10153548464924591_3988417445344983868_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkjxDN56fI7mpk4NkgJjkTsxsqXb8OmST7ngBuzDl6bhac3jmYsiQagPiSTNh6X3FgqiaBkkn2j0wfZImYH_t2zF7diDs2glsUXlKGkoWM31eUIoLxiLoKBPCsBGEbxidB0U88KbENVQ/s640/11143241_10153548464924591_3988417445344983868_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">And the closing banquet was epic!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Watching all of the TV coverage and GPS tracks this year taught showed that the best riders are not always pedaling hard. Especially in the sprint we all noticed how slowly the top riders were riding in and out of CP's. Route choice is so more important, and more so when the terrain is so steep and challenging. In Estonia and Poland fitness was king. If you could ride fast, your route was not highly predictive of success if you could execute it.<br />
<br />
This year we had a lot of fast riders, more than half of the team can race a bike near the top of the sport at home. Yet that ability was not of much help in the Czech terrain. The ability to navigate was exalted above all else here.<br />
<br />
Reviewing the routes that the impressive Anton Foliforov rode during training, we noticed that he was seeing route choices that we did not take. Not only did we not take them, they never even occurred to us. When there are hills, it is not enough to see the trails, but also the contour lines. Not just the contour lines, but the terrain between trails where it may be faster to run your bike instead of ride around.<br />
<br />
The challenge was overwhelming, especially for those of us who arrived for the first time with expectations of success. Success for a team like ours looks different than what it does for a different team. It also looks different than what success looks like for ourselves at home. We are used to being good bike racers, adventure racers and navigators at home. Although MTBO blends these skills, it is a unique skill of its own that must be practiced to find success. Especially at this level!<br />
<br />
With that said, there were a lot of successes out there amongst our difficulty this year. Lots of learning, and even a lot of good splits too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8EOR1jHyDBABXZhtP9sLO01jqWBjTxXCXDuP-lijzqCDTv91OLXhHXnGuEksKdo1_EXjaxjbMapJrzOP_RElZlIA3lfGI2xZaaLJP9gUtp-uC4MU-4PVYsT1Tbeq4szKixtb05VeBz0/s1600/11899993_10153551822084313_3004603706792464220_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8EOR1jHyDBABXZhtP9sLO01jqWBjTxXCXDuP-lijzqCDTv91OLXhHXnGuEksKdo1_EXjaxjbMapJrzOP_RElZlIA3lfGI2xZaaLJP9gUtp-uC4MU-4PVYsT1Tbeq4szKixtb05VeBz0/s640/11899993_10153551822084313_3004603706792464220_n-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We are lucky to be racing amongst a community that does not judge us for what might appear to be a lack of success. The world's best MTBO athletes welcome us. They understand that we don't have the opportunity to practice as much as they do. It's a great community of which I really enjoy being a small part of.<br />
<br />
Thank you to Orienteering USA for the opportunity to compete on the world stage, and thanks to all of my teammates for another great experience. It was a pleasure working with you out there.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5urfbqrE5Hk4KJ0oFESDjuuuJmQlvtPlhG1CdxP45WXfZnGe3f74VV_TXmA9__MRSXoIUar_aKYqttII76EMcuFvxgqVjDMSfYZEqGxR15-13mSmzyjCMUGOy0ESmQLL4ZET_Q4Qsto0/s1600/11896143_10153548442899591_204428500278051735_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5urfbqrE5Hk4KJ0oFESDjuuuJmQlvtPlhG1CdxP45WXfZnGe3f74VV_TXmA9__MRSXoIUar_aKYqttII76EMcuFvxgqVjDMSfYZEqGxR15-13mSmzyjCMUGOy0ESmQLL4ZET_Q4Qsto0/s640/11896143_10153548442899591_204428500278051735_n-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Until next year!FoxShadowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187712513142723289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-13896015889138190342015-08-18T10:57:00.002-07:002015-08-18T11:45:37.829-07:00It's On Like Donkey Kong! Opening Ceremonies and Middle DistanceIt has officially begun! All the teams are here (29 countries), the heatwave has broken, and the rain has officially saturated Team USA. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>OPENING CEREMONIES</u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
Yesterday, August 17th, was the Opening Ceremonies held at the Arena here in Liberec, home of the White Tigers Hockey Team. A little different from previous years, we as the team got to sit down and enjoy the show. Two team members, Rachel Furman and Justin Bakken were our chosen representatives to be the flag and country name carrier as they joined the other countries flag carriers to walk on stage as they announced the teams to competition. The presentation of a clock countdown got me a little nervous since it felt like the beginning of a race - it was nice to not have to pedal away as the clock reached :00 seconds, but instead listen to some amazing drumming and watch the light show and a short video of Mountain Bike Orienteering.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0av__RpILz4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0av__RpILz4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t-ahxLfbNBoEJrrHmvMPWIQlWnxBrNeQK4RHX-R69XjE6TD4dFXFSJFm7X5HJtnRZTybfIGgT60uUHAeCc5dBm3i1gjV56jYkrsDligdvieQy62BVTCpwhhaa48gT0zxU_gTcf3xLWkM/s1600/team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t-ahxLfbNBoEJrrHmvMPWIQlWnxBrNeQK4RHX-R69XjE6TD4dFXFSJFm7X5HJtnRZTybfIGgT60uUHAeCc5dBm3i1gjV56jYkrsDligdvieQy62BVTCpwhhaa48gT0zxU_gTcf3xLWkM/s320/team.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u>MIDDLE DISTANCE RACE - 100% CHANCE OF RAIN</u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7TVxCo6-NeqC53RcgAjOOyRBHJrYs9rUtsONLH5O61dauf2hxNWIUvo6wU-pePjXkePqFY_HLysmYeVmfaQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
This short video pretty much sums up what the weather was like today for the Middle Distance Event, probably don't need to dwell too much more on that topic. But... it was a lot more pleasant than what I was expecting, not that cold and the trails weren't as slippery as I thought they would be. FUN!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
COMPETITION - I was really happy how today played out. I feel like I haven't had a solid Middle Course Race for the past 4 years I've attended the World Championships. Today's course was filled with multiple route choice options and many, many hills. I played this game conservatively today making sure I was on the right path before making any big descents - did I mention it was hilly? It's a bummer I had to try two different trails before choosing the third (the correct trail) on my way to the first control. But on the positive side, I did recover from this error and carried on with my race. No major errors, just a bunch of tiny ones. Yes, I do know tiny errors add up to quite a bit of time but honestly, with the limited MTBO we have in the states, I'll take my solid 43rd place! I've learned quite a bit this past year from the help of fellow MTBO friends and it feels great to be able to apply all that I've learned to today's race, thanks!<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75qE2pSuIStcR0KN_G3tI_SydUEEpQhbtM1Sf9mJscnuCNJYc2nzQ5_pS52mpuaRsHO4vhJpeoJIdFPME5aamGV3ZCIXVTbAS2g5NuJwn4eDejMsZVGi8h8dCbEGpxBhgu04TYtsZLzEJ/s1600/map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75qE2pSuIStcR0KN_G3tI_SydUEEpQhbtM1Sf9mJscnuCNJYc2nzQ5_pS52mpuaRsHO4vhJpeoJIdFPME5aamGV3ZCIXVTbAS2g5NuJwn4eDejMsZVGi8h8dCbEGpxBhgu04TYtsZLzEJ/s320/map1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6SvZLDiQiRa7bVb9KN8N7XPo0Nq9voxFzMR0Kc9IEzGQzQcSDtFs7EVN8tZGcnmzHHIfLOJaXHgTAtNoazg6RoJNFA6d4j1Dib6CjoIJT94KO8Ln0oTbNTDXcMzi0jRVOmKF_Ft-MrhW/s1600/w21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6SvZLDiQiRa7bVb9KN8N7XPo0Nq9voxFzMR0Kc9IEzGQzQcSDtFs7EVN8tZGcnmzHHIfLOJaXHgTAtNoazg6RoJNFA6d4j1Dib6CjoIJT94KO8Ln0oTbNTDXcMzi0jRVOmKF_Ft-MrhW/s320/w21.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257840458498663474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-17079740185089672232015-08-15T13:39:00.001-07:002015-08-15T13:39:06.922-07:00Learnings from a MTBO Champs BeginnerWhew! As a new teammate for the U.S. MTBO team, I wasn't sure what to expect of the 2015 MTBO Champs. Well I've made it to the end of our first week here in the Czech Republic, but not without making some of the classic MTBO errors in each of my training camp courses. The good news is that it was <strong>training</strong> camp, and I get to learn from them before it gets real for us in a few days!<br />
<br />
The first day of training camp was the sprint course. I lost a few minutes on my third control just through a little confusion, but otherwise was doing fairly well and felt good. However, I was having trouble following the pink lines between the controls and making sure I was going to the right control, and ultimately punched a control that I'd already been too (thought "8" was "18" even though I should have been going to "17," whoops!). After I mis-punched, I thought I would be disqualified, so I went on and finished the course without going back to get 17. So, lesson number 1: you won't get disqualified for an extra punch, so go back and get all of your controls in order and your finish will count!<br />
<br />
The second day was the long course. I made a route choice that turned out to be uphill for 300 ft, instead of the downhill that I thought it would be. Lesson number 2: make sure you read the contours correctly while planning your route! I also realized after talking to others about route choices that I have a tendency to look for straight line routes, which causes me to overlook some shorter routes that consist of a few stair-step type turns. For example, on my long course map I've highlighted my route. Between controls one and two, my brain immediately read the straight angled route I took, completely missing the faster one with the paved and gravel roads to the north and west of my route. Lesson number 3: learn to look for all the possible route choices before making your decision. Your first gut instinct may not be the fastest route.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65q0uob1hvU2baqIRGUYBOH8bPMPEBATlf_PJGkQpugACLXrr3pcdw0JpdVGZjpLx93xEnljUNhwdYiwMD40gLW7iXc1YKywEwJ3_UBWy3b-MGGeMzaSW6_A5cpF1Bmd-WcDL0G0gpg/s1600/DSC_7385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65q0uob1hvU2baqIRGUYBOH8bPMPEBATlf_PJGkQpugACLXrr3pcdw0JpdVGZjpLx93xEnljUNhwdYiwMD40gLW7iXc1YKywEwJ3_UBWy3b-MGGeMzaSW6_A5cpF1Bmd-WcDL0G0gpg/s320/DSC_7385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Course map with my route highlighted in pink. Check out the hill I chose to hike my bike up from 2 to 3 (not on purpose..). Yes, that is, in fact, 20 countour lines. Also see if you can find the more optimal route from 1 to 2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And (my) last day was the middle course. I was dreading the middle course because it was my worst course a few weeks ago at O-Ringen in Sweden, where I dropped from 4th overall to 6th due to some poor map reading and lack of quick route choices. This time, I did okay for the most part, but still made some of the same errors. I took the wrong trail at times, took a slower route choice from 16 to 17, and crashed into a branch on the way to 18 that almost took me out of the game for good, but more on that later. But, after looking at the map afterwards, the learning from the day was bushwhacking. Now, I actually had done some bushwhacking, unintentionally. I'm talking short bushwhacks to get to the control from a faster trail than the one it is on. It would have worked for me at control 9 and 17. So, lesson number 4: Don't discount the bushwhack option!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XLZTObdWoL4H0czlQVsCHWi1qjfrgxirO0XdpbqHQHIoWJldUW4ZbbrcQ2l72Bo19kMUjbL_mFKy2_P3SoPoWbZ0GW60HW53WKa2TCwvjToXmeMA_3Wop_72GtL5Xceks4avTlM9QR0/s1600/WP_20150815_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XLZTObdWoL4H0czlQVsCHWi1qjfrgxirO0XdpbqHQHIoWJldUW4ZbbrcQ2l72Bo19kMUjbL_mFKy2_P3SoPoWbZ0GW60HW53WKa2TCwvjToXmeMA_3Wop_72GtL5Xceks4avTlM9QR0/s320/WP_20150815_021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Course map with my route highlighted. I tried to put red X's where I know I messed up (missed a turn, turned around, stopped to read the map other than at a control, hit a branch, etc.). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I'm missing many more of the lessons I've learned throughout this past week, but that will do it for now. I know I will still be learning even more as I try to put this all together on Tuesday, along with over 1500 feet of climbing..yowza!</div>
<br />
Until next time!Rocky33http://www.blogger.com/profile/13142843242853826998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-11816218791326609282015-08-14T12:25:00.000-07:002015-08-14T12:32:31.709-07:00Training Camp Musings From The Czech Hills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life at training camp is like being at scout camp. Despite its discomforts, its the best of times. Each day we are responsible for little more than training, eating and sleeping -- it is an ideal life. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ten of us (yes, ten this year!) are piled into a strange lakeside resort area that has communal showers, rooms so uncomfortably hot they cannot be entered from noon to 7PM, countless cigarette smokers, bees and a stray cat. But we are all in it together, getting to know each other through training, teaching and learning from each other.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Traveling is something we all enjoy, but being here to train and race at the World Champs gives our visit here a purpose outside of being a tourist. It allows time to slow down a bit, as we don't feel compelled to use too much of our energy outside of training. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZDs60DEbUVw2tMxcM2YJfzQlZxbHphOyeJdVLMmW9GwkUO_fftXtOaQ1_Op1S9eQUXppV_l5v8Gb86T1Votd8Ff6-G8aUI1iyVgB2dpUuzQcV6JvJbaoNKva4wgCaa8wr5psU8Sgtdo/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZDs60DEbUVw2tMxcM2YJfzQlZxbHphOyeJdVLMmW9GwkUO_fftXtOaQ1_Op1S9eQUXppV_l5v8Gb86T1Votd8Ff6-G8aUI1iyVgB2dpUuzQcV6JvJbaoNKva4wgCaa8wr5psU8Sgtdo/s400/IMG_0719.JPG" title="We live in small cottages. They melt our chocolate when we leave." width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We live in small cottages. They melt our chocolate when we leave</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLpJrXVzUZhjikjEZNeB4SvXmmN4m0E7aqzi8ct05ZFs_9Qm3D4JhYDm3No1fQo8Q3rvZUh__5c33Uu7r5Hx-VYgJGJBxIYA4or3MmcmDMEKmpEIhUPYRgJ1O3s_XllOZOveAn8dUK3g/s1600/11889597_10204847973823632_8932136730795185717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLpJrXVzUZhjikjEZNeB4SvXmmN4m0E7aqzi8ct05ZFs_9Qm3D4JhYDm3No1fQo8Q3rvZUh__5c33Uu7r5Hx-VYgJGJBxIYA4or3MmcmDMEKmpEIhUPYRgJ1O3s_XllOZOveAn8dUK3g/s320/11889597_10204847973823632_8932136730795185717_n.jpg" title="Justin brought us fans!" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">But Justin brought us fans to help us get better sleep</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl0rSvQwee5nNYW-StB3FTgfnf8iS_2D1PDK-FNdvbxzJSJZ_2OtRSD3OZN9DnkmgfGUiDeLkL0NHOH-NPhC317Nx0COonb0gbzEY8XVMfK6AhLi_M8L3TSdvLA6nhGnrbcxpQ-HTbQo/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl0rSvQwee5nNYW-StB3FTgfnf8iS_2D1PDK-FNdvbxzJSJZ_2OtRSD3OZN9DnkmgfGUiDeLkL0NHOH-NPhC317Nx0COonb0gbzEY8XVMfK6AhLi_M8L3TSdvLA6nhGnrbcxpQ-HTbQo/s400/IMG_0705.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are on the shore of a lake with a brilliant wake board cable system. Here is a picture of Sue (or perhaps Abra, I don't recall) getting some air.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7_9GheuU6gV3PFSMlsHlvzKYSgJ-pqaL2-rJ7lRE4F0FQ7myU3aWuDqTXnJc_MZs3E2V5l-i9uxrzdLeTri4WOwNkngiQfrcXqff9ZuSQ-iBiqboi5hKkjpiLNcdfNrlQMpymVRFgFk/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7_9GheuU6gV3PFSMlsHlvzKYSgJ-pqaL2-rJ7lRE4F0FQ7myU3aWuDqTXnJc_MZs3E2V5l-i9uxrzdLeTri4WOwNkngiQfrcXqff9ZuSQ-iBiqboi5hKkjpiLNcdfNrlQMpymVRFgFk/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nate is also good. Unfortunately for him today the cat came out of the bag: he has a cycling tan tattoo, the photo clearly shows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2AXSR4wXdu0D0T7vk1pIGI4GPMFSSCX1ibvn-SZsMQVew8Y8LSsZRaDGV0p7K6TVZtzkJk2BFGdX7xUfxV2-fKtWHUGOwq30k6P8iRnMZmVq44ReTKoIB9Fu9sL13sGKBRPmBkMR_3Q/s1600/Blog+fork+in+road+MTBO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2AXSR4wXdu0D0T7vk1pIGI4GPMFSSCX1ibvn-SZsMQVew8Y8LSsZRaDGV0p7K6TVZtzkJk2BFGdX7xUfxV2-fKtWHUGOwq30k6P8iRnMZmVq44ReTKoIB9Fu9sL13sGKBRPmBkMR_3Q/s640/Blog+fork+in+road+MTBO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The woods present us with many choices. If you are like us, and make the right choice 90% of the time, you are... in huge trouble. Going the wrong direction 10% of the time is a bit too much. Sound navigation is very important, especially in the sprint and middle distance events.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtukhluUiPZISVNK9JvmSPkxhyBZXuw8PYFMD_Wm0worgWtWeYlvWr4iJWhjHbl3-mIBEJbprFR1gDDsG2htuZlCLUZWVE777aXoMgeDBrpQI3CdwTnQKX8VkMKU3jZvRSlKKl2fljAM/s1600/11200918_10153528326359591_935125448895090235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtukhluUiPZISVNK9JvmSPkxhyBZXuw8PYFMD_Wm0worgWtWeYlvWr4iJWhjHbl3-mIBEJbprFR1gDDsG2htuZlCLUZWVE777aXoMgeDBrpQI3CdwTnQKX8VkMKU3jZvRSlKKl2fljAM/s320/11200918_10153528326359591_935125448895090235_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our van chose a scenic place to get a flat tire!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfvbifPlJsJn1rAllEf4zytN4whH9wbXoynC1zGAYbenT1LYhO6ifN8MrgiVvssNC6Q4Tppg0rc55j3o2KgSyun99x0BjNQjfgGFNdHKk3mCWK-vR6xILbArOQe7hLR8K30s0yuJCJ8/s1600/11889406_10103211060750607_7969591249592733536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfvbifPlJsJn1rAllEf4zytN4whH9wbXoynC1zGAYbenT1LYhO6ifN8MrgiVvssNC6Q4Tppg0rc55j3o2KgSyun99x0BjNQjfgGFNdHKk3mCWK-vR6xILbArOQe7hLR8K30s0yuJCJ8/s640/11889406_10103211060750607_7969591249592733536_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Czech countywide is gorgeous. This is the view from <a href="http://jested.cz/en/">the Jested Hotel.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45v3ckJDMTOer0lR-qDnFn64qFN8gZUuSgZ93uQsR8EiYbW2XkqXo7iBBZej48jlnWhiupoI0H6IlPR8pYUpLfWdiHb8_KBPidaP7ylivOcSlaB4PzwnbHCyIF47uHBap-9wQd7726TE/s1600/Happy+Baxter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45v3ckJDMTOer0lR-qDnFn64qFN8gZUuSgZ93uQsR8EiYbW2XkqXo7iBBZej48jlnWhiupoI0H6IlPR8pYUpLfWdiHb8_KBPidaP7ylivOcSlaB4PzwnbHCyIF47uHBap-9wQd7726TE/s320/Happy+Baxter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The dogs of the Czech Republic are happy and photogenic.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
FoxShadowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187712513142723289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-41860387394560510442015-08-10T00:45:00.000-07:002015-08-10T00:50:56.756-07:00Welcome to Prague!The 2015 World Champs trip started off on two wheels this year, with Sue trying her hand on a Segway in Prague's Old Town Square. Jeff, Sue and Abra arrived a day early and got to check out a bit of the city along with the rest of the multitude of travelers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iae26prCyQ7BSwnGhJncQyn6IY_vbPYUQC-v4W7Ki1SRckktafdqhiMTJJMDgz0cW8fR_JsyNeXVNxf1EmamjN7W0U5hSh0cKpx62jIEw7cZTC2ZTZOqRATWnFwSD2svrwHjGdfGx-g/s1600/IMG_4664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iae26prCyQ7BSwnGhJncQyn6IY_vbPYUQC-v4W7Ki1SRckktafdqhiMTJJMDgz0cW8fR_JsyNeXVNxf1EmamjN7W0U5hSh0cKpx62jIEw7cZTC2ZTZOqRATWnFwSD2svrwHjGdfGx-g/s320/IMG_4664.JPG" width="240" /></a>Except for Rachel's plane delay in which she sat on the tarmac at JFK for four hours, she, Tom and Dave arrived the next day without a hitch and have joined us at an Airbnb apartment on the outskirts of Prague. We're all adjusting to the stagnant heat and lack of air conditioning. Cold showers are the current preferred cool down method. All bikes arrived safely and Jeff already took a short spin last night along a lovely river path. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just like prior years, it's already been a fun "cross contamination" of adventure racing, mountain bike and orienteering stories. Jeff and Rachel raced together earlier this year with David Ashley, who competed for Team USA in Estonia two years ago, and know of Peter, Joe Brautigam and Tom , Justin and Dave's WEDALI racing team as well. The Adventure Racing/MTBO ties run deep.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After a morning team spin we'll be picking up Nathan (who just earned his 5th degree black belt earlier this week -- by lying on a bed of nails and having someone break a cement block on his abdomen!?), Sarah and Peter and heading off to training camp to get some solid practice in before the following week's races begin. A game of van packing Tetris is in store.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few pictures of Jeff, Abra and Sue's Prague adventures from yesterday, including a tandem penny farthing bike found in the Jewish Quarter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveeqilwM05o7NlcKFf1WsFRvV_WIy_I_Hm3hpsFsIgK_gDkTsQx7HNj6d5qbt4seng9EUviCC45C9wIekrS9nanG-bdxDNA4KbDe88BLXVeaGK1-Dzmq5MyhCdhl4waODuILDHxuul38/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveeqilwM05o7NlcKFf1WsFRvV_WIy_I_Hm3hpsFsIgK_gDkTsQx7HNj6d5qbt4seng9EUviCC45C9wIekrS9nanG-bdxDNA4KbDe88BLXVeaGK1-Dzmq5MyhCdhl4waODuILDHxuul38/s400/IMG_4682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_1SnoOX72eKLOZUUdJVJ_mzh_iplz8yxkF7vZbRRo2J0Jr5G3h3MBBUE3mguNJ5DaFftF0TntxLRagcGdKNyVE288MSDZBVyxFPofq0CjJTlz-Y3Cs6G7LwMWVCRQnNbpsI3ANREyZs/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_1SnoOX72eKLOZUUdJVJ_mzh_iplz8yxkF7vZbRRo2J0Jr5G3h3MBBUE3mguNJ5DaFftF0TntxLRagcGdKNyVE288MSDZBVyxFPofq0CjJTlz-Y3Cs6G7LwMWVCRQnNbpsI3ANREyZs/s400/IMG_4688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vEHOVc1dA-6cHwtbHAuv13IWOg5t8tLpQ1-Zhyj3WPnD_kp5Qf3RQ9J1br9Oj9YTfAeJ3c24y7qFbdaMl1UwI7lDOu5YmFzmIrSs2mop1wI2VYy5jzxvGzxdiPH44gn7bVz9rQMB8CI/s1600/IMG_4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vEHOVc1dA-6cHwtbHAuv13IWOg5t8tLpQ1-Zhyj3WPnD_kp5Qf3RQ9J1br9Oj9YTfAeJ3c24y7qFbdaMl1UwI7lDOu5YmFzmIrSs2mop1wI2VYy5jzxvGzxdiPH44gn7bVz9rQMB8CI/s320/IMG_4691.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_1SnoOX72eKLOZUUdJVJ_mzh_iplz8yxkF7vZbRRo2J0Jr5G3h3MBBUE3mguNJ5DaFftF0TntxLRagcGdKNyVE288MSDZBVyxFPofq0CjJTlz-Y3Cs6G7LwMWVCRQnNbpsI3ANREyZs/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveeqilwM05o7NlcKFf1WsFRvV_WIy_I_Hm3hpsFsIgK_gDkTsQx7HNj6d5qbt4seng9EUviCC45C9wIekrS9nanG-bdxDNA4KbDe88BLXVeaGK1-Dzmq5MyhCdhl4waODuILDHxuul38/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Abra McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575458662140326171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-84724606757384539582014-08-28T09:19:00.001-07:002014-08-29T00:06:25.026-07:00Wednesday: World Championships Middle DistanceThe best part of Training Camp being so difficult, with
unmarked trails and miles of nettles, is that the recently updated maps and
clear trails of the actual races were EASY. At least it seemed like that for
me <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday dawned slightly less cold and rainy than the day
before, but chilly enough that we brought plenty of layers. There was rain
expected during some of our race times, which made choosing a kit a little challenging.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Middle Distance format is generally in a larger, less
urban area than the Sprint, with more controls and longer distances between
controls. The Elite Men had 26 controls, with a 21km optimal route; the elite
women had 20 controls with a 16km optimal route; the men 50 (Joe) had 21
controls with 15.5km optimal route, and the women 40 (me) had 20 controls with
a 12km optimal route (too short, in my opinion <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>;
next year masters women’s course will be longer). The estimated winning times
were 55-60 minutes depending on the class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTUMwbjhmubeZD5wQCiQ4N-2O1B_XxBdMcebdfGl8-KGI7tc-c0H6y_3AmsEuQyphls8EaicyRqsIcn4s_yKoz4r7sSV5gvJ1hTqU0bvXESyxqxGioMKegffkG4fSl0L5iPTLjxp_UKVL/s1600/DSC_4341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTUMwbjhmubeZD5wQCiQ4N-2O1B_XxBdMcebdfGl8-KGI7tc-c0H6y_3AmsEuQyphls8EaicyRqsIcn4s_yKoz4r7sSV5gvJ1hTqU0bvXESyxqxGioMKegffkG4fSl0L5iPTLjxp_UKVL/s1600/DSC_4341.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Transportation was complicated by start and finish areas
separated by 6 kilometers of road. And the time difference between the first
team member to race (Peter) and the last member to race (me) was about 6 hours.
Lots of waiting for some of us. Happily, there was no universal quarantine for
the duration; riders were allowed to stay in the parking area before they
raced. Because we had late start times, Joe and I shuttled the vans between
the start and finish, hung out at the finish for a while, then Peter drove us
back to the start to wait. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The course was fantastic, with well-mapped trails and a
bikewack that didn’t sting. There were two distinct parts of the course: a
flatter, more open section at the beginning and a hillier, slightly wilder
section, separated by a 1-2 meter deep trench (which I never actually saw). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3XWW2-0mHZuDNndHlvngxySYT1tbNojvI2BMeRV8cvbD26jIs5KPq7QYXC11VrRn3ut80agvcb5k_OlE8e1l_uR3HGBKJZDoMRvNHgjQYlSGjhxpx918ZsdbPVpW8pIPrfWMSBpI_Jm1/s1600/DSC_4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3XWW2-0mHZuDNndHlvngxySYT1tbNojvI2BMeRV8cvbD26jIs5KPq7QYXC11VrRn3ut80agvcb5k_OlE8e1l_uR3HGBKJZDoMRvNHgjQYlSGjhxpx918ZsdbPVpW8pIPrfWMSBpI_Jm1/s1600/DSC_4283.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tom did quite well and qualified for a slot in the long
distance race on Friday, where he’ll be racing with the top 60 riders in the
competition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuPUM6G24jBnlla26sztqLPUqfNTG6yTfzOrXNIzr9o36kGZBKgvZD3ppWuH3eho8zs0_uZ9hMWIEiESuhuOYPtnLnNaUPU8i-stwUDRRfVWMgm7NOgWG6OzpXdbnOBMWnrMYgq_Jh882/s1600/DSC_4431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuPUM6G24jBnlla26sztqLPUqfNTG6yTfzOrXNIzr9o36kGZBKgvZD3ppWuH3eho8zs0_uZ9hMWIEiESuhuOYPtnLnNaUPU8i-stwUDRRfVWMgm7NOgWG6OzpXdbnOBMWnrMYgq_Jh882/s1600/DSC_4431.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe scooting to the finish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Joe’s derailleur exploded, taking part of his frame with it. He ran/scooted the final 10K of the course.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Today, Thursday, is a rest day. We did a little bit of
sightseeing, took some pictures, and got Joe an entirely new drivetrain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-7248662735440053582014-08-28T09:16:00.000-07:002014-08-28T09:16:51.387-07:00Tuesday: World Championship Sprint Distance (the first official race of the competition)<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting our nerves, jitters, and crazies out in the
official unofficial race on Monday, the team was primed and ready for our first
real race: the Sprint (expected winning times 20 to 25 minutes). The weather
was cold and rainy, woo hoo! The setting was an urban park in the center of Bialystok,
half an open plaza with paved paths radiating from a central square and half a
wooded park with many criss-crossing trails. The connector between the two
parts was an elevated pedestrian walkway. Both areas were clear and flat, so
there were ample opportunities to straight-line through the woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quarantine started at 9:30 for all elite athletes;
“quarantine” means all athletes are in a secure location with no access to
electronic communication, so that no one is able to talk about the maps prior
to the race. This quarantine location was a large arena (a hocky rink with no
ice) attached to an outdoor track we were allowed to warm up on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvJfsBCCfja7bWsHYWKeXZJvisssojiPS7FwQhRRhOP3Qc4s6wbkDHNtCXWzjF8Qfz-hzNrdDkHkuMN5krji4S3IlSmvMXpioRTS3A9Ojk6Odc911LYJ3s2LxA8uEajaw6BMztHT4IF8y/s1600/SAM_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvJfsBCCfja7bWsHYWKeXZJvisssojiPS7FwQhRRhOP3Qc4s6wbkDHNtCXWzjF8Qfz-hzNrdDkHkuMN5krji4S3IlSmvMXpioRTS3A9Ojk6Odc911LYJ3s2LxA8uEajaw6BMztHT4IF8y/s1600/SAM_0858.JPG" height="228" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoor warm up area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thoughts from the athletes on the competition:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter didn’t get dirty because he was the first to leave (of
the entire competition, not just the our team).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXxJ1wIyqIYarLmkCEkvGHi6HvbtpzAhZFtGCwRmVD7KkCPxoCdg27cpKNN9GlsEYtgrKY4n3VutqbbPArzGp20ePTcYIyIwAD72DEr6SzhF3Um8d3EtENRJOunavZthmbc04u4Y2F-23/s1600/SAM_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXxJ1wIyqIYarLmkCEkvGHi6HvbtpzAhZFtGCwRmVD7KkCPxoCdg27cpKNN9GlsEYtgrKY4n3VutqbbPArzGp20ePTcYIyIwAD72DEr6SzhF3Um8d3EtENRJOunavZthmbc04u4Y2F-23/s1600/SAM_0854.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe, scheduled toward the end of the day, was not so lucky!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyNzeZByAIN7ct9emvBVGHQPjZXP18x4lgV6FXb8lat72kJ68hlLxb3AQEiyHZ-UzpwNYirsLecu6EFzRxGNYySS6d7Nb3IIOVN10M4xvFoFCz9W4YY3P-JXlbRaSHHXQOE4BvKwU-nmT/s1600/DSC_4222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyNzeZByAIN7ct9emvBVGHQPjZXP18x4lgV6FXb8lat72kJ68hlLxb3AQEiyHZ-UzpwNYirsLecu6EFzRxGNYySS6d7Nb3IIOVN10M4xvFoFCz9W4YY3P-JXlbRaSHHXQOE4BvKwU-nmT/s1600/DSC_4222.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Dave was almost run over a getting to a control.<br /><br /><div>
Nate got to ride with the Fast Boys, since he was toward the end of the line up.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQnoCnVPGiuZvh9UmDjmH-pEL7jIpfgXoRH5Kxyj-y0zyHEIhg0yr1aJ_sSCHtmW4CQggUzlR5ZWwdh9h3cOL-tY7-xr9uVI2Bp2dS-yYY52851CrMQctVdhOCwn-4yPomoE-2QgmJV3F/s1600/DSC_4174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQnoCnVPGiuZvh9UmDjmH-pEL7jIpfgXoRH5Kxyj-y0zyHEIhg0yr1aJ_sSCHtmW4CQggUzlR5ZWwdh9h3cOL-tY7-xr9uVI2Bp2dS-yYY52851CrMQctVdhOCwn-4yPomoE-2QgmJV3F/s1600/DSC_4174.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a>
<li><br /></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sarah NAILED her first point!<br /><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue felt more confident compared to last year and was able to
recover from small errors. She was very pleased with her time 9 minutes back
from the leader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Description: Macintosh HD:Users:ENotter:Documents:Liz:MTBO:DSC_4222.jpg"
style='width:204pt;height:307pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/ENotter/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image005.jpg"
o:title="DSC_4222.jpg"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>257</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1467</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ICF International</o:Company>
<o:Lines>12</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1721</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1028"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Abra was happy with her ability to recover from small
mistakes. She learned stopping for 5 seconds to check the map is better than
heading off in the wrong direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liz learned that when someone in your class makes a turn you don't expect, it's a good idea to look at the map!</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-66151553807968527352014-08-26T09:36:00.003-07:002014-08-26T09:36:40.418-07:00The Unofficial Official Mixed Sprint Relay—Monday, August 25Only one thing really needs to be said about Monday's race: it was a great way to get the crazies, jitters, mistakes, errors, and assorted other first day glitches out, when it didn't really count. :)<br />
<br />
The Mixed Sprint Relay was described, by the officials, as "a party, a get-together, a fun way to start off the races." We raced as teams of two: one male and one female. The woman had maps one and three; the male maps 2 and 4. It was a LeMans start, with racers standing about 10 feet from the bikes. At "Go" we turned over our maps as we started running for our bikes. It was chaos along the dirt entry road as everyone mounted bikes and put maps on boards, all while trying to figure out where the first control was.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-tKRL6CDUH5ePbXs4Dnq4nSFfNFdQt_5lh135BRlFqYWy04qfsy3_VGJB5dhOcQhAvfujHsUMO8En4FMtXoFjia6DWTNPXdKykFJLxxDpTCsJfypXRCvnej9agFOvz7qIqass3JWSczx/s1600/10506556_10152642530864591_3757631590593810538_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-tKRL6CDUH5ePbXs4Dnq4nSFfNFdQt_5lh135BRlFqYWy04qfsy3_VGJB5dhOcQhAvfujHsUMO8En4FMtXoFjia6DWTNPXdKykFJLxxDpTCsJfypXRCvnej9agFOvz7qIqass3JWSczx/s1600/10506556_10152642530864591_3757631590593810538_o.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sue: it was great to be in the mix... in a train of all these elite mtbo'ers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNn_i30ynOT2D6kSMxirhdkxxQ8M6OHjvfqO5_bmDdUlHT6-zqjXmTC9acrUDwbPPfAwF2f9UYZ3zIPC6BFh53hPrmNZO-hf_z4MJBZPGO7-Pq5n8u_s7MU-p10vGzHfP8JMCxjo7P1uh/s1600/DSC_4089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNn_i30ynOT2D6kSMxirhdkxxQ8M6OHjvfqO5_bmDdUlHT6-zqjXmTC9acrUDwbPPfAwF2f9UYZ3zIPC6BFh53hPrmNZO-hf_z4MJBZPGO7-Pq5n8u_s7MU-p10vGzHfP8JMCxjo7P1uh/s1600/DSC_4089.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After completing the 12 control map (all of them REALLY close together and obviously not each one was punched each time, very confusing), the first rider came through the finish area and tagged off. Repeat 3 times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had some glitches, but we got them all out of the way on the unofficial day :).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-53191463846670241322014-08-26T09:14:00.000-07:002014-08-26T09:14:12.502-07:00Opening Day—Sunday, August 24After a long week of Training Camp, we were excited for the first real day of the World Championships.<br />
<br />
On the schedule for Opening Day were two Model Events: a long/middle/start and finish model in the morning and a Sprint model in the afternoon. Opening ceremonies, including a parade of teams through the streets of Bialystok, speeches from the organizers, and two bands, were to be held late in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
A Model Event is like a practice session for those racers who didn’t spend the week at training camp; it looks like a real event but it doesn’t count…racers can do as many or as few of the controls as they like. The start gate was set up as it would be at the races: two lines, separated by tapes, one for men and one for women. There are three “stops” leading up to the start tent. Racers progress by a minute each stop through Clear, then Check, then one minute before the start each picks up a map from the center table (labeled by race class), folds it if necessary, places it on the map board, and then hopefully has 20-30 seconds to figure out where the first control is.<br />
<br />
The finish was also set up as it will be at the race, sort of. The last control on the course is called the Go Control, after punching it the rider can go all out to the Finish control. At the championships, we are using a timing chip attached to the handlebars, so the finish is actually a line like at regular mtb races; we still punch the Finish control but the time has already stopped.<br />
<br />
It started to rain during the event and didn’t stop for the rest of the day.<br />
<br />
The team decided to walk the Sprint event, rather than ride, because of the rain and the fact that we would be going straight to the Opening Ceremonies. That was a good decision, as the model area was TINY and took about 20 minutes total to walk.<br />
<br />
Despite a cold rain, the team made the most of the Parade of Teams, proudly carrying the flag and our sign.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKG2Pt5kiY1bFqCkkTIsin2JXsFgolUBkIJZhgZG4yL9JwDNF4xUMlm3iicOhs80jMqm-IXNCy3FXx9g8gLsmD46kse9VLyAtXcPDVnJ7gX-kGgCWqNKggC_RSAb3arMz63JXI8STVuAF/s1600/SAM_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKG2Pt5kiY1bFqCkkTIsin2JXsFgolUBkIJZhgZG4yL9JwDNF4xUMlm3iicOhs80jMqm-IXNCy3FXx9g8gLsmD46kse9VLyAtXcPDVnJ7gX-kGgCWqNKggC_RSAb3arMz63JXI8STVuAF/s320/SAM_0830.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5KoJNCioSYEAxZxM4hUtgwZLHYPIW7dzYjoDq7JAETYWqfxkBETTdz61nEALDWe_oNTVjlBVLORBsLapi4MPwU6XcrZOc7GPJ_bdExDHErqOBpt6Fpsoatp-gW1BnokTjmxUlUNdkG78/s1600/SAM_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5KoJNCioSYEAxZxM4hUtgwZLHYPIW7dzYjoDq7JAETYWqfxkBETTdz61nEALDWe_oNTVjlBVLORBsLapi4MPwU6XcrZOc7GPJ_bdExDHErqOBpt6Fpsoatp-gW1BnokTjmxUlUNdkG78/s320/SAM_0833.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br />
The speeches were thankfully short, as we were all standing outside in the cold rain. Then the officials left and a fantastic Polish rock bank took the stage. The music was rather traditional, and the instruments were very traditional (clarinet, violin, electric string base, accordion, and drums), but the beat, and the way the musicians played, was anything but traditional. The Americans were, naturally, rocking it out in the front row ☺.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-35847049803087398802014-08-18T13:42:00.000-07:002014-08-18T13:59:23.231-07:00And The Cat's In The Cradle...<span style="color: blue;">...And The Silver Spoon. Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon!!! </span><br />
<br />
I hope you are all now singing this little diddy, at least the first line and then mumbling the rest of the song like some of us USA MTBO team members (me)! I wonder what song will stick in our heads after tomorrow's breakfast Muzak!<br />
<br />
It's <b>TRAINING CAMP TIME</b> in Suprasl, Poland and Team USA is taking in as much information as possible to prepare for the World Champs next week. I have to say it's pretty awesome to be able to mountain bike and especially to be able to mountain bike orienteer everyday for 2 weeks, what an experience!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7qvKrGObDMxD1hfdSEQs5jM34nOmnyQu3-i62sXMZrDxOpLU2IqVbWirlKPdjfq2hoZlB2Z5uFMO-v3pt8L47Zp7CcW4QTkZZ6aXyTDoqJ200VxF6zZDcveKXHVDWs7Ah__an5TFrMLQ/s1600/suprasl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7qvKrGObDMxD1hfdSEQs5jM34nOmnyQu3-i62sXMZrDxOpLU2IqVbWirlKPdjfq2hoZlB2Z5uFMO-v3pt8L47Zp7CcW4QTkZZ6aXyTDoqJ200VxF6zZDcveKXHVDWs7Ah__an5TFrMLQ/s1600/suprasl.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
8 out of 9 of us are here in Suprasl, Poland and Joe will be arriving on the 20th to complete the team. We all arrived in Warsaw on Saturday and rallied to Suprasl, a 3 hour drive, making it a long 24 hours-awake-kind-of-a-day. The reward for the long day of travelling was a relaxing Sunday morning, assembling our bikes in the morning sunshine, and then a little rest before we all geared up to head out to our first day of training camp. <br />
Sunday and Monday's Training Maps got us on similar terrain of what we will be competing on next week - quite a bit of sand to keep you on your toes and plenty of stinging nettles to remind you later that you mountain biked in Poland. Both days were older maps so there were definitely more trails due to logging and some of the marked trails were more overgrown than what the map stated. I used these days to work on my weaknesses - reading contours and attention to the scale. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYYAboyCemJLpNaLEK5PHV7p3WwzjPh6r6aP31LDdxo_a4iw8Z1EdAuthfUWr8qIW6l-Yg4UH824kPDJ9q7Ncbz5YYoXdTO82zsQ7qmD5qY_r-C2a06oOdBM3u2d9-Pdu5FESsaGf_Ll/s1600/trainingmap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYYAboyCemJLpNaLEK5PHV7p3WwzjPh6r6aP31LDdxo_a4iw8Z1EdAuthfUWr8qIW6l-Yg4UH824kPDJ9q7Ncbz5YYoXdTO82zsQ7qmD5qY_r-C2a06oOdBM3u2d9-Pdu5FESsaGf_Ll/s1600/trainingmap1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 1 Training - Middle Distance 1:10,000</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvC6hhGQrpfA65Iz0pjgQgu8_BzPGBVPrxclCVwn-JppsQtsz6bLPjrYSKQGPykpQmOLRlHFRm0tNsEaQ7q2IFzTQmm1_1vi9q3v5beYr6bFPS1dGPXxv19-mreSRmWiF_GUEmGy__YM3/s1600/trainingmap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvC6hhGQrpfA65Iz0pjgQgu8_BzPGBVPrxclCVwn-JppsQtsz6bLPjrYSKQGPykpQmOLRlHFRm0tNsEaQ7q2IFzTQmm1_1vi9q3v5beYr6bFPS1dGPXxv19-mreSRmWiF_GUEmGy__YM3/s1600/trainingmap2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 2 Training - Long Distance 1:15,000</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">After today's training and a little bit (lots) of stretching, I checked out some of the local attractions, below is the Suprasl Orthodox Monastery, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supra%C5%9Bl_Orthodox_Monastery" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supra%C5%9Bl_Orthodox_Monastery</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0900bMphB2vdzK1cMUZJwwcbrUQ5qdEAARahvjqVhaHrONjuqELUr1wqzEJWoaMIz40aroTz5linnmAv2lsvBw0ZPdlML_uGrUugrdvP_P3wDkQbAuMns_fDDvBoVSNdRw3VAeLMOcLfQ/s1600/usasocks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0900bMphB2vdzK1cMUZJwwcbrUQ5qdEAARahvjqVhaHrONjuqELUr1wqzEJWoaMIz40aroTz5linnmAv2lsvBw0ZPdlML_uGrUugrdvP_P3wDkQbAuMns_fDDvBoVSNdRw3VAeLMOcLfQ/s1600/usasocks.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">USA! Church of Annunciation!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">Thanks to everyone back home who are supporting us, I hope you're enjoying our updates. You can also follow us on our Facebook page,</span><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usmtboteam">https://www.facebook.com/usmtboteam</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">, where we are all posting random pics and copies of our maps.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">And a special thanks to our 8 week-and-under Super Fan, Willa, for cheering for us back in Portland, OR. I'm looking forward to following your blog in a few years as you travel the world MTBOing!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQIDmFfcW2AP8RSDp9uemTspTs41gCdwqLdWywhBlLDkwlviLrInMFvomC5YQURk6EdDEExhK3TB1V8QJQA5zKcrE_g8KY81bjpbzrQY7BEA0ihb77DEseIWwQowQTKrw6zXLaxcHR5Oo/s1600/Willa1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQIDmFfcW2AP8RSDp9uemTspTs41gCdwqLdWywhBlLDkwlviLrInMFvomC5YQURk6EdDEExhK3TB1V8QJQA5zKcrE_g8KY81bjpbzrQY7BEA0ihb77DEseIWwQowQTKrw6zXLaxcHR5Oo/s1600/Willa1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyjF5dS_3vEaWN58980V1zgVYnhg_oxNtjS2qhGNivEEcDKCoCs2uSI0AZA24rAr_BX_RJX1FM3_Htq6b2pRZLCiNJjUV9rwUD1djbTfgj_NWiWAwT2Mx5wwobD4uLB0YyrsJ6vb2LyhA/s1600/Willa2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyjF5dS_3vEaWN58980V1zgVYnhg_oxNtjS2qhGNivEEcDKCoCs2uSI0AZA24rAr_BX_RJX1FM3_Htq6b2pRZLCiNJjUV9rwUD1djbTfgj_NWiWAwT2Mx5wwobD4uLB0YyrsJ6vb2LyhA/s1600/Willa2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">Now that it's 10:30pm, Suprasl time, I think it's bed time. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">Looking forward to Day 3 of Training Camp. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">Sweet dreams Little Kittens!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.512001037597656px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_7TQznGEjfKhwWzq8PLG1sClkUEsdRTwLAq96k9nk1q78r6GbbBMlKNXdP5hvBhd_qVEItii0pMbLLMgdl353a39iXvzvVxKrTXZna4uSYzDnMxEtimb78H6j9zRwdcaZDNlTcR27ZDt/s1600/KimballStock_CAT-03-KH0517-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_7TQznGEjfKhwWzq8PLG1sClkUEsdRTwLAq96k9nk1q78r6GbbBMlKNXdP5hvBhd_qVEItii0pMbLLMgdl353a39iXvzvVxKrTXZna4uSYzDnMxEtimb78H6j9zRwdcaZDNlTcR27ZDt/s1600/KimballStock_CAT-03-KH0517-01.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.512001037597656px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11257840458498663474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-54134829929338471242014-08-13T19:58:00.002-07:002014-08-13T19:59:05.645-07:00Finding the best way to find north<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI-D6eankrLhmZWXZGQd5FbGlf4xvb87jOeKRFvpCkOZv35hvgc5kUbDvSnmu7eUimgRf6X63jnjDbCLjt7k_phCt5a7H2H3HShB5uR6alqbMZzrPA7PbWYs-6U4om8mX0K2wQYF8eZWi/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI-D6eankrLhmZWXZGQd5FbGlf4xvb87jOeKRFvpCkOZv35hvgc5kUbDvSnmu7eUimgRf6X63jnjDbCLjt7k_phCt5a7H2H3HShB5uR6alqbMZzrPA7PbWYs-6U4om8mX0K2wQYF8eZWi/s320/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The compass clip being printed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Orienteering is unfortunately also a fairly obscure sport in the USA, and mountain bike orienteering even more so. Coming from an adventure racing background, the gear requirements are much less demanding for mtbo (a bike, map board, compass is about all one needs) but I still found that I was lacking that certain something, namely, a convenient method for attaching my <a href="http://www.moscompass.ru/">Moscow Compass</a> to my fancy new <a href="http://autopilot.makeit.cz/index_en.htm">AutoPilot</a> map board.
<br />
<br />
Coming from an adventure racing background, I'm fairly familiar with modifying or making new gear to fit my needs as it's rare to find a piece of gear that does everything one wants. In the past I've made sails for canoes, extra pouches for packs, tow straps for kayaks, and numerous other crafty things. With all that experience, I figured the engineer in me could find a way to solve my problem.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfATqsC4qdrknsk-z2V3lbLW5Tz7ThA7Mium6HbwYhjyBqf4L2Tk33K2jB7pKGunpZoB3IGpmTzwF5aocJextcxiovy29zfWGB5l_HSE-_MnpfaAqqD4hlM8685BHEfPKarP8cpM8-7JIa/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfATqsC4qdrknsk-z2V3lbLW5Tz7ThA7Mium6HbwYhjyBqf4L2Tk33K2jB7pKGunpZoB3IGpmTzwF5aocJextcxiovy29zfWGB5l_HSE-_MnpfaAqqD4hlM8685BHEfPKarP8cpM8-7JIa/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product attached to my Autopilot map board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enter the world of 3D printing. One of my co-workers recently got a <a href="http://cubify.com/en/Cube"> Cube 3D printer</a> and I figured I could use it to make what I need. I popped the compass I had out of the thumb baseplate, took a few measurements, and came up with a 3D model using the free <a href="http://www.sketchup.com/">Sketchup Make</a> software package. That design was exported to the Cube printer, and 4 hours later I had my part. 3d printing isn't perfect yet, so I did do some cleanup with a dremel, but overall it came out great! I've done a few test rides with it so far, and am excited to try it out in training and competition during the next two weeks. If it works out really well maybe I can make them for the team.<br />
<br />
-Peter JollesPeter Jolleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12341790906318358142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-72037142560955529992014-08-13T12:48:00.001-07:002014-08-13T18:34:22.780-07:00Surprise! What did I get myself into?!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD79LAFyXoqf3Y1fAo0MZiLavBIyQSNMXHZAS7wiDhQiXfgT4gOm1o_W8XCn4vw9nqVoxErIMtM9VCevdR-WJC7MeUXBGeeq99Y3cFMo9JMAMSyu55vroCjLPc8kA5_oVFdbH1-dXnLQH/s1600/text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD79LAFyXoqf3Y1fAo0MZiLavBIyQSNMXHZAS7wiDhQiXfgT4gOm1o_W8XCn4vw9nqVoxErIMtM9VCevdR-WJC7MeUXBGeeq99Y3cFMo9JMAMSyu55vroCjLPc8kA5_oVFdbH1-dXnLQH/s1600/text.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I hope not to end up. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hello from Texas! <br />
<br />
Sarah here, and while I've spent plenty of time on 2 wheels, I've never participated in an MTBO event. The world championships will be my first experience and boy do I have a lot of random ideas of what mountain bike orienteering will be like.<br />
<br />
I imagine MTBO is somewhat like texting while driving - you should keep your eyes on the trail, but you're too busy looking at the map. How could anything possibly go wrong? <br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
Ok, so maybe it won't be that bad! I hope. </div>
<div>
This year's WMTBOC takes us to Poland. The northeast side of the country in Białystok to be exact. How cool is that?! I'll be racing in a city I can't even pronounce! Let's take a gander at the country of Poland.</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT4z-1NPh9ul8IbWCVBckLy99lD8S-4pJYednad1HWCdhvfbWKFQlc3ARjMd8WKkSKKMWxsv1t5Xb8BVSGo_SKbuaOe7gZ2Jzq26a9ZwpfAmlglAenr88022blsvAY2ZGwbyhYOIGninW/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT4z-1NPh9ul8IbWCVBckLy99lD8S-4pJYednad1HWCdhvfbWKFQlc3ARjMd8WKkSKKMWxsv1t5Xb8BVSGo_SKbuaOe7gZ2Jzq26a9ZwpfAmlglAenr88022blsvAY2ZGwbyhYOIGninW/s1600/map.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll be neighboring with Belarus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1pXv1LSq07g6P6XXxTCCKdgPr-uTxHE26ulOsUkVwruBGQzvt6iMcx0-AEERCUekbacmryko2C1SmkIHlY84VvzkMR84cmHijOL19XV0ZnNvVDR74hWDuW2BkM2anUDA6LXSvM4pHxqo/s1600/pickupsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1pXv1LSq07g6P6XXxTCCKdgPr-uTxHE26ulOsUkVwruBGQzvt6iMcx0-AEERCUekbacmryko2C1SmkIHlY84VvzkMR84cmHijOL19XV0ZnNvVDR74hWDuW2BkM2anUDA6LXSvM4pHxqo/s1600/pickupsign.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Present!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Boom! So we land in Warsaw this Saturday and Nathan and I get to meet our teammates. All of us finding each other sounds like a challenge already. Maybe some guy will be standing there with a sign?</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
We currently have 2 very sweet rental vans. One for the people and one for our 9 bikes. Rumor has it, these may be manual transmissions. I hope our international DL holders brushed up on their driving skills. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The drive from Warsaw to our hotel will be a couple hours. Then the fun starts! We have a week of training camp to get us in gear. Both physically and mentally. This will be my first real exposure to an MTBO map and the actual terrain the map covers. I have my fingers crossed and my breath held for a very exponential learning curve.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
All of our team will be at the training camp. It will cover (I think) all possible scenarios. What could these be? I don't know. I'm assuming getting lost, keeping direction, missing a punch, etc. I wonder what happens when you crash so hard you break a map board. Does that even happen? How much finess and skill do these racers have?</div>
<div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_-xwBjfwLTZOCgtVDS1dJLqwiTb3lCB6jYQYQJGvY_DYYW8Br-nAUbfqB0BAeFhGPuskmiUUaw6MVMCbZ8vQUD2AbyW_dM7o6sxJFJdUK7mD5Ez7z3v-G2NlZ6R6N7jfDNf5dSaSm3a5/s1600/crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_-xwBjfwLTZOCgtVDS1dJLqwiTb3lCB6jYQYQJGvY_DYYW8Br-nAUbfqB0BAeFhGPuskmiUUaw6MVMCbZ8vQUD2AbyW_dM7o6sxJFJdUK7mD5Ez7z3v-G2NlZ6R6N7jfDNf5dSaSm3a5/s1600/crash.jpg" height="320" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Please don't let me be this guy*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
See, my mind is already running off on a tangent. I'm hoping to find what works most efficiently for me as far as riding and reading the map. I know being able to practice will be the biggest help and having others around me to exchange tips will be icing on the cake. Either way, I'm PRing.<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
All in all, mountain bike orienteering sounds like a recipe for fun. The use of maps require the cyclist to be quick thinking in route choice - helping muddle the strict competition of who's the strongest. Brains AND brawn! I must admit, this leaves me at a disadvantage compared to my experienced teammates and competition. I have been practicing reading a map while on my bike, but I know it's not the real deal. Training camp will give me a chance to thoroughly practice with a MTBO specific map and to see what I am up against. Being a competitive cyclist, I feel my fitness should be comparable. However, my lack of map-on-bike and MTBO map time will leave me a bit slower than the average racer if I'm not careful.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T6bTb2oJ8dGFJ-Tk2PpJL81WiGMM9paT1wyPbFafWLG9qU3t9mdcN4JutHYOB49kuz7gPH_pnIdD-BG3_PaXEvPMCtV2nNsGFugRdoDvAVwK017a1MgyHXgtBS6dV4WDM26fRBM2FDY1/s1600/sns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T6bTb2oJ8dGFJ-Tk2PpJL81WiGMM9paT1wyPbFafWLG9qU3t9mdcN4JutHYOB49kuz7gPH_pnIdD-BG3_PaXEvPMCtV2nNsGFugRdoDvAVwK017a1MgyHXgtBS6dV4WDM26fRBM2FDY1/s1600/sns.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training with pain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
"Training" for this event has been interesting. Nathan and I have spent many hours on the bike, but we do not have MTBO specific maps of our home state. We've taken road and AR maps for the area and have set out with random check points - using only the roads/trails on the map. I've learned to use key features that the map gives me as landmark points. These help notify if I am close or have maybe passed my point. I've grown very familiar with using elevation as an indicator on the map as well. While the MTBO courses are said to be relatively flat, I'm sure it will be significant enough for this flat lander to use as course indicators. We've also practiced exercises for spending more time looking at the map. We can thank our fellow Team USA members for those drills!<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintov0g2I7UmIRWTIOVEBysJ56WISCNUYvP5MRYyn27Ig3_QAbzQM4rxWjHB9lA0D0sOmYITkIFVM4aF0N89h_cdLR3rqdpBIbal14vtEFyKA_4QtCNXXn9bDZamE79py3t6I5n7b5njcF/s1600/reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintov0g2I7UmIRWTIOVEBysJ56WISCNUYvP5MRYyn27Ig3_QAbzQM4rxWjHB9lA0D0sOmYITkIFVM4aF0N89h_cdLR3rqdpBIbal14vtEFyKA_4QtCNXXn9bDZamE79py3t6I5n7b5njcF/s1600/reading.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training with maps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another new feature for me is the SI card. An electronic punch. What an upgrade from a paper passport! I think this will allow us to roll through the check points quickly. I am very excited to experience these new concepts at training camp and to apply them in the World Championships! Everything I learn will help make me a more skilled and competitive MTBO racer for the upcoming years.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAIbSRgJca5wft53keY-AuYV-uNEPeRZWCTIhYIVM1tfgSm_Yw7FAGWWDuX-9gLd3Zwglwy1F9jg4-kJvSCiWrxBX7bkfjaQJoQXPH0vCwj-EvHLEwDhYUzyr7oKwJux9y6vuM4CPf_p1/s1600/sicards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAIbSRgJca5wft53keY-AuYV-uNEPeRZWCTIhYIVM1tfgSm_Yw7FAGWWDuX-9gLd3Zwglwy1F9jg4-kJvSCiWrxBX7bkfjaQJoQXPH0vCwj-EvHLEwDhYUzyr7oKwJux9y6vuM4CPf_p1/s1600/sicards.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SI Cards for quick checkpoint punches!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Be sure to check back after WMTBOC week. I will be posting another blog comparing and contrasting what I think the race will be with what the race really was! Wish us luck!!!<br />
<br />
<em>Sarah Ginsbach</em><br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Fh_X2pU13mo%2FU-tn_jrM-WI%2FAAAAAAAAAGs%2FxTRdEOCb9B0%2Fs1600%2Ftext.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD79LAFyXoqf3Y1fAo0MZiLavBIyQSNMXHZAS7wiDhQiXfgT4gOm1o_W8XCn4vw9nqVoxErIMtM9VCevdR-WJC7MeUXBGeeq99Y3cFMo9JMAMSyu55vroCjLPc8kA5_oVFdbH1-dXnLQH/s1600/text.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027699777207948634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-36551745028081655502014-08-12T08:35:00.001-07:002014-08-12T09:03:57.958-07:00<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Noob Nathan Winkelmann here, giving my perspective of what MTBO will be like. WARNING: reading this will likely make you smarter-or at least feel smarter, which is basically the same thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Have you ever seen these types of pictures:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3_L4AjKBS5bfwGx3OHrRHQF1zl70cRhAPp55_MKHVUSVCogp33GlZMp2P-3hcdm-lz3FGr_HJLdy2qtRV0aHVrQkbLYDjCh1MN_Ilz-ml2n2x45a6SNE7xKrj7WAduGuTw4_qbQNdado/s1600/cycling_meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3_L4AjKBS5bfwGx3OHrRHQF1zl70cRhAPp55_MKHVUSVCogp33GlZMp2P-3hcdm-lz3FGr_HJLdy2qtRV0aHVrQkbLYDjCh1MN_Ilz-ml2n2x45a6SNE7xKrj7WAduGuTw4_qbQNdado/s1600/cycling_meme.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><br /><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><br />That's what I'm up against going into the MTBO race in Poland! I have an array of thoughts of what to expect, and what I will look like executing the sport!<br />I know it involves a mountain bike, which I know how to use. I know it involves a map, which I know how to use. SO, MTBO should be easy! But I'm afraid, I'll feel like I'm back in the swim pool, getting lapped by 80 year old ladies while doing my 'hard' sets.<br /><br />MTBO will be using different types of maps, such as: </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6t8XDwYSyQy9GTC9xigMszMW4SmgpIwY9igCoSAvHcSgAYAWg0mN4YkiLsx6I7CPIxm8dWh2zzZHroRdHO70b8m167i_Jix86aWX7l0upXOz_xqvCV4unraJ7Zbls6kyohNkFXjnohW_/s1600/Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6t8XDwYSyQy9GTC9xigMszMW4SmgpIwY9igCoSAvHcSgAYAWg0mN4YkiLsx6I7CPIxm8dWh2zzZHroRdHO70b8m167i_Jix86aWX7l0upXOz_xqvCV4unraJ7Zbls6kyohNkFXjnohW_/s1600/Meme.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="display: inline-block;">
<br />
<div style="display: inline-block;">
</div>
</div>
Trying to find points in a particular order, using the fastest paths to get to each point. The maps are quite a bit BIGGER than I'm used to, with a 1:5000, 1:10000, 1:15000 compared to a 1:24000, so there are a lot more details, and I believe the travel to be a lot faster than I'm used to. However, coming from the Adventure Race side of things, I try to be different and think different than the 'navigator', relying on trails and direction to get me where I'm going-not necessarily the terrain features(this gets me in trouble when the trail is NOT on the map), but I've had great success when the trail IS on the map! The other half of the equation is the short time frame, compared to a 24hr race, I'll be navigating to a few points within a few minutes, with other competitors riding all around me(talk about second guessing yourself!) I wonder if finding one of the top 20 competitors, the ones with GPS tracking on their arm, and just following would be a bad idea? :) Then again, I don't know every rule-and definitely need to know all the rules in order to bend them in my favor!<br />
<br />
So, just hope Team USA puts me in a Holiday Inn Express the night before the races, at least in "MY" mind, I'll be doing awesome! I'll report on how it ACTUALLY is, much to the dismay of "what I think I do", I'll post about "what I really do"!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07990974746298688686noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-63035080991995950792014-08-06T17:35:00.000-07:002014-08-06T17:58:06.514-07:00Preparation notes from Tom Puzak and Dave Swanson<strong><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><u>What is on your mind this summer Tom (Puzak)?</u></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making
the US MTBO team is a brilliant opportunity to immerse in a sport in which we
don't often get to compete. As there are only a handful of events in each
region of the US, all of the athletes on the US MTBO are challenged to find
enough map time to progress.</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
year, the team is taking a bit of a different approach to training for the
world champs. The biggest change is putting a greater focus on the map.
Last year we learned that the more riding that can be done with a map board on,
the better. We ride local MTB trails with a map on, following along as we ride.
We print maps of the city, and choose virtual checkpoints to visit. We also do
very specific race training set up to simulate the decision making that will
happen at race pace. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
nothing can prepare us better for the champs then the week of training camp in
Poland. We are really excited to get there and focus on improvement. Regardless
of the results, I know that I will continue to enjoy our unique sport, and make
new friends along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With
regard to equipment, I am not making any large changes. A fast XC race
bike is important, and my preferred setup is a sub-22 lbs hard tail. Last year
a Diamondback Evolve Carbon Pro served me well. This year a Niner AIR9RDO has
been my weapon of choice. I specifically wanted to upgrade the wheels to help
with all of the stops and starts. Otherwise I will be wearing polarized lenses
to help cut down on the glare off of the otherwise awesome Autopilot map
holders that we use. The plastic covering keeps the maps in the place and
protects from moisture and abrasion, but also reflects the sun making map
reading difficult. I would like to use a taller map board to get the map
closer to my face while riding, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get my
hands on one prior to the world champs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><u>How has training been going for you Dave (Swanson)?</u></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making
the US Mountain Bike Orienteering Team (MTBO) team this year has been very
exciting. MTBO is different than endurance adventure racing, as decisions need
to be made more quickly and efficiently than your typical adventure race or
foot orienteering event.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi4ATSNo_OnZ-dprmPnNxEqHX0N35C5CXnDCBP2-mcGxSRw5QztKHwJpEcLEnZ-6AJd5RT9FIynMDebQiq4Pf5eCy-T_GrGcfENimKkuIIl5D6-SRkByRcsMsEN65sW1YDLiuijN30eWw/s1600/riverbend-20140727-longa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi4ATSNo_OnZ-dprmPnNxEqHX0N35C5CXnDCBP2-mcGxSRw5QztKHwJpEcLEnZ-6AJd5RT9FIynMDebQiq4Pf5eCy-T_GrGcfENimKkuIIl5D6-SRkByRcsMsEN65sW1YDLiuijN30eWw/s1600/riverbend-20140727-longa.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">MNOC Long Course part A</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz8CYun4RIHwiYVHU6lwJ95sShtAC9oOubtWHEfMVSEy9n7C_pC9NSyKMwaw7D-bUg7Tu2_FJoGIVIhVwpQ5VMJGAsbgMMbCMXSlD9BaYJA9M9kkG-dPQA_hAUuuV7-4DnbKLnY4h10KO/s1600/riverbend-20140727-longb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz8CYun4RIHwiYVHU6lwJ95sShtAC9oOubtWHEfMVSEy9n7C_pC9NSyKMwaw7D-bUg7Tu2_FJoGIVIhVwpQ5VMJGAsbgMMbCMXSlD9BaYJA9M9kkG-dPQA_hAUuuV7-4DnbKLnY4h10KO/s1600/riverbend-20140727-longb.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">MNOC Long Course part B</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Training
for MTBO involves short hard efforts, technical riding skills, and the ability
to ride while looking down at the mapboard. Getting onto the start lines to
mountain bike races has helped with the fast paced, stop & go fitness
needed for the sport. Minnesota has a series called Minnesota Mountain Bike
Series that has 10 races across the state. Locally, the ski hill hosts
Thursday night races as well. But of most benefit to MTBO training are
the MNOC (Minnesota Orienteering Club) events. It is my hope that we can
find more terrain, and athletes, to participate in MTBO. The 30 athletes
that raced at the most recent MTBO event were all smiles at the finish line. At home, it is easy to train with multiple single track MTB parks nearby.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
next step will be training camp in Poland…a great opportunity to dig into MTBO. Training
camp promises to be an exciting opportunity to meet new people, get settled
into the pattern and flow of the sport, and strengthen my navigation
abilities.</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfqkUE4no-O56tmADhSFyuceKDM_1vZoUYH-N1YOO7RlRKP8dgtO-PWzFjVytP9I0x_kKFveesnoWlyadpqV9_ZRVMZu1LJskWl_2xCsj6jDrSnoKK38Yx7ZjA_sofc3JElKdMmB_9EFl/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfqkUE4no-O56tmADhSFyuceKDM_1vZoUYH-N1YOO7RlRKP8dgtO-PWzFjVytP9I0x_kKFveesnoWlyadpqV9_ZRVMZu1LJskWl_2xCsj6jDrSnoKK38Yx7ZjA_sofc3JElKdMmB_9EFl/s1600/photo.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Autopilot map board</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Giant XTC 29er hard
tail is my </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">bike of choice this year, with a carbon wheel set. Equipment changes were
somewhat minimal but important, changing out to TruVativ carbon cranks and
Shimano XT brakes. The brakes were a nice upgrade for me because the brake
lever is very short, and easily operated by one finger. This means the rest of your
hand can be on the handlebar grips, better controlling the bike through rough
terrain. Changing out to tubeless tires (Maxxis Ardent) was a bit strange but
has been beneficial with no issues so far, and it has been nice to be able to run low tire pressure if needed. The Autopilot map board has been
great, easy to attach and very lightweight. I am hoping this setup is ultra lightweight but have not officially placed it on the scale. I have my bag of spare parts and tools to bring to Poland but hoping</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> it won't be needed.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now I have to pack the bike into a bike box, and find a compass somewhere around here...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08191819128561259021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-27226460044470770732014-08-01T07:55:00.000-07:002014-08-01T07:55:23.103-07:00The Final Countdown!Today marks the two week countdown until Team USA jets off to Bialystok, Poland and the 2014 MTBO World Champs! Preparations have included team conference calls, jerseys shipped cross-country to see about sizing, and tips shared back and forth on our group Facebook page. Our team spans from Minnesota to Texas, and from Oregon to D.C., with a few more states making up the middle. We can't train together so we've been working on our own to make sure we're ready by the end of August. Sue and I wanted to share a little of what we've been doing here on the west coast (best coast) to get ready for Poland.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywsLXZsn924ScthI1bH-ODHhYv-NpKe1cDnplMAnNTV0ZVemcjuKXKzV7YH0ll0dW4lIcQCnbKas7BdgDgPxadDGXRmZi90F9IfwTkpMqLrxVG2lyKcV9c5Zt5RdfqzVNjfpzz2g7gUY/s1600/sueshortrack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywsLXZsn924ScthI1bH-ODHhYv-NpKe1cDnplMAnNTV0ZVemcjuKXKzV7YH0ll0dW4lIcQCnbKas7BdgDgPxadDGXRmZi90F9IfwTkpMqLrxVG2lyKcV9c5Zt5RdfqzVNjfpzz2g7gUY/s1600/sueshortrack.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to friend Michelle for the sweet pic of Sue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First of all, we've been racing. Portland has a great 8-week short track mountain bike series running from June to late July at Portland International Raceway. We both compete in the awesome Elite/Cat 1 Women's field in twisty, bumpy and fast 40-minute races. This style of riding is great for the short, powerful bursts of speed necessary in MTBO.<br />
<br />
On top of racing, we've also been interval training on the bike and focusing on core strength both at the gym and at home. Without a ton of time to get on the trail for intervals, I've been spending many of my early mornings on the back porch with a very professional set-up: lawn mower displaying my workout, heart rate monitor watch wrapped around the handlebars, AND sweet vintage Descente jersey. You can check out all the bling in the photo below.<br />
<br />
Any chance we can get to look at maps is obviously helpful, with the gentle reminder that everything looks quite different at race pace! We try to do any Foot-O events close by, and will go on longer mountain bike rides with old maps in our map holders just to practice reading on the go. Trail riding with map boards has definitely been a great opportunity to spread the word of MTBO. Riders heading in the opposite direction generally stop and inquire as to what that contraption might be on our handlebars.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ64TfFavLUiDJqrdsM3jwaB9yeX-rDlsCesqOzfIO5_5taIRDHi-rDV8LChujE4zzSrVuYKvl-YxGs5VEA25l7H-jfGiWEgPUXIQogqhz0DeK6t6qagV3xz1SGP_Du5EakEX-JRTJOs/s1600/abratrainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ64TfFavLUiDJqrdsM3jwaB9yeX-rDlsCesqOzfIO5_5taIRDHi-rDV8LChujE4zzSrVuYKvl-YxGs5VEA25l7H-jfGiWEgPUXIQogqhz0DeK6t6qagV3xz1SGP_Du5EakEX-JRTJOs/s1600/abratrainer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cue the "Rocky" theme song!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our bikes also needed a little love in preparation for our week-long training camp and week's worth of racing. We grabbed new Kratos tires from Rubena, especially after finding some "Stanimals" hiding out inside the old tires from the Stan's No Tubes sealant of yore. One of my tires was also losing air out the sidewall -- it was time for a refresh! Add in an upgrade of some Avid XO hydraulic disc brakes and I'm starting to feel pretty set. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIICYkSFAY_vqJLLwwUkjMyY9GQRWSAcXhTB5LY8BBVCajsSdvQPmEuQVFoLvWRl6-zGYbMmQ1-E7ixzr-22UGTttj8wZHcIuZUQjx5GviwqJhlMtL9cgPyOnt4Q5-fhxeMnvOgCzhZk/s1600/stanimal!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIICYkSFAY_vqJLLwwUkjMyY9GQRWSAcXhTB5LY8BBVCajsSdvQPmEuQVFoLvWRl6-zGYbMmQ1-E7ixzr-22UGTttj8wZHcIuZUQjx5GviwqJhlMtL9cgPyOnt4Q5-fhxeMnvOgCzhZk/s1600/stanimal!.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are those sea monkeys...? No! They're Stanimals! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And last but not least, we've also been recruiting. Sue and our club, <a href="http://croc.org/">CROC</a>, hosted a local MTBO race at Stub Stewart State Park in June, and another short training exercise at Mt. Tabor Park in SE Portland this past week. Participants from both events left asking when the next race would be, which we considered a good sign. In order to get the US Junior MTBO movement rolling, we've decided it's absolutely fine to start recruiting youth at a very young age. On that note, I'd like to introduce you to our new friend, Willa Miriam -- she should be taking the junior MTBO circuit by storm in say, year 2030? Her parents say she's trying to decide between orienteering or bike racing -- why not both?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNbHnc96L0gD3SzLwgRQNs4jDP61V4ovnce_58XxPxPD0FBjsGf-TIEycUTUXdauoXL3hI760SaKQMKQ_bMPcaJKx-jRG9Hco2iCrnzIfn18r5l2XrIo-R_DbRwv3hOpUPZoAANyS93w/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNbHnc96L0gD3SzLwgRQNs4jDP61V4ovnce_58XxPxPD0FBjsGf-TIEycUTUXdauoXL3hI760SaKQMKQ_bMPcaJKx-jRG9Hco2iCrnzIfn18r5l2XrIo-R_DbRwv3hOpUPZoAANyS93w/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Abra McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575458662140326171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-49509024056029260122013-08-30T13:30:00.001-07:002013-08-30T13:30:41.458-07:00Relay Day, Susan's Birthday & Joe Brings Home the Silver!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkJ-opmMnsjb_2XdiSbvoX7yP5B1ZWlR7UbH5w-acBtPGn9c1dnGcky9sta6neei0Dp1BAds3FvnabqX7zG25CGzafoxk6TUyjf-21kjovyX2thqZUXF0cSqKgNppVITwpi_m2awdrEI/s1600/susaninterview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkJ-opmMnsjb_2XdiSbvoX7yP5B1ZWlR7UbH5w-acBtPGn9c1dnGcky9sta6neei0Dp1BAds3FvnabqX7zG25CGzafoxk6TUyjf-21kjovyX2thqZUXF0cSqKgNppVITwpi_m2awdrEI/s1600/susaninterview.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Relay Day started out pretty sweet. The race took place in Rakvere so we only had to ride a few blocks to the start line rather than load the bikes in our vans and make a trek. It was also Susan's birthday so we began the day by giving her a mostly unintelligible Estonian birthday card (which turned out to have the word 'map' in it after Tom broke out Google Translate), and a chocolate cupcake from a local bakery with a large '0' candle in it. The '0' obviously stood for Orienteering.<br />
<br />
Adding to an already special day, the race announcer wished her a Happy Birthday AND she was interviewed by an Estonian news crew after our relay. The interviewer was excited to congratulate her about her birthday, as well as inquire about the race, MTBO, and how she liked Estonia. Happy Birthday, Susan!<br />
<br />
The MTBO Relay began with a mass start in which the rider of the first leg sprinted to their bike while simultaneously reading their map and planning their first route. Sue and Tom both took on the role of riding in the first slots and did a great job handling the pressure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHGFjONZe3D1zbtCk8Clt0DO5OM5r4iFyiqBQ2-kSEM54HY0509AbfOt7baDkEMGjoyZ42Dcol5Yy3pK-kjXhnk5OGKuKRhPlHwZ14fe3BbrFBFKZoOJNX-15HuID36UBGFDOZDTGpI/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHGFjONZe3D1zbtCk8Clt0DO5OM5r4iFyiqBQ2-kSEM54HY0509AbfOt7baDkEMGjoyZ42Dcol5Yy3pK-kjXhnk5OGKuKRhPlHwZ14fe3BbrFBFKZoOJNX-15HuID36UBGFDOZDTGpI/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mw8diHkNUHOGAuVuhw6_udgnz1PIphcZs8ANYvZl1X5YCzyNMIWhtIWmJFVI_BLuucaiJP3xrFQFyZmhUFhL2AY-DHStG5T3cyPh_G9MLa8QNgxL6h-jVgmItLB6Dqc3Qa72oUoklDQ/s1600/IMG_3100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mw8diHkNUHOGAuVuhw6_udgnz1PIphcZs8ANYvZl1X5YCzyNMIWhtIWmJFVI_BLuucaiJP3xrFQFyZmhUFhL2AY-DHStG5T3cyPh_G9MLa8QNgxL6h-jVgmItLB6Dqc3Qa72oUoklDQ/s1600/IMG_3100.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Each leg of the relay included two maps: a larger one with a smaller one stapled to the back. Once you reached the "spectator control," the larger map was torn off and dropped on the ground nearby for an official to pick up, and then you were off again with the smaller map. Seeing your teammate at the spectator control usually meant they would be coming through the finish area to tag your hand in about 10-12 minutes. After the shift change, the next leg of the relay rode through the parking lot to pick their two maps up where they were attached to a board and numbered for your team.<br />
<br />
The shorter leg with the smaller map zipped around Rakvere Castle, a structure dating back to the 5th century, as well as near the famous Tarvas statue of an aurochs that's said to be the largest animal statue in the Baltic countries. It made for pretty fantastic views and terrain.<br />
<br />
Susan, Sue, and I went back afterwards to snap a few photos and cheer on David as he was hammering through. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDBE97c9FVLaLtLLMlfFtkt6WgPXqg5Vl_McBP3zfoxqkPurymnLpLQzgjXfIISN03pLfsUdeKCKHmqNAHGn1zp2u3S7HZu-8HB6Vbp8URRKEBJLhmuJRq-WYbc2rEdRTn2khMeXibmQ/s1600/tarvas+statue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDBE97c9FVLaLtLLMlfFtkt6WgPXqg5Vl_McBP3zfoxqkPurymnLpLQzgjXfIISN03pLfsUdeKCKHmqNAHGn1zp2u3S7HZu-8HB6Vbp8URRKEBJLhmuJRq-WYbc2rEdRTn2khMeXibmQ/s1600/tarvas+statue.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3BWPaYuHsncI_ePEtaC29ryhyphenhyphenYYqOB1GmHiDb63fuZ__2N-v3V7vyxFKC4Y2Oewz9OoniU5TIXCZM7m3iIWyDd1r_H_pPI78rxf7AqjcEH9P5NXUOPsiJNV6kZkJ26SkpHHb08MyXWE/s1600/dash2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3BWPaYuHsncI_ePEtaC29ryhyphenhyphenYYqOB1GmHiDb63fuZ__2N-v3V7vyxFKC4Y2Oewz9OoniU5TIXCZM7m3iIWyDd1r_H_pPI78rxf7AqjcEH9P5NXUOPsiJNV6kZkJ26SkpHHb08MyXWE/s1600/dash2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The relay course went through an amazing amount of suburban forests around Rakvere with a pretty intricate and often rooty trail system. Steeper descents were an added bonus, too. You had to pay close attention as some of the major streets and residential areas were forbidden, leaving only a few options for crossing major roads or picking routes. A wrong turn down one of the roads could easily be a disqualification for your team.<br />
<br />
Here's a slightly poor photo of the first map of the women's second leg. There should be a better version of all the maps available <a href="http://www.orienteerumine.ee/mtbo2013/relay/">online</a> sometime soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioI1CISWL6aOp7OlmgoJQul6bU0Tgbjs9qfMrBi3PvyGHYRE72tbpEmHK7PRR227y4c1QT-PebtWH5Gu21BoOb7gNLZNcO_4J99KM1qBsINQSP_vuUiVGLyRgnPLbauljd86iF1HL74c/s1600/map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioI1CISWL6aOp7OlmgoJQul6bU0Tgbjs9qfMrBi3PvyGHYRE72tbpEmHK7PRR227y4c1QT-PebtWH5Gu21BoOb7gNLZNcO_4J99KM1qBsINQSP_vuUiVGLyRgnPLbauljd86iF1HL74c/s1600/map.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
It was another strong day for the US in that we didn't have any mispunches or disqualifications. Fletcher had his best race yet and Dash was pumped about crushing it on his second map. As always, we left the race with an incredible amount of respect for the abilities of the athletes who are seemingly experts in this sport, and with inquiries on how we can create opportunities for more MTBO events of similar quality in the US.<br />
<br />
To add even more good news to the day, our alternate rider and orienteering guru, Joe, raced his age group in the Open Category Sprint and took home the silver and second place! We would have missed his chance to stand on the podium had we not already been out eating dinner for Susan's birthday at the same location as the awards ceremonies. His successes earned him a mixed bag of beverages, including one of the local energy drinks, Jungled Battery. Great job, Joe!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3hvyxI-HSRasdWzdwzoqpt1XDs-dkIpCgJUdx_3LV4xqyiPWwksu-ahSwqSv-HljKZxj3mxESSSwHbzfm85E3Mj_xugwO74IBQjAMn2bSKhwT6EkPSNPBv83mGLV8uOi_cWtMBlCiNQ/s1600/joe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3hvyxI-HSRasdWzdwzoqpt1XDs-dkIpCgJUdx_3LV4xqyiPWwksu-ahSwqSv-HljKZxj3mxESSSwHbzfm85E3Mj_xugwO74IBQjAMn2bSKhwT6EkPSNPBv83mGLV8uOi_cWtMBlCiNQ/s1600/joe.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Tomorrow will be our last race, the Long Course. After the men race 46k and the women 35k, we'll need to truck back to Rakvere, start packing up our bikes and gear, and also hustle to the final banquet and disco. It's going to be a busy day but we're looking forward to it. There may even be costumes involved.<br />
<br />
We've been super lucky to have Dash's wife, Diane, along for the trip with some photography experience and a nice camera. She's been our team photographer at every event and captured a lot of the sweet shots we've been able to post. I'll end today's write-up with a pic she snapped this morning before the relay that we hope to send to our sponsors as a thank you. This is right in the middle of Rakvere's downtown area, just a few blocks from the Event Center, our hotel, and today's race start/finish area.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnv_QjoD2mfle9Z1NkSq7aS51yjgzg0FJMy-apd9toZITdjSFav8rdrn1JOgZoQj5H-YUw38SzJ3D4oFumlSzalAXVBrJdjbfKcfx2CeSxeXIFt1t1oGHWpxCiVopXsIYqoh4VMqPYss/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnv_QjoD2mfle9Z1NkSq7aS51yjgzg0FJMy-apd9toZITdjSFav8rdrn1JOgZoQj5H-YUw38SzJ3D4oFumlSzalAXVBrJdjbfKcfx2CeSxeXIFt1t1oGHWpxCiVopXsIYqoh4VMqPYss/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Abra McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575458662140326171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-49713319438721822142013-08-28T23:02:00.001-07:002013-08-29T04:56:10.839-07:00Sprint and Middle Distance SummaryWith two days of competition behind us, it's time for a rest day and the weather seems to agree. For the first time in a week, I did not wake to blue sky and sunshine; it's quite foggy out.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr7cdroVdM0DvjMaofy3Tggr5zQJNKuSiTY8aZNr99GrRHp7d45WnUNi3E-SapGQSm0E_ySnoei3cFrewUW4RX54bUiva2V80GjVF846QtmjtDe_Qry6plJyPxeZyW7FHk-_zYpCIeRF5/s640/blogger-image-1231873380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr7cdroVdM0DvjMaofy3Tggr5zQJNKuSiTY8aZNr99GrRHp7d45WnUNi3E-SapGQSm0E_ySnoei3cFrewUW4RX54bUiva2V80GjVF846QtmjtDe_Qry6plJyPxeZyW7FHk-_zYpCIeRF5/s640/blogger-image-1231873380.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday's sprint race was rather a debacle for most of the American team as we let the pressure of the "sprint" lure us into rushing through the tricky navigation rather than taking the time for accuracy. At least for my part, this cost me more time in backtracking and relocating myself on the map than it would have taken to study the map more carefully in the first place.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6hGOQu8gTLW0im1TObCDAClRk2vhKfRg6XqXca_59WgzWC6JyFbpoLP015B3QAgmuPShmxgQb-J7pxz0EDpf_KeXozfE0oJgVYlZwfLTxFHEkMxf1MsjvL7yJVqo1rICR53An00U5f9M/s640/blogger-image--1582865079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6hGOQu8gTLW0im1TObCDAClRk2vhKfRg6XqXca_59WgzWC6JyFbpoLP015B3QAgmuPShmxgQb-J7pxz0EDpf_KeXozfE0oJgVYlZwfLTxFHEkMxf1MsjvL7yJVqo1rICR53An00U5f9M/s640/blogger-image--1582865079.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Abra had the best performance of the day, finishing in 45th place out of 61 starts, cutting her sprint time in half from last year. Joe and Tom represented for the men, placing 57 and 58 out of 93 starts. The rest of us had a rough go of it and either punched controls out of sequence (easy to do since there were four different courses set up and a given flag may or may not be on the course you are riding) or navigated out of bounds and were disqualified (this happened to one fourth of the competitors). </div><div><br></div><div>The map was challenging to read and at one point had racers weaving through a spiderweb of mowed trails through a meadow of tall grass, searching for the correct control out of many. Tom summed it up hilariously in the van on the 25-minute drive back to the hotel: "There's a control---GEET IIIT!!! No, that's not the right one! Wait, there's another one--GEEET IIIT!" </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTvEgl27JobCmHBq4xvlD9XA8bFfRQdfOsfLJ9dzaz87UBnnhQdqM2lnaKjixOCc0h3fPeMdkdJrPil07lll3DNkfFdmFCTf3_SmHKhnMQuMieuAkEr6ihx5tzzksxtE4PeoW5IPWkXAk/s640/blogger-image--734351275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTvEgl27JobCmHBq4xvlD9XA8bFfRQdfOsfLJ9dzaz87UBnnhQdqM2lnaKjixOCc0h3fPeMdkdJrPil07lll3DNkfFdmFCTf3_SmHKhnMQuMieuAkEr6ihx5tzzksxtE4PeoW5IPWkXAk/s640/blogger-image--734351275.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>During and after the ride home we poured over the maps and splits, reliving the chaos that it's MTBO sprint racing, comparing routes and sharing stories of our first race of the competition. We went to bed confident we would perform better in the middle distance event next day.</div><div><br></div><div>I woke up feeling energetic and excited about the race. The first day was anxiety ridden since most of us did not really know what to expect. Being in quarantine for hours before hour race start, the pressure of the start chute, and launching from the platform after a "beep" countdown rattled our nerves. This time we knew the drill and I resolved not to be distracted from reading the map and riding my own course.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ckSOo-GJCFRybvO40bJit1jdx8CMz8G3UBAM8RKkRH5aWjZIIevgd2b_ozGpba7NaKzIP1UvyU4BIlhrgcO8mmZXFYxMVWP079ZQa-BLczCGj6QWaT3_rgqrF855ffXLquaHTxhUIbf/s640/blogger-image--1025024357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5ckSOo-GJCFRybvO40bJit1jdx8CMz8G3UBAM8RKkRH5aWjZIIevgd2b_ozGpba7NaKzIP1UvyU4BIlhrgcO8mmZXFYxMVWP079ZQa-BLczCGj6QWaT3_rgqrF855ffXLquaHTxhUIbf/s640/blogger-image--1025024357.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Although we still rounded out the bottom of the field, all the US riders punched clean and finished with respectable times. Tom had the best race in 76th place out of 93, beating at least 10 Euros, and Sue led the USA women 56th out of 61. Today there were only three mis-punches (mp) on the men's side and none on the women's.</div><div><br></div><div>I made a few navigation errors, but overall, given my experience level in the sport, I was happy with my performance. I navigated quite well through the first four controls, then missed a turn onto a trail leading to a road crossing and had to backtrack a couple hundred yards. I found #5 easily, then turned onto a different track than I planned to #6 as I came to it from the opposite direction. I had to study the map a bit for #7, a flag buried in a network of hilly, bermy ATV trails. I punched at the same time as Carolyn of Australia and resisted the temptation to follow her, losing precious seconds to confirm my turns on the map. I took a gamble to #14 via a singletrack, but flubbed it up and ended up taking the long way around after all; #15 required careful attention. I navigated the remainder of the course fairly quickly to the point where I was in a bit of disbelief that I only had one control left and spent a moment reviewing the map to make sure I had really punched all the controls. I sprinted hard to the finish, fairly confident that I had done well, only to discover that I had the slowest time of the day so far. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlxfckgPMfCTCIoSpmnp3gNw_Kggw2tTbgDHzCJ4pSOblYsPbE-An4t-ZLcHahXnxcyN83K2yvJCICLX8mdFCxjsoBXk05P0r74fv5yrfxIA-L6LXyglgXTNWJ7cI4-aU-fv0DJIGOlDT/s640/blogger-image--600077272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlxfckgPMfCTCIoSpmnp3gNw_Kggw2tTbgDHzCJ4pSOblYsPbE-An4t-ZLcHahXnxcyN83K2yvJCICLX8mdFCxjsoBXk05P0r74fv5yrfxIA-L6LXyglgXTNWJ7cI4-aU-fv0DJIGOlDT/s640/blogger-image--600077272.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Alas, some disappointments, but we're learning a lot and getting to ride top quality MTBO courses. Although the Karaoke we were looking forward to did not happen, we had a great time socializing with members of the Austrian team, who are really fun, nice, and encouraging.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-5176889805252503102013-08-26T11:12:00.001-07:002013-08-26T11:59:37.895-07:00Opening Ceremonies and Pre-race Jitters<div>Joe and Tom are back from the team leaders' meeting, the team is briefed, and we're settling in for the night with pre-race jitters. Tomorrow is the first of four official races in the World MTBO Championships!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha96wRYGcntcJS0fIUbF6sGAbVnIg7QQKtTt5kRZAlncETE_5f5MAU9q2EChvtZjdBVIEu4v4L5rYPKCO43YjrCVBs1tGKLqxBhSjr-awNT_Zh6vNQqdNwqgOmmyCTmFgU4lm_VCDBCSZM/s640/blogger-image-913861970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha96wRYGcntcJS0fIUbF6sGAbVnIg7QQKtTt5kRZAlncETE_5f5MAU9q2EChvtZjdBVIEu4v4L5rYPKCO43YjrCVBs1tGKLqxBhSjr-awNT_Zh6vNQqdNwqgOmmyCTmFgU4lm_VCDBCSZM/s640/blogger-image-913861970.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After breakfast this morning, Tom and I set off in search of a laundromat and instead found a commercial laundry service. We were pretty proud of ourselves for navigating the neighborhood and the language barrier for the end result of returning at 3 pm to pick up bags of neatly folded socks and chamois.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The model event was a pleasant tour of Rakvere with only seven checkpoints, after which we went to lunch at the pub next to the hotel again then split up for an afternoon of errands: groceries for the week's lunches, trips to the bike shop, and picking up laundry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzNmTUQExx8IdQqypI0MoeXdR0GtvNCbXekoJVCTE_xqAK6eGYoz_YQczdr4XzZvYkktT_lxtKZR4AlXhasXmACGpqgZ48znRcwd3PJHgVst9S-UPZmr7AtQl3aUPopW05BbXp5h_xbWA/s640/blogger-image-1030105387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzNmTUQExx8IdQqypI0MoeXdR0GtvNCbXekoJVCTE_xqAK6eGYoz_YQczdr4XzZvYkktT_lxtKZR4AlXhasXmACGpqgZ48znRcwd3PJHgVst9S-UPZmr7AtQl3aUPopW05BbXp5h_xbWA/s640/blogger-image-1030105387.jpg"></a></div><br></div>At 4:45, we lined up in front of the event center for the parade to the town square for opening ceremonies. The Americans led off the march, preceded only by the band and the Estonian woman who carried our country sign. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje05zV0bvJwKXVMfpZVTdzIR65Dg0Jv3NgsShTgeyRr1XMlI-6CRX0yTZpCR3zEhIlX4ovV6N9h6n9p12z_UdovoGrIealobhz4rI2gvRnqYktywM3OLyN_rl9Rh2O61h7McdSaV1hG_Pn/s640/blogger-image-783888528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje05zV0bvJwKXVMfpZVTdzIR65Dg0Jv3NgsShTgeyRr1XMlI-6CRX0yTZpCR3zEhIlX4ovV6N9h6n9p12z_UdovoGrIealobhz4rI2gvRnqYktywM3OLyN_rl9Rh2O61h7McdSaV1hG_Pn/s640/blogger-image-783888528.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Local, national and international officials gave brief welcomes, then a local dance troupe entertained us before we took turns taking team photos with the bicyclist statue adorned in MTBO shirt and map holder.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EC6lG0b0ag6wUyzzvJ2CDsXhnvcuP_MSnLMO4PjylhAsK-mFIH1bQJaOgUvhIj7PK3RxC93yUpQDOo44n-b3Snv5D01YMnQzdOWt8PLjGfLdSX7StFkFR4_fyO0tWgYlT3r9Id_Mqc0k/s640/blogger-image--981615974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EC6lG0b0ag6wUyzzvJ2CDsXhnvcuP_MSnLMO4PjylhAsK-mFIH1bQJaOgUvhIj7PK3RxC93yUpQDOo44n-b3Snv5D01YMnQzdOWt8PLjGfLdSX7StFkFR4_fyO0tWgYlT3r9Id_Mqc0k/s640/blogger-image--981615974.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The opening ceremonies gave us time to reflect on how lucky we are to be given the opportunity to compete here at Worlds. Tom could be heard talking to the Aussies, saying that he felt like the trip thus far was near perfect, and is excited to get out and race. We are all enjoying the experience.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhMA7To50h851UGeP7dFLNCJbNKuoVtMTbxor2_ZV76hEXVfkpTphuHlzzjSrSRQsMuLHQQCIGwckTQhxNJCE5DGG2GIXv6Xpf474oLS032mfvDWchXGKKxrl3V3Se09pzdkG-OkUUQsu/s640/blogger-image--1806718908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhMA7To50h851UGeP7dFLNCJbNKuoVtMTbxor2_ZV76hEXVfkpTphuHlzzjSrSRQsMuLHQQCIGwckTQhxNJCE5DGG2GIXv6Xpf474oLS032mfvDWchXGKKxrl3V3Se09pzdkG-OkUUQsu/s640/blogger-image--1806718908.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow is the sprint event in the nearby town of Tapa. We all have our numbers pinned and start times assigned. We'll load bikes at 9 am and have to be in the quarantine area by 11 so we can't see any of the course before our start. We'll go out in one-minute intervals. Here's to seven clean and fast runs!</div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-14798221121667339712013-08-25T11:19:00.001-07:002013-08-25T11:55:17.786-07:00Gang's all here!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97s1VXr3RDy9w85jLmeJb3md4ucVXEccFdOHWH5EAHmWSKj50WoE41aUv4FsOuQzcRQ3ucB-nHUDUpzb8P2kPGOTj8nbxAPVTBc8sgGXEOWyU5nINFWEeMmI6xBVp-UC4TGEkVJmoHiVl/s640/blogger-image--1147451098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97s1VXr3RDy9w85jLmeJb3md4ucVXEccFdOHWH5EAHmWSKj50WoE41aUv4FsOuQzcRQ3ucB-nHUDUpzb8P2kPGOTj8nbxAPVTBc8sgGXEOWyU5nINFWEeMmI6xBVp-UC4TGEkVJmoHiVl/s640/blogger-image--1147451098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joe, Fletcher, Dash and his wife Diane all arrived in Rakvere just after the rest of us checked into the hotel. First things first: we were all hungry, so went for lunch at the "Englise Pubi" next door. We caught the jet-lagged crew up to speed on local maps while we waited for food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Earlier, Sue won the first round of Tetris on the first try. I would have wagered it couldn't be done, but we got all of us and all of our stuff into the van (and the rental company will be glad to know we didn't have to leave the third seat behind)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a 40-minute drive to Pikasarre for the fifth and final training course. It looked complicated on the map with lots of lakes, bogs, barely-there trails, and hilly terrain. Some of the "barely-there" trails turned out to be pretty fun to ride and the open, moss-and-lichen carpeted forest was beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lots of mushroom-pickers out today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vUS3gW9M56Q9zGqP1i6t-dRWjCfLAYq1dc6ucDlIAY7nVmIx0IC_jTbpKOtmjnz7tgXM7HoIuFDd_pEBNGfWQQlMmMySb6EkZJOR_bKrQBG5fVGok9Jg9Q9QickgL9WL7VPeE1Oynw6H/s640/blogger-image-1870489023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vUS3gW9M56Q9zGqP1i6t-dRWjCfLAYq1dc6ucDlIAY7nVmIx0IC_jTbpKOtmjnz7tgXM7HoIuFDd_pEBNGfWQQlMmMySb6EkZJOR_bKrQBG5fVGok9Jg9Q9QickgL9WL7VPeE1Oynw6H/s640/blogger-image-1870489023.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Approaching control #5, a stick flew through my rear wheel and snapped off my valve stem giving me an insta-flat. I wasn't carrying a flat repair kit, so had to walk a mile or more to the start/finish area to take care of the job, but determinedly set out to complete the course. For the first time all week, I absolutely nailed the navigation--no wrong turns, no uncertainties, just CP to CP to CP. Bam! Sue and Abra both have international race experience and Tom has been rocking the courses, so I really needed the confidence I gained today to make me feel worthy of being here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While nine other teams participated in the training camp, 26 are competing this coming week in the MTBO World Championships. The gravel parking lot of the hotel was an ad hoc bike shop while high-end bikes were tugged from travel boxes and assembled while we waited for check-in time. It's rather inspiring to be surrounded by so many world-class athletes, known for both athletic and navigational prowess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Michaela Gijon, a top-ranked racer from Austria, is continuing her tradition of sponsoring a "fantasy team" competition; you have 30 points available to buy three male and three female racers from six countries to fill your dream MTBO team. The US racers are pretty inexpensive right now; we're curious to see how often we get picked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbEMwxKoFEoPCVfZGfGkNOO6NsZnZ7CIM__xRo09D1TOKkEMh4GsdSl107deA_7j0EsHaXLS2szshIhxC_n5ZxtKkg_oxScn0JPL3LaoCNteGakckskyNkmJ0tnhyphenhyphenkQYWYUKrev6RGxmY/s640/blogger-image--1183660962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbEMwxKoFEoPCVfZGfGkNOO6NsZnZ7CIM__xRo09D1TOKkEMh4GsdSl107deA_7j0EsHaXLS2szshIhxC_n5ZxtKkg_oxScn0JPL3LaoCNteGakckskyNkmJ0tnhyphenhyphenkQYWYUKrev6RGxmY/s640/blogger-image--1183660962.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rakvere is an adorable town of 16,000 with human history dating to the third century. For those of us who have been sequestered at the "country manor" for several days, it's a relief to have restaurants, banks and shops handy and we're looking forward to exploring by foot and by bike!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Off to bed--tomorrow is the model event and opening ceremonies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-1577940458203589472013-08-24T12:16:00.001-07:002013-08-24T12:30:37.053-07:00Training Camp, Day 2<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy2Daw_s_G-pvxnb1Fk6cIKgNuyun63s8mCeGWE2NBGaPai9Ekc9PGhy9gGEo8SPrqMLA0sOwLzyPvPNXKE5GEFbQNndZRkNUADBzn_vMwsAD3ZCo7F9fbIi9rckVcfKrjhqiu_2wr3Rn/s640/blogger-image--485039777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy2Daw_s_G-pvxnb1Fk6cIKgNuyun63s8mCeGWE2NBGaPai9Ekc9PGhy9gGEo8SPrqMLA0sOwLzyPvPNXKE5GEFbQNndZRkNUADBzn_vMwsAD3ZCo7F9fbIi9rckVcfKrjhqiu_2wr3Rn/s640/blogger-image--485039777.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>We have three more practice courses under our belts and are feeling more prepared for the upcoming competition. Just one more training course tomorrow morning--and it looks like a challenging one!--then we move to Rakvere for the coming week.<div><br></div><div>Yesterday afternoon we rode a middle distance course with 14 controls. My ride was rather disastrous as I got completely disoriented trying to find the first flag and had to go almost back to the beginning to relocate myself. Sue later referred to this area of the course as The Matrix; we had to ride through it several times and it always seemed confusing. I was able to basically follow someone to #2, then got back on my feet and navigated well up until #8 where I again took a wrong turn and wasted several minutes. I was pleased with my route choice to #9, though (avoided going up and over a hill and the out and back section meant I returned over familiar terrain) and even mastered The Matrix to #10. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1NtjSAO0Qky__yMixQtgv6uGfCR9b9XhUk0IdZdTXLzlrIX1VH_xantQjffXpao4yTlm78s9VuCKbTp2ocmCyU1usfWPIgPfCndlVnrrTj0O6MvZhb9H-kctai6hCg5HaSF6592seu_K/s640/blogger-image--130939180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1NtjSAO0Qky__yMixQtgv6uGfCR9b9XhUk0IdZdTXLzlrIX1VH_xantQjffXpao4yTlm78s9VuCKbTp2ocmCyU1usfWPIgPfCndlVnrrTj0O6MvZhb9H-kctai6hCg5HaSF6592seu_K/s640/blogger-image--130939180.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Abra and Tom had the best rides of the day for Team USA. Disheartened and feeling in over my head, I set out today to navigate cleanly, even if it meant slowing down the ride and stopping a lot to verify map features. I made a few errors on the short course here at Janeda this morning, but nothing disastrous and never lost track of my position. Everyone else rode really well; unfortunately Tom had a flat but he fixed it and finished the course.</div><div><br></div><div>Sue feeds grass to a horse on our cool-down spin:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmskZQQlJCvMx9H6a263RrA8TE8F5ulJ78BGeNXLtjlXORjEVi0aH5bkgfcysIMiC7R6m-Oe_k0TibwZgVBIHxMYPteuXk-Yo6N0qZq0RGVf93wJjC4LeW8BF10UP1X4Z9okeXaj6HLkfN/s640/blogger-image-1407691544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmskZQQlJCvMx9H6a263RrA8TE8F5ulJ78BGeNXLtjlXORjEVi0aH5bkgfcysIMiC7R6m-Oe_k0TibwZgVBIHxMYPteuXk-Yo6N0qZq0RGVf93wJjC4LeW8BF10UP1X4Z9okeXaj6HLkfN/s640/blogger-image-1407691544.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>This afternoon we drove about 30 miles to Tamsalu for a really fun middle distance course. We started in town near the sports center and again I bungled the first control. Once I get out in the woods, I'm fine, but the urban stuff is really challenging for me! For the most part, I was pleased with the rest of my ride; again, a few errors, but mostly learning experiences (note to self: the tiny dotted trails barely exist and should be avoided when possible; even if you can find them, you probably can't ride them). Tom aced the course (except for a failed attempt at a rolling punch which left him off the official results) and Sue and Abra both had strong, consistent rides.</div><div><br></div><div>On the drive back to Janeda, we stopped to visit this church:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEhPNmSgMOg-eRkP-dVgalY2_APlD2x3VbmMEpZaZu5I9pyiTEBSOoUyeGOOrfHUr9mJuFcG2yyC5e0sIb0x-dOAkdXt8eKE_y5RBF4c_38QLVIPNmUHp4sPRrzsokPPD-fKh5yGQcPLU/s640/blogger-image-392939902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEhPNmSgMOg-eRkP-dVgalY2_APlD2x3VbmMEpZaZu5I9pyiTEBSOoUyeGOOrfHUr9mJuFcG2yyC5e0sIb0x-dOAkdXt8eKE_y5RBF4c_38QLVIPNmUHp4sPRrzsokPPD-fKh5yGQcPLU/s640/blogger-image-392939902.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq8w9W81OBEB36w3BM2N73IsDEw2YyyBY1Zw3TxHpmn7BpcX5M4cw6MNY6-a-ePrHaMU0pffHdt9LS7bJVsEDnvMlVSOuVlk9fo9zeimV_2TaXmYEsCDdbr488xzfrl4XjQYwiCWPQgqO/s640/blogger-image--1534176681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq8w9W81OBEB36w3BM2N73IsDEw2YyyBY1Zw3TxHpmn7BpcX5M4cw6MNY6-a-ePrHaMU0pffHdt9LS7bJVsEDnvMlVSOuVlk9fo9zeimV_2TaXmYEsCDdbr488xzfrl4XjQYwiCWPQgqO/s640/blogger-image--1534176681.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Dinner tonight was perhaps the biggest adventure of the week so far. We went to the usual dining hall at the usual time of 7 pm to learn that it was closed for a private party (a school reunion, perhaps? the language barrier made it hard to understand). After some wandering around, we found the Aussie's seated at a pre-set table in a building that appears to have been a stable in a former life. When we went to sit at the next table over, the server blocked it with her arms and shook her head. So we joined the Aussies at their table; they had been told that dinner would be at 7:30.</div><div><br></div><div>We were hungry from riding all day, so after we finished the carrot salad that had been pre-placed, we devoured our desserts (something like the filling of strawberry cheesecake). And waited. And waited. Suddenly, a troop of young boys marched in and sat down and were served heaping bowls of fish chips and potatoes and salads. We finally were brought bowls of baked chicken (2 per person, the server indicated with her fingers) and rice with a hollandaise-like, mustardy sauce. Delicious! But we were still hungry. The boys vacated the tables as abruptly as they had arrived and Sue quickly ran over and grabbed leftover bowls of potatoes and salads. All this training has us eating heartily.</div><div><br></div><div>Perhaps a bigger challenge than the training course tomorrow will be fitting four bikes, four bike boxes, four people's luggage, and four people in the van for the trip to Rakvere...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-51434636355665931292013-08-23T04:03:00.001-07:002013-08-23T04:41:54.622-07:00Welcome to Estonia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I arrived in Tallinn yesterday afternoon after 18 or so hours of travel on three flights (through Amsterdam and Helsinki), to the welcoming faces of teammates Sue, Abra, and Tom, and the even more welcome sight of my bike box spinning around the baggage carousel. Since I work for an airline, I used my stand-by travel privileges, and between the unknowns of space available travel and sporadic communication between the teammates who were already in country, it seemed somewhat miraculous that we all happened to be in the same place at the same time in a faraway land.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcIPHzCv9z8PU_vLyWmpIcUnmZ_W2Z9LT5Ls3qEdXXjy5byPb-7-9nLn2deLhjHA224qU9F_V053Uq6i4nOXs54Wk4X5aE2gdUcogI2_q2XYIGpFmetbLulHZmci1taBH6HRSICmA0VIV/s640/blogger-image-1325570004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcIPHzCv9z8PU_vLyWmpIcUnmZ_W2Z9LT5Ls3qEdXXjy5byPb-7-9nLn2deLhjHA224qU9F_V053Uq6i4nOXs54Wk4X5aE2gdUcogI2_q2XYIGpFmetbLulHZmci1taBH6HRSICmA0VIV/s640/blogger-image-1325570004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was about an hour's drive east to Janeda, the headquarters for a three-day training camp that precedes the competition, where the rest of the gang had already checked into our dorm rooms. Janeda is a former aristocratic estate built ca. 1510, with pastoral grounds featuring a duck pond and walking paths as well as a variety of outbuildings that now serve as a market and dining hall for conference attendees and where we had a family-style dinner last night with teams from Italy and Australia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I crashed hard around 8 pm and Sue estimated I would wake up around 5 this morning due the time transition (10 hours difference from Portland); I was wide awake by 4 and at 4:30 decided to go to the bike storage room to assemble my bike. After breakfast in the lobby and some last minute bike adjustments (the Australians were kind enough to loan tools and a floor pump) we pedaled the 5k to the morning's training site. The weather was sunny but cool, much like an October day in Portland. After a few pedal strokes, I marveled, "Holy crap, I'm riding my mountain bike in Estonia!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3O6BCX-GS0wyDjfG6dvgf9XBgdhdlGfQ2HrqTyy8Zf6rFEixlrNHKvNjdQj7F4fyb-sidB5lheMzI1LVYM1p8dro-D2VWPaLncGSrKjGdtlrCpOTEftNHJr7xwYYC_wJuet4keDEfUpq/s640/blogger-image--424640257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3O6BCX-GS0wyDjfG6dvgf9XBgdhdlGfQ2HrqTyy8Zf6rFEixlrNHKvNjdQj7F4fyb-sidB5lheMzI1LVYM1p8dro-D2VWPaLncGSrKjGdtlrCpOTEftNHJr7xwYYC_wJuet4keDEfUpq/s640/blogger-image--424640257.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During the training camp, we'll have the opportunity to ride five MTBO courses around the area, a great opportunity to practice our nav skills and get a feel for the local terrain and mapping styles. This morning's course was roughly 10k on a flat, forested network of trails and double-tracks of varying discern-ability. After most of the Italians and Australians had set off, Sue started, then Abra a minute or so behind. I waited a full minute before punching the start control and riding toward the first flag. Despite having studied the map for several minutes, I still stopped and checked at least three times enroute to control 1. I expected the flag to be to my right when I reached a trail junction; instead, it was to my left. Even though I found it quickly, I was glad this was a practice course and not the first day of competition!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKREcZ0lp2Oay0_NGN2vZJSfgaILCpZNQgPu-VQahbmBM9ZgkGf55AhLxusO9x15EsO9f1bWFaWJgw7F6kW9FuVSob7sAhyyP2LhMOrbdB-g5-lbnQZMvCvtKoDTFcJ-Zt3yqLWllHJBW/s640/blogger-image-1540143209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKREcZ0lp2Oay0_NGN2vZJSfgaILCpZNQgPu-VQahbmBM9ZgkGf55AhLxusO9x15EsO9f1bWFaWJgw7F6kW9FuVSob7sAhyyP2LhMOrbdB-g5-lbnQZMvCvtKoDTFcJ-Zt3yqLWllHJBW/s640/blogger-image-1540143209.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I found #2 fairly easily and gained confidence when I was able to locate a faint track on the way to #3. I navigated the next several controls cleanly, but got to experience first-hand how hard it is to stay focused on your own navigation when other competitors overtake you. Then I got really mixed up in a complex intersection between #10 and #11 and took almost 7 minutes finding it. Feeling flustered, it took me almost as long to find #12, but the final control, 13, was a piece of cake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The organizers gave us a print-out of our control punch times; after comparing mine to Sue's and Abra's, I felt a bit discouraged, but Sue reassured me that my times were consistent and that I would improve throughout the training weekend. We spent another hour riding back through the course to look for trails that were hard to find or just to see what variously mapped trails looked like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ride was refreshing and a great way to shake off the jet lag, and it was fun to be out navigating again. The four of us walked from the dorm up to the market to pick up some salami, cheese, bread and fruit for lunch, which we ate at the picnic table out front. "This does not suck," as Tom said in the warm Estonian sun. Now it's time to get ready for the afternoon session on a slightly longer course. I bet we all ride it with fewer errors!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3pKxHz_HkW8cmyA8Y1KDdmR1fUix-4b1aMmGndgFEqrWXIECHfLPuFpR5PMYXCury9EFy1GSdkOYwVni26MJXwjymduW75Yo9QRi3amf4FBjw9dLRFDBumLUcy-jXSiB9cwAxwi3_B0W/s640/blogger-image-1985551231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3pKxHz_HkW8cmyA8Y1KDdmR1fUix-4b1aMmGndgFEqrWXIECHfLPuFpR5PMYXCury9EFy1GSdkOYwVni26MJXwjymduW75Yo9QRi3amf4FBjw9dLRFDBumLUcy-jXSiB9cwAxwi3_B0W/s640/blogger-image-1985551231.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-69738328056033271852012-09-25T22:34:00.001-07:002012-09-25T22:34:16.409-07:00Like Learning a Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Look at that pile of maps! Each one of those is a high quality mountain bike orienteering map and I rode on ALL of those in ONE WEEK! Nuts!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_AZ3BA6zkMxUKjbzQS7kqBQseWotxtjK0mTmKbeQ64_4Ociy_gxlihi4imgGHoo97Sq8y9FTFZvobiVzqheS2tRSjm33JwXxN63ICy5cq11wfWdLZbexyYVMpsxP9WZHosRrlhXsEGg/s1600/381099_597296546252_809950899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_AZ3BA6zkMxUKjbzQS7kqBQseWotxtjK0mTmKbeQ64_4Ociy_gxlihi4imgGHoo97Sq8y9FTFZvobiVzqheS2tRSjm33JwXxN63ICy5cq11wfWdLZbexyYVMpsxP9WZHosRrlhXsEGg/s640/381099_597296546252_809950899_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Being able to travel to Hungary was amazing. Representing Orienteering USA was an honor. Congregating with 24 other countries for a World Championship blew my mind. But the really cool thing that I've never gotten to do before? <i>Orienteer for a week straight! </i>Honing orienteering skills is really like learning a language, since immersion does wonders for rapid development!<br />
<br />
Many of us review our route choices after a meet and summarize the lessons to be learned that day. "I need to work on my memory," or "I need to always plan my exit and roll through controls faster." But the lessons learned by orienteering day after day are harder to articulate. It's not so much that you're learning to "do this, not that," instead, you are carving out pathways in your brain that make the process of orienteering familiar and faster. To make it automatic, so that each decision requires less thought. In language, the words fall out of your mouth before you've had time to translate it in your head. In orienteering, route choice decisions are made quickly and with confidence.<br />
<br />
So even if you don't have the opportunity to travel abroad and compete in a world championship-- look around you, what mapped areas are nearby? You might be able to orienteer for 7 days straight in your home state!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-91554062706960664642012-09-25T21:58:00.001-07:002012-09-25T21:58:46.879-07:00Charting Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The chart below shows my training hours and activities since I (Rebecca) returned from Hungary. There are a couple things I like about this graph:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>One-</i> that the week of August 25th, the activity was pure mountain bike orienteering (purple).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Two-</i> all I did the week after Hungary was go paddle boarding once (light blue). It was awesome!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Three- </i>my hours are following a nice progression, so I'm getting back on track for the winter season!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Four- </i>the next week that will be added to this graph will include a 9 hour rogaine, which will be a huge spike on the chart! I'm excited to log that entry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyvyzBIIaUgN0WeBAVBZ_mXUfdivcaO151iUdtyxUTaDJX4yv5BlxCmI66NNRo7x2XDwQc25huFJ8pApgHwC1lx1rD8lIMzi7U8reEsXuUfg4k_D-q__fYT-uitKMrgMX5McZWMYAkQ4/s1600/243175_598267784882_1775637127_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyvyzBIIaUgN0WeBAVBZ_mXUfdivcaO151iUdtyxUTaDJX4yv5BlxCmI66NNRo7x2XDwQc25huFJ8pApgHwC1lx1rD8lIMzi7U8reEsXuUfg4k_D-q__fYT-uitKMrgMX5McZWMYAkQ4/s640/243175_598267784882_1775637127_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-51110413917831449662012-08-25T05:31:00.000-07:002012-08-25T05:31:01.491-07:00This sport is awesome!Greetings everyone! I was going to title this post something about today's final race but decided to name it how I really feel about this sport :)<br />
I'm sitting in the hallway of the hostel where we recently found a wifi hotspot. I'm hanging out after my race - the Long Final race. It was not my best performance but I'll take it. We were told we would receive two maps at the start today but only received one. Since I was first to start, I thought maybe I wasn't doing something right so I was frazzled. I had to refocus and get back into the "game". Not a big deal, I'm use to learning about this sport as I race. Halfway through my course, I made some errors and Steph from Great Britian caught up to me and we pretty much raced side by side. Occasionally we would choose different routes but would end up at the control around the same time. We were nearing the finish with about 3km left and my rear tire went flat, so sad. I had sealant in it so I chose to just pump up the tire and not change it. I had to do this a couple of times but made it to the finish. The finish of the long race and the finish of the World Championships ended in the town center of Veszprem with locals cheering as we rode through the streets. It was an awesome way to finish!<br />
My bike is packed and I'm waiting for Rebecca and Abra to finish their races. We're going to pack as much as we can this afternoon so we can relax and have a fun time at the banquet tonight. The Austrians said they have special costumes, this should be an interesting evening :)<br />
Thanks everyone who supported us to Hungary, this has been AWESOME!!!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989947001079599390.post-45914586305709712142012-08-23T10:59:00.000-07:002012-08-23T10:59:13.305-07:00MTBO Greetings from Hungary<br />
A few photos from earlier races ....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4J6mlgeHedz3dAUnIdMqDoyvu1yxnBpObH7bQYA1ZblF49zVDLPnxv7UUjZ_cwDZTXbA3qxN9RZfUsWhmHXuvxU-rPVMKeBAfRdCqr3_DG3MSQoaFy3fNqPUsKQ81kmzusPEGCwUFEOX/s1600/Rebeccaaction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4J6mlgeHedz3dAUnIdMqDoyvu1yxnBpObH7bQYA1ZblF49zVDLPnxv7UUjZ_cwDZTXbA3qxN9RZfUsWhmHXuvxU-rPVMKeBAfRdCqr3_DG3MSQoaFy3fNqPUsKQ81kmzusPEGCwUFEOX/s400/Rebeccaaction.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjwDncTrQRNEgvusz5Drx51ObBoc2q8CONkxQbyLYh5OomgrtmD8FkXCpkFj_dSup5mtYy5Nu5hqVnrMEiu6Aj-mOE1OxgIOOx-JNgO-CxNH1YNhHLhp8wKxpzohJI1me7QMJ0VMsIuFI/s1600/abraactionnear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjwDncTrQRNEgvusz5Drx51ObBoc2q8CONkxQbyLYh5OomgrtmD8FkXCpkFj_dSup5mtYy5Nu5hqVnrMEiu6Aj-mOE1OxgIOOx-JNgO-CxNH1YNhHLhp8wKxpzohJI1me7QMJ0VMsIuFI/s400/abraactionnear.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abra concentrating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKJQVOV7-3Ja2Kzsn_V_2hqtWLbsiMMvGzxYgO5aiTz2VlL4CbMNOVBmpfufw-NfOj1SKpGNX1R4Hs-OUo691AC6dVv5GDO6hdtAJm0jiuimLGU3E-aIz2NU4P6NllERxOxaw0HCtWqKi/s1600/suecontrol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKJQVOV7-3Ja2Kzsn_V_2hqtWLbsiMMvGzxYgO5aiTz2VlL4CbMNOVBmpfufw-NfOj1SKpGNX1R4Hs-OUo691AC6dVv5GDO6hdtAJm0jiuimLGU3E-aIz2NU4P6NllERxOxaw0HCtWqKi/s400/suecontrol.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue and control scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02382196374803148242noreply@blogger.com1