Backyard Challenge XII
race info

"Full Moon Fracas" September 28, 2004 - Boulder, Colorado

General Info | Disciplines | Recommended Gear | Registration

This one will be a little bit different. You'll be racing under a full moon, and there will be equal emphasis on the race and the party afterwards!

The Full Moon Fracas will start with some mountain biking as the sun drops below the mountains to the west. Faster riders may finish before dark, but most riders would be wise to carry some sort of illumination. Next, you will transition to running shoes for an orienteering section. You'll be given 1:24,000 scale USGS maps and orienteering clues (um, what's a "reentrant"?) and will search for a series of controls, all located off-trail.

You'd better keep an eye on your watch, because all participants must be back at the finish line by 9:00 PM. You'll face a time penalty of five minutes for every one minute you're late. Don't worry if you miss a control or two, it's just a 15-minute penalty per missed control.

Now that you're done with the race, get ready to chow on some pizza and partake of some frothy beverages at Mark and Molly's place. Swap tales of adventure or mishaps, meet new friends, and catch up with old ones. In short, it's a party!

Special note: Registration will be limited to thirty (30) participants, and pre-registration is required. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the organizer.

General Information

Start Location: Undisclosed, but it will be in the Boulder area. Registered participants will be emailed directions to the start. Start Time: 6:00 PM Tuesday night, September 28, 2004. Support crews: Support crews and outside assistance are not allowed in this event. Teams may receive assistance from other teams, however. Team vehicle: Parking is limited at the start/finish area. There will be a 5-minute time bonus for each team arriving via bike or public transportation. This may be a good idea, anyway, especially if you plan to imbibe. Teams: Most participants will race solo (it's a great way to brush up on your nav skills), but any team combination up to four people is allowed. Length: About 2-3 hours. Cost: Registration fee is $15.00 per person. This helps cover club insurance, web hosting, maps, and food and beverages. Volunteers: We can always use a few good volunteers. If you'd like to help out (and enjoy the party after), let us know. Notes: This event is not officially a race (no Backyard Challenge is). It is a training event that participants choose to do of their own free will, recognizing all inherent dangers and taking all responsibility for anything that may occur. All participants are expected to be self-reliant. Permits have not been sought from any land managers.

Disciplines

Mountain biking: The bike course will include a mix of singletrack and both dirt and paved roads. Most of the terrain is fairly easy, but there are a couple of sections which can be tricky. During the bike section, participants will encounter the Mountain Biking Skills Test. Teams that complete this test will be awarded a 10-minute time bonus. Orienteering: Participants should be familiar with basic navigation skills. They should know how to read a topographical map, plot UTM coordinates, adjust for the difference between magnetic and true north (declination), and follow a bearing. Ability to recognize key features, such as saddles, knolls, reentrants and spurs will be key.

Recommended Gear

The following gear is recommended, but not required. Emphasis is on personal responsibility.

Compass Waterproof map case Pen or pencil Headlamp Hydration system Food Whistle Gaitors/long pants for the orienteering Rain gear Fleece or polypro top & bottom First aid kit Mountain bike Helmet Front bike light Flashing red rear bike light Spare tube Bike pump Bike repair kit (tire levers, patch kit, chain tool, mini-tool) Bike gloves Any other items you feel would help you be safer out there

Prohibited Gear

GPS units

Registration

To register, please follow these steps: Each member of your team should sign the waiver. [Download Waiver] Fill out the entry form. [Download Entry Form] Mail waivers, entry form, and a check for $15 per person to: Mark Bockmann 947 Laramie Blvd Unit F Boulder CO 80304