Wanted to give some feedback, and much thanks to those that turned up last night - Richard, Duncan, and Dave.
We had a pretty awesome evening, thanks to Duncan and Dave (Team Dirt Dogs).
Unfortunately Richard and I missed the start due to traffic, and started out up the Main Tiger Mountain Trail.
I thought this was going to be a nice steady grade (as it started out) but it quickly turned into the climb from hell, mostly cos I havent done any proper training for the past 4 months. Richard wasnt having any problems, so I guess this climb rates as intermediate, and my ability as beginner :)
After about 35 minutes, and two stops for me to pop my lungs back into my chest, we reached the top of the Preston Railroad Trail, and just as we got there, where overtaken by two guys who started a converstaion as they passed.
At the top, Richard and I debated our next move, while these other two guys chatted to a solo rider, when we overheard talk of Adventure Racing :) so I jumped in asking if anyone knew Duncan, and lo and behold, there he was :)
From there Dave led us on a cracking decent of the Preston Railroad Grade, which I would rate as probablye an intermediate descent due to the roots, and length. How nice it was to be heading down hill :)
From the bottom we took Rd 7000 back to the Northwest timber trail, and from there back to the parking lot, making a stop along the way for a thrown chain, making a total ride time of about 2hrs 30.
Next a change to running shoes, and my two big mistakes of the night
#1 leaving my trekking poles in the car
#2 changing into regular running shorts
#3 Not refilling my camelbak :(
Duncan led us out along the West Side Road for about a mile, before he just cut of the road, and we started cutting a trail thru the forest, I had no idea where we where heading, but he seemed to know what he was doing. Anyway, after a bit we magically met up with the Iverson Railroad trail. Looking at the map now, I can see how relatively easy this piece of Nav was.
We continued west along Iverson, then took to the road, before (and this is where it gets a bit vague, due to exhaustion, and not paying enough attention ) we headed up to the absolute very top of Middle Tiger Mountain.
I think we ended up ascending Middle Tiger Trail. Oh boy - that was one heck of a climb. I was totally slaughtered by the time I made it to the top. Thank goodnes it was a lot easier from there on. That was definitely an Advanced trail to my poor weary beginners legs :(
By now it was dark, so lights came out, and the wind started to chill us, so the first layer came out. For me thats my trusty old Buffalo Wind Shirt - basically a couple of sheets of pertex held together with a few zippers.
So now we headed down Road 4000, looking for the start of the 15 mile grade, which was totaly overgrwon, and took a bit of searching. Fortunately there was a nice reflector in the woods that caught our lights.
Lots of very overgrown trail with nice brambles, and about 3/4 of the worlds insect population, or so it seemed. At least it was pretty flat now.
On down 15 mile grade until we hit Tider Mountain Trail, then down TMT all the way back to the road.
By the time we hit the road, I think we had been going for about 3 3/4 hours, then just a short jog - walk - jog - walk - run for the barrier back to the parking lot, for a total elapsed time of around 6 hours.
This was my first proper go at adventure training, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Even when I thought my chest was going to explode, my legs where going to fall of, and I didnt think I could make it any further up that darned hill. It was still a great evening.
So how much training had I done before this event - pretty much nothing for the past 4-6 months. Yet I still managed to get all the way around.
Thanks to Duncan, Dave, and Richard for dragging my slow ass around th hike, and waiting for me at the tops of the worst climbs.
If I can do it, anyone can, so get out there and have a go.
A few closing observations.
I slurped my way thru 3 litres of water, but could have done with about another Litre, so next time I will fill up at the bike to hike transition.
I gulped down 4 or 5 sachets of various Gu, and chomped my way thru a single Power Bar.
I drank a litre of Accelerade before I started, and a litre of Endurox after I finished.
After consuming all that, I still managed to loose 6Lbs of weight. (just another 34 to go to hit my target weight :) )
My legs are suprisingly OK today, but thats probably just compared to the other bits that really do ache, mostly my back ( from poor core muscles, so thats a few more sit ups each day ) and the inside of my thighs, which got rubbed raw from wearing running shorts ( either more Body Glide, or Lycra shorts next time )
Overall, I would rate this course as Intermediate, but have little experience, other than my own lack of fitness to base this on. I suspect that with a slightly less murderous pace up the hills, it would be a very nice 7-8 hour beginner route?
Thanks again to Duncan, Dave (team Dirt Dogs) and Richard.
Cheers
Steve