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SRRC Race Reports
Rocky Gap Adventure Race , Rocky Gap State Park , Flintstone, MD—Sat., May 19, 2007
by
Dave Ashley
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| Adventure awaits . . . © Photo by Will Ramos Photography |
This was m y second time racing in the Rocky Gap Adventure Race at Rocky Gap park in Maryland run by EX 2 Adventures. It's a beautiful setting, with a picturesque lake, a beach, a nice hotel and restaurant, golf course, all set with mountains in the background. This year's course, like all the Rocky Gap ARs, was not revealed until you arrived the morning of the race. It consisted of about 14 checkpoints over about 24 miles, and you were directed how to race between checkpoints (trail running, mountain biking, or kayaking/canoeing). Given a map of the park that showed the checkpoints (no need for map plotting skills) it was up to you to determine the best route based on the expansive trail network. On some legs, you had the option of swimming across the lake or running around, or running up a very large hill and running down vs. carrying your bike up and riding down. Temps were in the 80s, about 10 degrees cooler than DC due to the elevation.
Having raced once before, I was familiar with the trail network even though it had been a year since I was at the park. I would definitely recommend visiting the park prior to the race if this was your first time! I elected to run the first leg around the lake vs. swimming (not my strong skill) and reached the 1st checkpoint in 3rd place for the runners, but behind about 10 of the swimmers. Transitioning to the kayak, I lost some more time fighting the headwinds while paddling across the lake. The kayaks provided for the solos (the three-person teams had canoes) were ocean, sit-on-top kayaks that were not able to hold a track well. The solo women had kayaks that were sit-on-top river models, and held a straight line in the water much better. I lost a few more places on the kayak.
Back at our original starting point, I transitioned to my mountain bike and began making up time. Biking is my strongest skill, and being familiar with the trail network was a big plus here. Several checkpoints later I made up time and transitioned to another decision checkpoint, the big hill.
This hill was in last year's race as well, but we didn't have a choice. It was a hike-a-bike up to the top and then a different trail ride back down to the base. The trail up the mountain follows power lines and is so steep that you are not allowed to bike down. Lots of loose rock and fallen trees—a real back-breaker when carrying your bike. I did a three person team last year, and my teammate threw up near the top of the hill. This year we had a choice, and I wisely elected to run up and back. I made some big time gains here, and passed MANY teams and solos that were hiking up with their bikes.
After running back around the lake to the kayaks, I then paddled back across the lake (with the wind blissfully at my back), got back on the mountain bike, and rode for home. I finished 7th overall, with 3 solos and 1 3-person team finishing ahead. It was about 1 hour 30 minutes faster than my race last year, without my two teammates to slow down the pace. I can't wait until next year, and I fully plan on taking 1st place!
July 2007
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