We normally focus on human powered sports and adventures but one can’t help but be in awe of the skills that these pilots possess. After watching this preview of the 2010 Red Bull Air Race season….I think you will too! Enjoy!

The Merrell Kalamatan smashes up the retro look of a garage shirt, sprinkles in a bit of “safari,” and rounds it out with a heavy dose of technical magic.

This feature-rich shirt includes mesh-lined side vents for days when the sun ups the ante. The wearer simply unzips the sides to welcome in the breeze. The Merrell Opti-Wick™ performed well while testing this shirt in the equatorial heat of South America. The material is light, thin, and dries quickly once dampened with sweat. The UPF 30+ rating kept sunburn at bay as I spent hours in the sun throughout the days I spent at the equator. One of those days we stood in the sun for half of the day and my forearms burned despite the sunscreen on them. The area covered by the shirt however retained it’s milky whiteness. The shirt looks good untucked and even has a front pocket side-zipper to stow items.

Also available in long sleeve and in white, ink blue, and olive green colors.

$59 at Merrell.com

Specs:

• Merrell® Opti-Wick™ moisture management technology
• 64% nylon / 36% polyester
• 30+ UPF fabric
• Quick-drying
• Merrell® N.A.D.A. dye-free fabric colorway
• Concealed secure-zip chest pocket protects valuables
• Metal-encased, clear plastic buttons
• Discreet mesh-lined side vents with invisible zippers
• Back pleat enhances comfort and mobility
• Two-sided woven swing Merrell® logo
• 180g. (6.3 oz.)
• 30” center back length (men’s large)

Gargoyles has revived the ‘flip’ sunglasses that many of us (at least if you are my close to my age) remember when watching baseball outfielders utilize on those deep fly balls.

There are 2 models: Gamer and Rover

Features:

• Utilize Carl Zeiss and Tori lens technologies for clear, distortion free image

• Block 100% UVA, UVB and UVC light

• Scratch-resistant and anti-fog coating offers 30% more protection than conventional lens coatings

• Feature Gargoyle’s Ballistic Defense lenses, which exceed all ISO and ANSI test standards, as well as the MIL-STD 622 ballistic test – meaning their capable of stopping a .22 caliber bullet at 20 feet. Continue Reading

The seven event series will begin April 3, 2010. Each event will feature 10 miles biking, 4 miles paddling, 5 miles trekking/running, plus additional mystery challenges.

Gulf Coast Adventure Racing is thrilled to announce that they are beginning their 10th season of multisport events. With races from Mobile, Alabama, to the Texas border, GCAR brings real adventure to the deep south.

At each event, teams of 3 will compete in co-ed, all-male, all-female or coed masters divisions. Special team awards will be given for the top three finishers in each division. Teams can register by going to www.GulfCoastAdventure.com.

“Gulf Coast Adventure Racing started in 2001 and has had sell-out attendance for the past 5 years. GCAR is excited to be kicking off this 10-year anniversary season. With a combination of off-road and urban races, there’s something for everyone. And, this will be the biggest season yet,” says Dave Poleto, Director of Gulf Coast Adventure Racing.

Throughout the course, gift certificates will be hidden as a part of the Massey’s Professional Outfitters Treasure Hunt.

This race is open to beginners as well as experienced adventurers. Each event will be a part of the Racing to N’Awlins series where teams can receive points toward the Gulf Coast Championship.

For more information or to register, go to www.GulfCoastAdventure.com.

March 7, 2010
Race Report by: Rodney Skyles

My wife, Katrina, and I usually do not race together, but we decided to do this one for fun. The race director is a friend of ours and races on Team SteelSports.net. This year, SteelSports.net sponsored an “Advanced” version of the race with navigation to checkpoints, using various disciplines.

The race started with a special test where all teams were lined up. One teammate from each team was blindfolded, while the other teammate yelled directions to direct us to a box with instructions for the next race leg. I’m sure we looked ridiculous, since the blindfolded could not hear just their teammate. It was LOUD!

LEG 1: Trekking

The next event was a trekking leg with six checkpoints. We were given orienteering maps which were very detailed and great with which to navigate! Teams could get points in any order. We were the last team out of the transition area, for some reason, but were running pretty close behind the others. Most teams were getting the points in order, but we decided to get them in reverse order, since that looked like the best route.

We found all of the points with no problem (thanks to the maps!) and ran most of the way, in spite of some muddy spots. We were the second team back on this leg, since an all female team, FigLig, had arrived a bit ahead of us. We know them from other races, so we were aware that they were strong racers. We only found out later that they had punched two incorrect Cps on that leg. OUCH! Sorry FigLig!

Leg 2: Mountain Biking

The next leg was a mountain bike leg and we could get points in any order. Great! We verified that you did not have to ride the trail as marked to get the Cps. I like it when races are wide open and allow teams to develop a strategy to complete the tasks! We rode a lot of roads and a few trails and were able to get all of these Cps with little problem. We did have to backtrack once or twice, but nothing major.

After this leg, we were in first place! We were given a special test where we had to match the correct term with the group of animals it described. We guessed at half of them, but to our surprise, we got it right on the first try!

Leg 3: Paddle

We quickly transitioned to what we knew to be the final leg. This was a simple paddle to get two Cps. We paddled to the furthest on first and got the close one on the way back. We saw two teams starting the paddle on our way back, so we knew we had a nice lead on the other teams.

We finished the paddle and ran up the hill to the finish line. First place! This event was part of the CheckPoint Tracker Adventure Race Series, so we were hoping to earn points, but didn’t expect first place!

My wife and I had a blast racing in The Great Adventure Race and can’t wait for next year!

Traditionally know for their ‘Swiss Army Knives’, Wenger has continued its long standing commitment to excellence in other outdoor gear endeavors. This includes but is not limited to sleeping bag, backpacks and tents. Anoher relatively new addition to the Wenger line is their footwear. We reviewed the Wenger Monch.

The Monch was tested both on and off-road. They fit our tester true to size but he also noted that they would have fit a little better on a narrow foot. The shoe performed well on both hard trail and sand and found it much better suited for light hiking than trail running. The testing ground was located along the Florida Gulf Coast and the perforated upper provided much needed breathability and air circulation. The company lists the shoes weight at over 3 pounds.

Features:
Perforated Leather Upper for Breathability
Microfiber Polyester Mesh lining with Antimicrobrial finish
Microfiber Polyester, Antimicrobrial sueded face, Dual-Density Polyurethane/Eva articulated, breathable, comfort foam 4mm
EVA Midsole
Temposit skid-Free Lug Outsole
Perforated Leather Upper for Breathability
Full Length Internal Midsole

MSRP: $95

Columbia’s Black Slope shorts are a fantastic way to welcome the upcoming summer. Zip-off pants are great, but when the mercury really starts to rise there’s no reason to even play with long pants. Ideal for a long run, hike, bike, or even paddle these shorts are versatile.

Field Test: I donned these on a recent weekend hike. Eleven miles of hilly terrain and no chaffing. The Black Slope‘s breathed well in the warming temps. The included belt is a great feature and can be removed and used with other pants or shorts. During the test my hiking partner and I decided to trail run the last few miles. Again, no chaffing and great breathability. Diagonal zips on the leg pockets made it easy to reach down and grab items without dealing with a flap. These shorts also feature reflective logos and strips for running and biking at dusk and dawn.

Nitpicks: These are all-around winners with their good looks, light build, and functional features. As tested these had no built-in briefs. If you’re a built-in undies fan and are ordering online you may want to ensure these do have the briefs as advertised by making a quick phone call.

$45 at Columbia

FEATURES:

• Fabric: 96% nylon/4% elastane Summiteer Stretch Lite
• Omni-Shield® advanced evaporation
• Omni-Shade® UPF 50 sun protection
• 2-way comfort stretch
• Gusset
• Reflective detail
• Interior mesh brief
• Interior wicking waistband
• Side zip-closed security pocket
• Inseam length: 10”
• Imported

Team Helly Hansen-Prunesco just won the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race last month for the second time in consecutive years after coming off a strong win at the AR World Championship in Portugal last fall. We caught up with the team as they prepare for what looks to be a great 2010.

Team Helly Hansen- Prunesco is a squad of 8 Brits who have raced together and against each-other in various combinations since the 1990s. Recent great results reflect amalgamation of 2 of the UK’s best teams in 2009 and a completely fresh and new line-up for Patagonia and then the World Championships. Between us we continue to compete in running, orienteering, mountain biking, triathlon, kayaking, swimming, sailing and share a common love of the expedition races which involve a true adventure. We all have family and work full time- so we compete in races only with teammates we love to race with and in places we want to enjoy together.

The Players

Nicola MacLeod
Age: 31
Occupation: Doctor
Team Role- sometimes captain, sometimes compulsory baggage!
Favourite discipline: white water kayaking
Least favourite discipline: roller blades
When got into the sport: 1998
Recent Results: 1st Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race 2009,2010, 1st AR World Champs 2009 1st UK coast to coast
2010 schedule: Adidas Terrex, Open 24, triathlon, MTB
Favorite workout: sunny mountain biking followed by pub dinner
Favorite Training/ Race fuel: tuna sandwich

Gear Closet:
Bike: Scott Spark
Trail shoes: Inov-8
Sunglasses: sundog
Headlamp: Exposure joystick
Bike light: Exposure
Backpack: OMM Classic marathon

Continue Reading

Of course everybody wants one of those sweet NiteRider rechargeable lighting systems that throw out 500+ lumens, but not everybody has the cash to make it happen. For the cost of a regular headlamp, you can actually build your own 500 Lumen bike lamp with the directions found over at instructables.com.

Here’s the specs on the final product:
Brightness: 500+ lumens / 7 million+ mcd @ 15 degree
Weight: 120 gram headlamp + 60 gram electronics + 280 gram battery Pack = 460 gram total
Cost: $60 including batteries
Lifetime: 3, 6, 12, 24 hours (4 brightness settings)
Size: headlamp portion 5cm x 5cm x 2.5cm
Rechargeable: Ni-MH or Lithium-Ion batteries (your choice)
Unbreakable: LED technology

Then set aside 60- bucks and get the following items (the directions offer hyperlinks to help you round everything up):

old CPU heatsink (around 5cm x 5cm x 1.5cm)
LED Dynamics Buckpuck (3021-D-I-1000 or 3021-D-E-1000) – $20
4 x L2Optics/Dialight OP-015 lens – $1 each
4 x L2Optics/Dialight OH-ES1-CL lens holder – $0.30 each
8-10 x AA NiMH rechargeables, or 3 x Lithium-ION rechargeables – $20 total for NiMH
2 small toggle switches (digikey 519PB) – $1.50 each
1 large toggle switch (digikey 514PB) – $2
flexible stranded wire (18ga to 22ga)
sheath for wire (eg: sheath of a 3/16″ double-braid rope)
silicone or epoxy
thermal compound (also known as thermal grease or heatsink compound) – $5
plastic or fiberglass for heatsink mount
old headlamp headband

Then head back over to instructables.com and follow the 13 steps. Then charge up your DIY headlamp and go hit the local trails for a midnite ride.

The instructables require you to upgrade your membership to see all the photos, but most of them can be completed with the available information. Browse around the site, you can find everything from DIY heated clothing, to DIY bike trailers, and even how to case mod a stuffed beaver with your PC.

My first pair of true hiking boots were Hi Tec. Those shoes got me down several of my first trails and I didn’t retire them until the tread wore out. I remember why I chose Hi Tec boots for that first pair, value. They put out a good product at a price point I could afford at a time in my life when ramen noodles were the main course. Hi Tec is now producing apparel with the same angle; good quality/affordable price.

The Mystic Mountain shell is one of their first pieces venturing into the outdoor apparel neighborhood. It will debut with a full set of features.

While testing this jacket it wore comfortably and worked well against the elements. Two front zipper pockets seal nicely and store items quickly needed. The hood detaches so it can be worn comfortably on days when precip isn’t expected. Side pockets, an internal pocket, and lengthy pit zips round out the features nicely on this jacket. Although the jacket isn’t the lightest option it’s price point and stylish looks will pull in a wide audience with the floundering economy.

For their first foray into outerwear Hi Tec is doing a nice job. Be on the lookout for this jacket and other apparel pieces as they are made available throughout 2010.

$159.95 at Hi Tec

Day 2 of the Odyssey Endorphin Fix.

Images courtesy of Odyssey Adventure Racing

Another Rallye Aicha des Gazelles has come to an end and teams have arrived in Essaouira for the ceremonial finish. After nine demanding days of competition and, in some cases, 12 months of preparation and 142 first-time competitors, the Gazelles are able to celebrate a phenomenal accomplishment.

While the Rally has a variety of competitions that include the Eco-Driving Challenge, The Beauty Car, and the Brinks Challenge, the overall rankings have been made official. The rankings are determined by adding the kilometers (the difference between the actual distance driven and the “as the crow flies” distance of each route) and any penalties earned (converted into kilometers) for missing checkpoints, calling for assistance, or any other Rally penalties.

THE WINNERS:
4×4/Truck Class – Team 125 Christine Laloue and Claudine Amat of France with a total 216.94 km.

Quad/Moto Class – Team 23 Betty Kraft and Anne Mosand of France with a total of 180.42 km.

Crossover Class – Team 315 Isabelle Charles and Dounia Bennani of France and Morocco with a total of 923.04 km.

The sole US Team, Emily Miller and Wendy Fisher, came in 12th place overall in their second competition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles. “I can say that it was definitely much tougher than last year. Our first day’s navigation error cost us our top ten finish, but we hung strong and worked hard to climb back up through the ranks.” Driver, Emily Miller said. Team Miller Fisher plans to return to the Rally in 2011 and hopes to have more Americans with them.

Unfortunately, not all of the Gazelles are celebrating. The controversial three-time winners of the Rally, Team 138 Corentine Quinou and Florence Migraine Bourgnon, have been disqualified for pampering with their iritrack (satellite tracking device) and odometer and are not welcomed to compete in future rallies. This is the first disqualification for the rally due to cheating.

More information on the other challenges will be announced this evening at the ceremonial finish, where winners will be recognized and the Gazelles will celebrate in style, at the closing of the 20th anniversary of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles.

Via Press Release

The 2010 Odyssey Endorphin Fix got underway today at 2pm. Below is a slideshow of teams making final adjustments to gear, going over maps and the race start. Stay tuned for more slideshows as images become available. You can follow the race at Checkpoint Tracker.

Images courtesy of Odyssey Adventure Racing

Converting your bike to a fixed gear may not make you cool, but if you can ride it like Chris Akrigg in this video, then it would sure help. His first video quickly went viral and was posted on bike and non bike sites all over the web, and at pinkbike.com alone, it quickly amassed over 65,000 views.

Follow along as Chris (6 time British national trials champion) take his Mongoose Muarice fixed gear bike to the streets of Barcelona in this must see vid.

For some of his other videos, check out his Vimeo Channel

This year’s Frigid Infliction had it all – snow and sunburns, national champions and first-time racers, and competitor ages ranging from fifteen to sixty-one.  People traveled from as far as Mississippi and New Mexico try out this year’s winter course and they were treated to a beautiful day in Vermont and what turned out to be the most challenging winter race we’ve hosted to date.

The day began early with a 4:30 a.m. captains meeting. We then loaded all the racers onto buses for a short ride to the race start. They had a small foot section at a steep climb before they hit a post-hole section, letting teams get three point in any order before returning to the TA. They were then off on what would be the longest section of the day for almost every team – an epic snowshoe crossing several peaks with staggering views across the nearby reservoir and onto mountains in the distance. Several teams would get turned around in this section for hours.

Teams then transitioned to skis for what turned out to be an icy ski on some hard packed ski trails. They were occasionally accompanied by some sled dogs who were also out exploring the trails that day. Evidently a few teams were able to navigate via dog poop, a strategy we hadn’t heard of before.

After the ski, racers continued to the tyrolean traverse, strung over the Little River. They finished on either skis or snowshoes by following a local snowmobile trail that turned out to be a surprising navigation challenge. The finish line was just as the racers exited a covered bridge onto the hotel property, a picturesque way to end a long day.

We did have a very special event occur towards the end of the day. As one of our two-person coed teams reached the finish they were instructed that there was one bonus checkpoint under the bridge. We awaited anxiously for them to emerge – and when they did we got to congratulate them on their engagement! I would never have guessed that we would be able to incorporate a marriage proposal into one of our events, but we’re now the richer for it. (That will be a tough one to top next year.)

Randy Ericksen who brought us the Primal Quest webisodes and the recently released Primal Quest Badlands DVD has sent me another video that was winner of the most creative video at the 2008 Black Hills Fat Tire Festival.

The Odyssey Endorphin Fix 2-Day Adventure Race begins today and we have a short recount from John Harris (2010 Endorphin Fix Team Name: John Harris) about his first Odyssey race to taking his first stab at the Endorphin Fix this year as a solo racer. You can follow the race at Checkpoint Tracker. Good luck John!

As I pull my ski mask over my head and grab my cross country skis I can’t help but to smile. It’s cold (-14), but I am alive, healthy with fully functional limbs so I have no complaints. I am going out really because I love the snow and the fresh air but also because the “the fix” is less than 2 months away. I need to continue my training because if there is one thing I learned over the years, it’s that Odyssey lives up to its name and provides some of the most challenging race courses in the Unites States.

My first Odyssey race was in 2006 at Carters Cave KY. It was actually my second Adventure Race, having run my first the previous year, at Otter Creek, KY with the now non-operational Ambush Inc. I wasn’t too worried – though having spent 10 years as an Army Ranger I was looking forward to a longer, more challenging race. Back then Odyssey was doing their notorious equipment checks before the race and people were scrambling around looking for bandages that are 4×4. Did anyone ever mention to Ronny that common bandages are 3.5 by 3.5.? I first met Ronny after the equipment check-in and I was surprised with how friendly he and his entire crew were, They answered my “newbie” questions with patience and were helpful with advice on what extras I may want to bring or not bring. The race pre-brief was very good and I was impressed with the maps, much better then anything I had ever seen in the Army.

I don’t remember the start exactly. All I remember was the rain. It started about before the race began and it seemed to never end. I am not that strong of a mountain biker to begin with and with the rain it was more like I took my bike for a walk then mountain biking. I knew the terrain well I have hiked in Carter Caves numerous times but somehow Ronnie found some terrain I had never seen before. I was elated when I found my first checkpoint but I knew this was going to be a much harder race then my previous race at Ambush. I was wet, tired and cold and could not think of another place I would rather be!
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NYARA is mixing things up once again in 2010. The Longest Day will now add a midnight start on Friday evening to make it an 18-hour event.

For the Longest Day, teams will once again paddle, bike and navigate their way through the Catskills in New York State.

As is becoming tradition for NYARA, the exact venue and locations will be kept secret until just prior to the race. Once again, you will be treated to some new terrain at this year’s Longest Day. The course will reward and delight racers of all ability levels from novice to experienced teams with fantastic terrain and spectacular views. Course design will feature a modified rogaine format which will allow teams to collect optional CPs at their discretion. The team with the most points at the end of the 18-hour race will be crowned TLD champions.

2010′s Longest Day race is part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series. We will be combining the co-ed 3 person and co-ed 4 person teams into the “premier” category. This “premier” category will be racing for points.

In addition, the Longest Day is also a USARA Regional Qualifying race. We will be combining the co-ed 3 person and co-ed 4 person teams into the “premier” category. The top 3 co-ed teams in the “premier” category will be eligible to compete in the USARA National Championship Race. In addition, the 1st place coed team from each regional qualifying race will receive a $400.00 sponsorship, provided by the regional qualifying race, to be applied to the teams entry fee for the 2010 USARA Adventure Race National Championship in Pennsylvania.
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There is no doubt that Adventure Racing is gaining in popularity in the U.S. According to the Outdoor Recreation Participation Report 2009, Adventure Racing experienced a 32% increase in participation in 2009 and was one of the fastest-growing outdoor sports. Also, thanks to the popular TV show, The Amazing Race, Americans are more intrigued than ever in these multi-sport events that involve running, hiking, paddling, mountaineering, orienteering and depending on the race, zip-lining, canyoneering and rock climbing.

The sport of Adventure Racing can take place in your local park, or it can take place around the world. Wherever your next Adventure Race takes you, here is some gear from Brooks-Range that will help you stay on track…

Adventure Racing UTM Reader – An essential tool for any serious adventure racer. Includes the five UTM map scales most commonly used in adventure races. Cartographers ensured compliance with USGS standards for accuracy – it is accurate within 1/50th of an inch. Measuring only 4.25″ x 7″ (108 x 108 mm) square, it easily fits in a pocket, and its non-glare, flexible plastic material prevents broken corners or tearing in cold and severe conditions. Essential features make it as necessary for adventure racing and orienteering as a map or compass. Made in USA. MSRP $5.00
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The Nokia Coast to Coast is part of The Nokia Outdoor Series – a selection of events designed to celebrate the great outdoors and enable you and your friends to enjoy being active in some of the UK’s most spectacular locations.

Imagine a route that traverses one of the most famous mountain landscapes in the world by bike, foot and boat; a journey that covers just over 100 miles, including a marathon-worth on foot; a journey that takes in some of the most iconic locations and amazing views in the Scottish Highlands: Loch Ness, the Great Glen, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe.

This inaugural event will take place on September 18-19, 2010 and will offer racers a multitude of options for competing. There are 3 formats to accommodate all interested in competing in the Coast to Coast event.

Challenger
Completed over the 2 days; pairs or solos; 109 miles covered; full logistical support; £150 per person

Challenger is designed for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness who has a sense of adventure in the beautiful outdoors. It is set over 2 days, with a relaxing overnight stop at the mid-point close to the shores of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus. You can take part as a pair and enjoy the experience together, or tackle the terrain as a solo participant. In both cases you will use the same bike throughout.
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The dates for the 4th edition of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge are December 10-15, 2010. For those of you that raced or followed the event last year will notice that the dates for this year’s event are a little later than in 2009.

Already established as a “must do” AR season finale, you and your assembled squad of racing champions can look forward to gaining an abundance of cultural and event experience with this pre-holiday adventure through one of the Middle East’s most enchanting and demanding lands.

The race itself promises to be just as tough, just as competitive and just as exciting as in 2009! And with some interesting course amendments mooted for this year, we have given the coming edition an intriguing twist.

In order to help you make up your minds and encourage you not to miss out on this remarkable adventure, we are introducing an “early bird” special reduction of 500€ on the standard registration fee of 2,500€. So if you register and pay before the end of July, you and your team will have – for just 2,000€ – the privilege of competing in what is widely acknowledged as the most exciting and competitive adventure race in the world.

I just received an email from the PR gals at Mountain Hardwear about this campaign to send kids to camp. It doesn’t cost you anything but a few seconds each day for the next couple of weeks.

There are just three weeks left to click & raise $40K in Mountain Hardwear’s Send a kid to Camp promotion

We are only half way to our goal.

Your click can help Send a Kid to Camp! For every click on the Send a Kid to Camp button at http://www.mountainhardwear.com/GivesBack , Mountain Hardwear will donate $1 towards this program up to a total of $40,000. Help us spread the word. Between now and April 15th, you and your friends can click to Send a Kid to Camp. Don’t forget to return every day to click and show your support!

Our 10 partner camps for 2010:

Big City Mountaineers – Denver, Colorado
City Wild – Denver, Colorado
Girl Ventures – San Francisco, California
Kismet Rock Foundation – North Conway, New Hampshire
Outdoor Outreach – San Diego, California
Sierra Club Inner City Outings – San Jose, California
Sierra Club Inner City Outings – St. Louis, Missouri
SOS Outreach – Avon, Colorado
Summer Search – New York, New York
Youth Enrichment Strategies (YES) – Richmond, California