As the countdown to the GeoQuest 48hr adventure race turns from weeks to days, the Rogue Adventure squad are putting in the final bits of training and preparation. Two weekends ago saw members from both Rogue teams fill the men’s podium at the Mountain Designs Adventure Race Australia (MDARA) event up at Noosa in a very competitive field. Although technically a sprint race at 5-6 hours, MDARA is always a solid day out with a fast pace and very little margin for error.
On the weekend just gone, Todd, Paul and myself headed out for 4hr/70km ride out to Mt Nebo on a cracking autumn day. Paul and I then backed it up with an 18km paddle to sort out our set up in the Mirage. Todd and the other guys from the second Rogue team left their paddle to Sunday morning to sort out their kayaking combinations.
In association with the Queensland Rogaine Association, Paul had organised, set and run the “Explore the North Urban Rogaine” – a 3hr rogaine taking in the parklands and streets of Brisbane’s inner north. With a HQ only 500m from home, this was too good an opportunity to turn down to get a solid 3hr run in. Teaming up with Todd, Jeremy and Kirk, we managed to nail our proposed flight plan, even collecting a final 30 pointer at the end. Paul’s course setting made great use of the surrounding parklands and creeks with some tricky route options presented (we never found the “hidden” bonus 100 pointer based solely on a mystery clue). All told, we won the event by a clear margin, but more importantly it was a fun day out and solid hit out for the legs. It would be great to see more of these types of events on the calendar.
Finally, that afternoon the entire team (minus Glenn who was on child minding duties) got together and practiced our raft building technique. Credit goes to Paul and Todd who were game enough to brave the waters of Breakfast Creek in a pair of board shorts, and Alan who was brave enough to let them take his bike with them.
So now, we’re left with just the final bit of preparation and gear packing. The 8hr rogaine (part of the 24hr QLD Rogaine Champs) this weekend should make for a solid final hit out for the legs. Getting 8 racers, 8 bikes, 5 support crew, 5 vehicles, 4 kayaks and all the associated gear down to Forster for the race should be an experience in of itself.
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