New Snow Bike

Some of you know i'm gettting a new snow rig for winter racing... I thought i'd post a picture of it in testing:
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Edited:
I forgot how well some of you know me... I’ll be more careful in the future when I post some Franken bike photos, just to clear things up "The bike pictured is NOT really my new bike", but I would like to give it a ride on snow. I'm sure to post a review or two on my new snow rig in the weeks to come prior to the Triple D Winter race on Jan 10th and the Arrowhead Ultra in early Feb.

Triple D 2008 Racer Comments

Thanks for pulling off some spectacular events last Saturday. I enjoyed every mile of the Double D run. Heritage Trail is beautiful in winter, and coupled with tailwind and sunshine, it couldn't be beat. The moon was even visible most of the afternoon. Putting our finish line in Durango was a genius decision. Indoor accommodations, food and drinks were so welcome by everyone. I'd never heard of such a good idea as the bar tab for participants. EVERYTHING was so nice and first class. I hope you consider offering the events again next year. Epic! Thanks for providing the blog links. It was quite a day all around, and from my perspective, it was all good! Thanks so much.
- Lisa Paulos ’08 Female Foot Category Winner

Thanks to you and all the crew for putting on a great event. Great support crew effort under difficult conditions. Also, please pass on my appreciation to Gene Tully for his work in creating the awards. My family and I enjoyed the experience. If you decide to do it again next year, I hope to attend.
- Mike Zeigle ’08 Male Ski Category Winner

I know Ben had a blast, and will talk about it for weeks (years?) to come!
- Julie (Ben Shockey’s Wife, 2008 Ultra Bike Overall Winner)

Thanks again Lance! It was a wonderful weekend for the family! Also, here is my recap on my blog. I have never been known to be a writer! %^) http://happytraining.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-amazing-experience.html You put on an amazingly organized race. Being a past race director (running events not, bike, ski, run!) I know how hard it is and you did an amazing job!
- Paul Jacobson

...happy volunteers, and park rangers were a real find. Thank you Very Much for putting on the race and all your efforts, as a very experienced race volunteer/director, etc I know how much it took…
- Dave Pramann, Arrowhead Ultra Course Record Holder

-10F (+ a 20 mph wind) and tough riding conditions cut our ride to about 20mi…But as I try to recover today ,I'm positive I had 50 BEERS,' WOOHOO'!!Thanks to all that attended and helped celebrate. For those who couldn't make it--wish you coulda been there! Thanks to Lance for all the work putting on the race. A fellow racer asked if I'd do it again. My reply was a quick NO. But am already reconsidering!!!
- Z Man, Celebrated his 50th Birthday at DDD and the motivation behind our pub crawl ‘09

Triple D 2009 Information & Registration

Please forward this to all that you know who bike, run, ski, snowshoe. This event is more about completing the event than it is a race, but a race it is...

TRIPLE D WINTER RACE (BIKE or SKI or RUN)
January 10th 2009

Categories:

Ultra Bike (54 miles Dubuque to Dyersville to Durango)

Estimated finish time between 7 - 12 hours*

Ultra Ski & Foot(50 miles Dubuque to Dyersville to Durango)
Estimated finish time between 6 - 12 hours*

Foot [Run/Ski] (23 miles Dyersville to Dubuque)
Estimated finish time 3 - 6 hours*

*Estimated finish times based on DDD 2008… expect quicker times as I’m sure the weather couldn’t be as bad as it was during DDD 2008 (-6 & 20 mph wind w/choppy rutted snow conditions).

Rules and deadlines:
1. Registration with check or money order must be received at least one week before event start (by Jan 3th 2008). See Address below.
2. Hotel reservations can be made any time before the event! We have negotiated hotel sponsorship and have a great rate for all… see Hotel Information below. This is a great race to bring the family along to, let them enjoy the resort while you enjoy… well you get the idea. Need to specify that you are with this event (TRIPLE D WINTER RACE) to receive the discounted rooms. If you want to share a room send me an email, and i'll get you into a group.
3. Entry fee is $50 for all categories (tandems, if you’re crazy enough to attempt this is $50 total, if you decide the day of the race to ride singles the other rider must pay $50 – this is the only exception to pre registration).
4. There are multiple categories (Bike, run, ski, etc.)
5. No refunds will be allowed. However, you may change categories the day of the race. Please make a good guess as to the event you MAY race in so that we can make appropriate reservations for racer transportation.
6. Sign in will be from 8-9 am on January 10th at the Grand Harbor resort (Dubuque, Iowa, the hotel directly north of the river boat casino http://www.grandharborresort.com/index.cfm ). You will be required to sign a release form at this time if you don’t send one with your registration (see below). Also, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone, and include this on your release form. We will use these if you go missing from an eta checkpoint.
7. Pre race meetings will be held at your respective starting lines at 9:55 am.
8. Race will start at 10 AM sharp.
a. The bikers will have an escorted rollout starting from riverside ampatheater in front of the Dubuque Star Brewery (same as ’08).
b. Ultra Runners and Skiers Will be transported to the Dubuque Heritage Trail head north of town on Hwy 52 (aka the Hwy 52 Ponds Trailhead)
c. Standard distance Runners and Skiers will be transported to the Dyersville Trailhead.
9. No outside help from anyone except other racers. This means that there are no support crews of any kind. If you take a ride, you are forfeiting your right to finish the race and you must contact race officials to notify us when/where you are dropping out of the race. However, participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do this race for the first time.
10. Any combination of forward motion is allowed (i.e., skiers can run, runners can snow shoe, bikers can push, etc.). No towing/pushing other racers, you can assist them but not in the forward direction.
11. No littering (and no stashes). Leave no trace. Make use of sanitation facilities provided along the trail (there are a couple of restrooms on Heritage trail and at Dyersville. Bring your own t.p. just in case.
12. If you leave the race course for some reason, you must re-enter the course exactly where you left it or notify race officials that you are dropping out as soon as is feasible. Short-cutting the course is not allowed and may be grounds for disqualification, at the discretion of the Race Director. Turning around early is allowed and encouraged over dropping out in the middle of the race (as this reduces the time our volunteers spend shuttling racers), record the mile marker or location where you turned around to receive credit for the distance raced.
13. Stop at all intersections and obey all traffic laws.
14. The course will be marked (better than last year) and maps (better than last year) will be provided (compass is recommended, GPS and cycling computers are also allowed - but temperatures may prevent them from working). There are forward and backward mile markers on Heritage Trail.
15. There will be no cut off time! This race is about finishing! However, we will have sag available. It is required that everyone have two flashing red lights (one front and one back) and a head light. For the bikers these can be on you or the bike.
16. Stay safe, stay warm, warn other trail users when passing, etc… read up on frost bike and hyperthermia so that you know what to do to prevent and treat these winter risks!
17. Awards will be given for ALL who complete the entire Ultra distance and first place in each category (categories TBD, but they will be something like [Male/Female], [Bike/Tandem/Ski/Foot], [Ultra Distance/Short] etc.).
18. Awards will take place at 10 PM on the 10th (at the grand harbor resort (DO NOT stay at the finish line bar, have your drinks, socialize and head back to the Grand Harbor by 10). Cash will be awarded to the top ultra distance finishers in addition to the awards.
19. Cash: Numbered tickets will be given to all starters. Additional tickets will be issued to finishers. The better you finish the more tickets. We will then give away all race profits lottery style. Exactly the same as last year. We are estimating that we will have about $1200 in cash awards. However this could be much higher if you pass the word… race expenses will be kept to an absolute minimum, no profits to anybody (expenses include: event room, insurance, trail access fees, shuttle, sag, course markings, beer and pizza at the awards)
20. For those who feel rejuvenated after the beer and pizza, there will be a pub crawl (by bike or car) starting around 11 pm.

Send $50 per person to:
Triple D c/o
Lance Andre
1735 Eden Lane
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4027
Must be received by Jan 3th, roster will be updated regularly.

============ RELEASE FORM ==================
2009 Triple D Winter Race Application & Waiver
NOTICE: This application and Release Form is a contract with legal consequences. Please read it carefully before signing it. Racers in the Triple D Winter Race must be at least age 18 years by the day of the event unless prior approval (January 10th, 2009).

Name: ____________________________ Age: _____ Sex: ____

Estimated Race Category: __________ (Actual): ______________

Address: _____________________________ City: __________

State: _________________ ZIP: ___________

Home Phone: _____________ Race Cell Phone: _______________

E-mail: _____________________________________________
I have competed in Winter Racing in the past: Yes No (circle one)

If Yes, Event and Distance: ______________________________
I have competed in ultra distance races in the past: Yes No (circle one)

If Yes, Event and Distance: ______________________________

In consideration of the acceptance of my application for entry in the 2009 Triple D Winter Race, I hereby freely agree to make the following contractual representations and agreements. I fully realize the dangers of participating in a winter skiing / bicycling / running / snowshoeing race held in the remote Iowa wilderness during extreme winter conditions, and fully assume the risk associated with such participation, including but not limited to the following dangers: hypothermia, frostbite, collision with pedestrians, vehicles, wildlife, and other racers and fixed or moving objects, dangers arising from surface hazards, equipment failure, inadequate safety equipment, weather conditions, and animals and the possibility of serious physical and/or mental trauma and injury, including death, associated with winter athletic competition.
I hereby waive, release and discharge myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns and successors in interest (hereafter collectively "successors") any and all rights and claims which the sanctioning organization, the promoter and any promoting organization(s) and their board of directors, property owners, law enforcement agencies, all public entities, special districts, and properties (and their respective agents, officials and employees) through or by which the event will be held for any and all damages which may be sustained by my participation in of associated with the event, or travel to or return from the event.
I agree it is my sole responsibility to be familiar with the race course, the rules of the sanctioning body, and the special regulations of the event. I understand and agree that the situations may arise during the race which may be beyond the immediate control of the race officials or organizers, and I must ski, bicycle, run, and snowshoe so as to endanger neither myself nor others. I accept responsibility for the conditions and adequacy of my equipment and training. I have no physical or mental condition which, to my knowledge, would endanger myself or others if I participate in this event, or would interfere with my ability to participate in this event.
I agree that it is at the sole discretion of the race directors to change the rules at any time in the interest of safety and sportsmanship or for any reason deemed appropriate by the Triple D Winter Race officials, and I agree to abide by those rules. I understand that the race officials may pull any participant out of the event in the interest of the community, law, safety, time, sportsmanship; due to suspicion of cheating, acts of nature or any reason deemed appropriate by the Triple D Winter Race officials.
I agree, for myself and successors, that the above representations are contractually binding, and are not mere recitals, and that should I or any of my successors assert any claim in contravention of this agreement, I or my successors shall be liable for the expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the other party or parties in defending, unless the other party or parties are finally adjusted liable on such claims for willful and wanton negligence. This agreement may not be modified orally, and a waiver of any provision shall not be construed as a modification of or as consent to another provision herein of as a consent to any subsequent waiver of modification.

______________________________ DATE:__________
SIGNATURE OF ENTRANT
PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A MINOR: I, as a parent or guardian of the above named minor, hereby give my permission for my child or ward to participate in the event, and further agree, individually and on behalf of my child or ward, to the terms above.

______________________________ DATE:__________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF MINOR

Emergency contact or Guardian: _________________________

Address: _____________________________ City: __________

State: _________________ ZIP: ___________

Home Phone: _______________ Work Phone: _______________

Triple D 2009 Race Poster

Please pass this along to those who seem a little off kilter... More details comming very soon.