Monthly Archives: November 2010
The Making (and Unveiling) of a Logo
I’ve felt like a kid on Christmas Eve as I’ve waited to see our new team logo. The excitement and anticipation have been killing me! However, I never imagined it could be such an involved and amazing process. Below, you’ll read about our journey to create a team logo. If you don’t care about that and just want to see the new logo, then go ahead and scroll down…
You scrolled down immediately and then came back to read this, didn’t you? Right? C’mon… Tell the truth. That’s okay. I would’ve done the same thing. Now, on with our story.
It all started back in May when I asked on facebook if anyone could help us with a logo. My friend Mindy, from Dreaming Tree Creative, just happens to do this for a living. She said she could help us out. To give her an idea of what we were looking for, I posted:
“I was thinking you could use a huge, muscular Clydesdale horse in full armor, holding a bazooka in one hand and an ice-cold beer in the other, while riding a mountain bike with wings on it and a rocket underneath. What do you think?”
Of course I was kidding… Sort of. Then we both got really busy over the summer with our kids, vacations, camping, and life in general. It wasn’t until sometime in early October that we got motivated to finish a logo so we could get some cool jerseys made before next spring (jerseys usually take 6-8 weeks to make).
As a team, we tossed around some ideas and talked about what we wanted. Casey even had a dream where he came up with the “perfect” logo. He tried to describe it to us, but we couldn’t quite picture it. So he created this:
A little too busy?
Not too bad considering he has no training in this area. I was actually kind of impressed with his logo, but it seemed a little too busy. On top of that, most adventure racing teams have a logo containing a compass, bike tire, climbers, and/or a paddle in some configuration or another. So we decided to keep trying. We wanted to stand out.
I kind of tinkered around online with some do-it-yourself logo design sites. If you’ve never tried any of these, onsider yourself lucky. What a waste of time! It was kind of like some amateur idiot was hacking his way through a crappy logo design… Oh wait, that’s exactly what it was. It didn’t take long for me to contact Mindy again.
She said she was on board and ready to go. She sent me a packet of info and questions to help us figure out what we wanted, and I sent it to the rest of the team. This really helped us focus on what we did and didn’t want for our logo. We were completely lost before going through everything Mindy had sent us. Even though we were more focused, I’m afraid we still weren’t much help.
Here are just a few of the gems we offered Mindy:
- “What about a cartoonized muscular figure jumping over a log with a cartoonized overlay of Otis’s {My 18-month-old son} smiling face. It’s a combination of masculinity with childlike enthusiasm. Maybe put a weapon in his hand? What if we had him running toward a dinner bell? Masculinity, childlike enthusiasm, and our logo is hauling ass thru the woods to get home for dinner.” – Bob Jenkins
- “What about Atlas holding up a compass rose?” – Zack Lamb
- “The morning star is a symbol of hope – maybe we could use that. It’s also a badass weapon that would look cool.” – Yours Truly
- “The morning star is also a sign of the coming dawn and rising sun… a great feeling after 24+ hours of racing I would imagine.” – Casey Lamb (who hadn’t yet done a 24 hour race at the time)
- “I like the simpler logos kind of like Team Torti or Google. We can add paddles and bikes and beer cans to the name depending on the occasion.” – Drew West
Clearly, we were still all over the place, but we answered her questions to the best of our ability. We also gave her the colors we liked: Black, Gray, & Red. Finally, we gave her our team mottos: “Fun is Better than Fast” and “Strength and Honor” (from the fine film Gladiator and brought to our attention by the one and only Robby Brown).
We then sent all the info to Mindy to let her do her thang. She somehow made sense of our mumbo jumbo, and it didn’t take her very long to send us six SUH-WEET logo concepts (found right here – Seriously, take a look at these).
To say we merely liked them is kind of like saying Casey might occasionally say slightly inappropriate comments during races (if you’ve ever raced with Casey, then you know what I’m talking about). We were absolutely blown away. However, at this point we had a new problem. We had to figure out what elements of each we liked best and how to combine them into the logo of our dreams.
Here is a breakdown of what we thought of the first 6 logo concepts starting with #1 (upper left hand corner) and ending with #6 (lower right hand corner):
Logo #1:
We loved the oval shape and how the wording protruded from the sides. The boot print looked cool, but it didn’t quite reflect adventure racing the way we wanted. This was probably our 3rd favorite.
Logo #2:
We also loved this one. The diamond shape was different from most other adventure racing logos we had seen. We liked the small morning star above the “S”, and the color scheme looked great. We aren’t exactly the best runners in the world (excluding our two non-husky members Drew and Darin), and we felt that runners on an adventure racing logo didn’t quite fit. This one was definitely in our top 2, though.
Logo #3:
This one was probably our least favorite, although we still liked it. We just felt like it was a little too pretentious to show a buff dude flexing, and it seemed like no one would take us seriously (although we are rarely very serious).
Logo #4:
We also all loved this one. It was simple, and it still looked great. It contained both of our mottos, but after seeing “Fun is Better than Fast” on an actual logo, we decided that it might send the wrong message. While we’re all about the experience and having fun, we didn’t want to seem like that’s all we cared about. We were still not sure about the boot print, and it seemed like a lot of teams have a circular logo. This was the other one in our top 2.
Logo #5:
This one looks terrific. While we liked the simplicity of the black and white as well as the large “V”, which could be quite easily recognized and associated with Virtus, we felt like this one was too formal for our team.
Logo #6:
This logo was also fantastic. We loved how the red “V” made up the frame of the bike. It also kind of looked like an owl’s eyes staring at you, and let’s be honest… Who doesn’t like hooters? If we were a biking only team, then this would have been our logo without any changes. As an adventure racing team, though, we thought we needed something else.
So, you can see why this was much harder than I had ever imagined. We all got feedback from our wives or girlfriends, kids (my kids all liked the dude flexing), parents, and friends. After much bantering back and forth, a couple of arguments, a beer-pong tournament, and one fist-fight/mud-wrestling match (okay, I might have made that up), we all agreed that we liked the diamond logo (logo #2) the best. However, we wanted to replace the runners with something else – the morning star.
Mindy worked her magic, and sent us These three updated logos to look at. Once again, we were blown away. Using the morning star in place of the runners was just what we were looking for. The third one seemed too bright, so that one was out of the running right away. We all loved the top two, and we were torn about which one to use. Here’s what Bob had to say in an email:
“I like the top one, scratch that… I f***ing love the top one. This chick is awesome. I like the red too, I just like the black/white a little better. I’d be ecstatic with either one.”
I felt the same way. The top one was so simple in black and white, but the more we thought about and discussed it, the more we thought we should have some color in it. Plus, we can always use the black and white one when it’s appropriate. There was one more thing, though. After more bantering and gathering more opinions from family and friends, we realized that the red color seemed a bit orange-ish.
So, we hit Mindy up for one more change – a darker red, sort of crimson, instead of the red/orange. Yet again, she amazed us. We loved it!!! We now had our new, amazingly fantastic logo. Wanna see it? Well, I know you already cheated and scrolled down here to see it before reading this, but that’s okay.
Without further ado… To you I proudly present the Officially Official Team Virtus Logo:
And here it is as a PDF so you can print it out and frame it, hang it on your wall, place it on your desk, and/or put it in your wallet to carry it with you forever. You know you want to.
So there you have it. Although creating a logo was a bigger challenge than I had ever imagined, it was a fun and exciting process. We could not be happier or more impressed with Mindy at Dreaming Tree Creative. She was able to handle the chaotic mess of information from all of us at Team Virtus. She put up with our foolishness and ridiculous requests. She handled the revisions with ease. She took everything we offered her and somehow created awesomeness out of it. And she did it all quickly and with a smile on her face. She was utterly amazing. A HUGE THANKS to Mindy! There is NO WAY we could have done this without her. If you need a logo, a website, or any other design project then you need to contact Mindy. You can thank me later.
So, please let us know what you think of the logo. Love it? Hate it? Wish it was yours? Want to get it tattooed on your left butt cheek? We’d love to hear your opinions.
Until next time… Ciao.
Top Ten Pieces of Gear 2010 – Part 2
Welcome back for part 2 of our Adventure Racing Gear Top Ten! If you missed part 1, you can find it right here. Below you’ll find numbers 6 through 10 (and a bonus #11). Again, these are in no particular order. Okay, on to the gear reviews – here we go!
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6. Golite Mesh Hat
I used to wear Outdoor Research’s Swift Cap as you may have read in our ABC’s of Gear part III. While that is a quality cap, I’ve since switched to the Golite Mesh Cap, and I’ve never looked back.
It’s the most comfortable hat I’ve worn, it breathes really well, and it wicks moisture much better than the OR Swift. It comes in white (which I prefer since it’s much cooler), black, and white and gold. You can also get a Golite Visor if you so desire. The hat weighs almost nothing, and it’s quite stretchy. There is a coolmax liner to keep the sweat out of your eyes as well.
One other great feature is the dark underside of the bill. This cuts out the glare you would find with other white caps (kind of like when football/baseball players put eyeblack under their eyes), making it perfect for paddling. Oh, and yeah… This cap also keeps the sun out of your eyes.
Yes, the white cap can get pretty grimy. I’ve thrown mine in the dishwasher with success, and when it gets really nasty, I just scrub it by hand in the sink using dish soap. It has come out clean every time (with the exception of a small ketchup stain on the side when my nephew Eli accidentally mashed a hot dog into the side of my head – and even that can hardly be seen).
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Highly breathable
- Wicking / Keeps sweat out of eyes
- Looks great
- Comfy
- Blocks out glare with dark underside of the bill
- Washes easily
Cons:
- White can show dirt and grime more than other colors
- Not-fully Nephew/Hotdog-proof (see above if you just skipped to the bullet points)
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7. Suunto Clipper Micro Compass
This little compass comes with its own band, but it also fits on most watch bands (which is how I wear it). This is perfect for quick and easy navigation or for when you just need to get a general bearing. There is even an adjustable bezel if you want to take a more accurate bearing. In fact, for all but the most difficult navigation, this is pretty much the only compass I use.
I recently forgot to take this with me to the 24 Hour Shawnee Extreme Rogaine, and I was so bummed! For the first 12 hours, I kept looking down at my wrist only to find that it wasn’t there. To be honest, I sort of felt naked without it. It was a pain to keep grabbing my compass, holding it steady, and getting a general bearing. It’s just so much quicker and easier with the Clipper Micro Compass.
I’ve never had any issues with this compass. It’s durable, and it’s very affordable at only 11 bucks or so. I hated that I left it at home for that last race, and I don’t plan on making that mistake again.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Tiny and lightweight
- Affordable
- Accurate
- Great for quick and dirty nav
- Adjustable bezel allows for more accurate nav
- Bezel and arrow glow in the dark
- Comes with band or fits on watch band
Cons:
- None that I’ve found
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8. Mountain FeedBag
Okay, I know this one looks weird. I had my doubts about it when I first saw it. Won’t it get in the way? Nope. Won’t my bike be off-balance since it’s only on one side? Nope. Won’t everyone stop me and ask about it? Maybe…
The Mountain Feedbag holds a ton of stuff – bars, gels, energy drinks, candy bars, bike tool, an extra water bottle, keys, cell phone, beer… The list goes on and on. And the best part is you can access all of this without getting off of the bike.
Imagine actually answering the phone before it goes to voice mail while you’re still riding! Or imagine scarfing down a Clif Bar while passing your competitors as they stop to access their packs! It’s all right in front of you and easily accessible since you can easily open and close the Feedbag with one hand.
It’s never gotten in the way on any ride I’ve ever done. Not once has it hit my bike or a knee. And I’ve never felt off-balance with this on my bike. In fact, I don’t even notice it’s there until I need to get something out of it. Pairing the Feedbag up with a Simple Strap (reviewed in Part 1) has been an amazing combo, and I’ll never go back to a saddle pouch.
For longer rides or races, this thing is a life saver. Planning on doing Syllamo’s Revenge? Get a FeedBag. Love doing gravel road rides? Get a FeedBag. Tired of stopping to access your phone or food? Get a FeedBag. Seriously, just get one and thank me later.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Holds an amazing amount of stuff
- Completely accessible while riding
- One-hand operation
- Stays completely out of the way
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Looks a little odd
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9. e-Fuel Electrolyte Energy Drink
Okay, I’ve talked about e-Gel and e-Fuel for a long time now – basically in every race report I’ve written. Why? Because they work! I truly believe that the e-Fuel saved my race at The Berryman Adventure this year.
The e-Gel is great, but I prefer the e-Fuel. What’s the difference? Well the e-Gel is a lot like other gels (only better in my opinion) while the e-Fuel is meant to be added to water. It’s not a messy powder, though. I always hated trying to mix powders in my water bottles during a race. It’s a pain in the ass and way too messy. The e-Fuel is a concentrated liquid in a pouch slightly larger than a gel pouch. You simply rip the top off and pour it into your bottle. No fuss, no muss. Unlike messy powders, e-Fuel is perfect for carrying in your pack. It’s quick, clean, and easy. It mixes way better than powders do as well.
I honestly believe that e-Fuel works better than any other gel/drink I’ve tried. My teammates agree. Don’t believe us? Go here and compare e-Fuel to other products for yourself.
The only thing we can’t figure out is why more people aren’t using it. We haven’t seen anyone else at any adventure races using it. In a way, it’s kind of been our secret weapon against cramps. Maybe I shouldn’t be letting the cat out of the bag. Oops… Too late.
On top of all of that, the good people at Crank Sports (the makers of e-Gel and e-Fuel) offer a great incentive program. By joining their free “club” you get 10% of all purchases back to put towards future purchases. Great deal, right? Right.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- This stuff works!
- Not a powder
- Mixes easily, quickly, and cleanly
- Tastes great – very light and refreshing
- Great incentive program
- Did I mention this stuff works?
- Liquid concentrate in an easy to carry pouch
- Comparable in price or cheaper than other products
- Three flavors
Cons:
- None I have found
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10. Mountainsmith Cyber II Camera Bag
Team Virtus has been accused of taking too many photos during a race. Maybe that’s true. Could we be a little faster if we didn’t stop for some photos? Sure. But that’s not what we’re all about. We do this for the fun and experience of it all.
Photos help us remember the highs as well as the lows. Photos also help us tell our stories. I’d say our race reports would be almost worthless without photos. I mean let’s face it… Most of you just skim our reports and take a look at the photos, don’t you?
Since photos are such a big part of our team and our experiences, we try to take a camera on all rides and races. But it’s not enough to just take it. The camera must be easily accessible to capture those great moments. So… How do we carry the camera? Well, if you’re Bob then you just carry your camera in a pocket and either lose it or break it. Casey and I both use the Mountainsmith Cyber II Camera Bag.
This thing is nearly indestructible. Mine still looks brand new after a year of abuse. My camera fits perfectly in it, and the zipper and velcro closure keep my camera secure. The best part of this camera bag is you can attach it to your shoulder strap. It sits comfortably out of the way while still being easy to get into for those Kodak Moments. It’s also a great everyday camera case – just take it off of your pack and throw it in your car, purse, suitcase, whatever.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Very durable
- Fits on a backpack strap for quick and easy access
- Secure zipper and/or velcro flap closure
- Inexpensive
- Great for races or everyday use
Cons:
- Not waterproof (use an aloksak bag for that)
- May smell like BO after a hot race since it’s so close to your armpit (a quick wash and you’re good to go)
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Bonus – 11. The TRX Suspension Trainer
With cold weather approaching, now is a great time to build some strength and shed some fat. One of the best ways to do that is with a TRX Suspension Trainer. This thing is amazing!
It can be attached to almost anything, and you can do an almost infinite number of movements on this baby. From strength to flexibility to conditioning to yoga moves, this thing can do it all. And if you want to have the best core workout of your life, then you need to get one of these. There is nothing better. Seriously, it’s amazing. To get a small idea of what you can do on the TRX, take a look at a video of me kicking my own ass on this thing (please don’t laugh).
Too many endurance athletes neglect strength training, in my humble opinion. While I firmly believe in using free weights for all athletes, the TRX is a great first step. It may seem expensive at first, but it’s literally a gym in a bag. You can take it anywhere and do anything on it. I love mine.
Check this out: If you’ve been on the fence, then now is the time to buy one. If you order between November 24th through November 29th and use the code TRXMAS, you’ll get 25% off plus free shipping! Order between November 30th and December 12th and use the same code to get 20% off plus free shipping. Use the same code between December 13th and December 16th to get 15% off and free shipping.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Incredibly useful – unlimited number of movements can be done
- Portable – take it anywhere and attach it to almost anything
- Great for Conditioning
- Great for Strength Training
- Great for Core Training
- Great for Flexibility Training
- Indestructible (it can hold my fat ass)
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive (but worth it)
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Well, that wraps up my top ten (or eleven) picks of the best adventure racing gear for 2010. What did you think? Agree? Disagree? Have some top picks of your own that we should know about? Post a comment!
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Full Disclosure: Most of the links in this post are our affiliate links where we will get a small percentage of the sales (excluding the Mountain FeedBag link). This doesn’t mean we don’t whole-heartedly believe in the products, because we certainly do. If you don’t want to buy through these links, that’s cool with us, although we would certainly appreciate it.
Top Ten Pieces of Gear for 2010 – Part 1
First of all, we’re not exactly affluent. I have about as much money as Paris Hilton has brains. So we pretty much can’t buy the newest and most expensive adventure racing gear that hits the market. That being said, all of us here at Team Virtus Head Quarters are gear-nerds, gear-junkies, equipment-hoarders, incredibly sexy… whatever you want to call us. We love new gadgets and equipment, but we must be selective in what we buy. When it comes to making new purchases, we have a few criteria.
Our adventure racing gear should:
1. Be Affordable
2. Be Durable
3. Be Lightweight
4. Be Multipurpose
So, without further ado, here are the first five of my top ten picks of adventure racing gear that I’ve used over the last year or so (in no particular order):
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1. Princton Tec Remix Headlamp
If you’ve read our series on the ABC’s of Adventure Racing Gear, then you’re aware that I love the Princeton Tec Apex Headlamp. For long races when I know I’ll be biking or navigating at night I’ve always opted for the Apex for its long battery life and brightness. However, the Remix has started to become my new go-to headlamp. It’s smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the Apex, and it provides plenty of light with great battery life. If I know I’m going to be biking on single track at night, then I might still go with the Apex, but for everything else I’m taking the Remix.
The Remix has 3 smaller Ultrabright LED’s which provide a flood light that is perfect for most tasks, and it has 1 Maxbright LED for spot-lighting when you need to find that reflective checkpoint or see the trail a little better. There is even a high and low setting for both light modes. The three AAA batteries provide more than adequate battery life (I never had to change the batteries at The Berryman 36-Hour Adventure Race). You can also get the Remix Pro which takes CR123 batteries. I, however, prefer using AAA’s since they can be found virtually anywhere.
Another cool option for the Remix is choosing between white, red, and green smaller LED’s. Red light will preserve night vision while green light is supposed to make map reading easier at night. I went with the white LED’s since I use this baby for reading at night in bed, working in dark spaces, going on backpacking trips, and for family camping.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Affordable at around $35
- Very small and lightweight
- Great battery life
- Task Lighting as well as a spot light
- High/Low outputs for both light modes
- Smooth solid beam pattern with no dark spots or rings
- White, Green, and Red options for the task light LED’s
- AAA battery model or CR123 battery model
- Level 1 waterproof rating
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
-
Not as bright as other lamps such as the Apex
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2. Hennessy Hammock
Tired of the restless nights before a race as you’re listening to your teammates snoring (Bob), talking in their sleep (Casey), or farting (all of Team Virtus)? Tired of trying to find a perfectly flat campsite? Tired of laying on the hard, unforgiving ground? Tired of taking forever to set up and take down your tent? Tired of waking up in a pool of water? Enter the incredible Hennessy Hammock. Problems solved. Period.
After getting this hammock for Christmas last year, I’ve used it many times, and it never ceases to amaze me. It doesn’t matter where you want to camp (as long as there are trees of course). Rocky terrain? No problem. Hilly, uneven terrain? That’s easy. On a boat? This Hammock can do that too. Seriously, you can set this thing up almost anywhere. No Trees? As long as you have trekking poles or something similar, you can set it up on the ground if you must. Worried about sleeping flat or on your side while in the hammock? Lay down diagonally in the hammock, and it’s not a problem.
The attached netting keeps the bugs at bay. The bottom entry design, while odd at first, is simply ingenious. There is no way you’re ever gonna fall out of this thing like you might see on America’s Funniest Home Videos. The set up is quick and easy with a little practice, and the take-down is even quicker – especially if you use the snake skins. They are more than worth the extra twenty bucks – trust me on this one.
I don’t think I can go back to tent camping now that I have the Hennessy Hammock. While I’ve never used it during a race, I’ve used it before and after several races. I’ve even taken it family camping when we had too many people in our pop-up camper. This hammock is perfectly suited for backpacking and bike-packing trips as well.
Wherever I’ve taken my hammock, it always stirs up interest. Once people check it out, they immediately want one. I can’t speak highly enough of this hammock. Get one, and you won’t be sorry.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Lighter than most tents
- More affordable than most tents
- Easy to set up and take down (with a little practice)
- Very comfortable
- Can be set up nearly anywhere over nearly any terrain
- Interesting conversation starter
Cons:
- Some people may find it claustrophobic (though I find there is more than enough room)
- Small learning curve on the set up (although videos on Youtube make it easier)
- Only one person per hammock (unless you weigh half as much as I do)
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3. Buff Headwear
This is another item that blows me away. The Buff always looked cool to me, but it took me forever to actually get one. I just thought it was kind of gimmicky. Once I used a Buff, though, I knew I’d never go back to a measly old stocking cap.
This thing is surprisingly simple as a seamless tube of fabric, yet it is more useful than almost anything else I’ve seen. You can wear it as a stocking cap, scarf, neck gaiter, balaclava, do-rag, headband (great for biking), hairband, pony-tail holder (not that my hair is long enough), wristband, and probably even more.
I can even think of a few more uses for it: a bandage, a sling, a napkin, a blindfold, a lens/glasses cleaner, a gag (I’m not sure why you would want to use it in this way, but hey – different strokes for different folks). I actually almost used it once as an impromptu chamois when I forgot my bike shorts for one race. It probably would have worked, but fortunately, my taint held up without it.
The Original Buff is made of a polyester microfiber that is super comfortable, and it comes in lots of colors and designs. It’s only around $20, so this is a no-brainer. Seriously, go get one (or two) for yourself or for loved ones. You can also get a Reflective Buff for more nighttime visibility for a couple more bucks. Also, and this is the one I really want to get next, you can pick up a Merino Wool Buff for around $27-$30 (Honey, if you’re reading this, that was a hint – wink, wink).
I take my Buff pretty much everywhere I go, and I wouldn’t even consider racing without it (even in the summer because you never know). It meets and exceeds all of our criteria: It’s affordable, durable, lightweight, and it just might have more uses than any other piece of gear that I carry. Gimmicky? Nope. Simple? Yes. Amazing? Absolutely.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Only 20-ish bucks
- Weighs next to nothing
- Highly wicking
- Multipurpose is an understatement
- Many colors and designs
- Reflective and Wool options
Cons:
- Um… I guess it could be easy to lose? Other than that I haven’t found any.
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4. Simple Strap
The ByeKyle Simple Strap is appropriately named. It is simply a velcro strap with a rubberized backing. That’s it. That’s all. Simple, right? Just because it’s simple, though, doesn’t meant it doesn’t work.
I’ve tried several Seat Packs, Saddle Pouches, or whatever you want to call them. I’ve always been disappointed since they have always ended up torn at the seams, and they were always noisy and cumbersome to get into. The Simple Strap has held up to some punishing abuse, and it’s incredibly easy to use (even in the cold with gloves on).
There are several ways to use the Simple Strap: Under the Saddle, on the seat post, holding on a light or camera, in-the-field repair, keeping your pants out of your chain, strapping your pump to the bike, as a beer koozie, and more.
Simple Straps are made in the USA (Now THAT is awesome!), they are nearly indestructible, they come in many colors (you can even get custom straps), and get this… They are only $6.99!!! At that price, you should get several. I need to order more since my brother (I’m looking at you, Zack!) still has one of mine.
Pros:
- Really inexpensive
- Indestructible
- Holds gear securely
- Easy to use – no fumbling and bumbling in a pack or pouch
- Many, many uses
Cons:
- Perhaps exposing your tube/CO2 inflator to mud and muck could be a problem (though I’ve never had an issue with this on any of my races)
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5. Hydropel Sports Ointment
I first heard of Hydropel when my brother and I volunteered as a support crew for Team Gerber Gear, led by two Navy Seals. They used it, and they said that the Seals use it during “Hell Week.” That alone should have been good enough for me. However, there is a trick to using it that makes it even more effective.
While at the High Profile Adventure Camp, professional paddler Jeremy Rodgers (who referred to us, nicknamed the 6 lb Burrito Brothers, in his blog) gave an eye-opening lecture on foot care. One of his best tips: Apply Hydropel to your feet and/or other blister-prone areas the night before your race. The silicone-based Hydropel then has time to sort of bond with your skin making the protection even more potent and effective. Hydropel had always worked for me, but after using Jeremy’s tip, I have yet to get a blister on my feet (knock on wood).
Hydropel is a little expensive (compared to petroleum jelly) at $20 per tube, but it is more than worth it since a little bit goes a long way. And let’s face it… Your feet are your most important piece of gear when it comes to racing. If you don’t take care of your feet, then your race is over.
The Breakdown:
Pros:
- Superior product for blister free feet (especially when applied in advance)
- Not as messy as other lubricants
- No smell at all
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
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So that wraps up Part 1 of our Top Ten Pieces of Adventure Racing Gear. I hope you liked the gear reviews, and if you did, be sure to check back in soon for part 2 (Now posted right here). Have any pieces of gear you think should be on this list? Leave a comment! Seriously, we want to hear from YOU!
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Full Disclosure: Most of the links in this post are our affiliate links where we will get a small percentage of the sales (excluding the Simple Strap link). This doesn’t mean we don’t whole-heartedly believe in the products, because we certainly do. If you don’t want to buy through these links, that’s cool with us, although we would certainly appreciate it.
Updates: More CX in Mid Missouri, We Survived, New Logo, and Please Like Us
First of all, don’t forget about the Thursday Night Cyclocross race tomorrow night right here in Jefferson City. Bring a light, and come on out to Binder to have a blast. Every week the course is slightly different which only adds to the fun. A free t-shirt goes to the winner, and I just found out that there will be some more prizes (cyclocross tires and more) to give out tomorrow night. So be sure you’re there if you can make it. Get the deets right here.
On another note… We survived the Shawnee Extreme 24 hour Rogaine this past weekend in Ohio. It was brutally hard, and the thorns and briars were ridiculous. Bob’s feet and my feet took quite a beating, but we had a lot of fun and got some great nav work in. We’ll have a report up soon, but here are a couple of photos to whet your appetite:
Team Virtus hikes up one of MANY reentrants
Drew and Casey "candidly" working on our route
Bob was a Limbo National Champ back in high school, but he's clearly out of practice.
Be sure to check back in with us for the full race report.
Also… Our new team logo is almost done. Our kick-ass designer is putting the final touches on it as we speak! I think it’s gonna be really cool. She’s done an amazing job already, and I can’t wait to see the final masterpiece. Be sure to check her out for any kind of design/website project: Dreaming Tree Creative.
Last, but not least, I’d like to invite (beg) you to like us on facebook. We are very insecure, and we need some reassurance that we are liked. Okay, that’s not exactly true, but it is a great way to keep track of us. Plus it will really help us attract some sponsors to help us out next year. So, check us out on facebook and please LIKE US. And if you could spread the word about our blog and facebook page, we would be forever grateful!
That’s it for now. Ta Ta and Peace Out!
Do We Need Rogaine? Yes… Yes We Do.
Seriously… We’ve got a problem, and the only solution is rogaine. No, not the hair-loss treatment. The only problem with my hair is that it’s all turning gray in a hurry (as you’ll see if you look closely in the photos below). I’m talking about a race – the 24 Hour Shawnee Extreme Rogaine.
“What’s that?” you ask. “What exactly is a rogaine?” Well, here is what I wrote in a post from last year:
“There are two stories behind the term rogaine. I have read that it comes from the first two letters of the names of the three athletes who supposedly invented the sport. Their names were Rod, Gail, and Neil. Rogaine is also an acronym. The letters stand for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance.
A rogaine is an orienteering race usually lasting 12 to 24 hours where each checkpoint has a point value. Teams of two to five can get checkpoints in any order they so choose, and the team with the most points at the end of the race is the winner. So, strategy plays a huge role in a rogaine race. Do you try to get all of the low-value checkpoints that are closer and easier to find? Or do you try to go for the high-value points that are farther away and more difficult to locate?”
Last year, the Brothers Lamb (Casey, Zack, and myself) all met up to do the Sleepy Hollow 12 Hour Rogaine in Ohio. It was our first rogaine, and it was the first time we had ever officially raced as Team Virtus. It was a brutally good time, so we decided we needed to do it again.
This year, however, NSF Adventures is offering a 12 hour AND a 24 hour rogaine at the Shawnee Extreme (which has replaced the Sleepy Hollow Rogaine). So of course we’re doing the 24 hour, and of course we’re in way over our heads yet again. Zack couldn’t make it this year, but Casey, Bob, Drew, and I are ready to go. Whatever happens, I know we’ll have a blast in Ohio.
To prepare, Bob and I ventured up to Rock Bridge State Park for some Orienteering practice.
Bob studies the map and shows his movie-star smile (Seriously, he's a movie star now. He was in "Race Across the Sky" - How cool is that?)
To prepare myself to carry Casey’s pack again (you really need to read last year’s race report), I decided to carry my chubby son Otis on my back, although I still think Casey’s pack was heavier… Seriously, it was.
Perfect Training for a Rogaine Race
Actually, I pray that Casey doesn’t suffer cramps like he did last year. We give him a hard time about carrying his pack, but he was a stud to push through the pain. We were happy (well, not happy but we were willing) to carry his pack, because that’s what a team does. We pick each other up when we need to. I know Casey would do the same for me (Seriously, Casey, you have to carry my pack this year).
It was a perfect Fall day for orienteering in Missouri. We had a blast. We even had some run-ins with thorns and brush of which there will be plenty in Ohio, I promise.
Let's hope this is the worst of our injuries at the Shawnee Extreme Rogaine
At one point, we had to decide if we should cross the creek or backtrack at least a mile to get to the next checkpoint. Well, we chose to cross the creek, and obviously Bob decided to cross a downed tree, possibly the most difficult option for crossing the creek.
Bob crossing the creek...
Bob almost falling into the creek.
Bob came really close to getting wet, but he somehow managed to save himself. It was hilarious! He then came up with a new method to cross the creek – the Sit and Scoot. He used his Beaver Stick to clear the brush as he straddled the log and scooted on his ass. It worked beautifully.
As tempted as I was to cross the creek here as well, I just couldn’t risk falling in from that height with Ote Boat on my back. So I took my shoes off, hiked my pants legs up, and crossed the creek barefoot where it was shallower. The water was cold, but we made it.
We got some good orienteering practice in, and although we weren’t out there setting any speed records, we kept moving most of the time except for a few map-checks and potty breaks.
Peekaboo Bob, We see you!
Otis loved being out in the woods… as long as we didn’t stop for too long. He would get pretty pissed if we stayed in one spot for more than 30 seconds. As long as we kept moving, though, Otis was as happy as can be. He must have gotten very comfortable back there…
Going...
Going...
Gone.
I always love getting out there for some orienteering. I wish there were more orienteering races in mid-Mo. I know St. Louis and Kansas City have orienteering clubs, but it can be too much to drive 2 hours for an hour-long O-race. Maybe Team Virtus needs to start a mid-Mo orienteering club… Hmm… Anyone reading this think that’s a good idea? Anyone?
Anyway, we had a great time, and we’re now ready to dominate the Shawnee Extreme Rogaine this weekend. Okay, we’re nowhere near ready to dominate the race. The terrain is ridiculously brutal with crazy elevation gains/losses, and the brush, briars, and thorns are insane. Domination? Probably not, but we’re ready to have more fun than anyone else. And that’s what it’s all about.
