Welcome to the Terra Firma Adventure Race to be held on Sept. 20th, 2008 at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX at 7:00 am.  We head into this race with heavy hearts after the loss of our good friend and past teammate, Dr. Dave Boyd, on September 3rd while climbing another 14er in Colorado.  Our condolences go out to all of Dave's friends and family, some of who will be attending his memorial on Saturday while others will come to race.  We struggled with rescheduling this event but know that Dave would want the race to go on.  He left this world doing what he loved and we can only memorialize him by doing the same.  Saturday's race will be a memorial to Dave and we will use the proceeds to continue his legacy of helping out racers in need.

Below is the updated info in red regarding this race. Also, we have disclosed the boat drop where the Extreme racers will need to take their boats, paddles and life jackets before the race.

REQUIRED GEAR LIST: (Basic & Extreme) Mountain Bikes & Biking Helmets for each rider (CPSC Certified Bike Helmet), Method of carrying at least 50 oz. (recommend 64-100 oz. for Extreme teams) of water per person (recommend camelbaks), Food & water.

EXTREME ONLY: - additional required gear: 1 whistle, 2 Compasses, 1 working cell phone per team, UTM Ruler (1:24,000 scale & 1:50,000 scale), 1 Space Blanket, 10 feet Duct Tape. You must bring and use your own boats, paddles and life jackets (Type III Non-Inflatable Coast Guard - Approved) for this event. Additionally, please be prepared with a bike light for the front, and a blinking red light for the rear of your bike.  These are recommended for all extreme racers, but mandatory to those leaving transition after a certain time (TBA). Extreme racers should each bring a bungee, or some method of attaching bike shoes and helmets to bike for transport during the race.  You will be required to attach your shoes and helmet to your bikes at some point in the race, and our staff will transport them to another location.  If you do not attach them and they become separated, they will end up in a pile of "separated items" and you will have to find them at the bike drop (which will give your team an extra mystery event to solve).

Here are the segments of the race in no particular order:

Terra Firma: This is a 2-3 hour course for 2-person teams that will challenge you with mountain biking on single-track trails (9-13 Miles), trail running (3-5 miles), and a mystery event. Course will be marked so teams do not need navigation skills. There is no paddling in the 2-person race.

Terra Firma Extreme: This is an 8-12 hour course for 3-person teams that will challenge teams with mountain biking on single-track trails and roads (30-40 miles), canoeing or kayaking (10-13 miles), trail/road running/land navigation section (16-20 miles total, but broken up between events so you won't be on your feet all at one time). There will be a special test in the extreme race; though you will not need any extra gear (it will be provided).

The race is officially over at 8:00 pm.  Our EMTs will only be available until 8pm. If you want an official finish time, you must be back by 8pm.  You are allowed to skip checkpoints and still be an official finisher (if you can't get them all by 8pm), but you will be scored behind teams with a higher number of checkpoints. If you choose to continue racing unofficially after 8pm, it will be at your own risk and without the support of professional medical services, and you will not receive credit for those checkpoints, or an official time for those points achieved after 8pm.  

*OBEY ALL TRAFFIC RULES.  THIS IS NOT A CLOSED COURSE! LAST YEAR, SOMEONE GOT A TRAFFIC TICKET ON THEIR BIKE BECAUSE THEY RAN A STOP SIGN.  DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!*

It is still easy to become dehydrated even though the hottest part of the summer is over.  Drink early, even when you aren't thirsty, eat early, and remember, once you dehydrate and start cramping, it is impossible to recover during the day.  Stay ahead of the game and HYDRATE the two days leading up to the race and again DURING the early part of the race when you don't think you need it.  You might find a nice spot or two along the way, if you are lucky, that contain some rehydration for you.  If so, please partake.  However, plan to be self-sufficient.  In the Extreme race, you will only travel through transition twice, and you will be away from the ranch for a long period of time.  Plan accordingly.

There will be a spaghetti dinner Friday night for everyone.  The cost is $5 per person.  Please let us know if you are coming so we can get a head count for the cook.

Boat Drop Friday Night (opens at 5:00 pm Friday): For those Extreme racers bringing their own boats, you need to drop them at the Boat Drop area in Tahitian Village located in Bastrop, TX, about 30 miles east of Austin. The entrance to Tahitian Village is at the intersection of Highway 71 and Loop 150. Go south on Tahitian Village Dr for 2.2 miles and just before you hit the Colorado River the road will bend to the right (West).  This is Riverside Dr. Go 1.9 miles through the golf course, the road turns to gravel, and then you will reach the Lost Pines parking lot on your left.  The lot has LCRA cable around it and is dirt & gravel.  There will be someone with Terra Firma there to receive your boats and will stay with them over night until you arrive at your boats on race day.   Please leave boats, paddles and life jackets at this location. Here is a Google map link: Kayak Put In

Boat Pickup Saturday: (location disclosed during race).  We will have someone there with the boats until 1 hour after the race is over.  Please pick them up ASAP so our worker can go home.  Please close any gates you go through so the cattle do not get out.

Race check in & starting time (Teams can check in at the race site): 

Friday, September 19th, 2008 between 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Saturday, Sept. 20th, from 5:30 am - 6:30 am.

Pre race meeting is at 6:30 am & race start time is 7:00 am sharp.

Directions & Lodging:

Call R.B. at Rocky Hill Ranch 512-718-8822
Call for Camping Info ($5 per night) or visit the website: www.rockyhillranch.net

From Austin: Highway 71 East through Bastrop and take the 1st Smithville exit (approximately 11 miles from Bastrop) Turn left on FM 153 east. go 2.3 miles and you will see the old bike on the gate entrance to the left. From Houston: I-10 west to Columbus, 71 west to LaGrange, stay on 71 west to Smithville, Right on FM 153 past Beuscher State Park about 2.3 miles - Rocky Hill Ranch is on the left, there is an old bike hanging on the gate.

Neighboring towns for Lodging: Bastrop, Smithville, and LaGrange
Other Lodging: Bastrop State Park and Beuscher State Park

Looking forward to some great racing from you all!

Scott & Kathy Hudson
Terra Firma Promo