Who can
participate in the Greenway Challenge?
Anyone over 16 years of
age can participate in the event. We encourage teams
to compete and for team members to depend on each
other to have a successful day. If a member of your
team has a special circumstance or need, please let
us know and we will try to accommodate that to make
their experience as enjoyable as possible.
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Dave Cone, from "Team #34 Dover" in the 2008 Challenge,
riding the Goat Hill Mountain Bike Trail. Team Dover
placed 2nd in the Corporate Cup division with a
finishing time of 4:56:55
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The Question Is....Is there a Mountain Bike Leg in this
Year's Course?
As many of you are beginning to plan your team for the
2009 UniBank Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge, the
most asked question has been, “Is there a Mountain Bike Leg in
this year’s course?”
As you have seen in the pre-course information, this year’s
course does include two bike legs. The Greenway Challenge
Steering and Logistic Committees work very hard each year to
design a new course, featuring different transition sites and
roadways, focusing on introducing new historic sites and
different recreational opportunities along with working with our
many sponsors and town municipalities.
The 2008 course was the year we introduced mountain
biking to the Greenway Challenge. This challenging ride over
Goat Hill in Uxbridge, MA., was designed by Team Bums, from
Central, MA.
There are many other challenging hills and trails found in the
Blackstone Valley; the Towns and State Parks in Cumberland,
Lincoln, Douglas, Sutton and Upton, just to name a few. |
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These could be future potential opportunities for a leg in the
Challenge and we look forward to the possibility of working with
our partners in using them. However, this year’s course did not
offer all the requirements needed to establish a true mountain
bike leg.
Now, back to the question: “Is there a mountain bike leg in the
Greenway Challenge course for 2009?” The answer is no. The
first cycling leg will feature a combination of “on street” and
“off-road” trail riding. The first 2.5 miles is “on street”,
then switching to an “off-road” trail which is flat, sandy, and
full of gravel for approximately 6 miles. Then back to “on
street” for 1.4 miles to the next transition site. All of this
must be completed on the same bicycle. Swapping of
bike/equipment from "on street" to "off-road" or back to “on
street” will not be allowed. The second leg of cycling is all
“on street.”
We hope this helps in planning your strategy for the 2009
Greenway Challenge and we thank you so much for being a part of
our Adventure Race. We do look forward to planning a mountain
bike leg in a future Challenge course. So, we now ask you the
question………. “Are you ready to take the Challenge?”
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Why can't
I get course maps earlier?
We schedule two back-to-back Captains Meetings to
distribute course maps, answer questions and to
allow transition site captains to explain any
logistic problems to you. We realize that some of
you come from a distance to participate and we are
glad that you do, but considering the time and
detail that goes into planning the course -- and how
fast conditions can change including last minute DPW
or highway construction projects -- releasing the
maps to everyone at the same time is only fair and
helps us be as precise as we can be with course
safety.
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Why is this
called an adventure race?
Organizers design the course to include as many
aspects of the Blackstone Valley s natural
landscapes, historic features and its signature
Blackstone River and Blackstone River Bikeway. The
route changes every year so no one has an advantage
in knowledge of the terrain. There have always been
cycling, paddling and running segments, but as
recreational opportunities expand in the Blackstone
Valley organizers might add some different options.
So, since no one knows what to expect from
year-to-year, it is truly an adventure!
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Why aren't
maps provided to transition sites for support
vehicle drivers?
Well, this is a challenge but in reality, there are
many ways to get to most of the transition sites for
any route developed. After all, this valley has been
settled for centuries! We schedule two Captains
Meetings to answer questions and to allow transition
site captains to explain any logistic problems to
you. After that, we urge you to get out to
familiarize your team with the route and that
includes your support vehicle drivers. They are a
member of your team and as many can attest, often of
invaluable importance! There are lots of printed
maps available and doing some advance mapping on
line could save your team minutes in the long run.
And, even the event planners might not be aware of
the quickest route to a site.
Can you
provide more water and snacks at the Transition
Sites?
We do not provide refreshments at
transitions sites. Water and snacks found at the
transition sites are for transition site volunteers.
We provide each participant with a goodie bag that
can be collected the night before the event at our
pre-race registration gathering. After that, all
teams should be prepared to be self sufficient from
the start to the end of the course. We do provide
strategically placed port-a-johns for all to use. We
urge all support vehicles to carry sufficient water
and refreshments for each team member.
Why isn't beer
available at the Finish Line Celebration?
There are several reasons why alcohol is
not allowed. First, this is a family event and we
encourage children to join in the fun. Second, we
often use sites that are dry and prohibit alcohol
from all events (that includes what you might want
to bring yourself). Third, we want to continue to
make this an event that allows as many to enjoy
themselves as possible. We work to keep costs down
and that includes costs for insurance and police
details that would be required if alcohol was
served. |
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