Unique opportunity (warning - has AR content)

[Adventure Racer]

Due to the loss of a team member, there is an opportunity to be part of a top level team at the Bristol Rat Race next weekend. This is to race with Team Sleepmonsters, the only team to get on the podium at all 3 Rat Races last year. I'm the only remaining member of last year's team, but we've been strengthened this year with Janine Hensman, the British Middle Distance MTBO champion joining us.

We need somebody who is a strong runner and cyclist. You need to be able to keep going for up to 3 hours running and 6 hours on the bike. No other skills really required, though a good head for heights would be useful, and climbing ability a bonus. Thinking on your feet is also useful (but I assume most orienteers are good at that). Please PM me if interested.

[P2B]

Hope you've found someone

Happy racing and see you there - I'm introducing Bendover to the art of AR this weekend... help

[Lard]

You have just put loads of people off!

No man is fit enough to hang in with Janine for the duration!

Lard
(slightly biased)

[the duncan]

but do they have to race with you too Adventure racer?

poor sods!!

no, get involved people, and remember, you aren't allowed to beat my team!!

[DesignatedDriver]

mr duncan - judging by the runs you have been doing recently - coupled with your mtb triumphs, i think it is more a case of won't be able to beat you, nevermind being allowed to!

Have fun all you Rats

and to anyone who reckons they aren't fit enough to compete - consider volunteering. have helped at both edinburgh rat races and it is an experience not to be missed! definitely worth giving up your weekend to be a part of it.

[Adventure Racer]

You don't have to be that fit to compete at the Rat Race - it all depends who you're racing with and what their ambitions are. In fact I'd encourage people to have a go (there are two more in Edinburgh and Manchester, though I think they're even still taking entries for this weekend).

I didn't see any point in not making it clear what sort of person I'm looking for - it would only lead to frustration otherwise. There are plenty of people here who can run quicker than me though, as I'm certainly not an elite runner myself. Anyway, Janine will have to slow down to let me keep up!

Knowing the way these things usually work we'll probably find somebody really good on Friday afternoon. I'm certainly not panicking yet, but at less than a week to go it's worth exploring all avenues!

Oh, and beating Bruce's team is compulsory.

[redkite]

I have sent you a pm with a couple of ideas

[brooner]

i'll be there as ever for some fun and games, starting to get excited!!!

still need a pirate outfit though...

[the duncan]

problem with big epic runs/rides is that it aint too great for the legs!!

i need a pirate outfit too, what do they wear? anyone got a parrot i can borrow?

who was in your team chris?

someone volunteer, it'll be ace fun, i can assure you!!

can't wait.

chris, we almost had to have some bloke shave their legs, wear lipstick and a skirt to get a team!!

[Adventure Racer]

Thanks for all the messages. We are now sorted - ironically somebody I know (but hadn't thought of, as I assumed he'd got his own team) e-mailed this afternoon to ask whether there were any places going in Rat Race teams. Otherwise I would have taken up the offer I got shortly afterwards and been in the somewhat novel position of racing with not one but two better orienteers than me (thank you for the offer - you know who you are).

So looking forward to seeing you all there

[bendover]

i am going to die on my arse.

[stodge]

see you all at download ...... hurting

[the duncan]

ben, you'll lap it up.

just pretend you are on a giant pub crawl, it feels like that with the number of drunks out and about anyway.

just not looking forward to the drive down!!

whens the Aberdeen Rat Race happening?

[FatBoy]

Good luck to all this weekend - shame I can't make it.

I'm thinking of doing one of the other two Rat Races if anybody needs another team member. Kayaking good, biking solid, climbing/ropework reasonable but not a particularly fast runner at the moment (although can run for hours as long as the pace isn't too hot).

[stodge]

just dont trust his route choice when he can still see his house

(he got misplaced on a trailquest last night on home turf)