Gear Junkie

The multisport melee that is adventure racing cumulates this weekend in the season-ending USARA National Championships (www.usaranationals.com), where 76 teams will race for 30 hours to determine the top team in the USA.

The race, based in Potosi, Missouri, will include mountain biking, paddling, orienteering, and trekking. Co-ed teams of three will navigate to a series of checkpoints using only a map and compass to guide them.

(ABOVE: Racers from Team WEDALI on a collision course during a race earlier this fall.)
On a personal note, I’m rooting for Minnesota’s Team WEDALI (We Eat Dust…And Like It). WEDALI (www.wedali.com) is a team I have raced against many times over the past four years. Great athletes, and good friends. They are sending two squads to this year’s USARA race.

Good luck, WEDALI!

You can monitor the race action here: (www.usaranationals.com)

Mud-wallowing racers from WEDALI make their way toward a checkpoint on a race last summer.