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The BEAR Updates Page
updated: 1/16/13 |
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Get ready... |
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The BEAR is coming
on 10/13/2013 |
| Leading up to the weekend of The BEAR Adventure Race,
general updates will periodically be posted on this page. In addition,
answers to racers' questions that should be seen by all, will
be posted here for all participants to view. If you have questions,
please see The BEAR Questions page. |
Weather Watch: Forecast is for
mild temperatures and a low possibility of
scattered showers... a typical, safe prediction in NE Florida |
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Results and some photos
for The BEAR are online now -- click here.
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 | The BEAR AR is taking place on
Sunday, October 13, 2013 -- over
Columbus Day
weekend. |
| Teams may enter the Main Transition/Start area beginning at
6:30am on race day -- do not try to enter prior to 6:30am. |
| Results, descriptions, and photos for The BEAR are online --
click
here for past BEAR Results page. |
| Our location for
The BEAR is Bayard Conservation Area, located about 12-15
miles south of Jacksonville, FL and close to Green Cove Springs, FL. For directions to this new race site,
please see our BEAR Directions page.
For a Bayard location
link to a Mapquest map, CLICK HERE |
| Print out a copy of The
BEAR Pre-Race Instructions -- click here for these instructions. |
| Each Team member will need to
have completed and bring along a waiver form. To conserve time at Check-in, please be
sure to bring the completed Waivers for each member of your Team.
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| Teams may
register online until
the Thursday night before the race -- and
you can register by mail by sending in a printout
of our entry form if it reaches us at least
four days
before race day. Your Team can also register in person
at the Team Check-in before The BEAR, beginning about 6:30am on Race
Day, though you must email us
(and attach the completed entry form)
not later than four days prior to race day, to let us know that you intend to register at the
Check-in, so that we can have logistics prepared to include your Team.
Prior to Check-in, print out and complete the entry
form and
a waiver form to bring to Check-in with you. If you have questions about registering, contact Jakson by email
or call (904) 373-8411 to get the details and let us know
you want to race. |
| There are openings for Teams, so that
we do not need to limit entries. You may register by
mail, online
(see above), or in person at the Check-In on the morning of Race Day. If your team
plans to register in person on the morning of the race, PLEASE
email the Race Director or call Jakson at (904) 373-8411 with full info about your team, to allow us to plan the logistics to
include your team, too. There is a late fee for teams waiting
until the day before the Race to register. |
| For maps of Bayard CA on our site, click
here and print out copies for your Team. |
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| Team Check-in will be held from 6:45am until 20
minutes prior to the start on the morning of the race - at the Race Site. Be sure to bring
completed waivers. Plan to start
THE BEAR & THE CUB at
7:30am. There is NO registration, check-in, or team
meeting on Saturday afternoon or evening this year. |
| Mandatory Meeting -- will start 15 minutes prior
to the start on Race Day, at the race site. All Team
members are required to attend the Mandatory Meeting to receive a safety briefing
and race Start instructions. |
| Parking spaces may be limited so it is a good idea to encourage car
pooling within your team. When you drive into the race site area,
drive to the left and find a spot near the tree line to park your
vehicle. After parking, bring your boat(s) to the Main Transition (MT)
area, then place your bikes and other gear inside the designated MT. |
| The BEAR
allows 4-person, 3-person, and 2-person Teams to compete in the full BEAR
event. In The BEAR (10-hour) race, 3-person and 4-person teams compete
in the same division. In the shorter event, The BEAR CUB Sprint,
only
2-person Teams and solo athletes will be allowed. |
| LOST A TEAMMATE OR LOOKING
FOR ONE? Someone may be looking, too, so check out the
listings on our BEAR Teammates page --
click here. |
| Waterproof document cases or pouches
are MANDATORY at all times -- at least one per
Team for maps,
instructions, Check-in Records or Markers -- Important:
Hefty bags and Zip-Loc bags have proven insufficient. These
may present leaks and allow water to get to your maps or instructions,
in some cases, dissolving them. Be sure to have a secure waterproof map case and
keep your instructions and maps dry. There will only be one of each
set of instructions per Team, so don't lose yours... |
| Carabiners and the 6' - 10' Rope - These can
be of your choice, but should be safely able to support the weight of
your heaviest teammate, if suspended by them in the air. This is for
your safety, so don't skimp. |
| Sails -- the use of a sail is not permitted
during the Paddle Stages. It is intended that all movement is
human-powered during The BEAR. |
| The Team Swim -- it is not (and never has
been) an actual swim. Don't think of it as you would the swim in a
triathlon -- it is not at all like that. In the past, it has often
been like a "deep wade." Teammates must stay close together.
While you and your Team will get wet, Teams should be safely together
and carry or wear at least one life jacket per team (more are
allowed). In this stage, many teams seldom have their feet off the
bottom, except when jumping larger waves. |
| In this year, required Paddle Stages in The BEAR could be held on
the St Johns River, in or around Bayard Conservation Area. Teams should be
prepared to navigate on any waters. If open water conditions are
much too dangerous, we have other options and have planned for alternate
stages. |
| Canoes or Kayaks -- Teams may use either canoes or kayaks --
or both -- or any combination of the canoes and kayaks. Racers are allowed to
bring more than one kind of "boat" for The BEAR and BEAR CUB
Sprint. (There will be
room for them at the Main Transition
area.) Yes, a multi-person team is
allowed to use one (or two or more) canoe or kayak -- or a Team could have a
separate type of boat for each team member. Canoes or any types of kayaks will be
allowed. Your choice should be appropriate for your Team and its
skill level, as well as safe and proper for the likely conditions.
Keep in mind that the St Johns River has some tidal current and can
have whitecaps and steep waves if the wind is strong. |
| Kayak Portage - Be sure to consider the likelihood of a portage during the
Paddle Stage. According to the BEAR Rules, Teams are allowed to use a wheeled kayak/canoe
carrier, though all wheeled equipment must be taken with the Kayak or Canoe at
all times and cannot be picked up or left along the course.
This means transporting the wheeled gear while paddling. Teams
will be disqualified for dragging kayaks/canoes on the ground. Bayard
CA is situated along the St Johns River.. Keep this geography in mind when planning for the
Paddle stages. Paddle stages may include travel to and along any of these
areas. You may still be able to rent a great kayak carrier from
our kayak rental outfitters -- contact them for availability and details. If you
wish to own one, we have found some inexpensive boat carriers: One at www.LLBean.com
(item # RT47937 for $59)and one at www.rei.com
(item # 492-180, for about $60), which are good prices and will be
money well-spent. You can also reach L.L. Bean by phone at
(800)221-4221, and R.E.I. at (800)426-4840. An excellent carrier is
also available from Carolina Caddy for about $80, at www.carolinaCaddy.com
. Campmor
also has a good kayak/canoe cart -- click
here to see it. |
| Still looking for kayaks? We suggest
that you contact Nautical Escapes, Kayak Amelia,
and Up the Creek
Xpeditions & Outfitters in St. Marys, GA -- outfitters that
can provide kayaks and gear for the race. They still have a selection
of sea kayaks and sea kayak tandems, many of which are very suitable
for racing. Check our Kayak Rental page
for more details. Contact phone for Kayak Amelia is (904) 251-0016;
for Up the Creek, the contact info is: (912) 882-0911-- info@upthecreektrips.com
-- www.upthecreektrips.com.
If you need other boat rental options, you may want to try a Google
search for "kayaks Jacksonville, FL" |
| Accommodations -- Please see the BEAR
Lodging page for some suggestions. |
| Mandatory Equipment -- The BEAR Essentials page lists all
gear that is mandatory and is specific about which items must be with
the Team at all times. It also list items that are required for each
Teammate. For example, if the list states: " Spare bike inner tube -- MANDATORY at all times - one per Team member"
that means that each member of the Team is required to have a spare
bike inner tube on his/her person at all times. If the list states:
"Bike repair kit -- MANDATORY at all times - at least one per
Team," then that means that a Team must have at least one bike
repair kit with the Team at all times. (I realize this seemed clear to
some Teams, but others have been asking about it.) |
| Bike Helmets -- In the interest of overall Team safety, The
BEAR Essentials list has been updated to include bike helmets as an
item that must be carried (or worn) by racers at all times. See
changes to the BEAR Essentials at http://www.PerformanceMultiSports.com/BEARessentials.htm
and while you are at it, be sure to familiarize your Team with The
BEAR Rules. |
| Time Limits and Cut-off Times -- starting in
2007, there has been a 10-hour deadline for
finishing The BEAR. This is due to rules for use of the property. There will also be an intermediate cut-off, in which Teams must reach a pre-determined Check Point to
officially continue racing in The BEAR. There is a 5-hour
deadline for finishing The BEAR Cub Sprint Adventure Race. |
| Hydration -- There will be several
opportunities along the
race course, where Teams will be able to get some water or
sports/energy drinks at the Main Transition. However, Teams should plan to carry enough fluids
(and foods) to be self-sufficient for 4-6 hours at a time if not
returning to the Main Transition. Take advantage of any opportunity to
"fill up" your bottles or fluid bladders when passing
through the Main Transition -- fluid replacement opportunities will be
extremely limited (if available at all) at other locations on the race course. |
| Bug Repellant -- we have encountered parts of the
course for The BEAR that sometimes have serious bug populations
-- and they seem to like human companionship. We suggest that you
carry your favorite bug repellant with you. |
| Sun Block -- we recommend that each Teammate carry plenty of
sun block and lip balm. Watch out for each other and re-apply
sun block often in our Florida sunshine. |
| You will want to include lights as part of your optional gear
for the race, since The BEAR starts early. If you are in the Jacksonville, FL area, you can find
good lights at Army-Navy Outdoors. Both R.E.I. and L.L. Bean have good
selections online. Bike shops are also a good option for lights for
your bikes. |
| Racing Categories and Awards -- There will be 4-person and
2-person Teams racing in The BEAR, so the awards categories are:
4-Person Coed; 4-Person Male; 4-Person Female; 2-Person Coed; 2-Person
Male; and 2-Person Female. There will also be medal awards in the new
5-hour version of The BEAR CUB Sprint. (The Military/Public Safety discounts do
not designate additional racing categories, though The BEAR wanted to
provide special incentive for military, fire, rescue, police, sheriff,
lifeguard, and similar public safety personnel. Teams who entered with
the Military/Public Safety discount get to race in the above
categories.) |
| The Race Course -- Though there will be a Main Transition
(MT) area and Teams will return to it and have access to it from time
to time, it is best if Teams think of this as a wilderness race in
which you move from point-to-point without encountering your gear,
except as the Race Instructions permit. Teams can and will be
directed away from the MT for hours at a time, so it is important to
plan fluids and fuel accordingly. |
| Free Advice -- Be sure to pace yourselves and plan on
carrying plenty of fluids. Your Team will also want to replace energy,
as well as electrolytes, so bring sports gels and electrolyte
replacements such as Hammer Gel and Endurolyte, found at www.e-caps.com
and good sports stores. Read over the BEAR Essentials; think about
what is required in any race instructions you receive on the course. This
race is about managing your resources (not just going fast at the
beginning). The BEAR is a fairly long race -- the cut-off is 10
hours and the race can be hot and long; make sure you and your
Teammates are ready to be racing for a full day. Don't forget that the
Mystery Events are meant to break up some of the "usual"
disciplines, so enjoy them. Be good to your teammates and your Team
will be good to you. That nervousness you may be feeling is just
excess energy you have not yet turned toward a positive purpose. Plan
to have a good time and don't forget: that is why you are racing in
The BEAR. |
| Cancellation Policy: Much of the cost of providing an
adventure race is spent long before you arrive at the race site. In
fact, most of our costs need to be paid in advance and are not
recoverable. Typically, we go forward with an adventure race
"rain or shine." If severe weather conditions or other
issues out of our control (such as hurricane or the closing of the
race site by order of the local government), we will postpone and
reschedule the race. The race organizers are not responsible for such
changes in schedule, and will credit any paid entries toward the
rescheduled race date. There are no refunds or partial refunds for
changes made within a week of the event by individuals or members of a
Team, that are not caused by the race organizers. If a written cancellation of registration is
received by race management more than 21 days in advance of the event
date, full credit will be available. If participant's cancellation
notice is received 21 days or less (before the race), a 50% credit will be
applied; if notice is 10 days or less, a 25% credit; less than 120 hours notice, or
no notice ("no shows") will receive no credit. Any such
credit is good for 180 days from the date of the scheduled event
toward entry/registration in another similar Performance Multisports
event. Refunds are not available. |
| Weather predictions -- Since predictions for weather are still
imperfect and are often uncertain, we will be going ahead with plans
for The BEAR, unless (or until) we find that a hurricane is
definitely going to hit this area. In the event of a hurricane, any
change or postponement in the race will be posted on this BEAR Updates
page. Meanwhile, we must think positively and continue with our
preparations for your race on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Stay
positive and be ready to
race. After all, The BEAR is an adventure race.
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| In case of emergency or if you cannot find the race
location: call Race Director, Jakson Badenhoop, at (904) 373-8411 |
We're looking forward to seeing you and your Team for the Team Check-in and Pre-Race Briefing -- and for
The BEAR Adventure Race!
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The BEAR Results and photos from last year are online --
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There will be new updates posted here from
time to time. To get the most recent information and changes, |
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be sure to
return to this page periodically in the days leading up to The BEAR
Adventure Race. |
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Quantities limited -- Reserve your Team's Hats --
order them now!
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The BEAR logo embroidered on the front of each hat!
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Official BEAR Gearhead Hat --
Thanks to a special arrangement with LAVA GEAR Adventure Clothing
The BEAR Gearhead
hat -- high-tech, fast-drying from Lava Gear with The BEAR
logo -- available for our racers to purchase for use in the The BEAR
Adventure Race or as souvenirs of the experience and accomplishment.
The BEAR Gearhead Hat has a reflective band for your nighttime adventures,
adjustable back strap with center-release buckle, mesh side panes for
ventilation. It is made of tan super-tough 4-ply taslan nylon and
"bomb-proof" poly mesh. |
| The BEAR Gearhead Hats will
be available at the Team Check-in and Team Meeting the day before the race
and at the Race Admin area and at the Awards party after Teams finish.
Cost for this great hat is only $25. We will be happy to ship yours
to you -- just add $4.50 for the first hat and $3.00 for each additional
hat. You can order by mail just by sending your check and the address for
shipping your hats. Reserve some for yourself, your team, and your
supporters by writing to us
-- click here and let us know.
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