FAQs

What type of shoes, clothing and gear should i wear for a 2-3 hour sprint adventure race?

• Boats: If you rent from the state park for $15, you will be in a 2-person canoe. If you are solo, you need to bring your own boat, paddle & life jacket. The paddle is in the boat of your choice. Yes, you can bring a kayak. You can race in either a kayak or a canoe…but no pedal kayaks allowed (unless you pull the rudder portion up and lock it so that the pedals can’t be used).
• Shoes: Experienced racers who have lots of cycling experience and have bike shoes with cleats will typically switch shoes during the race for each event. Other teams choose to do the entire race in running shoes and regular bike pedals. What you choose on race day is up to you, as you consider a combination of your cycling ability, the terrain and trail conditions, whether the bike leg is split up with running or continuous, and finally how you will function with your teammate.
• Clothing: In the shorter races, no one takes time to change clothes. Most racers will wear a triathlon short with a thin pad. You almost always get wet in the paddling section, so you can still run in them because the pad is thin, yet there is enough protection from the pad for the bike. Plano Cycling & Fitness and Richardson Bike Mart carry them if you live in the Dallas area. That is not to say you can’t race in something else. Some racers compete in running shorts, or gym shorts, or cycling shorts. For 2-3 hours, you can do almost anything….but the tri-shorts will leave you in the best condition after the race. I’ve even seen a superman and batgirl costume at a race. For the upper body, the women typically wear jog bras and a technical fabric shirt that breathes well, or a t-shirt. The guys will also wear either a technical fabric shirt or a t-shirt. If it is cooler temperatures, be prepared with either tights or knee warmers for your legs, full finger cycling gloves, and a long sleeve technical fabric shirt that breaths well for your upper body and that has sleeves that can easily be pushed up if you get hot. Also consider layers when it is cooler temperatures and light jackets for wind or rain. Remember, once you start racing you’ll warm up fast.
• Gear: There are no aid stations available during adventure races. You’ll need to carry any food/hydration with you or leave it in the transition area. Salomon makes a great sprint race back pack that holds a hydration bladder and some gear, plus the ability to tie things to it. It makes for a great bike or hike pack to use regularly. You can find other such gear at Plano Cycle, Richardson Bike Mart, or you local bike shop. You can also contact us if you need more advice on gear.
• How does the race work and what happens to all my gear while I am racing?
  We have a transition area roped off where you will place your belongings. Some teams will bring blankets or a mat to mark their territory (within reason) within the transition area. It is first come, first serve, the morning of the race as to where you pick your transition area within the boundaries of the roped off area. There is a specific entry and exit to the transition area with a lane down the middle. Bikes must be walked through transition at all times. You are welcome to bring a cooler and chairs for your area. Remember, adventure racers are self-sufficient, so you are responsible for having enough fluids and food for the length of the race. You can refill on liquids and foods each time you come through transition area if you keep your cooler there. You might find a bike pump or tool box beneficial if you are mechanically inclined… no outside support is allowed once the race starts. Usually you will go through transition between each leg of the race. We will let you know in advance if you will be out on the course for say two disciplines of the race, so you can carry extra water and specific shoes if needed.

How does this race work with a teammate? Do we each do a leg of the race or do we stay together?

You must always stay with your teammate (within 20 seconds of each other). This is not a relay race. All teammates must complete each leg of the race together and finish together to be official. You can do whatever you can to help the slower person. For example, some racers actually tow the slower runner on the run with a bungee (that is up to each team). You may find this is hard to do when you are running on single track trails and trying to pass other teams, but there are plenty of jeep road sections also where a bungee can be beneficial. With practice, anything is possible!

What type of shoes, clothing and gear should I wear for a duathlon race?

• Shoes: Here is what we see most. The racers that have lots of cycling experience and have bike shoes with cleats will typically switch shoes during the race for each event. Others choose to do the entire race in their running shoes and regular bike pedals. You will obviously have a quicker transition without switching shoes, but probably a slower bike leg if you are doing it in running shoes vs. cycling shoes (provided the bike leg is long enough and fast). What you choose on race day is up to you, as you consider a combination of your cycling ability, the terrain & trail conditions.
• Clothing: In the shorter races, no one takes time to change clothes. Most racers will wear what we call a triathlon short with a thin pad.  Richardson Bike Mart carries them if you live in the Dallas area, and they’re surely happy to mail you a pair. That is not to say you can’t race in something else. Some racers compete in running shorts, or gym shorts, or cycling shorts. For a short race, you can do almost anything…but the tri-shorts will leave you in the best condition after the race. I’ve even seen a superman and batgirl costume at a race. For the upper body, the women typically wear jog bras and a technical fabric shirt that breathes well, or a t-shirt. The guys will also wear either a technical fabric shirt or a t-shirt. If it is cooler temperatures, be prepared with either tights or knee warmers for your legs, full finger cycling gloves, and a long sleeve technical fabric shirt that breaths well for your upper body and that has sleeves that can easily be pushed up if you get hot. Also consider layers when it is cooler temperatures and light jackets for wind or rain. Remember, once you start racing you’ll warm up fast.

Note: You might want check out our Facebook page and look at the albums to get an idea of what the racers are wearing, how the race looks and just what all is going on. We hope you’re enjoying our races and feel free to contact us if you have a question.

How does the race work and what happens to all my gear while i am racing?

We have a transition area roped off that you will place all your belongings in. Some teams will bring blankets, or a mat to mark their territory (within reason) within the transition area. It is first come, first serve, the morning of the race as to where you pick your transition area within the boundaries of the roped off area. There is a specific entry and exit to the transition area with a lane down the middle. Bikes must be walked through transition at all times. You are responsible for having enough fluids and food for the length of the race. No outside support is allowed once the race starts. You will go through transition between each leg of the race.

Where does the exchange take place for relay teams?

The exchange will take place within the transition area between each event.

What type of bike must I use?

All racers must ride a mountain bike or mountain biased hybrid. You must also have a CPSC approved helmet.

• Each team will designate a team captain and co-captain.  Team captains will represent the team in all official correspondence and communications before, during and after the event.  The co-captain can represent the team during the event when the captain is unavailable.  Only team captains and co-captains can file protests.
• The team captain and/or co-captain must attend the pre-race meeting, however, everyone is welcome.
• Once in the Start/Finish or the team’s pit area, racers may change, repair or replace any equipment or bike. In the Start/Finish or the team’s pit area, racers may accept support from anyone.  Also, teams may bring as many support people as they would like, but their support is limited to the Start/Finish area and the team’s own pit area (not on the course).  If you are racing in the single speed category, you may only use single speed equipment throughout the race. Switching to a geared bike will DQ you from this category.
• Support on the course may only be supplied by other registered racers.  Supporting racers must access the course under their own power (i.e. foot travel or on bike) and that access can only be achieved by going in the correct direction of the course.  Shortcutting the course is not allowed (except to cancel your lap).  Supporting racers should stay clear of all competing racers.  Supporting racers may take any equipment or tools with them; they may even swap bikes with their teammates.  Cannibalizing bicycle parts is legal in this event.  Support can be provided by any registered racer on any team to any registered racer on any team.
• Water and food may be supplied to any racer by anyone, anywhere on the course.  However, racers must stay well clear of the course when taking food or water.  Please do not litter.  And please do not throw energy food wrappers on the ground.  Remember:  Leave No Trace.  Thanks
• We ask that only officially registered racers ride on the designated race course during the event.
• Racers must display their race number on the bike handlebars, whenever on-course.  Your number has RFID chip on the back which will be read when you cross the timing mat. Failure to display your number plate will result in no time for a lap, and you will be asked to leave the course if caught without a number. Only registered racers should be on course. Course is closed to non-participants, or team riders not on their current lap.
• Racers can draft but they may only draft registered racers.  Drafting other vehicles or a non-registered rider is grounds for disqualification.
• Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles.  When practical, racers pushing or carrying their bikes should stay on the least ridable portion of the trail when being passed.  Racers pushing or carrying their bikes can overtake a racer riding his bike provided that the riding racer is not interfered with.
• Lapped racers should yield to leaders.  Leaders should be very vocal when preparing to pass any racer.  “PASSING ON YOUR LEFT (Or Right, whichever is applicable)!” should be called out.  It is the responsibility of the challenging racer to overtake safely.  Racers being lapped should yield on the first command as soon as possible.
• When two racers are vying for position, the leading racer does not necessarily have to yield position to the challenging racer.  However, a racer may not bodily interfere, intending to impede another racer’s progress:  this is considered to be highly unsportsmanlike behavior (see rule #13).
• Short-cuttingthe course by any logged-in racer shall result in a disqualification of that racer’s team.
• Foul riding, use of profane or abusive language and other unsportsmanlike behavior will be taken very seriously.  Such behavior by any racer shall subject that racer’s team to a warning or immediate disqualification.  This will be strictly applied when such behavior is directed at course officials, volunteers, or spectators.  The penalty imposed is at the discretion of the race director or co-director, should the race director be unavailable.
• Protestscan only be made by team captains or co-captains.  Protests will be made in writing and delivered to the race director any time during the race or after the end of the race up to the time awards are announced.  Protests should contain any information that supports the protest, including description of the incident, witnesses, names, addressed, phone numbers, and signature of protesting team captain.  A $50 fee shall be submitted, in cash, with the protest.  The race director, after his own discovery, will promptly rule on the protest.  The fee will be forfeited to the race director if the protest is denied or refunded if the protest is upheld.
• The race director may change the rules, and has the final say in any ruling.
  Quiet hours will be imposed from 11PM until 5AM.  During this time we ask that noise be kept to a minimum for those wanting to sleep.
• Lighting requirements:During the night ride, racers must have a primary light source with a minimum rated power of 10 watts.  In addition, each racer must carry a secondary or backup light source in the form of a penlight, flashlight or other lighting system.
  Racers entering the course after 5 PM Saturday must show that both their primary and secondary light sources are in good working order.  After sunset, racers are required to ride with lights burning.  Riding with lights out to save batteries is dangerous and against the rules.
• Canceling a Racer’s Lap.  This is a difficult and costly decision, but if an on course racer is unable to complete their lap for any reason, it may be to the team’s advantage to cancel that racer’s lap.  Any team member can cancel a racer’s lap by notifying the timing official. The new racer inherits the log-in time of the canceled racer’s lap and must start from the relay exchange area after telling the timing offical. (Do Not Take your BIKE near the timing official, please walk up)  Once a cancellation has been made it cannot be rescinded.
  A Racer may only race for one Team.
• The team member finishing a lap must drop his bike at the bike drop zone, then tag his teammate or use the relay exchange bracelet, if provided. Teammate will then start the next lap. The clock continues to run and even though the computer is recording the start and stop of each lap, your time in transition also adds to your overall time. If a racer is not on deck ready to tag his teammate, the clock is still rolling.
  *In other words, the clock is ticking the entire time.  A racer may ride consecutive laps. Solo riders just continue on across the timing lap for each lap ridden.
• Minimum Lap Requirements
  a) Solo – 1 lap
  b) 2 Person – each person must complete at least 1 lap.
  c) 3-4 Person – each person must complete at least 1 lap.
  d) Grande – each person must complete at least 1 lap.
• The Finish
  The race ends at 10am Sunday. Racers must complete the lap they are on by 10am to count. You should be able to estimate how fast you have been riding and choose wisely before attempting the final lap. It would be a bummer to finish at 10:00.01 and not have your lap counted.Each team’s final placing will be determined by the number of laps the team has completed and the sequential order of finish within the team’s last lap. For example, a team that has completed 22 laps with a finish time of 9:31PM would beat a team that completed 22 laps, with a finish time of 9:47PM and, of course, a team that completed 23 laps, with a finish time of 8:30AM, would beat them both.
• You must wear a helmet at all times when on bike whether racing or not.  (Butt on bike, helmet on head!). Riders not following these rules will be Disqualified.
• Earbuds – Solo riders may use an earbud in 1 ear only so you can hear other riders. Team riders should not wear earbuds. Please do not play through the external speaker.

Right to Cancel or Reschedule: Terra Firma Racing LLC reserves the right in the event of any pandemic-related restrictions, inclement weather, emergency, or natural disaster to cancel the race or move to a later time that day or alternate date within the year—if available. In the event of a CANCELLATION with no ability to reschedule, there will be NO REFUND OF ENTRY FEES. Each athlete must accept any such risk for their entry paid.

Contact us with questions.