[Karin]

Middle TN Navigation Challenge
AEDC Tullahoma (Saturday July 11)
Starts at 8am

Still working on the details, but here are some highlights:

1. Will include map and compass orienteering on foot, on bike and on the water (lake paddling)
2. The course will open at 8am and will close at 6pm
3. There will be a central TA (transition area) that you can come back to as often as you like throughout the day (to rest, resupply, ask questions etc)
4. For the local ARers out there, the land sections of the course will include much more than the mountain bike trails
5. There will be a small fee for the printing of maps (around $5)
6. Open only to TrailBlazer members (but non-members can purchase a membership the day of, for $25)
7. You can do this event alone if you like, but it will be MUCH more fun to do it with at least one other person. If you don't have a team-mate to do this event with (or if you can't sucker a friend or family member into tagging alone for the day) let me know and I'll hook you up with someone

More details will be available by the next newsletter, including gear list, directions, etc.

This event (because of the amount of preparation and planning involved, as well as the need to print up enough maps) requires registration. That just means please contact me to let me know that you will be attending.

Post up here or email to:
kjacobi at tullahoma-tn dot com

[Karin]

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/AEDCTrailMapinetsmalljpg.jpg

Above is a map of the single track section of the area, so you get some sense of what the area looks like.

I've been scouting over the last couple of days off the beaten path a bit - and there are a TON of trails that are not on the map. These include double track trails, Fire Service roads, jeep trails, rutted out horse trails, and logging roads. Single track is well maintained and in great shape. Many other are in pretty good shape, and still others are pretty overgrown (but we'll make use of them anyway ).

You'll need to pick your attack points well. At least one on your team should have a bike computer, and everyone will need to follow compass bearing to stay on point.

About 2/3 of the flags will be on ground, with the remainder to be picked up on the water (20 in all). Woods Reservoir is non-moving (lake) with a good number of inlets. You'll all especially enjoy Bird Island. No explanation here (you'll have to check it out for yourself) - I'm just sayin'.

You will see deer, squirrel, ground hogs, possibly a skunk in your travels in the woods.

If you have a boat please bring it. I have access to two kayaks and two canoes (with enough paddles, pfd's for same). Checkpoints can be picked up in any order (either on land or on the lake), and provided boats will be first come first served. If there's enough interest expressed (ie. numbers of folks attending), I'll see if I can scrounge another boat or two.

It will be a bike and paddle O (no specified trek section). But there will be places where you may want to drop your bike for short periods to go pick up a CP. Decided against a foot section because of the number of CP's that will be up, the large number of unmarked trails will make for a challenge, and it's a fair number of miles you'll be covering - that and I hope that everyone gets a chance to head out onto the water.

Please see my post above re: letting me know your intentions to be there. I would like to know how many folks are planning on doing this, by the first week in July. It's a great new training area, and hopefully many of you can spend the day playing out in the woods (and you can still be home before bedtime!)

More later.

Post up if you have questions.

[susanna@oarevents.com]

Hey Karin!

Your nav challenge looks like fun!

I've got some folks looking for Nav clinics in the Nashville area before the ODAR July 25. Any chance you'll have one before then? I'm going to encourage them to hook in w/your TB chapter either way and maybe register for your nav challenge for the practice too.

Thanks!
Susanna

[Karin]

[susanna@oarevents.com]

Thanks so much Karin! It'll hopefully be Laura & her teammate. I've given her the links and will f/u w/her w/your beta. May the TN AR Family grow!!

All the best,
Susanna

[Karin]

Well, starting to hear from folks who plan on coming out for this - good deal. There's people from both Knoxville and Atlanta confirmed, and folks from Nashville indicating some interest in coming, so it looks like this thing is a-go.

1. Directions to AEDC:
I-24 from either Nashville or Chattanooga
Arnold Engineering/UTSI exit (Exit 117). Go South towards Tullahoma.
Go approx 8 miles, past Base Gate 2. Turn L onto UTSI road.
Go about 2 miles. Turn L at 4-way Stop. (Northshore)
1/2 mile or so to Gossick Leadership Center and the beach on R
We'll be setting up at the large picnic shelter by the beach (visible from the road)

2. Map of the Area (for those who are interested in staying overnight):
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Tullahoma&state=TN
If you do a search of hotels and campgrounds for Manchester, Winchester or Tullahoma you'll find plenty of places to stay. Sorry - I'm local, so can't really recommend a place.

None of them are far from the base (within about 15 minutes). Manchester you would get back on I-24 and follow the directions above. If you decide to stay in Tullahoma or Winchester let me know and I can provide directions (you don't have to get back on the interstate).

3. Gear List

Clothing appropriate for a full training day on bike and on the water
Bike, helmet, couple of extra tubes, pump or CO2, bike repair kit
Pack and something to hold water (bladder/bottles)
Compass
1 map case/team
Food for a full day of training
Sun screen and bug repellent
Canoe or kayak if you have it (plus pfd's and paddles) - please see post above re: what I have access to and will bring
Basic first aid kit
Waterproofed cell phone
Please check back for additions

4. More Stuff

a) There is running water in the changerooms at the beach, and showers to clean up at the end of the day

b) Get all or some of the CP's (stay as long as you like - it's YOUR training day)

c) There's a lot of poison ivy, sumac, oak out there - and a lot of ticks

d) The nearest gas station/convenience store is about 4-5 miles away from where we'll be

e) There will be someone at the beach area all day to watch your gear

f) Driving time is about 90 minutes from Nashville and a little less from Chattanooga

Post up if anyone has questions. Please check back here regularly between now and the 11th. Come on down to middle TN you guys, and check out the area.

[Karin]

I'm really torn at this point as to whether or not I should continue pushing this event. I have three teams confirmed, and a couple of "maybes".

It's a busy time of year and I'll be away for a few days over the long weekend. Still have a bunch of stuff to do if this thing actually "goes" - willing to do that if there is enough interest.

If not, I'm considering packing it in. Please contact me via my home email if you plan on attending:
aracer1960 at yahoo dot com

I will have access to email until lunch time tomorrow and probably none until I get back Monday night.

Or you can call me: (931) 581-zero six five four.

I'll post up on Monday.

Karin

[cathi]

karen -
i'm posting around a few places i'm advertising the Strong race in hopes you gather a few more teams. the waterfront triathlon is on the same weekend, so that may be a reason some folks from here aren't doing it. (that event draws both roadies and dirt lovers...)

[tuffGuy]

if you are interested in leaving early Sat am, please call me to share ride etc. I can be reached at six seven eight, three six one, six three two six. I live in Roswell, GA.
Thx
Naqi

[Karin]

So far I've got the following signed up:

Vlado and Rob (Knoxville)
David K (Nashville)
Naqi (Atlanta)
Paul and Sylvia (Atlanta)
Robert (Chatt)

Thanks to you guys for your support of this event. Anyone else wants to sign up please let me know asap (so I can make sure you get a map).

Stay all day or part of the day (as your schedule fits).

I'll be setting up at the picnic area around 6:30am (Central Time), short meeting at 7:45am and event starts at 8.

Points will already be plotted on the map - just need to go find them.

Please check this board throughout the week as I ramble on with last minute thoughts. Looking forward to seeing you guys Saturday.

[Karin]

[Karin]

Weather forecast looks pretty good for Saturday:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Tullahoma&state=TN&site=OHX&textField1=35.3735&textField2=-86.2095

If you have not signed up for this training yet, but still want to attend, please contact me (email addresses above, post up here or PM me). Drop dead day to sign up is Thursday.

This course includes points on a combination of single track, horse trails, power line trails, no trails (bushwacking), lakes and a creek.

There are multiple bail out points on the course that will bring you back to paved roads and the start (relatively) quickly.

You may want to bring a bike lock with you, as there will be times you may want to drop your bike to pick up a point.

The trails are quiet (there's a very good chance that you will not run into anyone else with the exception of our own people the entire day on the bike). But there may be a few riders out. So if you don't feel comfortable just dropping your bike or hiding it in the woods, please bring a lock.

Points on the water will be another matter. Woods Resevoir is not highly used, but there's a good chance you'll run across a few power boats on the lake. The beach where we're starting will probably have a few people, but someone will be at the start all day to watch everyone's gear.

[fire08]

Karin, I hope you have enough people show up to make all your work worthwhile... unfortunately my work schedule keeps me from the nav training and a huge fever blister kept me from the duathlon.
Thanks for all your time and effort.

[Karin]

[Karin]

Points are up folks, and I think it'll be a good challenge and fun day.

You'll be using your compass a LOT (many trails aren't mapped, and you'll be doing some bushwacking). I've got enough maps for everyone who's attending (that's everyONE, not every team) - so everyone on the team can refer to the map at all times. Everyone should bring a map case if they have one (I have two and will bring them to loan out).

Call if you run into problems finding the place (931-zero six five four).

Bringing 2 canoes and 2 kayaks - got 6 pdf's, 3 kayak paddles and 2 canoe paddles. Please bring a paddle/pfd with you if you have one.

See everyone tomorrow.

Karin