| One of the hottest new extreme sports is | | | | is similar to paddling in that it's many |
| called adventure racing. Far from being a | | | | competitors' weakest skill. |
| sport with one set of rules, it features a | | | | |
| variety of competitions like an Extreme | | | | The next is Hiking or Scrambling which is |
| version of the Olympics. The name tells you | | | | held on any and every terrain and in any kind |
| all you need to know about the makeup of the | | | | of weather. These competitions often start |
| sport: it's all about competing and winning. | | | | with a run from an easy starting point to and |
| Whoever crosses the finish line first wins. | | | | through tricky terrain which requires hiking |
| Be forewarned! The combination of a highly | | | | and scrambling. FYI: scrambling is climbing |
| competitive sport matched with the extreme | | | | difficult terrain without ropes and using |
| sports makes for an adrenaline rushing | | | | only your hands for balance. You can't grab |
| experience. | | | | things to pull yourself up. We've all paddled |
| | | | a canoe, rowboat, or kayak, but it's usually |
| As a touch of information to those of you who | | | | across a pool, a gentle lake or a calm bay. |
| are new to the thought of extreme sports: | | | | Adventure racers paddle in all water and |
| competing in an extreme sport isn't about | | | | weather conditions. Being good at paddling in |
| having a some kind of death wish or enjoying | | | | all conditions is a huge advantage in |
| getting hurt, or even a desire to take crazy | | | | adventure racing because for many adventure |
| and outlandish chances. Extreme sports | | | | racers it's their weakest event. |
| competition is all about challenging yourself | | | | |
| to beat the odds, no matter what. It's about | | | | Many races will include a climbing or |
| achieving a level of focus and determination, | | | | rappelling element. This is an important |
| which results in accomplishments you had | | | | event to practice so you can stay safe and be |
| previously doubted yourself capable of. | | | | fast. You need to buy lightweight climbing |
| Several sports "officially" qualify as | | | | gear and only bring what is absolutely |
| adventure racing. We'll take a look at some | | | | necessary so you don't weigh yourself down |
| of them. | | | | needlessly. |
| | | | |
| Many of these races can be quite long and | | | | Most people think that for a mountain bike |
| involve training as rigorous as marathon or | | | | race you should get rid of the extra weight |
| triathlon training and in fact many of the | | | | like the headlight. This is a bad idea in the |
| athletes cross-train in other sports. | | | | world of adventure racing because there's a |
| Adventure races often have an element where | | | | good chance you'll be racing at night. A good |
| navigation is a stand-alone event, but even | | | | idea is to employ a powerful lightweight |
| where it's not it's still an important | | | | headlamp with high and low settings. Tip: |
| component in every event. Navigation is all | | | | everyone on your team should have the same |
| about your ability to read a topographical | | | | bike so you can swap parts when necessary, |
| map, use a compass, and find a target | | | | which can be often. |
| location before your competitors. Again, this | | | | |