by Alain Dupuis
The Summer Challenges have been on my radar for the past few years. Last year (2015), I was involved in some early discussions about running Challenge #3 but for various reasons that didn’t pan out. Then a few months ago, Joel Toews put out a call to a few runners to attempt the run. He keenly reminder us, if successful, this would be the first Operation Muerto Summer Challenge to be completed on foot.
With my Germanic roots I come honestly with a love of order when it comes to preparing for challenges such as this. Weeks before an event I’ll adapt a list from a previous run and then use it to make sure I’ll have everything I need, and nothing I don’t. I also really enjoy test-packing, figuring out where gear will go. So two days before Challenge #3, I was test packing, bent over to get some socks out of my drawer and a familiar twinge went through my back. Instant pain and tightness ensued, and all I could think was that there was no way I could participate in this challenge.
If it was just myself, I would have cut the cord, accepted defeat and moved on. However, there were three other gentlemen who had declared with me and I really didn’t want to miss out. Alain Dupuis, the rock, Mr. Consistent. Rheal Poirier, logistics wizard and downhill assassin. And last, but not least Dallas Sigurdur, fount of unbelievable stories, encourager and world-class pacer. The team was set, I had to at least attempt the challenge.
Looks like some runners are going to try Challenge #3, really looking forward to see how it goes for them. Until they finish their run and post their stories and since there is nothing else in the Muerto story hopper at the moment, here is a run down of some bikepacking that I did in South Dakota.
For about a year or so I have been thinking about doing the Black Hills Expedition, a 430 mile bikepacking race that takes you through South Dakota and a bit of Wyoming. I couldn’t make the grand depart date in September so I decided to come out in August and try an ITT, a week before Laura’s marathon which was also in South Dakota. Continue reading “Not MUERTO”
This was my second attempt at Challenge #3. In my first attempt with Pete I (we) failed miserably when Mother Nature decided to throw some nasty weather our way. It did not work to attempt it again last year but a weekend opened up suddenly this year and I decided to give it another try. I quickly got my gear together, picked a different bike than last year (more later), arranged to take an afternoon off from work and headed southwest to Morden to start my second attempt at this challenge.
I am calling this post “Facts and Impressions” hopefully present some factual information about the ride that others can use as well as some impressions of what I found on the ride.
Continue reading “Facts and Impressions – Challenge #3, the 2nd Attempt”
Get out and explore Manitoba on your bike and then tell us about your adventure. Go to the Challenges page and select a challenge. When you are ready declare your start, pack up you bike, get the camera ready and head out; let us know when you are done and we’ll set up so you can share your adventure with the rest of us.
Summer Challenge #4 – July 1, 2016, Dan and Dallas
Dallas and I decided to attempt the fourth summer challenge on Friday of the Canada Day long weekend. With a typical start, we crammed the car full of bikes and gear and headed straight to the coffee shop for a wake up call. The forecast and current weather looked promising as we set off to the starting point in Beausejour.
Arriving in town, we parked at the Co-Op, assembled the bikes and set off just after 7:30am. Our plan was to navigate gravel over to the Drifter’s Inn in Lac Du Bonnet and pick up anything we might need for the long haul as it was unclear what might be available beyond that point based on our estimated travel schedule and the fact that it was a holiday weekend. Continue reading “Challenge #4 – Dan (and Dallas)”
