Bob and Gwen Waggoner / Guy Vesco
2601 Bayard
Butte, MT. 59701
(406) 490-5641
(406) 494-3577
Butte, MT. 59701
(406) 490-5641
(406) 494-3577
TripleRing Productions
Promoting endurance mountain bike racing throughout Montana
Hi, this is Bob Waggoner. I created TripleRing Productions and along with my wife Gwen, co-owner Guy Vesco, event director and new partner Gina Evans we plan to bring an element of cycling that I really enjoy to Butte and Southwest Montana.TripleRing Productions is a tax-exempt, 501c3 non-profit educational association. Donations to TripleRing Productions are generally tax deductible. TRP's tax identification number is 27-1221289.
Presently Montana has a pretty good Mountain bike and Road bike racing series, but not much in the way of endurance Mountain bike racing. My goal is to change that. I have spent the last ten years racing 24 hour events in the US and Canada, I'm looking at bringing that to Montana as well as 100 mile endurance racing.
This site is designed to make contributing information as easy as possible – please make comments. I'm keen to get in touch with anyone who might be able to help add new content or edit/ update material.
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Getting lost on course.
Anyone pay attention to NUE from this past weekend. Top level pro riders at the most recent race got lost during the race.
So it would seem, IT HAPPENS even to the pro racers.
All attempts to minimize it still can not prevent people missing trail markings and getting lost/temporarily off course... which leads to the obvious question:
If professional racers get lost and it's considered part of racing, WHY DO SO MANY OF YOU WANNA-BE'S SPEND SO MUCH TIME WHINING????
It's time to get on with life and just ride!
Wow. Good vent. Sure it
Wow. Good vent. Sure it happens and I don't think anyone is saying that it NEVER could/should happen... I don't think "all attempts to minimize" people getting lost were made, which is the point of much of the feedback.
True, and thank you... More
True, and thank you...
More can and will be done... as it should!
Thanks + Comments
My first time doing this race, good stuff. I have done 100s before but this course is the real deal. The key elements: minimum public road, and not a lap race.
People at aid stations were great, found my stuff no problem.
One wrong turn, my fault. Did a race last weekend and they used orange tape for marking, animals don't eat it (problem for them in the past)
My big concern was all the trash. New CDT, mountain bike access the way it is in MT, not a good situation. Gu flasks + large containers of water will help, but ultimately it's up to the racers. Threaten to DQ racers for littering.
Thanks again, keep it a single lap and I will see you again next year,
Trash
Update you on the trails here... CDT was cleaned of trash and route markings within 2 days of the race by volunteers from the local cycling club and TRP volunteers. Some of it was done quietly without notice to those of us organizing the clean up.
We're really happy with how the trails help up under 200 sets of wheels, and cleaning seems to be a part of hosting.
Thanks for the concern,
W Smith
SHIRTS and Jersey UPDATE
Hi Racers-
The order for the t-shirts went in last Weds. The jerseys,from Blackbottoms,on Thursday. We will get those in the mail to to those of you who ordered as soon as we can.
And update on my rehab- I was released to drive this wk.Short distances. Kind of like being 16 again.
thanks,
gina
More suggestions/questions
First I'd like to thank TRP for a great 50 mile race. I was not part of the group that missed "the turn" and I don't have any complaints about the course itself... I figured it would be a crusher and it was. Some suggestions/questions:
1) A course description with EXACT MILEAGE between turns, aid stations, road and creek crossings and significant climbs. (I like touchy-feely descriptions about muddy/technical/steep/smooth sections also, but not nearly as important as pure numbers.)
2) Detailed directions to aid station locations for my "support crew" and info about what will be provided there.
(I figured it would just be water - I was pumped to see Hammer products and super thankful for some endurolyte gelcaps to help me cope with my intense hammy cramps. Wound up taking my 2 PBJ's for a 50 mile scenic ride!
3) Registration deadlines and pre-race roll-call times. I saw on the website that race-day registration was an option for the 50 miler only, but had no idea about the 7:30AM deadline. THANK YOU for allowing me to register at 8:20!
4) The online course map... Yikes! I feel like others have covered this pretty well.
5) My name/address was taken and a size for a shirt, but all the shirts were gone... Will there be any mailed out?
6) Was there someone who picked up trash on the course afterward - maybe in conjunction with the flagging teardown?? Hope so. Sorry to the guy who was so pissed about crap on the trail. I lost a full Hammer Gel out of a pocket I forgot to close. Guess I lost my train of thought while giggling at all the funny gnomes and fairies on the trail in the last 10 miles.
Races like this seem to bring out the best and worst in people, it's an intensely psychological and emotional experience (not to mention physical). I'm glad some people can be consructive and helpful instead of bitter and PO'd. It's inspiring to see people who can still manage to smile and joke in the throes of agony!
Thanks for the pizza and see you next year!
- Robin Barker
Working on course for 2011
Working on course for 2011 already, and hope to have it finalized early (by October 2010?) so we can spend time on PDF maps, GPS maps for download, marking, measuring and following up on all the suggestions.
Highlands Cycling Club patrolled the non-motorized trails for trash and flagging. We had the flagging and trash up within 2-3 days. Motorized volunteers did the double track (first 50) and were tremendous assistance too.
Considering some ideas for next year right now, including but not limited to inviting racers to bring a volunteer (forced volunteer like the 24 Hours of Adrenaline races do), and having a volunteer/support persons meeting at the same time as the racers meeting the evening before to get info to those who wish to help out on the course (imagine how many volunteers we could get with that??? and possibly offer a rebate on the entry if you bring a volunteer?)
There are lots of ideas to pursue this winter. Be assured that Bob and the gang are listening and despite the growing pains faced this year, are learning quickly and will do all they can to make it a n even better event in the coming years.
W Smith,
Butte
Lost Smith Sunglasses
Did anyone happen to find a pair of Smith Sunglasses on the trail, and happened to pick them up? I lost them before the highway stretch before the first aide station, so very early on. Probably a slim chance of finding them, but thought I'd ask. If you found them, feel free to call me at 406-579-0830 (Justin)
As far as the race: The race is a blast, and has the potential to be one of the premier 100 milers in the country. I love everything about it. I agree with some of the constructive criticism already mentioned, but overall I would call the race a huge success.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put this race on! I can't wait to come back next year.
Cheers,
Justin Doll
Thank you to volunteers
Sugestions for next year: Feed us, I wanted real food when I finished. Have some real food at aid stations. IE: bannanas, oranages, pb&j, chips or crakers, and pre-mixed heed and no water bottles. You don't have to let racers have a drop bag at every aid station, as nice as that is. 2-3 drop bag stations would be good if you stock them well. The volunteers were awesome I know it's hard work and really appreciate everything they did. You have a great race course. Good luck with next year.