Bill and Dave’s Excellent Adventure Race Part 2

This is part 2 of a series of blogs on our adventure race

Which Path

Navigating modern society, you’re faced with the conventional path or the road less traveled. After high school, I chose the latter, engaging in adventures and endurance races, delaying a conventional career. This weekend, I pondered my choices.

I’ve competed in the Grizzly Man Adventure Race (GMAR) in 2008 and 2010, planning meticulously and securing victories. However, this weekend was different; decisions were made spontaneously, veering from my usual calculated approach.

The GMAR has evolved from a few hours of wilderness exploration to a grander vision of a 24-hour challenge. This year, we had 12 hours to find 59 checkpoints, hinting at an even larger event in 2012. I decided to treat this race as if it were a 24-hour ordeal.

The day began leisurely until my teammate Dave Chenault was en route, sparking a frenzied prep. We missed our pre-race ritual at The Bridge Pizza, rushing to Paws Up Resort to strategize with the gear we’d use for the “race portion.”

Armed with maps and awaiting coordinates, the scale of our challenge dawned on us—60 checkpoints over a vastly expanded area. Teaming with friends from the Missoula Thursday Night Mountain Bike Group, we plotted our course from a rented “box car,” a cozy cabin setup.

Struggling with focus, I leaned on Carbo Rocket to sharpen my concentration. Mapping out points was arduous, hindered by my wavering attention—a far cry from my previous precision.

As planning progressed, Dave proposed biking along the river, a plan I only half-registered due to exhaustion. Opting for rest over finalizing our strategy, I retreated, waking to a disorganized start. Missing gear and unprepared, the shotgun blast sent us off. Lost without my map, I relied on Dave’s direction. This new, unpredictable approach was thrilling despite the uncertainty.

“Take a right Bill,” Dave guided.

I obeyed, entering unfamiliar territory. The thrill of the unknown replaced my usual meticulous planning, showcasing that success can follow regardless of the path chosen.

To be continued…