Dakota Harvest Bakery

Dakota Harvest Bakery, or DHB as we affectionately call them, deserves a special shout out from ENDracing.  These guys are a small local bakery and coffee shop (Local=Best as far as we're concerned) that has really become a part of the Grand Forks community in general, and more specifically the ENDracing community.  Paul Holje and his staff have been huge supporters of our grass-roots efforts since the beginning, and continue to provide thousands of dollars of donations of amazing food at each event.  There is no way we could put together races that rival all the big budget ones out there without their help.  The importance of their involvement - and the involvement of other generous like minded local and national businesses - to what we're trying to do simply cannot be overstated. 
 
And we're happy to announce that DHB will once again be providing the 'mid race' meal for END-TOMBED.  Thanks guys - we can't say it enough!

Super Budget Map Board

I'm heading up to Canada in a few weeks to be on the other side of the racing coin (racing instead of directing) and i can't wait.  I'll be doing the Swamp Donkey Adventure Race - an event i did last year for the first time.  It's a great event - short enough to be fun but long enough to be hard.... a great race to do with my wife and overworked buddy Joel.  Last year we ended up in 4th place in our category (despite some 90+ total teams) and that gave us the idea that we might be able to end up on the podium with a little more work this year. 
the purple zip ties add a certain flair not seen on conventional map boards
 
But since i've decided to stick to my low volume training approach, i have to figure out ways to get faster without physical work.  Hmmm.  One thing we didn't  have last year was a map board for the bike, so maybe i can work to build one.  My background (a story for another post) is such that i love being thrifty, so i thought i'd see how cheaply i could build a serviceable one.  Of course it will remain until after the race to determine whether it actually was serviceable - but i thought i'd share the finished product so the ooohhs and aaahhhhs of budget minded appreciation could start early (FYI, these things can cost upwards of 65 bucks!).
 
Here's what you need -
1) extra thick cardboard
2) zip ties
3) old bike tube.
 
Here's what you do -
1) cut the cardboard slightly larger then 8.5 x 11
2) poke holes in it and zip tie it securely to your handlebars and stem
3) cut ribbons out of the bike tube and tie two lengths around the top and bottom of the board. 
 
the finished product
 
Voila - map board for the cost of 3 zip ties.  My initial tests indicate that it should work just fine... as long as i don't crash!

Ibex Offer for END-TOMBED

Men's Indie jerseyLets face it, that first lap is going to be COLD.  Last year it was 28 Fahrenheit i think (that's -2 for all you Canadians).  But by the 10th lap, it's in the high 50's!  Talk about a temperature swing.....
Is your jersey up for it?  If not, pick up one of these Ibex Indie half-zip gems - long sleeved, merino wool, ENDracing branded - and ride all your laps in comfort.  Shirts are $60.
Pre-order by shooting me an email with your size.  Mens color is 'black light', Women's is Parsley.
Orders must be made by Sept. 30th.  Payment can be made upon pickup at the race.
 

Thanks thanks a million times!

The race is over!  We'll sort through the time sheets and wristbands over the next couple of days and compile complete results.  Photo link is on the event page, and one racer video has already been added.  more videos and photos will be added as we get them.
 
To all the racers - it was an honor and inspiration having you all out doing our race this last weekend.  Ultimately you're why we do it - why we get the best volunteers coming back again and again, why the people of the region are so accommodating and why all the private land owners (not all of them typically so open) let us play in their back-yards for a day.  
 
To all the volunteers - i can't thank you enough for your help.  I couldn't have given you the credit due at the awards ceremony, even had i been fully with it (which i clearly wasn't!). You are the reason why this tough little race continues to attract new racers every year, why the feedback we receive is overwhelmingly positive, and why they keep going at one in the morning despite the miserable suffering they are enduring.  You're all awesome, and we simply can't do it without you.
 
More updates, race stories, etc etc will trickle in over time - but i just had to extend my deepest appreciations to all of you.
 
Cheers,
 
Andy 

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