Fair Winds Manor 5K Quality Life Series #2

We look forward to the Fair Winds Manor 5K every year, partly because it's just down the road from where we live, the very reasonable race fees ($12 pre-reg, $15 race-day reg) include a delicious pulled pork bbq sandwich dinner and some years (sponsors withstanding) a shot at some prize money. It also feels pretty good to know that our participation goes towards helping fulfill the wishes of some nursing home residents via the 'Dream a Little Dream' program.

A steady bone-chilling drizzle was in progress as we pulled in to the parking lot. Aside from two people we spotted running down the road as we arrived, there wasn't a soul in sight and there were only two other vehicles parked there. That did not portend well for the race, I thought. 

Just a few minutes before 7 pm, when the race was supposed to start, the rain miraculously stopped. Spencer got out and started his warm up routine. Would this race be a wash? I didn't see anyone! 

Fat Tire Challenge Sigel 2012

This year's edition of the Fat Tire Challenge in Brookville PA had it all - Thrills, Spills, Gore and Glory... and the most adorable Lil Fat Tire kids on wheels to ever grace the series (now in it's 7th year). Aside from a few unfortunate ferns I sat on while shooting pics of the race, no wildlife was harmed in the documenting of this race!

Pick your poison - 14 mile (Sport) or 24 mile (Expert) promised some nice double track logging path, huge climbs on narrow single track, and the famed, notorius Rock Garden (more on that later). All that against a  backdrop of dense forest, blooming mountain laurel and overlooks so lovely that you might even forget how horribly your lungs are burning, your quads and charley-horsed calves are screaming... you might even smile! Ok well, maybe not. :p

Yellow Creek SP Monthly Race: June

We were anticipating a 100 degree F scorcher of a race this time, but conditions ended up cool with a short refreshing drizzle instead.

I photographed the bikers and runners as they partook of the immaculately groomed race course (thanks to the wonderful efforts of the Friends of YC trail maintenance crew).  Having ridden most of the race course last month (where I DNFed - and I say this with my head held high hee hee), I had in mind a couple of spots that might make for good pics. Before the 10.30 am race start, I had skulked away and made haste towards the first choice spot in the Pine Forest where I crouched silently, waiting to shoot unsuspecting athletes as they came by.

The Yellow Creek Grassroots Mountain Bike Race #3

This was gonna be my first mtb race but I DNFed! And Dave on a unicycle, completed the entire twelve bumpy, rock-studded, root-riddled miles. On a unicycle. :o

Dave Krack on his unicycle, towers over me

Still, I had a whale of a time! The organizers - Friends of Yellow Creek State Park - have been putting up these monthly races for several years now and the rides just keep getting better! ( from what Spencer says anyway). For a total noob such as myself, some sections were a lot of fun - gentle little mounds on single track. And I managed to make it up a couple of hills too! But I walked my bike down a few, and I walked over all the narrow bridges. And the baby creeks. And whenever I felt scared (which was a lot hehe). *hangs head in pretend shame*

There was this CRAZY drop into the raging river. I barely made it across alive!

The 2008 Ohiopyle Falls Festival

Summary of post

Spencer and two hundred other boaters go over the Ohiopyle Falls in one of the biggest whitewater events in the USA. Nobody dies.

A terrifying fall

Going over an 18 foot waterfall at the Falls Race in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, is as good an excuse as any for peeing in your pants. Why would anyone in their right mind want to do it? The frothing, churning waters at the bottom of the drop look rabidly angry. There's a punishing hydraulic that sucks you in and whirls you around and around under the water. There's also an undercut that could trap and hold you underwater... indefinitely...

Somebody's gotta do it

The only time boaters can legally go over the Falls is

Ninth Annual Subaru 24 Hour Champion Challenge 2008

Summary of post

Thrills and spills... guts and glory... pushing and breaking the limits of human endurance in a 24-hour mountain bike relay race at Seven Springs Resort, PA.

(The pic above taken by Mark Dempster)

The Race

Over 300 men and women, in teams, duo or solo, tested their mettle mountain-biking repeatedly on a punishing 12-mile course this past Labor Day weekend. The aim was to complete as many laps as possible within 24 hours, which meant riding in the night. That's right - d-a-r-k. The course has a tight, twisty single-track through the woods, some extremely technical barely walkable 'rock garden' sections and a long, steep, uphill, heart-attack-inducing climb.

14th Jackie Kallal Triathlon 2010 Race Report

The 14th Jackie Kallal Tri held Saturday 12 June 2010 (yesterday) was a resounding success with a record 137 racers of all ages and walks of life. Forecasted thunderstorms were a no show, instead racers enjoyed a sweltering hot day with temps in the 80s.

There were already hundreds of people milling around Yellow Creek State Park when we rolled in at 8.10 am. Registration was from 7.30 - 8.30 am, so there was ample time for Ben B. to sign up and hand over his forty bucks to Habitat for Humanity. Spencer had pre-registered, so all he needed to do was pick up his race packet, which contained a t-shirt, swim cap, bunch of goodies and race info. Donuts and other breakfast foods (generously donated by various local sponsors) were provided for the racers - Ben grabbed one. Mmmm.

After being branded by a friendly volunteer, we headed over to

Yellow Creek SP Mountain Bike Race Series: #3 May 2010

In the biggest turn out so far, 27 racers blasted out of the starting blocks for the third race of the season for the bad@ss 10.5 mile YC Grassroots Racing Series 2010.  The sun was shining, the birds were chirping...

TeamSOG Yough Xtreme Adventure Race 2010 Race Report & Results

  
Think you could ride 25+ miles of mountain bike trails with relentless kick@ss climbs and hairy downhills? Could you paddle 9 miles of whitewater with up to class III rapids? Is 20 miles of running/hiking a 'walk in the park' for you? Does a 140' rappel sound like a good time?

How about doing ALL the above in hypothermia-inducing rain, chilled to the bone, with cramping muscles? And do all that in under 10 hours...

If this still sounds like fun, then you probably are one of those 138 folks who did (or attempted!) the 12th Annual Yough Xtreme Adventure Race yesterday (24 April 2010). This multisport event set in the wild and gorgeous

28th Annual Frog Hollow Canoe Kayak Trip 10 April 2010

The Frog Hollow Paddle, held annually since the 80's, is not any ole paddle. It's what sets the boys apart from the men... or should I say 'men apart from the boys' ;) .

The 14 mile paddle down Buffalo Creek, PA - by tradition a 'male only' event - is a hallowed rite of passage celebrating all things manly/manliness in general, and also marks the start of trout season.

A record 115 men and boys participated this year. A hearty breakfast of Brian's amazing sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches was