Tuscobia Ultra 2011

Race is over. Myself and one other racer, Matt Maxwell from Iowa, tried the 150 mile ski. After 40 miles we decided to hang it up due to rather poor conditions and save ourselves for the 75 mile bike race the next day.
Things were very difficult due to the random snow conditions. The NE (start/finish) had snow, but was very tore up due to melting, freezing and random vehicles running up and down the trail, which meant a lot of rocks to avoid. The SW (start/turnaround) had no snow. Temps were warm so cold was not a huge issue.
The 40 mile ski took me around 8 hrs with rest stops.
The 75 bike took me 15.5 hrs. That included 17-18 miles of walking the bike as I was not using a wide tire snow bike and sunk too far to move at times. Both events I was carrying about 20lbs of water, food and winter survival gear.
The distances were nothing new really, the conditions were. It was a test of mental toughness, smart pacing and nutrition to complete the race.
Results:
150-mile run: Chris Scotch 56:02 (CR!) (5 starters, 1 finisher, 1 still on the course)
150-mile bike: Charly Tri 21:07 (8 starters, 5 finishers)
150-mile ski: (2 starters, 0 finishers)
75-mile bike: Dan Jansen 6:44 (CR!), Leah Gruhn 13:53 (18 starters, 15 finishers*)
75-mile run: Tim Neckar 21:27, Lynn Saari 25:23 (5 starters, 3 finishers)
50-km bike: Marc Steele 3:31 (CR!) (2 starters, 1 finisher) 
50-km run: Brandon Purdeu 5:13 (CR!), Alicia Hudelson 6:14 (CR!) (15 starters, 15 finishers)

Thursday evening before the race went scouting the trail. Was able to witness 2 wolves crossing the road next to the trail about 4-5 miles west of Park Falls.

My size 10.

Mile 25.5 looking north.

 Mile 25.5 looking south, RR tracks.

 Chippewa River crossing.

 Slightly different view.

 Local Algonquins sending off the racers with a Travel Blessing before the race.

 Mile 4 of the bike race...local spectators came up to the trail to say hi.

 Son Chris, 150 mile runner winner....56 hours.
 

 Matt Maxwell and Tim Bowers.

 Finish line at the Chequamegon Canoe Club who were the major sponsors of the race.

 An idea of the ski conditions, Matt and I both skate/freestyle skied.

 Tim Bowers, mile 15 or so.

It was impressive the volunteers that came to support the event from all over the midwest. Some of the participents even took turns at the aid stations on the day their event wasn't going on.
Greg and Michelle at the CCC Bistro were unbelievably supportive.
The local community did a fantastic job as well, supporting the event from volunteering on race day to cooking, baking goods, setting up a nice start/finish area and even making a trophy for place finishers and general finishers.

Chris' trophy.

 

Maybe next year if conditions cooperate.