AdventureCORPS News, March 25, 2008

Greetings, fellow athlete-adventurers!

In this Issue:
• Quote for the Day
• Marvin "Tortoise" Fields, 1939-2008
• Furnace Creek 508 applications due in April
• Rough Riders Blog: Any Bike, Anywhere
• Death Valley Spring article by Jim Ott
• Mad City 100km
• And Now For Something Completely Different

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking." - Earl Wilson
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MARVIN FIELDS, 1939-2008

Marvin Fields, AKA "the Tortoise," a three-time Furnace Creek 508 entrant and long-time, ever-smiling fixture on the California long-distance cycling scene, passed away on March 15. Those of you who have read this newsletter for a while may remember when we featured Marvin and his email about his battle with colon cancer in this newsletter on January 24, 2007, which is quoted here:

"Chris, this is a quick note to let you know the Tortoise is still 'Out There.' Last year I had a conversation with the Grim Reaper during a surgery for colon cancer. I told him that I wasn't ready to go yet, but he laughed and said that everyone says that. Then I told him that I had to stick around to help my children find their way which wasn't true since they are both well on their own way. He just snorted. Then I said that I needed to see my grandchildren through college to which he yawned. So then I said that I hadn't finished the 508 yet. His eyes lit up. He knew all about the 508. He said he watched it each year from his home on Salsberry Pass. He went on to say that anyone who's crazy enough to try the 508 gets a temporary pass. The more times you try it, the longer the pass. The details of this conversation are rather fuzzy, but I'm sure I had it.

"So now I'm getting ready for the 508 again. It will take longer this time and will be a team effort. Right now I'm clawing my way up Newhall Pass, one intersection at a time. After I take my poison every two weeks, I have a bad week and a good week so I get to ride on my good week. After April I'll be cut loose to do whatever I can. I've decided I need to do one double this year and I've targeted the Fall Death Valley. Even though the route doesn't go over Salsberry Pass, I'll drive in that way just so I can flip off the Old Bastard as I go by."

See you on the road,
Marv "The Tortoise" Fields, January 2007

Here are some photos of Marvin at The 508:
http://www.the508.com/2005web/2005shows/show01/pages/DSC01950.html
and
http://www.the508.com/2005web/2005shows/show08/pages/DSC_0120.html

We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to all of Marvin’s families and friends. We'll miss you, Marvin.
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FURNACE CREEK 508 SELECTION PROCESS BEGINS ON APRIL 1

This year we will go to more of a selection process, rather than just first come, first served, to select the field for the 2008 Furnace Creek 508. This is in response to the large demand to compete - we just can't accommodate everyone - and because we want those who are entered in the race to train and prepare properly. Bluntly stated, last year we had an unreasonable number of withdrawals in the month or two prior to the race, plus an unreasonably large DNF rate in the solo field. It's time for a change.

We plan to accept applications during April 1-15 only, and then announce the race field on May 1. The goal of this process is to select a race field which is likely to safely and fairly complete the race, while representing as many American states, foreign countries, and diverse backgrounds as possible. More info here:
http://www.the508.com/entry/index.html
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ROUGH RIDERS BLOG

Those of you who pay close attention to the links and logos on our website may have stumbled upon our relatively new blog dedicated to cycling the roads and paths less traveled. As it says on the blog:

Our slogan is "Any Bike, Anywhere" and we believe in riding any distance, in any conditions, over any terrain, at any time of day or night. That sounds really hard-core, perhaps, but mainly we enjoy getting "out there" by riding dirt roads, trails, and paths on our "road bikes" or any bike that would be commonly considered inadequate for the job. Our perspective is that "technique beats technology any time, anywhere." Rough Riding is not defined by the type of bicycle or type of riding surface. Rough Riding is a state of mind, a riding style with limitless freedom and an all-pervasive sense of adventure. Join us:
http://www.xo-1.org
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DEATH VALLEY: STILL A LONG WAY TO GO

By Jim Ott of Pleasanton, CA for the Tri-Valley Herald:

The last rays of sunlight illuminated a craggy mountain in Death Valley as I steadily pedaled my bicycle toward the finish of a long ride this past weekend. At that moment, I’d ridden 120 miles, with 30 more to go.

I did a quick mental calculation. If I could finish 150 miles, it would be the same as leaving Pleasanton and riding my bike over the Bay Bridge to San Francisco, then to Napa, on to Santa Rosa, and finally arriving in Ukiah.

I knew my wife Pam had probably finished her ride of 105 miles, along with our friend Jerry Pentin. And somewhere ahead of me three other friends - Bryan Gillette, Gary Boal, and Barry Schwartz - were attempting to ride a full 200 miles in a single day.

Back for our second year, we’d driven nine hours to Death Valley to participate with some 300 riders in a sport we enjoy, to test our endurance, to test our resolve, to enjoy the stunning beauty of Death Valley, and, for the six of us, to raise money for the “We the People” competition civics teams of Pleasanton's two comprehensive high schools, and Amador High's Mock Trial team.

Full story:
http://www.onlywordscansay.blogspot.com/
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HIT THE ROAD AT THE MAD CITY 100K IN MADISON, WI

Now in its second year, the Mad City 100K is a great opportunity to get in some good road training for the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon! This award-winning event will host the USA Track and Field National Championship 100-Kilometer Road Race on April 12, 2008 in Madison, WI. The course consists of ten laps of Madison's most popular 10K race course, which takes runners along the shore of Lake Wingra, into the scenic Vilas neighborhood, and through the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. This event, brought to you by Kettle Moraine 100 race co-director Tim Yanacheck, will also feature a citizen 2-10 person relay. For more info:
http://www.madcity100k.com
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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

American ingenuity can be absolutely amazing sometimes. From Ben Franklin to Alexander Graham Bell to the Wright Brothers to the creators of the Apple, there is a long history of creating, reinventing, embellishing, and masterminding some amazing products in this country. Sometimes you just have to sit back in awe. And sometimes, well, you just have to wonder, why didn’t I think of that first???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D99NHb6B03s

Yours in sport,
Chris Kostman
Chief Adventure Officer and Race Director
http://www.adventurecorps.com
http://www.the508.com
http://www.badwater.com

Copyright 2008 AdventureCORPS, Inc. Copies of this Internet posting may be made and distributed in whole without further permission. Please forward to a friend.