Wendigo

As I get prepared for the third race of SubstanceProjects Ontario Fatbike Race Series being held at the Georgian Nordic trails in Parry Sound, there is another type of Fatbike race coming up for you to consider.  An Ultra race....the Wendigo.

Ultra basically means long.  In this case 155kms...across snowy gravel and trails of North-Central Ontario (the start is out of Cobden, ON...from a brewery no less!!), and in fact the route travels 75kms into the province of Quebec.  (There are also 50km, and 100km route options.)

Full details of the Wendigo can be found here...    https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com/

For reference the wendigo has its roots in native Algonquin folklore.  The Wendigo is a mythical man-eating monster or evil spirit native to the northern forests of the Great Lakes Region of Canada, a possible relative to the Samsquanch (Bigoot/Sasquatch).

So a mysterious, dangerous, tough, entity...with a touch of evil...

And by definition, the quick gist of this race is that it is tough...an honestly difficult test of skill, fitness, and determination.  It's through snow...and not necessarily groomed surfaces...(the first and last 10kms are across a frozen lake surface...Muskrat Lake)...so don't expect to maintain a 30km/hr average speed.  In fact 10 may be pushing it.

A couple of years ago OndrejB and I challenged the Wendigo.  Ondrej did great...I barely survived.

Seriously, it a true test with a just enough of a hint of danger to make it even more compelling.  In fact there is an extensive compulsory required gear list:

Rules/Gear (From the Wendigo webpage) 

​MANDATORY GEAR LIST (MEANING "MUST HAVE" AND NOT A "SUGGESTION")

NOTE THAT ALL RACERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THEIR GEAR TO A RACE OFFICIAL AND HAVE IT CHECKED AND SIGNED-OFF. THIS IS MANDATORY IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO THE START LINE.

GEAR PER CATEGORY

50KM 

1. MINIMUM 8 SQ INCHES OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL ON FRONT AND ON BACK OF BIKE OR RIDER

2. RED BLINKING LIGHTS (X3BULBS) ON FRONT AND BACK & BLINKING AT ALL TIMES (24/7). BRIGHT WHITE LIGHT ON FRONT ACCEPTED.

3. TWO LITERS (2L) OF INSULATED WATER IN A WINTER-RATED INSULATION SYSTEM (CAMELBACK DOES COUNT). BE SURE IT WORKS IN -20C. INSULATED "CHILL BOTTLES" DO NOT COUNT, UNLESS FULLY WRAPPED IN WINTER-RATED CLOSED CELL FOAM INSULATION OR A COZY DESIGNED FOR FULL BOTTLE COVERAGE. (NEW FOR 2019)

4. 12X12" INSULATING FOAM PAD OR INSULATING INFLATABLE PAD FOR RESTING/SITTING OFF OF THE COLD GROUND (NEW FOR 2019)

5. EMERGENCY BIVY OR BLANKET THAT CAN FEND OFF THE COLD/WIND. (NOT FROM DOLLARAMA).

100KM & 150KM 

1. ALL OF THE ABOVE (NO NEED FOR THE 12"X12" FOAM), PLUS...

2. 3/4 BODY LENGTH (MINIMUM) INSULATED FOAM PAD OR Z-REST, OR INSULATED AIR PAD, "R" VALUE OF 3 OR GREATER. 

3. WINTER-RATED SLEEPING BAG. MUST SAY -18C OR WARMER ON IT AS ITS 'COMFORT RATING' AND NOT ITS EXTREME RATING (NEW FOR 2019)) 

4. HIGH POWERED LIGHT SYSTEM (IDEALLY 500LUMENS OR MORE) WITH BACK-UP BATTERIES FOR EXTENDED USE IN COLD TEMPS.

5. WINTER COOK SYSTEM THAT YOU'VE PRACTICED WITH AND TRUST TO WORK IN THE COLD.  (MSR/PRIMUS LIQUID FUEL, FIRECUBE/BIO FUEL STOVE, ETC..)

IN OUR OPINION, CANISTER STOVES ARE USELESS WHEN THE TEMPS HIT THE FREEZING MARK. BE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF WORKS BY PRACTICING WITH IT, IN THE COLD. 

6. MUST FINISH WITH 800 SPARE CALORIES (EI: 4 CLIFF BARS). WE WILL CHECK YOUR CALORIES AT THE FINISH (NEW FOR 2019)

7. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: SPARE LAYERS/BATTERIES, FOOD, VAPOUR BARRIER SOCKS, TOOLS, ZIP TIES, GPS, CUE SHEET, PHONE.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR LIGHTS  BLINKING AT ALL TIMES, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE COURSE!!!

So...proper preparation is not an option.

Check with these wily local podium finishing veterans of this race...

 AdamF...first place in the 150km long race!!

JackP...second in the 150 (yeah...only second!!)

So it's tough...ultra tough.  It really is a test on many levels...physical fitness, mental/emotional toughness, endurance/nutritional discipline, temperature management, logistical preparedness.  So...yeah it's difficult...a test worthy of challenging.

And it's all on a fatbike...how fun is that??

The fastest riders will complete the 155km course in 10-15+ hours.  On a fatbike.  In a winter wonderland.  It's a mountain biking winter lovers dream!  There are similar races in Alaska/Northwest Territories...but this one is in our own back yard.  And promoted by one of our own well seasoned ultra-endurance riders, CameronD.  If ultra endurance events are your forte, or have ever been on your radar, this is a great opportunity!!

Again, check out the details, pics from past races, and register here.

https://wendigoultra.blogspot.com/

And then conquer the mystery and spirit of the Wendigo on February 9th!!

And we will stay posted!!