Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 2-25-2007
WARNING: If you send a question to us and an answer to your question has been provided below you should most certainly not expect a reply. If you feel you need more detail about one of the topics feel free to email us.
TEAMS
Can I race solo?
No. You must race as a three person team. That means you and two other teammates. This is for an increased measure of safety and a TRIOBA race is a team event.
TEAM
Where can I find a training partner or team?
Be resourceful, ask your brother, sister, friends, girlfriend, attend a COC (Cascade Orienteering Club) events or try searching on a team finder such as http://www.pnwar.com/forum/index.php
On second thought, asking your girlfriend could be a bit risky.
TEAM
Do I have to stay with my team?
Yes, stay with your team, try working as a team and being a team. But technically the rule states that all team members must remain within 50 meters of each other. For only safety reasons, like going for help, should you violate this rule.
TEAM
What if one of my teammates quits and I want to continue?
First you should try to encourage them to continue, maybe take their pack or pull/push them along. Help each other out. But if they still wish to quit, you should quit with them as a team would do. Or you may continue as a two person team, but certainly not as a solo and this division of a team may only occur at TAs.
EQUIPMENT
What equipment do I need to bring?
Review the gear lists here: http://www.trioba.com/gear.html
That is the gear you absolutely must have.
EQUIPMENT
Do I have to carry extra equipment while racing?
You must carry all the Individual Mandatory Equipment throughout the entire race. Discipline specific equipment, for Mountain Biking or other disciplines, must be carried during those specific disciplines. Any additional or extra equipment is up to you, your safety, your skills.
EQUIPMENT
Can I use my own maps?
No. TRIOBA will provide the maps.
EQUIPMENT
Can I use a GPS?
No.
EQUIPMENT
Is food and/or water provided on the course?
No. Bring your own snacks, drinks and lunch. Well, actually, you may find a stream that you could extract water from but TRIOBA will not be providing any water or food.
TRANSITION AREAS/EQUIPMENT
Where do we store our bikes and equipment during the race?
You will store your bikes and equipment at designated transition areas along the course. Some Transition Areas will require you to transport your equipment to a specified location prior to the race start.
TRANSITION AREAS/EQUIPMENT
Will TRIOBA staff transport any of my transition area equipment before or after the race?
No. Plan on being responsible for transporting your own equipment before and after the race. Sometimes this requires you to get up very early in the morning.
TRANSITION AREAS/CHECKPOINTS
Are Transitions Areas all at the same location or do they change throughout the race?
They may be all in the same location or they may be distributed along the course.
The shorter the race the more likely the Transition Areas will be in the same location. You may travel to the same Transition Area multiple times throughout the race.
CHECKPOINTS/TRANSITION AREAS
What is a CP, what will it look like?
CP is an abbreviation for checkpoint. At each checkpoint there will be yellow marking ribbon, an orange and white orienteering marker, a red SPORTident checkpoint control station and an orange punch. At staffed checkpoints you will obviously see checkpoint personnel or what we like to call TRIOBA saviors.
CHECKPOINTS/TRANSITION AREAS
What happens if I skip or miss a checkpoint?
Your team will be disqualified from the race.
Exceptions to this rule are if we make a mistake in placing a checkpoint. This has occurred only once in setting over 400 checkpoints.
CHECKPOINTS/TRANSITION AREAS
Can I visit the checkpoints in any order?
No, you must go in sequential order CP1, CP2, CP3 and so forth, unless stated otherwise. The SPORTident timing system will identify those teams who don’t proceed sequentially.
TIMING
Will we be using a paper passport, they may get wet and fall apart?
No. You will be using the SPORTident timing system. It is a competitor friendly electronic timing system based off of two main components, a small weather proof punch stick and a checkpoint control station. Times are recorded on the electronic punch stick and can be downloaded when the team completes the race. It’s pretty darn cool.
TIMING
How does SPORTident work?
TRIOBA provides each team with an SI-6 card which they use as the team passport for the race. At each checkpoint during the race there will be a small red checkpoint control station. You simply insert the SI-6 punch stick into the checkpoint control station, wait for a beep, indicating that your time has been recorded on the SI-6 punch stick and then move on to the next checkpoint. A demonstration will be provided at the pre-race meeting.
REGISTRATION
How do I register?
You may register online or via mail.
TRIOBA registration page: http://www.trioba.com/registration.html. Online is the preferred choice of TRIOBA users.
REGISTRATION
Can I register at the pre-race meeting or the morning of the race?
No, do you think we want to manage that chaos at the pre-race meeting or morning of?
REGISTRATION
Can I register a team even if I don’t have all or any of their information or even know who my teammates will be?
Yes, you may, but you must provide all the necessary team information to field a team ten days prior to the race.
SUPPORT
Do I need a support crew?
No. Support crews are not required but they are not forbidden.
VOLUNTEERS
How do I volunteer?
Sign up online at http://www.trioba.com/volunteer.html
You will be considered a TRIOBA savior.
COURSE INFO
How long, how many miles is the race?
It depends on the race, your route selection, your pace and if you get lost, but typically:
Sprint Races: 4-8 hours and 15-30 miles
12-Hour Races: 6-15 hours and 30-60 miles
COURSE INFO
How come the course or location of the course is not revealed?
To eliminate pre-race scouting.
It keeps the preparation, planning and race more interesting and entertaining for us.
You never know what you are getting into.
GENERAL
If I’m injured will there be medical staff at certain checkpoints or transition areas?
Yes and No. Some checkpoints will be staffed with volunteer but most will not.
All transition areas will be staffed with volunteers and most will have medical support available. TRIOBA races have EMTs or Paramedics on staff. They will be stationed at race headquarters and will deployed in the event there is a medical emergency and their services are required.
GENERAL
Is there any qualifying races or qualifications in order to participate in a TRIOBA Race?
No, not really, but it is certainly advisable to have some level of physical fitness, the more the better. The races are very demanding physically and mentally. You or a team member should know how to use a map and compass and navigate. You should also be able to ride a mountain bike.
GENERAL
So what do we get?
A well managed race. Your team will be assigned a temporary SI-6 card for use during the race, TRIOBA race bibs that you’ll return at the end of each race, and TRIOBA bike numbers. A medical team that will be stationed at HQ for any medical needs. You will not pay any USARA fees or SPORTident rental fees. You pay one entry fee and no other additional race fees.
GENERAL
Who qualifies for the TRIOBA Champions?
All 3-person teams.
GENERAL
Do I need to know how to navigate? Is the course marked?
Yes you should know how to read a map and navigate, unless of course you want to get really lost. The course is unmarked. There are no course markings besides checkpoints and transition areas. We recommend reading the book “Wilderness Navigation”, by Burns and Burns. We also recommend participating in orienteering events.
GENERAL
What is a UTM?
Universal Transverse Mercator, just google it.
GENERAL
Participant Responsibility Model
NW Adventures LLC and TRIOBA Races endorse the Participant Responsibility Model wherein participants take primary responsibility for their own safety. Participants are encouraged to acquire the skills and experience required to safely participate in all of the various activities that can be part of adventure racing. Participants are expected to be aware of their own limitations and exercise good judgment while still challenging themselves. NW Adventures will strive to provide participants with adequate information regarding the activities involved in its events, while still retaining as much of the mystery and "adventure" that defines adventure racing.