The 2BD is fast approaching, and will be held at Nemacolin Woodlands on January 28-29.  Much thought and effort has been put into this year's event, and we want to share some of the changes with you with the hope that you will be convinced to join us!

Stage 1--Biathlon, ROGAINE style.  Teams/Racers will be given 1 hour 30 minutes to complete as many laps as possible while shooting at clay pigeons on each lap.  Points will be awarded to each racer at the rate of 1 point per lap completed (1 mile), 1 point per shooting stand visited, and 1 point per "bird" hit. The team/racer with the most points wins.  The points accumulated will be carried forward and count toward the overall race standings.

Bonus Stage--Climbing wall presented by Red Bull.  Teams/Racers will be given 7 minutes to ascend the climbing wall as many times as possible. Points will be awarded for each successful ascent and will be based on the difficulty of the lane ascended.  This stage is not mandatory and a team may climb with one, or both teammates present. The points earned will be carried forward and count toward the overall race standings.

Stage 2--Night Time Navigation--ROGAINE style test of navigation skill. Racers will be given 3 hours to collect as many as 11 control points placed over a 12 mile course.  CPs are placed on terrain features and racers will use pre-plotted topographical maps and their own compasses to locate and retrieve them.  CPs will be given point values based on the distance traveled and the difficulty of locating them.  There will be two "Premiums" in this event.  One will be a bonus CP, and the first team/racer to reach this CP will receive 3 bonus points.  The other is a mystery CP and the first team/racer to reach it will receive a cash award.  Points collected on the Night Time Navigation course will be carried forward and count toward the overall race standings.

Stage 3--Duathlon--Athletic test of speed and endurance.  Teams/racers will complete a 1.75 mile run, a 11.5 mile bike, and a 4.5 mile run.  The run may be completed on skis--weather permitting--and the bike will primarily be on paved and plowed surfaces--but off-road riding is permitted. This course is not marked and route of travel is controlled by CPs.  Within each leg, the CPs may be visited in any order, but the legs must be completed in the order stated above (i.e. run, bike, run).  Maps will be released the day before this event and teams/racers will have several hours to preview the course to determine the best route of travel.  There will be two "Premiums" in this event.  One will be a bonus CP, and the first team/racer to reach this CP will receive 3 bonus points.  The other is a mystery CP and the first team/racer to reach it will receive a cash award.  Points for this stage will be based on finish placement and will be added to all other points received to determine the overall race winner.

Be sure to check the GRR blog  for more information regarding schedule and accommodation options--and visit the GRR website for registration information and options.  We look forward to sharing a great winter weekend with you!

Photography--Chuck Kozora would like to introduce his new website--http://chuckkozora.photoshelter.com/--by offering the following:

Until February 17th you can receive 30% off any purchase over $5.00.  Use the following code--GRR JAN2012--when purchasing to receive your discount.  Please consider supporting Chuck's work, he has had a profound influence over GRR in the past few years--and has many beautiful photographs!