The Chill Winter AR February 4, 2023 Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
THE DETAILS
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Location: Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest/Holiday Lake State Park and 4H Camp
On race morning racers will report to the Holiday Lake 4-H camp located in the state forest. More details to follow.
Duration: 8-10 hours. Note on race timing: The timing of the race will be finalized once the race course design is done and vetted. With that said the race will not be shorter than 8 hours or longer than 10 hours.
Race day schedule: This will be updated when the final course time is finalized.
Check-in: 6:30-8am
Race start: 8:30-10am
Race finish: 6pm regardless of start time
Post race dinner and awards: 6-7pm
Categories:
Solo (Male or Female)
Two-Person (Male, Female or Co-ed)
Three-Person (Male, Female or Co-ed)
An adventure race in the dead of winter. Because adventure knows no season.
The Chill is back this winter and moving to a brand new location!
If you love being outside in the winter with that crisp cold air, clear woods, no spider webs, and the chance of some white stuff on the ground then The Chill is for you! Over the course of 8-10 hours teams of 2 and 3 and soloists, will trek, bike and navigate their way to the finish line using a map and compass.
Nestled on the border of the Virginia Piedmont and the start of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies Virginia’s largest state forest. With 19,500 acres to explore the Appomattox-Buckingham State forest is a recreational playground rich in history with nearly 100 miles of combined trails, forest service roads, fire roads and creeks to explore. It has adventure written all over it, especially in the winter! Within the forest lies Holliday Lake State Park, home to our 2021 Brake the Habit race. The host venue and launching point for this race will be the Holiday Lake 4h Camp which borders the state park and is in the state forest.
The team that acquires the most checkpoints in the fastest time wins! At the finish line you will be rewarded with a hot meal and beverages.
You never know what the weather will bring come race day and that is what makes The Chill so fun and popular. Rain, snow, ice, sleet or shine, get ready for an awesome winter day outside!
In the event of a catastrophic weather event like a blizzard that makes travel and spending time outside in the woods unsafe there will be a weather makeup date (TBD).
Note: We have a 150 racer cap for this event. Registration will close if we reach that number before January 29th. We recommend registering as early as possible to guarantee a spot on the starting line!
COST
$125 per person
(Early registration through Sunday December 18th)
$155 per person
(Regular registration Monday Dec 19th through Sunday Jan 22nd)
$185 per person
(Late registration Monday Jan 23rd through Sunday Jan 29th)
Due to race day logistics, there is no race day registration.
Note: A small registration fee is added by the registration company onto the race cost.
What You’ll Get:
-
Live race tracking from our friends at Adventure Enablers
-
All land access permitting and fee’s covered
-
Race insurance per racer
-
Safety/medical staff on the course
-
Beautiful custom made map(s)
-
Race shirt, and our signature finish line swag
-
Cool prizes and medals for the top 3 teams in each division
-
Post-race dinner and beverages
-
A great day outside with old and new friends
DISCIPLINES/COURSE OVERVIEW:
Teams will trek, bike and navigate through the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and Holiday Lake State Park. The team that acquires the most checkpoints in the fastest time wins. Estimated distances to be determined.
Navigation: Expect full on map and compass navigation for the entire race. Don't know how to navigate? We recommend that you are familiar with using a map and compass or have at least one person on your team that is. Overall the navigation will be moderate to more challenging especially on foot. Route choice selection and strategy will be key.
Foot: Hiking, trail running, extensive off-trail travel from checkpoint to checkpoint.
Biking: A combination of forest roads, trails, gravel roads, pavement, and riding or not riding through the woods on what may or may not be trails…..
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Due to the nature of a winter race outside in the elements, most of this mandatory gear is for your safety. We have had all sorts of weather for this race over the years from a balmy 50 degree’s and dry to cold sleet, ice and rain all day long. The last Chill in 2021 was 19 degrees at the start.
You are responsible for your own safety out on the race course. Please make sure you have the appropriate gear and warm clothing needed to stay warm, dry and safe.
Mandatory Gear for Each Racer
A note on hunting: While main hunting season is over for deer, bear, etc, rabbit hunting is in season. Yes you read that right, rabbit hunting. While the amount of hunters out on state forest land on race day may be very low to nothing, especially if the weather is cold and wet, due to safety and our permitting all racers must wear a brightly colored safety vest or hat/beanie when on state forest land.
Blaze orange safety vest or hat to be worn when in the state fores, such as this one.
Backpack and a way to carry water (e.g., camelbak, water bottles, etc.)
Food and water for the race
Space blanket (We recommend the SOL Space Blanket)
Whistle
Fleece hat or buff
A long sleeve wool or technical shirt
Rain jacket
Bike - Mountain bikes are highly recommended and cross bikes are
allowed. No road bikes allowed
Bike helmet
Working headlamp
White front bike light (headlamp ok)
Back red blinky on bike
A sense of adventure!
Mandatory Gear for Each Team
Compass: just in case you get lost. But don't worry, you won't get lost!
Bike tool, spare tube(s), pump or CO2
Basic medical kit (We recommend the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight 3):
Duct tape
Race map (provided at check-in)
Race rules of travel (provided at check-in)
Race passport (provided at check-in)
Watch
Cell phone (fully charged)
Small dry bag for the safe-keeping of your cell phone. These bag(s) SHOULD BE WATERPROOF. It is to your benefit to make sure you have the best waterproofing system you can find.
Recommended Gear
Depending on race day weather, the extra clothes you need to stay warm and dry.
Waterproof map case (this can be as simple as zip lock(s) bags and duct tape or a store bought case)
Map board for your bike
Long fingered gloves
LODGING:
The 4-H Camp has tent camping, car camping and camper van/RV camping available. The fee to camp on their property is $12 a person per night. If using a vehicle, there is no access to power or water. However you will have access to bathrooms and a bathhouse. You will be given the option to pay for and reserve a camp site when registering. Note the fee is per person not vehicle. The money collected will be used by the camp to help fund and operate their 2023 summer camp programs for kids. You will not be able to grab a camp site upon arrival or in the days leading up to the race. You must book and pay for a site when registering.
There is no camping or lodging available in the state park during the winter months.
Camping in the state forest is prohibited regardless of the time of year.
There are a few lodging options nearby in Appomattox VA roughly 15 minutes away. We recommend staying in Farmville VA, roughly 25-30 minutes away. It is a larger town with more lodging, food and even brewery options.