Required and Recommended Gear

BEAST #2 (May 9, 2007)

Racers are required to have certain gear to participate. The required items may change a little from race to race.

Each participant, required:

• Needed during biking part of course only: a mountain bike, helmet, and a bike lighting system, including a blinking red rear light and a white front light (which can be handlebar- or helmet-mounted)
• trekking shoes suitable for both smooth trails and bumpy and uneven surfaces.
• light for use on foot. (This can be the same as your bike light, if it can be detached from your bike; the important thing is that you have a light with you for travel after dark.)
• capacity to carry at least 16 oz of water or sports drink at all times (bottles, bladders)
• personal identification (driver's license or Road ID, for example)
• emergency contact person (ideally reachable during race) and phone number for race staff

Each participant, recommended:

• if your ankles are weak or prone to spraining, then you might consider taping or wearing ankle-supporting shoes
• reflective or light-colored clothing
• extra clothing appropriate to the weather: for example, a waterproof jacket or shell if there's a chance of rain; hat and warm layers if it's cold
• emergency and medical information (to be carried on emergency reference card):
  • emergency contact person (ideally reachable during race) and phone number
  • any allergies (for example, peanuts or bee stings)
  • any drug allergies
  • important medical conditions that could affect emergency treatment
  • HMO information

Each team, required:

• one emergency (mylar) blanket for every one or two people (one blanket for solos and teams of two; two blankets for teams of three or four)
• one folding blade knife or scissors
• tire pump, tire levers, and an extra tube or patch kit (biking part only)
• time piece
• writing implement (pencil or waterproof pen)

Each team, recommended:

• plastic bag or map case to protect map(s) and passport
• compass
• map holder for bike handlebars
• first aid supplies, especially to treat any medical conditions that increase the risk of serious injury to a member of the team, such as severe allergy to bee stings.
• cell phone for emergencies