Pyro's Yard v2.0

Note: A version of this report was published on Sleepmonster.com, but had to be edited down to fit their recommended word count. This is the full rambling 'extended play' version of that - feel free not to read if you've read enough of my ramblings already! Pics should be credited in the hover-over title, but variously by Wladimir Togumi, Marco Bergeron, Kevin Mackinnon, Diane Leger, Wayne Leek, and if not credited to anyone else, by me. I don't often get to write about international adventure races from a racer's perspective. If I'm honest, I don't get to write about enough local  adventure races from a racer's perspective, though that's my own fault: A lot of time being the observer rather than the participant, and a lot of time forgetting how being a participant works. I'm lucky enough to have travelled out to Quebec for the Raid Temiscamingue twice before, the previous two international editions after the first year was Quebec and Ontari...

[Blimey. Just realised I haven't posted on here in nearly two years! A lot of stuff's gone on since that last one, some big and some little, and most of it's gone recorded as shortform posts and pictures on Facebook or Insta. This trip I think warrants something a touch longer, so here we are...] What's the Mike Tyson quote: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face" ? The oddly-named St Notswalds Way ride was a bit like that to start with - a trip borne out of a plan going awry. Sometime in mid-2024 I'd signed up to run with clubmates from Abbey Runners (and friends) for four days on the St Oswalds Way, from Heavenfield near Hexham to Holy Island. Until December I was going really nicely, running well, a few minor niggles but nothing show stopping, and was looking forward to a few days of long, steady, scenic trail running as a build towards other stuff later in the year. But, best laid plans and all that… January snows and Fe...