Racer Comments: This is just a small sampling of letters received from racers over the past four years

We had a gas at that race. We skied hard then would stop and chow for 1/2 hour, then we'd ski hard again, whew! It was fun!

Katie

I just wanted to say "Thank You" to you, and to all of the many people you list below, in particular the snowmobilers of North Routt, for a great event. I know that it took a lot of hard work and effort from many people to make it possible, let alone such a great success. 

It was a terrific course, though very challenging to ski within the time limits. Thank you again to you and all of your volunteers for organizing the North Routt Coureur des Bois!

- S C

Thank you for an unforgettable adventure.  The logistics of a race like this boggle the mind.

Alan

Just wanted to say that the race Saturday was great!  It was organized well and every one at the aid stations were wonderful.  If I do it next year, I think I will ski a little more before hand.  My legs barely got me up out of Columbine Cabins! 

Gary

Thanks for putting on such a great race. It was a quality experience from start to finish.

The course is excellent. I would say it's the hardest 42K race I've ever done. On top of the elevation and altitude, I think it's the length of the up hills that make it tough. The longer races I've been in have no hills longer than 2k. The final downhill is the most technical (and fun) I've skied in a race. It gives you plenty of adrenaline for the final push home.

I bet the number of participants will quickly grow over the years. I'm putting in a good word for the race in Utah - and I'll be advertising all next year with the "killer" vest:)

Thanks,

Greg

That was a fantastic race. What an awesome course and fun bunch of folks racing and organizing. Thank you for all of your efforts, and everyone else's. Can't wait for next year.

Toby

First of all thank you for all of your effort in putting the race together, it was very well organized and aside from the actual skiing, was excellent. You were right, I was not DFL (dead fu*&(ing last), and that counts for something. In my vast experience as a distance skater, I would have to rank this as average. I considered this more of a leisurely excursion through the woods than a race, although there were a couple of times I would have to “put the hammer down” and pass some little old lady who was classic skiing and in my way. I passed the same lady twice as she must have snuck past me while I was enjoying the view! She didn’t have a bib # so I believe she was just out with her dogs. I scolded her for slowing me down, and ate one of her dogs!

All in all it was a great day; I now have a PR for a 42K race, I was not DFL, or DNF, and I did not get lapped by those “show off” racers who went all the way to Wyoming. By the way where is Encampment?? I stopped there for a snack, and had to throw some “whup ass” on a couple of cowboys that said I was “wearin fag shoes”, before I headed back to the start area.

Can’t wait for next year, please call me. My new number is 011-52-642-41-28254.

Thanks, Keith

Thanks lots to you, the sponsors and volunteers for putting on such a great race. As one who comes from the back of the pack (of course without the back of the pack there would not be a front of the pack rrrr), but also with a fair bit of racing experience I would have to say this course was a great oxygen deprived adventure with mental, technical and aerobic challenges I have not seen in any other course I have ever skied. In short for me it was tough as they come but count me in for next year as it is a great challenge.

Prior to the start of the race I was concerned about sharing the racecourse with the snowmobilers. However, all the bilers that I encountered were polite and supportive. Anyway thanks again and looking forward to next year.

Regards

D O

WOW: You pulled it off - perhaps one of your most cool creations in the aerobic production arena!

We had NO snowmomobile thru traffic on 500 - talk about premiere corduroy!!

…double shot espressos were a huge hit.

dc

this was the most fun, most beautiful, and most interesting race I've done all year!  The effort that went into this was obvious.  Having the chip timing was also quite classy.  Also, regarding the trophies, I appreciate your attempt at creativity, and took the "puppy bitch" award in that spirit.  I very much appreciate that you gave equal prize "money" (RCS skis) to all 4 top finishers.  Also, as a woman, I applaud your decision to have XS finishers' jerseys, and I liked that Smartwool brought some women's clothing to give away--at most races, I end up sending throw-prizes to my XL brother back east. ;)
I have already signed on another friend to return with me to next year's race, in addition to my husband (who will be responding to you separately about this year's race).
Best wishes,
M

Thank you again for a great race.  It just keeps getting better every year.  You know, of course, that for me to do well the race needs to take more like eight hours.  That means I'll be hoping for about 10K of bare ground and a good storm for next year. 

Allen

First, thank you for the opportunity to ski such a beautiful course last Saturday for the race. The snow was great, and the entire experience was very special. It is a wonderful and unique event and I will pass on this great info to other fellow nordic skiers for future participation. The volunteers were very helpful and kind along the way as well.

Chantal

Wanted to tell you personally how great of a race you put on, we all thoroughly enjoyed it and will be recruiting more for next year. It was nice to see our friend, Chantal, take home the course record as well. I enjoyed hearing about the history of the race and the lineage of the Title Coureur de Bois. I am actually going to submit a guest editorial on the race experience....all positive, your volunteers, prep emails, course, awards, follow up all first class. Thanks so much and see you next year
best
matson

Thanks for holding such a great event.  Of the 6 years I've been nordic ski racing, that was the most epic and fun event.  Can't say enough good things about it.  I've passed on the good news to my nordic club here in Northern NM.
Thanks again,
John

Just a note to let you know the NRCB is on the road to legendary greatness. You organized a superb race and time after time participants were raving about the incredible course, incredible prizes, give-aways and more.  WOW!  Congratulations on a successful envent!

TD

Thanks Dan!  I was so excited to come in under 5 ½ hours and to have aged up and win a 3^rd place it makes for turning 50 something meaningful.  What a phenomenal race and superb organization, as usual.  Thanks for making it so fun and the weather didn’t hurt either.

Joy

It was a great race.  You are very correct to say that the 45K is not a "gimme", the last hill (to the last aid station) was an ass-kicker.  On the way up the last hill, a guy in front said, "@#$% it", took off his skis and started walking up the trail.

The race was also run very well - good job.

Again, thanks for the putting on the race.

Brad

Thanks so much for putting on a great race. That was the most fun skiing I've had all season. Lots of thanks to the aid station workers too... they made the race enjoyable and served up some great food and drink.

Also big thanks to your wife for giving my girlfriend and I a ride back to our car after the race!

John

Thank-you for such a great event.. the altitude –combined with the mountains – kicked my ####... which of course when it was all done and said made us love it!  We will be back next year! 

It was the hardest thing I have done in a very long time and as I turn 50 this year exactly what I wanted to accomplish.. and we did the 45K.. the 90 K would be a long way off for me..

The event was fabulous.. I loved all the prizes and the trophies and stories.. thank you again for having this..

Jill and  Barry (Part of the Minnesota contingency)…

just wanted to thank you for organizing such a good race! You can be very proud of how far this race has come.  I have done many races by now, mostly ski and rollerski, but also lots of running, and some biking...but this one stands out because it is so well organized, the feed stations are perfect, the scenery is beautiful, the after party with the beer keg and all the good food, the crowd itself, and last but not least, out of all these races, I can't remember a ski race that is more challenging than this one. 

All the world loppet races are tough, but again, I have not heard of such a race like this one.  The wasa loppet in sweden is very easy compared to this one (also a 90k).  The race from Crested Butte to aspen might be a in that leaque? So it might be worthwhile to look into this...it could very well be the hardest out of all of them.  I was thinking what could be improved and there is really not much to tell you. 
Thanks again!
Kyrill

Barry G., Jack C and I had such a great time once again!  I just have to tell you how impressed I am with the volunteers and organization you have going.  I chair rowing races and participate in all sorts of organized events.. your group of volunteers is by far the friendliest, most helpful and thoughtful group I have ever encountered.. for two years running!

I am just impressed with the aid stations and the people and just the entire event.  Now if you could just lower the altitude a little for us flatlanders…. J

So fun to not feel my skies bounce and be able to ride the down hills.. great grooming (thanks) and great care with the trails!

Anyway I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the work, commitment, friendship at the stations and all the volunteers!  Thanks again for a great event!

Jill

Once again – such a great race and flawlessly put together.

May is in for next year again and I’ll be back for the 5^th annual.

Congratulations!

just wanted to thank you for all your work involved with putting on this race.  Everything was incredibly well organized and thought-out, and certainly one of the best races that I’ve ever been part of.  Already looking forward to next year!  Thanks again!

Will

Thank you again for such a great race! Best one all year!

Cathy and Dave