+TripCyclone Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 As we finish up with the final quarter of the 3rd Annual Great TB Race, it's time to start considering whether or not to hold the race in 2012. The Great TB Race is not your typical race for mileage. It is a race for points. Points are awarded each time a TB meets a goal. For example, 2 points are awarded every time it crosses a state line. 5 points for a picture being posted. 20 points for attending an event. This makes things a bit more interesting by providing a variety of ways for racers to earn points as it moves. Plus, with varying amounts of points ranging from 1 point to 40 points (for attending a MEGA event), the ways that a racer can move up the rankings isn't limited by how fast or far it moves (but those can help). The race is a year long race, with an official starting point. The past three years have started in Kansas City, Dallas, and Phoenix respectively. At the end of each month, our group of scoring volunteers tally up the scores for the monthly rankings. At the end of the year, a final points tally is done and the top five contestants will be awarded prizes. We've averaged over $200 in prizes each year. Last year, after a public vote, we instituted a minor entry fee. This helps to cover the costs of purchasing and shipping prizes. At the moment, I am gauging interest in the race before we make any plans. If you are interested, just post a comment on here or you can go to the race website and post a comment stating your interest on THIS POST. Feel free to look around the website. You'll find the races organized by years at the top. Check out 2009 and 2010 to find pages about the prizes we awarded. There is also a "Subscription" link on the top of the site so that you can be kept up to date on any announcements we make. If interested, please try to respond in the coming week. I would like to make an official announcement by the end of the month and the sooner I can find out if there is interest the better. And feel free to ask questions here and I'll try to respond in a reasonable amount of time. TripCyclone Quote Link to comment
+fuzziebear3 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I'm in again next year! This has been a fun race to be in this year. I looked forward to the monthly rank updates, to see who is moving around. Even though my racer went missing part way through, I liked watching the leaders, and the racers that I was in charge of scoring, move through the ranks. Quote Link to comment
+deb3day Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 You do a fantastic job with this. I thank you for doing it for the last three years. I would love to participate again. Of course the fact that I'm winning at the moment makes it even better. What are the chances of doing this well again??? I'm willing to give it a try! deb3day Quote Link to comment
+Gumbys4eva Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I've never been in a TB race before, although I have helped a couple of TBs continue on their ways. How does it work? Do we buy a TB and send it to you to put in the "starting" cache? Or do we need to live in the city where the race begins? Sounds like fun. Quote Link to comment
+TripCyclone Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 I've never been in a TB race before, although I have helped a couple of TBs continue on their ways. How does it work? Do we buy a TB and send it to you to put in the "starting" cache? Or do we need to live in the city where the race begins? Sounds like fun. We haven't made an announcement yet. I wanted to gauge interest first. But if we go ahead with another year, you would need to buy a TB then mail it to a provided location (still to be determined). Then, on January 1st, 2012, an event will be held where all of the TB's that entered the race will be released. You do not need to be in the city though you are welcome to travel there. Check out the 2011 Race Details page (link at the top of the site) and look at the race rules. Minor changes to the rules may occur but the basic premise and workings of the race will be close to what we are doing this year. We had tried a few things in 2010 but decided to get rid of those elements as they caused problems. Quote Link to comment
+redwoodkestrel Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I'm interested! Quote Link to comment
+kipper01 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'm interested! Quote Link to comment
+Cat_Fish Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I would love to participate!! Quote Link to comment
+Robbartram Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Count me in! I was able move one of the TBs this year and would love to have one of my own in next year! Quote Link to comment
+BMndFul Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I am interested.... Quote Link to comment
+steben6 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Definitely interested! Quote Link to comment
+GeoJunkie Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Count me in! I've had bad luck with disappearing bugs the last few years, but I'll persist - my day is coming! Quote Link to comment
+neeterbug/hogybear Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I have my travel bug ready for next race...so, count me in. Quote Link to comment
+hofy67 Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 We are in. Our racer from 2009 is still going strong over in Europe. I will see if I can get Damin69 to launch a racer too. Quote Link to comment
Just_Us_League Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 When will "Small entry fee" be defined? The Just Us League is interested and willing. All things permitting. We've signed up on the other page. We await news. Thanks for hosting this, it really has our attention. -Until next time: Keep Searching!- Quote Link to comment
+ScrappyDooPup Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I think I will *not* be participating again for 2012. This year was my 2nd year to participate and both years my TB's were stolen. Last year my TB only got to travel a couple of months before it "disappeared"; this year, mine made it up to 2nd place before some novice cacher decided to retrieve it then lost interest in geocaching and apparently in email as well (since there has been no response to my inquiries). This year was my partner's first attempt to participate and his TB has gone MIA too. It's just so disappointing to be following the race with anticipation only to have things come to a screeching halt by some thief. I realize that it seems to be the fate of most TB's to be lost in the wild at some point or another but if we can't even make it for a whole year before that happens, then there's no sense in entering the race again. This is no reflection on how the race is administered as all measures are in place to label the race contestants with information about how the race runs for those retrievers who are interested in reading same. We also made sure we didn't enter contestants with objects of value attached tempting someone to keep them. Quote Link to comment
GeoJudt Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I think we're in as well! I believe my son, p.boy, is also interested! How much is the fee? I could not find this anywhere. Quote Link to comment
+jmobr Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I'm interested! I'd like to have Atlanta as a city to start TB's from as well? Quote Link to comment
+Kilted Viking Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 We're in too! Quote Link to comment
+TripCyclone Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Okay. Arrangements are being made for the starting location. I need to put together a few documents to be provided when people register, and set up the registration process. Here are a few questions I can answer: 1. The entry fee is $2. However, we do provide a discount for families, and you can waive the fee through a prize donation. I'll provide more details in the race announcement on Wednesday. 2. The starting location will be Nashville. Please await further details. I am aiming to have everything ready by Wednesday to make an official announcement. Thank you for showing me that people are interested in the race. TripCyclone Quote Link to comment
+LauraSpain Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I'm interested but I'll have to send my TB from Spain, is that possible? where do I send it? Quote Link to comment
+TripCyclone Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) @LauraSpain International entries are welcome. You just need to ensure the item is shipped on time. As to where to send it, that information has now been announced. However, the specific address will only be provided upon completing the registration form. @EVERYONE ELSE The 4th Annual Great TB Race is now open for registration. Just go to the Great TB Race website and visit the "2012 Race Details" tab at the top of the site to find out everything you need to know to enter the race. When you first visit the site, you'll also see a post titled "Official 2012 Great TB Race Announcement". It just contains a few brief items about what is changing and where people can go to register. The race will start in Nashville, TN this year. If you decide to register, please make sure you read the instructions on the entry form and read the information within the confirmation message that will pop-up after you submit your entry. Please note that we instituted a $2 entry fee in 2011 to help cover the cost of shipping prizes and to help in the purchase of additional prizes. That will stay the same this year. You can waive the fee through a prize donation. As with everything else about the race, follow the instructions above to find out more information. If you have questions that you can't seem to find an answer too, keep posting them on here. I'll try to response in a quick manner. Edited November 3, 2011 by TripCyclone Quote Link to comment
+TheLoneGrangers Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 The point system is really cool! Quote Link to comment
+redwoodkestrel Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Nice, I like the point system too. My only suggestion would be to reword the card that is attached to the TB. You have points for "visiting a cache" and "visiting a cache with difficulty or terrain >2.5." Since, if I'm understand the rules correctly, technically a "visit" (dipping) of a TB doesn't get any points, maybe reword it to "dropped in a cache"? Just so the wording on the sheet matches the wording on what you do with the TB when you put it in a cache. Quote Link to comment
+Team 57 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I'm in. Thanks for putting it together! Quote Link to comment
+Team 57 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) I'm in again next year! This has been a fun race to be in this year. I looked forward to the monthly rank updates, to see who is moving around. Even though my racer went missing part way through, I liked watching the leaders, and the racers that I was in charge of scoring, move through the ranks. I like that this year there is a re-enter option. The first year, my TB went 17 miles and then disappeared. Edited November 3, 2011 by Team 57 Quote Link to comment
+TripCyclone Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Nice, I like the point system too. My only suggestion would be to reword the card that is attached to the TB. You have points for "visiting a cache" and "visiting a cache with difficulty or terrain >2.5." Since, if I'm understand the rules correctly, technically a "visit" (dipping) of a TB doesn't get any points, maybe reword it to "dropped in a cache"? Just so the wording on the sheet matches the wording on what you do with the TB when you put it in a cache. Thank you for the reminder. I was going to look at somehow allowing for Visits as it is a bit of a headache to recalculate for dips. Quote Link to comment
+famof410 Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I think I will *not* be participating again for 2012. This year was my 2nd year to participate and both years my TB's were stolen. Last year my TB only got to travel a couple of months before it "disappeared"; this year, mine made it up to 2nd place before some novice cacher decided to retrieve it then lost interest in geocaching and apparently in email as well (since there has been no response to my inquiries). This year was my partner's first attempt to participate and his TB has gone MIA too. It's just so disappointing to be following the race with anticipation only to have things come to a screeching halt by some thief. I realize that it seems to be the fate of most TB's to be lost in the wild at some point or another but if we can't even make it for a whole year before that happens, then there's no sense in entering the race again. This is no reflection on how the race is administered as all measures are in place to label the race contestants with information about how the race runs for those retrievers who are interested in reading same. We also made sure we didn't enter contestants with objects of value attached tempting someone to keep them. I am in agreement of not participating. Many times we had to email the cachers that held onto our tb and repeatedly had to send emails to fellow Geocachers asking to release the tb. Finally after going overseas and making huge strides to 3rd place, it was put in a Geocache that not only was difficult to retrieve due to the "steps" involved in discovering it on a small island, it got stolen three weeks ago with less than 12 weeks left in the race. Sad part was I emailed just three weeks before it was stolen to the previous Geocachers who discovered the cache asking if they had seen it and if possible they could go back and retrieve it. Also contacted owner twice pleading if he could remove it with no answer until after it was stolen. It has certainly been a huge disappointment that fellow Geocachers will not help out. So we are out for next year. I would like to note as well to the interested Geocachers who have not done it before...it is fun seeing/watching to see where your TB goes. And the disappearance of TB'S is of no reflection of those in charge of the race. But do not send out something of value and be sure to have a replacement ready to go (we didn't) in case it does go MIA. Good luck. Quote Link to comment
+cosninocanines Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I would like to note as well to the interested Geocachers who have not done it before...it is fun seeing/watching to see where your TB goes. And the disappearance of TB'S is of no reflection of those in charge of the race. But do not send out something of value and be sure to have a replacement ready to go (we didn't) in case it does go MIA. Good luck. Racing Roo has been training all fall and hopped on the bus to Nashville for the 2012 race. With a new re-release policy for the race it's a good idea to have that back-up racer with the copy tag ready to go. Just in case the original is lost in the bush. Quote Link to comment
+TripCyclone Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Registration is still open for the 4th Annual Great TB Race. We are currently up to around 40 entries. Check out the original post to learn how you can enter. Quote Link to comment
+Patturgeon10.4 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 I'm in. Gotta find a suitable traveler for the tag in the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment
+CoffeePowered Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Is there an age limit? I'd like to enter one for my 2-year-old son who I consider part of my family team. He often goes along when I make cache runs. I've also got a TB for my 7-year-old. Quote Link to comment
+Joe the Mailman Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 My entry should have arrived yesterday Quote Link to comment
+LilSmiths Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 This sounds like fun!! Doing one for myself, my wife and our 3 children. Good luck to all who enter. Quote Link to comment
+Team_Romeo Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 We're entering for the first time and just picked up our travel bug today. Getting it prepared and coming up with a name has been a fun family event! Looking forward to the junior cacher learning about some geography with this race. Thanks for organizing! Quote Link to comment
+taggdog Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Sent in TB racers for my wife and I and looking forward to race. Good luck to all the other entries. Quote Link to comment
+Joe the Mailman Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Thanks TripCyclone for hosting this Race and Good Luck everyone. Quote Link to comment
+jeffbouldin Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 And they're off!!!! Yesterday I had 116 TBs at the event. All were taken by various Mid TN cachers and they will be spread out. I'm taking several to Memphis later in the week. Another cacher took several to Chattanooga. Another to Mississippi. Another is going to Alabama and later Bowling Green KY. And another to Connecticut. So you will see them spreading out and moving soon! Quote Link to comment
+and off we go Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks for all your hard work on this. As a family of TB we are excited to follow them !! Carolyn Quote Link to comment
+and off we go Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks for all your hard work on this. As a family of TB we are excited to follow them !! Carolyn Quote Link to comment
+Flyincupcake Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I am new to geocaching, but am very interested in participating. Every day more and more people are signing up and learning about geocaching and becoming addicted to finding TB's and caches. What a great way to spend a day with great friends and family. Quote Link to comment
+Team_Romeo Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 We're excited to participate in this race too (especially our 6 year old cacher)! Can't wait to see the progressions of the various bugs. Good luck to all! Quote Link to comment
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