The Bitter Pill

Introduction

The Bitter Pill is a summer adventure race for teams of two or three. We will be holding the 17th edition of the Bitter Pill on Saturday August 13th, 2022 in Waterbury, VT.

This race features summer disciplines like hiking, biking, and time on the water – as well as requiring you to continually navigate. We are known for being able to really challenge experienced teams while providing a great race for the first-timers. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is a great way to get started.

What’s the short description of this event? Let’s put it this way: we’ll get your team out into the woods and on the water, doing different activities, navigating with a map, and going to places you never would have otherwise. You’ll have an incredible, unique experience with other teams there to do the same. The competition is truly with the course – you’ll go as fast and far as you want to, all with a goal of making it to the finish and seeing as much of the course as possible.

Teams do not need support crews for this event. Outside of what is provided by the race organizers, teams must be self-sufficient. This is an adventure, after all!

Disciplines

The 2022 race will likely feature the following disciplines, but we’re not officially announcing anything quite yet: 

• Navigation with topographical map and compass
• Mountain Biking
• Hiking / Trekking
• Paddling

Keep in mind that these disciplines can occur in any order, and you could have multiple sections in the course for each activity. We’ll sometimes surprise you with other disciplines too – a short swim, a quick climb – but nothing you wouldn’t be prepared for.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this a good race for a team new to adventure racing?
  
  • Absolutely. A twelve-hour race is the standard length for a beginner adventure race. One thing we do really well is providing a enjoyable experience for the new teams.
• Will we be plotting UTM coordinates?
  • No. We use pre-plotted maps. We made the decision as an organization that in a race of this length it made more sense considering the number of new teams we see. Never fear – the navigation will be challenging enough without this extra step.
• Can we leave personal gear we don’t need behind, such as our PFD when not on the paddle section or bike helmet when not on the bike section?
  • Assume the answer is no. Some races will have a section where you can leave some gear and grab it later but this is generally not the case. Your best bet is to practice carrying everything and adjust based on the specifics of the course. You can leave water bottles attached to your bike, but you can’t leave your helmet and shoes behind unless specifically told otherwise. (Don’t worry, you do get to leave the boat and bike behind when not on those sections.)
• Do I need a real mountain bike for this race?
  • Our courses typically feature all sorts of terrain, including technical trails, forest roads, paved roads, and even hike-a-bike sections. We always recommend a real mountain bike but if you want to try your luck with a hybrid or single speed bike, that’s your call.