One of the least glamorous taskes in adventure racing, gear check, takes place before the start. At multi-day races like this Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, it takes place the day before the start. I've been to gear checks in parking lots, pop-up shelters, lodges and hotel ballrooms. But never in my life have I caught a scene like this at gear check. In the photo, a team makes its way out of the back entrance of the Armed Forces Officers Club, on its way for gear check out front. Sheesh! What a place!