I had a gravel race in the area last weekend (Le Grand du Nord) and the gravel roads were very dry, as was everything in general. Forecast also calls for pretty sunny and dry for the next 10 days.
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Is there a bike mechanic setup at packet pickup or would I need to go to a local shop if I need anything?
There should be some basic support, what do you think you will need? there is only one small shop in Grand Marais, 30 minutes away from the venue, so your options are limited. i wouldn’t count on a new chain or a brake bleed, but loose bolts etc they should be able to help with. Erik’s usually has some set up there.
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Okay…next question. Garmin pedals are dead. Doh. Any chance someone local or coming from relatively close can pickup a cr 1/3N battery? I’ll buy you dinner post-race. I’m going to check a hardware store up here but trying to have a backup plan…
How well does this course drain? Looks like rain tonight, chance of thunderstorms today and tomorrow.
I think I’m still planning on my race kings at this point.
The gravel roads will be fine.
There will be areas on the snowmobile trails that will be completely saturated. The steeper descents will be super sketchy with wet ground and the bottom of them will likely be puddles so I would be cautious there. There is one in particular around mile 25ish maybe that causes a lot of flats (I was a victim last year). Also, if it is wet bring bug spray! When I Was changing my flat last year I counted 11 mosquitoes on one arm at one point.
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Do you think a 2.4 Wolfpack Speed would be better than the 2.2 Race King with these conditions? Or are the sketchy parts a small enough percentage?
Costs me 1# total, both ready to go on separate wheelsets. Both have inserts.
Unless you are VERY risk averse when descending on snowmobile trails like me, it is probably a small enough percentage to stick with the 2.2s. Also, depending on where you finish, your ability to descend might be a function of the people around you. On the “longer” descents and climbs, there might be too much walking traffic to be able to ride either way. Again, that depends potentially on your starting spot and where you anticipate finishing.
Even being risk averse myself, I would probably roll with the 2.2s.
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Good to know, thanks! I definitely don’t bomb the downhills and like to take them a little easy, but am reasonably experienced on the MTB so not tentative or anything like that, so should be fine if I pay attention.
Hoping I’m not caught up behind people hiking, but you never know. 4.0 w/kg with an FTP around 315, so probably in the ballpark of a 6:30 finish (plus or minus)?
This is a long shot but if anyone came across a pair of Sweet Protection Sunglasses w/ Rose colored lenses on the multi-loop section (probably on the rough trail) please let me know. Thanks!
I def saw some glasses like that in one of the loops, but did not stop to retrieve them. They were right in the trail too so despite being intact when I got there, no idea if they survived or not. Saw lots of bottles and some wrappers, but those glasses stuck out to me as an odd sight and I spent a few minutes wondering what happened to the person they belonged to. Ended up settling on that you must have had them on your helmet, under the back of your helmet, or in the top of your jersey when they got ejected.
Had it in the center pocket of my jersey and I suspect they ejected when my uswe pack bounced a bit. It didn’t seem secure in the pocket but I can’t say my brain was working real well at that point.
Yo, I think we were in the start corral together, I was on the blue/orange OIZ. I believe you had white arm sleeves on. How did your race go? I missed my 6 hour target by 16 minutes. Was the best I have felt at the end of this race, so possibly should have pushed harder earlier on.
I have yet to actually take my bike apart to asses the damage from the mud, got it all clean on the outside. A buddy just finished servicing his bike and only noted his BB was crusty, but seemed to smooth out after a good cleaning.
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How did this years 99er compared to the previous course? Harder, easier? It looks like the winners were around 5 hrs, so it must have been shorter.
Small world - that was me.
Exact same feeling, I finished at 6:18, and felt like I had the fitness to go 6 if there’d been less mud, less lap traffic, and if I’d pushed harder earlier. I finished with gas in the tank and feeling pretty good. What it came down to for me is that was my first time on that course, so didn’t know what to expect. In the grand scheme of things, I’m happy how it went for me.
I drove to Leadville Sunday (here now) and had Cycles of LIfe Clean my Bike for me, best $40 I’ve ever spent 
I’m going to check my derailleur hanger, B Gap, and Shifting today, but took a quick spin yesterday and after the clean-up I think I’m in pretty good shape save for not shifting quite as nice.
That was the best $40 you can spend…
That is the most traffic I remember running into. Was a bit frustrating at times, but thems the breaks.
Biggest issue I ran into was that any group I was in pushed it harder on climbs than I wanted and didn’t drive on the flat sections like I would have liked to. As a heavier rider the flats and single track is where I make up time.
First time I made it through without a cramp, which was nice, until my right leg locked up in the tent at 10:30 saturday night and it was raining, so no walking it off.
Exactly. While I probably should have pushed the hills a little harder, people were going too hard, and I ended up cruising by a bunch of people on the flats.
