High all,
I’m thinking I might try to go to endurance mtb nationals this year. I have a few questions that I would appreciate some input on:
- It’s hard to get USAC ranking for mtb, particularly marathon in Colorado. Would not having any be a limited for marathon? I get frustrated in races where I can’t ever get into the race because I am seeded far back with an early bottleneck.
-what is/was the marathon course like? I’ve seen more on the xco, but not the marathon. Is there passing before the singletrack?
Ideal bike for xcm, xco? I have an element, but it doesn’t work that well on tighter flatter courses and sections, and I’m thinking something more XC could be nice to have.
Thanks
Seeding shouldn’t be a problem given the fairly low turnout for MTB nationals events — the race was on a Monday last year! I was about last to get called up in one of the largest classes ( ~35 in the 50-54 age group) and moving forward was pretty easy.
The pavement start lasts at least 3/4 of a mile before going through a mix of fields/wide trail before getting into a short section of single track and back into a couple miles of double track. More of the issue is getting around the back of the age groups that started a few minutes in front of you once you get into the real single track.
Depending on how fast you are, passing can be a bit of an issue — I definitely got held up for some extended sections behind groups of riders trying to pass.
I grew up really close to the course and rode there quite a bit before moving away — so I’m a bit partial to the course. It has a good mix that leans towards riders with above average mtb skills. It’s not super rocky or rooty. Its rough enough with a couple longer DH’s that I strongly believe full suspension is the ticket.
2 Likes
Staging position shouldn’t be a problem. Last year(based on memory), the staging order was:
- Top 5 from last year
- Aged up champion from last year (if applicable)
- XCM rankings
- XCO rankings
- Random
Assuming a same/similar course to last year, the XCM will begin with a paved climb through the Campus of Hollins, then doubletrack/grass to the initial singletrack and steep climb. First singletrack isn’t technical and is unlike the rest of the course until reversing through to the finish.
Then you’ll have ~3 miles of gravel with abrupt direction changes and short climbs/descents.
After that, it’ll be mostly singletrack with a few segments of gravel/fire road.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of opportunities to move up/settle into a group in the first few miles… and you may be catching previous waves.
I’m not familiar with the Element. A 120/120 bike is perfect for the course in my opinion (I ran 120/110 last year).
Expect loose/fixed rocks and plenty of roots (XCO course is “rootier” and less rocky) and never really flat. It’ll most likely be very humid… but hopefully not Gulf Coast humid like last year…)
Here’s a video preview from last year (before the route was released), excluding Hollins University start/finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50wOPMNz1AI (the “death climb” was not included fortunately)
Good luck!