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