Great post. I don’t have any specific idea about this race, but like reading about all the XCM options.
But isn’t it funny how crazy the start of a race can be. How often you ride along thinking “why on earth are we going so hard”. Obviously there must be someone leading the way who is riding the right pace, but then there is a huge number of people who are following riding way over their heads.
Thanks, this is super helpful. The dynamics of the course (many short punchy climbs) is going to be so different than what I’m used to in CO. Hopefully the trainer road v02 and threshold intervals will make a big difference!
This course is going to be brutal due to the constant steep climbing as noted. Pre rode the course over 2days this weekend and was pretty toasted. The 90% single track is also another factor many don’t give credit to. Many other rides have a fair amount of 4x4 roads, fire roads, ect mixed in. Constant tight single track mile for mile is much more taxing in my opinion. I did Austin Rattler last year and this course puts it to shame.
I am really anxious to see their cut off times. This being their first year I hope they are not too aggressive as I can already see a lot of DNF’s. Coming from a few other qualifiers as well as the LT100 its self I personally feel this is the hardest in the catalog.
I know everybody is different, but I personally feel this would not be a good race to “improve” coral position in my opinion.
This race sounds * lot* like my A-Race the (greatest XCM in the world) Whaka 100 in Rotorua, NZ.
I completely agree that the Singletrack riding really changes things and a lot of people don’t account for the added fatigue enough. It’s all about pacing.
If you’ve got 15min and want a good laugh from a race recap blog thing which really emphasises the importance of pacing this is absolute gold…
It’s got lots of swearing in it just FYI.
What gearing are people planning on using or have previously used?
TIRE UPDATE: While pre-riding this weekend I had a huge sidewall slash on my rear Mezcal. I’m going to run the Syerra with Cushcore XC for race. While it may be a slower tire with different riding characteristics than what I prefer, I like that’s is 60tpi for puncture resistance. I don’t want my A race to be marred by a PITA tire puncture.
34T with 10-50 Cassette. Targeting 11mph pace.
I thought Rattler had some steep climbs. Sugar is more?
Great intel. Good thing I sliced up my racekings this past weekend so they aren’t even an option for me.
I’ve been testing out some Specialized grid t7s with cushcore xc in the rear tire this past week. They are pretty beefy compared to what I’m used to, but sounds like they might be good for this race.
So excited for what seems to be a true MTB race. I’ve done several 50+ mile techy single track races in the past. Usually it’s the full body strength/endurance that ends up being most important vs. just pure climbing fitness.
Since you’re a local, curious if you have thoughts on finishing times of the winners, top 25%ers and mid-pack riders. Any thoughts? Trying to plan out nutrition etc…
Post from Big Sugar re: the Little Sugar…sounds like riders are gonna need to buckle up!!
System is only letting me post the pic for some reason and not the full IG post….here is what they said:
“bring your climbing legs, your technical skills and your most resilient tires”
Airliners, Silca sealant with the mondo fibers, and the MTB equivalent of Unbound razor resistant sidewalls.
I think the winner of the pro race will around 13.5mph, so around 4.5hrs. If I remember correctly the tip of the spear at the Oz Trails Epics were in the 14mph - 15mph range? But that was with a larger percentage of road and only on the east side of Bella Vista (Back 40) which has less elevation than the west side (Little Sugar).
For the amateur fields I think 10.5 to 11.5 mph gets podiums. (5.5 - 6hrs.)
Athlete Guide says front and rear lights are mandatory. Any intel on whether this is a real rule or just and insurance-related statement?
Seems to be just a formality they need to put on paper. I am not using either
Tom Pidcock is going to be running Little Sugar and Kasia Niewiadoma is going to be on the line for Big Sugar…
Should be spicy for sure…
Yeah, we were discussing that in the UCI Gravel thread…and we at least have one answer to a question now:
Now, the Canyon-SRAM pro gets to debut her rainbow stripes, which might make her think a little more seriously about the race.
“That’s gonna be super cool because I was thinking I wouldn’t really have any opportunities to wear the rainbow jersey so it’s gonna be nice to give it a try straight away,” Niewiadoma said after gravel worlds.
Sounds like she is rocking the jersey…despite it not being a UCI event. Love it. Hopefully she races it, too!
If I won a Rainbow jersey I’d be wearing it down the shops to pick up some milk, let alone in an actual bike race
Off topic-ish.
If you’re the CX champ you can only wear the Full rainbow in CX races for the year after winning it, and rainbow bands thereafter.
What about bands when you’re outside of the discipline, like Pidcock is XCO Champ, but Little Sugar is XCM (non-UCI) can he wear the bands because he IS a WC, just not in XCM?
I know on our team page we have UCI and USAC champion bands available to order (but only if you are/were a champion…)
We went over a lot of that in the other thread, but…
Technically you should only wear the bands within the discipline. i.e. Blevins can’t wear them in an XCO or XCM, Nino can’t in XCC, Pidcock should edit not wear the rainbow jersey at Little Sugar. Or bands on his arm.
(Perfect example is he is a previous cyclo-cross WC but doesn’t get to wear the bands on his sleeve on the road for example)