For what it’s worth, I was just giving my opinion on why the event is seeing some pushback. I don’t want to start a debate on the pros and cons of tourism, crusty locals, etc. Like @DMC alluded to, these types of conversations or issues are present in any high volume tourist area. I digress.
Steering the conversation back to the race and new courses. Looking forward to a hard day on the bike, WATTS!
So based on this convo it sounds like it would also be safe to wear road shoes and pedals on the red (57mi) course? I know the red course is also new this year - not sure if anyone has intel on the roads and gravel south of SBT that the red will cover?
The red course uses well-maintained gravel roads. All rideable. Road shoes fine.
Every year I have participated, I have done the black course, and I have used road shoes/pedals. Even when the conditions were wet, it has not been a problem. Steamboat gravel, and the surrounding area, are fantastic.
I rode the first 28 miles of the black course today. It was my first time riding the steep climb on the profile below - starting at about mile 24.
Until about 3-4 weeks ago, this section used to be a narrow, packed-dirt road with embedded rocks. In the last couple of weeks, the county did some “road maintenance” on it, and it’s now wider, less rocks, but the surface has turned to moon dust.
There is about a 1-2 mile section of this road that has very steep grades. My Garmin was averaging 10-14% grade, with sections at 15, 16 and 17%. I successfully rode all pitches on this section - but just about. Grinding at about 30-40 rpm. Seated in the saddle. Continually balancing power with traction. Picking what I thought were best lines.
No way you can stand as you’ll spin out in the dust. Very hard to restart riding if you do spin out, and you’ll need to push. In a group of cyclists, this would be very hard to clean.
If the conditions are similar in a few weeks, a lot of riders will be hike-a-biking on this section. If there’s rain in the morning, this section could be sticky mud (although if it does rain, it’s usually later in the day after riders will have passed this section).
Regarding choice of shoes, I’d bring a pair of MTB shoes and pedals just in case. I’d bet on the riders meeting the day before they’ll mention this section and what to expect with the conditions.
I don’t know what the descent on the other side was like, as we turned around at the top and retraced our path. If the descent on the other side is similar to conditions on this side, it will be very tricky. Loose, hidden rocks and super dusty. My friend who was descending behind just me today said his visibility was bad. In a pack of riders, it would be very bad.
This certainly spices up the route though!!
The singletrack pic below is the other steep climb we did at about mile 50. Don’t worry - that’s not on the route!
They posted a video of the new climb….definitely not champagne gravel, but also not horrible. Looks completely ridesble, but the issue will be people jammed together and off a good line. One rider unclips and dabs and then it will be a domino effect behind.
I imagine the race to the start of the climb will be pretty intense at the front of the field.
That video is from before the county did road maintenance on that stretch. It looks different now. Very dusty and loose as of a few weeks ago when I rode it (see post above).
I know the county was planning to go back to do some remediation work, so possible the conditions look different now / will be different for race day.
Regardless of the surface conditions, that stretch is very steep. And groups will certainly get splintered on the climb.
I’m riding Blue this year, so I probably won’t see that steep climb. But I guess I should stay in the back to stay safer. lol
Headed to Steamboat this Friday from FL to do the Black course.
I just completed BWR NC Waffle on 40mm tires. It was fine but I bet the real chunky areas would have been nicer on 45s. Pinnacle Mountain is rough after 80-90 miles. Glad Wahooligan Pass is in the first 1/4 of the race.
Plan to bring the 40s to CO for SBT GRVL but also plan to buy some 44/45s at the expo +++ 
With the little amount of tarmac and the already negligible losses by going wider, I feel wide comfy tires are the way to go.
Safe travels, see you there.
@gravelmauve
I’m headed out Thursday evening for Black. Will be running Tufo Thunderos in 40.
What’s the start like at this race in terms of lining up? Free-for-all? Projected times like Unbound?
It’s a free for all. People will be lining up 45 mins before it starts.
When I did it in 2022 it was a free for all. I swiftly realised I might have erred in my starting point when I looked to my left and saw Paige Onweller. Needless to say the start pen was the last time I saw her as I quickly moved backwards during the “neutral” start
After watching that YouTube video, I would definitely run 42s and up. I had to defer this year because life happens and hope it doesn’t happen again so I can attend next year.
I’ve done bwr NC a few times and just by the looks of the YouTube video. The big climb is nothing like NC gravel. Run what you bring either way, send it.
Her and Torbjorn Roed passed me today. Looked down and back up and they were up the road.
Thanks. Will have to hope I can sneak my way toward the front!
For those who are racing: I rode CR56 today. I was rather unimpressed with the ascent. I would not let it dictate equipment selection. Someone is assuredly going to get hurt on the descent tomorrow and I hope the climb is able to break apart the packs to avoid utter disaster.
I like chaotic descents. It’s the MTB-er in me 
So how’d everyone’s SBT go this year? I had an absolute blast.
(the nimby gravel race signs were a little off-putting 
)
