The Gravel course is running fast and should provide some great racing. Lots of loose over hard on descents, paved climbs, a jeep trail leading up to the Lookout climb, and a section of uphill, sand washy, single track that could cause some field separation depending on how punchy the people at the front are. 45-50’s with minimal tread in the middle will probably end up being the tire of choice.
The XC/XCM course has some sections running as fast as they ever have in the last 4 years, but other areas are as rough as I’ve seen them. Sand washes seem a bit more prevalent than last year, but it could just be my imagination. Wider is better. I ran 2.35 Ray F / 2.4 Rick R and the rear was so much better than the Burt I ran a couple of weeks ago. That is going to be my setup for the Fuego XL.
Cool, thanks for the quick response! Do you have any advice on parking? That is to say I are the main Sea Otter parking areas behind attendants requiring tickets, or can that be used for random spectators as well?
You can park at the venue for free, but traffic sucks. If you aren’t going in, I would park at Creekside, East Garrison or 8th & Gigling and ride in. The course goes by those areas and you won’t have to deal with the fiasco.
Yes it will be, I’ll be racing on the basis that the XL is the main aim and whatever I can do on the Sunday is a bonus.
I’m a well seasoned 12hr and 24hr solo racer and have stage race experience, so I’ll be drawing on that. The only unknown is my reaction to the time difference, as my racing to date has all been within 2hrs of UK time.
I’m flying in from Eastern USA & will have a rental car (supposed to be getting a mid-size SUV); might be able to give you a lift. I’m doing the Fuego XL as well, 30-39 Men - hoping to do sub-6 hours. Feel free to send me a message!
Trail 47 to 48 turn section is as bumpy as I ever seen it. No good lines here, just survival. The rest of Couch Canyon (trail 47) is bumpier than last year, and some of last year’s lines are gone. If you don’t pre-ride this, hold back a bit because there are some sections that will catch you out.
Trail 47 is running fast. No huge surprises like last year.
Trail 38/39 junction is a complete mess. super rutted all the way across. No good lines. When you get past it, prepare yourself for the first sand section. Like exceptionally bad sand section. It does finally clear out when you hit the climb though.
Trail 82 also running exceptionally fast this year. I PR’d it a couple of weeks ago and I wasn’t even trying.
The downhill section of Trail 18 has seen some wear and line choice isn’t as straight forward as it was last year.
Trail 69 is the sandpit from hell for the first 500m before you hit the climb. You will be tempted to switch sides a couple of times. I can’t tell you which side is better because they both degrade in various places.
96 to 95 (craters) running fast. there are multiple lines through the craters this year vs last couple of years where the left side was the only sensible choice.
Trail 50 North - the top half is still bumpy as heck, but the bottom half is running much faster than last year.
50 South to Lookout It’s okay, not as sandy as it’s been in past years, but you will want to run a tire with some tread in the middle or you will spin out. I switched from a Thunder Burt to a Rick and the improvement was noticeable.
Lookout ridge. It is what it is. Two short-ish hard climbs and one monster. Head down. pedal and you will make it to the top…twice hopefully. Three times if doing the Gravel course for an Unbound Coin.
See you guys there. I’ll be in the 50-59 section wearing my USMES kit or my OD green shark teeth kit on an orange and grey Scalpel with orange hubs (Lefty for the win! or finish)
Looks like the weather may once again be some of the best we see all year. Despite rain and crazy winds the past week, extended forecast looks to be in the 80s for the pro race on Thursday.
Any suggestions on the choice between these sets of tires;
Maxxis Aspen ST 120 TPI 2.4s vs Specialized Ground Control T5 F/S-Works Renegade T5/T7 R.
I also have an S-Works Fast Trax T5/T7 for the front and have raced it in shorter faster races with a lot of tech with no issues, but did not like the grip… so that is also an option for the front.
I will likely not be able to preride and test, so opinions from those who have run either option would be great.
If you can keep the traction in the sandy climbs on the Aspens, they’d be good, but the higher than normal traffic on the route is probably going to chew them up. I personally went with more knob on back, moving from a Burt to a Rick.
I had to make the tough choice not to for the first time since 2019. Had a rough year and the fitness isnt there. Going to miss it! Someone get some tacos and beer at Peter B’s for me.
