Anyone know what will be provided at the aid stations?
thereâs a course talk taking place right now. They will release the recording shortly after.
No change in Course for the XL. Gravel race will be all gravel roads, no single track. regular XC is only 19 miles, new course this year.
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@webdev511 where will the recording be?
Not posted yet, Iâll ask the LT folks who recorded it
Course Talk Replay Posted!
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Well as of this week, they arenât going to run the altered course, but thatâs also subject to change.
Iâm going to head out and try to do most of a lap this weekend. Weâll see how goopy the âBeer and Pizzaâ segment is, but the rest should be in good shape.
Also had start line jitters today as I was mentally going through my pre-race routine. Maybe I just need to take a page out of Hannah Ottoâs play book and just not set any expectations. Problem is then I just turn things into a fun ride and end up with way too much left in the tank at the end.
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Looks like the new XC course was releasedâŚlooking forward to more of an XCO distance race.
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That actually looks pretty sweet. Good mix of trails there. 
Has the Fuego XL course been released? Is it just 2 laps of the XC?
No, same course as last year with a wild card of they may still change the last climb from 50 South-> Lookout to 49S â Pilarcitos Canyon if the erosion on the last mile of Lookout crosses an undefined threshold. Thatâs code for âThe holes in the middle of the road are massive and too dangerous to ride around.â
Iâll post some pics of Lookout and some of the other places that have potential to cause a re-route. There are at least three that come to mind.
XL course was released as well⌠Doesnt the regular XC go up lookout too?
It does, so if it changes for the XL, it will also change for XC, but it really would mess up the XC course since it currently goes DOWN 49 S and if they reroute, theyâd need to go up. Thatâs gonna be a mess if BLM puts the kybosh on Lookout.
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I donât know why⌠But they always insist on CLIMBING the downhill trials. Goat trail is a downhill highway. Yet, now people are going to be climbing it to pre-ride the course. It is dangerous and not to mention is a terrible climb. Why decent Oil Well (a long gravel decent that is not in the gravel race for whatever reason) to then climb Goat?
On another note, climbing 49N and descending 49S would be SO much better than climbing 50S (another downhill trail) and going up Lookout (monster ruts and mud right now).
For whatever reason many of the best trails are skipped. Maybe it has to do with BLM?
If they could divert to pilarcitos cyn rd for the final climb that would be awesome. More of a long threshold effort rather than a ball buster V02 max climb.
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+1. Totally agree.
Whereâs a good place to park to access the course for pre-riding in the next few weeks?
Creekside, 8th & Giggling or East Garrison all work.
Local Tip: be careful on single track that has poor sight lines as trails are two way. Also 50S is a popular downhill trail (locals usually climb 49 and descend 50. Personally I donât risk it as I have come very, very close to a head on collision while they were coming down full send (that likely would have resulted in an airlift out of there). Most of the time you are fine but personally I donât risk it anymore and take the road.
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+1 on East Garrison. You can drop on to the XL course right at Barloy Canyon.
Also +1 on itâs two way traffic and just assume someone is going the opposite direction you are, flat, uphill, or downhill. I come across hikers all the time. I run a small flasher & a timber bell (passive bell that rings while weâre bouncing around) The latter being better overall insurance. Hikers appreciate it for sure.
This is my route for the XL starting at East Garrison Granted it doesnât include the circuit part. Stay frosty on 50 as Iâve come across people coming up 50N, but knock on wood, been lucky no to encounter anyone sending it on 50S.
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Thanks! I definitely miss the bygone MTB culture of yield to uphill traffic (and expect it).
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The culture still exists, you just canât be riding a trail with poor sight lines that is intended as a DH trail and expect people to know you are there.
I rarely run into people who wonât yield, but you need to use common sense too.
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