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 ā Pilarcitos Canyon if the erosion on the last mile of Lookout crosses an undefined threshold. Thatās code for āThe holes in the middle of the road are massive and too dangerous to ride around.ā
Iāll 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.
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, theyād need to go up. Thatās gonna be a mess if BLM puts the kybosh on Lookout.
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I donāt know whyā¦ 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?
+1. Totally agree.
Whereās 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 donāt 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 donāt 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 itās 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 weāre 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 doesnāt include the circuit part. Stay frosty on 50 as Iāve 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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Problem is too many people are of the opinion that anything that has a drop elevation is to them obviously intended as such. The only available remedy is signage which of course will be ignored because ādude, itās going down hill!ā
At least we donāt have to worry about it on race week, and in the mean time all we can do is get the word out to folks to be on their toes and maybe not go full send between now and the end of April.
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Newbie question: 2.4 Aspens a decent choice for the conditions? thanks!
Good for the front, but I donāt think you need that wide in back. Iām going to run a Racing Ray 2.35 front and either a 2.1 (Thunder Burt) or 2.25 (Racing Ralph) out back.
Iāve been running a Barzo 2.35 F and Mezcal 2.1 out back training and thatās been a good combo too.
I think the wider front helps with the looseness in areas that are sandy and allows a bit more pushing on the downhills. I think I did a lap on 2.1 Mez F/R and it felt sketchy to me. 
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How is your handling and confidence with loose corners?
okā¦ maybe? Overall my weakness is climbing and my (relative) strength is descending. I live in BCBR territory so the trails will be very different from what I ride regularly. Iāve used Ardent Race for both HC100 (Bend) and BCBR. Enjoyed it for both of them, but thatās the only XC tire Iāve used and again, not riding dry and loose a lot.
As long as Iām not way off base with an Aspen Iāll probably give it a shot, unless you say ānooooo, terrible ideaā 
If you feel comfortable with descending on Aspens, you should be good. I personally donāt think you need a big tire out back though, as there are quite a few fire roads up and down where a big tire isnāt going to help much if at all.
Heck the first time I raced Sea Otter I did it on a Pro-Flex 855 With a 2.1 Dart Front and 1.9 Smoke in the back. Yeah Iām old.
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Appreciate all the responses everyone. Will do the 2.4 Aspen on the front and consider a 2.2 or 2.25 for the back. (And right there with you on the old part!). Cheers
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Ha! I know what a Pro-Flex and a Smoke and Dart is so I think that puts me in the old category as well! 
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Iām going to give a 2.1 Thunder Burt a try this weekend. Weāll see how it goes.
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Ran a Recon Lap of the XL course today with @Jolyzara
2.35 Ray up front 2.1 Burt out back mounted on Hollowgram/DTSwiss hoops and an Airliner Light in the rear. This was on my Scalpel HT, so the Airliner wasnāt really optional, and I did give it a test or two.
Ray was predictable as expected. We hit ALL of the conditions, wet sand, dry sand, medium wet/dry sand, hard pack, marbles over hard, mud, water, and what ever substance the bottom of āBeer and Pizzaā is made out of.
Burt was only questionable in two places and not for long.
1st was trail 60 which was a sand fest. That said I think they only bike making it through there without some drama is a fat bike.
2nd was on a loose over hard downhill section. Burt just doesnāt have the lug to punch through the loose, but I took the loss of braking traction as my queue to just let go of the brake and let gravity take over.
With all that I think Iām sold on Burt being my rear for the XL.
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