Took a glance at the start lists and it seems like numbers are up in the XL/XC/Gravel races. 600 people on the XL course seems like a lot.
And while I was there took a look at the entry fees… $180-$190 After April 2nd seems pricey. I guess that’s the norm now 
Yikes 93 entrants in the Men 50-59 age group. That’s going to be a crowded run through Couch.
124 in Men 40-49 
99 in Men 30-39
That’s more than half the field right there.
Should be just enough places to pass using course knowledge. Blind downhills, better lines on gravel, etc where one doesn’t have to get off the power, but the single track is going to be frustrating for sure.
how far into the first lap is the couch? Current goal - to use my lack of course knowledge, starting speed and general endurance to vie for the pointy end of the back third.
I’m assuming it clears out by the second lap?
about half a mile from the start to the single track and it’s 90% climbing to get there.
90% hard start climb… check. Revised current goal - pointy end of the back quarter.
Yep, 2.9w/kg I will not be at the front. Course knowledge is my only edge.
There is one place to attack at the end of the segment called “Beer & Pizza” @Jolyzara and I road that last weekend, and even the downhill bits of it give you no time to rest. It’s not technical, just rough enough to require you to pay attention and manage your steering, but also has some rocks, stumps, bushes that split the trail at in opportune times and break up the flow.
Once I hit Couch (Trail 47) proper, I can pretty much go full send all the way to the bridge. Yes it’s single track and has some hidden bumps, but the sight lines are wide open. So long as you keep up on the pedals and hinged at the hip, it can be a very fast section so long as the person in front of you doesn’t get spooked.
Past the bridge is another short section where you can attack. MORCA made it a track and a half on a good portion of the trail between the bridge to the last climb (scar) on 47, so there may be some passing opportunities there.
After 47 you hit Skyline (gravel road) which can be VERY fast and has at least one blind turn that requires caution through out the year but can be full gas on race day, before you hit 44, which is the next single track.
As mentioned further up the thread, Fort Ord changes from week to week, but that’s kind of par for the course when sand is the base for everything. Just because you rode it last year, doesn’t mean you know the single track sections this year.
Had a mechanical issue start to creep up on me about 26 miles into a Lap of the Fuego course today. That had me skipping the last single track complex 80-84-85-82, so no recon on that section.
The rest of the course is drying out pretty quickly. I managed to PR Couch w/Beer & Pizza. Not sure how I managed that.
Hopefully this is the last time out on the hardtail and I’ll be on my full sus Scalpel next go. I’m going to give a 2.35 Ray F/2.25 Ralph rear a try as well as the 30t sprocket up front. I know I’ll spin out in some places, but I think I’d rather have that and be able to spin up some of the kickers.
Trail 41 has had a visit from the erosion fairy and there are some surprises to be had on the first third where it starts to pitch down hill. Highly recommend a pre-ride of at least the East half of the course if you can manage it.
I see most discussion here is about the XC race, but anyone have any thoughts suggestions for the gravel race loop regarding bike/tires? It looks like they have taken out some of the single track from previous years if I’m seeing that right.
I’m doing the gravel race. It is mostly smooth gravel, some mud/wet spots, but not many. You will lose traction and possibly spin out on a couple of the steep climbs (i.e. three sisters) but this happens even with my mtb tires. Most is loose over hard.
Personally I like wider tires as I feel more confident and thus go faster. I have run 38, 42 and about to put on 47s. Currently my favorite is 42. There is a fair amount of pavement but nothing you need to go skinny for.
I am curious how they are going to deal with the two way traffic in some spots. Just hope people stay right? They could have made a course that avoids that and uses more gravel but that doesn’t seem to be the Sea Otter way.
Didn’t do the course persay this weekend, but gravel roads out in Ord tend toward the loose over hard. I’d go drop bars, have one bailout gear, and 43-45 and low enough pressure to keep grip when leaned over.
With the exception of the two way traffic @Jolyzara mentioned, it should be MUCH faster than last year, but also there are a lot better options that don’t include two way traffic or bumpy single track.
South end of the course was a freaking swamp today.
No way am running a Thunder Burt. Even Ralph spun out on more than a few places.
30t was fine. I’m slowly getting used to how to apply power with it in the lager cogs.
I think the race set will be a fresh Ralph on the back.
Fueling is dialed, hydration could be better.
We’ll see if I can crack 7 hours for two laps. 6h 30m unlikely.
Bang on the pace I’m guessing for myself, sounds like I’ll be riding with you! I have Aspens on and they aren’t coming off at this point. Will see how it goes.
For Friday there is also the disconnect between Leadville Qualifying Times and the event’s course closure times.
Since Brown is now the back of the field, everyone with no set qualifying time, that means White DOES require a qualifying time. For 2023 the White time was 7 hours, problem being the XL course is only open 7 hours for the Elite Men. Every other class that starts after Elite men get less and less time, including Elite women. All Age group women really get the short end on this as if you go “by the book” It’s impossible for them to set a White corral time, but sure Lifetime, let us know more about inclusion and gender equity.
Here’s the calcs I did based on the info posted at Leadville and on the Sea Otter sites.
What wave are you starting in?
Thanks for posting the start times! Looks like I’m at 9:25 (50 - 59 men).
For those coming from out of town here’s a pre-ride route I whipped up. It’s about 20 of the 35 miles of the course.
@Jolyzara Anything notable that I missed? This is where most of the surprises, places where you need to be mentally prepared like Couch, Jumps on 84, drops on 82, Craters on 95, the 50 North descent etc. IMHO nothing except for maybe the sand pit climb on 69 is really surprising on the North end/East Garrison section. Craters might catch some people who haven’t ridden them off guard though. as will the drops on 82.
Even the drops on 82 aren’t BAD, but they’re rough and have turns directly after them, so carrying enough speed to just roll them and being ready for the sharp turns is kind of important.
Per the email today sounds like the trails are going to be in mint condition. Not sure if that’s just marketing hype, but I like it.
Well I was there last weekend and no, the first five miles was NOT mint. I 100% guarantee the XL is going to claim some drivetrains next Friday. It’s had about 10 days to dry out, but looks like that area is going to get another inch or so of rain starting late tomorrow night. The ground is still saturated from the 10 inches / 25 cm of rain that’s dropped there in the last 45 days.
No, I don’t think they’ll be “mint” or at least enough will be atrocious enough to put a serious hurt on drivetrains. I’m counting on having to re-lube at the halfway point.
@Jolyzara lives closer than I do and can attest to the “mixed” conditions.
ahh… well, there we go. I’m going to live in denial for now and pretend it will be mint 
The weather will be just about perfect. The trail conditions…
