Counting Coup & Vision Quest

[pshloss]

I am definitely in for VQ. I use this race to motivate me to ride a lot all year.

Did CC two years ago- was my longest ride ever at that point and a pretty good challenge for me. Did VQ last year with early start, making the last cutoff with a little (but not much) to spare.

I recommend CC for first timers to endurance racing. 8000 feet of climbing is pretty challenging and the last VQ cutoff is tough to make (12:30 at West Horsethief). Then you still have 2000 feet vert of death march/hike-a-bike up Horsethief and a little climb up Main Divide before the last descent on Trabuco Trail.

[dukethenuke]

I'm doing the VQ this year for sure. My christmas vacation is 6 weeks so this will give me time to hit the trails. Like skippy said some of our training rides were a lot harder than the actual race because of the weather conditions.

[singletrakk]

Definitely gonna be doing the Vision Quest this year.Been waitin for this day for a while.Nice to hear some str peeps gonna be running this. Definitely would be nice to have some company join me in my little world of hell that day.Hope I make the cut-offs. Just my opinion,but I say if you're gonna throw all that training into cc you might as well work a little harder and go for the whole enchilada.Come on its only 8+ hours of agonizing pain.

[Pain Freak]

I've done the Brian Head 100 which has more climbing and at elevation (8,000 to 11,000) then the VQ, but I had plenty of time to do it in. That's my main concern. I also HATE the cold, so I'm going to have to talk myself into this one.

[ECOdork]

I know this is ez for me to say from 3k miles away, but there ain't no shame in doing the CC before you try to bite off the VQ...

Last year I was doing training rides with Steve and Kippy before I had to bail on the whole thing b/c work was bogging me down. Both are big rides...wish I could be there this time around as I know it would be a good time!

[Wrecker]

There is a BIG difference between the CC and the VQ, like the last few miles (especially for those already tired); making the final cut-off is usually the a challenge in itself.

For those that aren't used to endurance rides, the CC can be a bit of a Quest of it's own (especially depending on weather).

BTW, it's not just the trails and the length of the race that provide a challenge, weather tends to throw a bit in too. Last year there was just a bit of frost, the year before it was a few inches of mud, it's been everything from snowy to over 100 degrees (3 yrs ago).

[dirttorpeedo]

im in!

[spookydave]

ok, were do you sign up for the C.C.?? I looked at the link and didn't see anything.

For some unknown reason I feel like giving this a shot. I pulled my Tracer down out of the rafters last night and will start getting it back together. Hopefully that will be a better rig then my Bullit for this. lol

44 miles is a LOT more miles then I normaly do but what the heck.

The VQ is way way outta my league.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by spookydave

ok, were do you sign up for the C.C.?? I looked at the link and didn't see anything.

For some unknown reason I feel like giving this a shot. I pulled my Tracer down out of the rafters last night and will start getting it back together. Hopefully that will be a better rig then my Bullit for this. lol

44 miles is a LOT more miles then I normaly do but what the heck.

The VQ is way way outta my league.

Let me know if you really are serious about this. Training will commence in November. Suzanne is thinking about doing the Counting Coupe.

Here is the link:
http://www.warriorssociety.org/event...eral_info.html

Registration is not yet open. It will be in about 2-3 weeks.

mtnbikej

[spookydave]

Jason, I'm bringing you my rear wheel off the tracer to get fixed. Just need a few other parts and it's back in the dirt.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by spookydave

Jason, I'm bringing you my rear wheel off the tracer to get fixed. Just need a few other parts and it's back in the dirt.

Sweet.....we'll have to take you on a XC ride somewhere other than the Oaks.

mtnbikej

[Murmur]

I'm in again for VQ. I did it last year. That was my first race..ever. It's the race that changed me forever. I signed up on a dare and then trained my butt off. I ended up losing 40 lbs since then and entering a lot more endurance events. (My teammate, Dave and I just finished 2nd in the two-man category at Hurkey Creek). Last year, the goal was to finish. This year I want to knock off a couple of hours. (9:23 last year).

Everyone has hit it right - The left turn up Trabuco is the WORST! Second worst part is from 4 corners to the Peak...5 miles of loose crap and usually coooollllllld. With that said, nothing feels better than rockin down Trabuco at the end. Not to be a sap, but it's emotional..a Vision Quest if you will. Just ask Gooch or Lauden Swain.

Train on the course. You don't get much better training rides than Blackstar and Maple Springs. Motorway, UHJ/LHJ and Trabuco are all fun. I did the whole course two weeks prior to the race...yes in the snow like the other posts talked about. I did it solo. It helps to know you can do it. The checkpoints will take care of themselves, just keep riding - limit the pitstop stuff.

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Let me know if you really are serious about this. Training will commence in November. Suzanne is thinking about doing the Counting Coupe.

Here is the link:
http://www.warriorssociety.org/event...eral_info.html

Registration is not yet open. It will be in about 2-3 weeks.

mtnbikej

I read somewhere that those participating in 6 Hours of OC and/or the Fall Classic will get early registration rights for VQ. Is that still accurate?

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by Murmur

I read somewhere that those participating in 6 Hours of OC and/or the Fall Classic will get early registration rights for VQ. Is that still accurate?

It was the original plan. However, registration is going to open early.....but to everyone. IF you plan on doing this event, register ASAP. It sells out earlier and earlier each year.

mtnbikej

[sauce]

I am totally up for doing one or both of these rides ... if i start training now, i could do it ... we should start a training group or something. i didn't read the shole thread -- apologies if somebody already suggested that!!!

[singletrakk]

wow registration is open early not expecting it that early.I just signed up on active.com. Sarah you should try blackstar to motorway.Lots of climbing good stuff and gives you a good idea of where you're at.That's nearly half the course.

[royta]

mtnbikej - What if you sign up, and find you've moved from the area by the time the race comes around? Can you sell your spot? Is there a waiting list of riders trying to buy an entry?

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

It was the original plan. However, registration is going to open early.....but to everyone. IF you plan on doing this event, register ASAP. It sells out earlier and earlier each year.

mtnbikej

This seems really early. I just signed me up for VQ and the wife for CC. :cool:

[spookydave]

where are you guys signing up at? I looked at the link on page 1 and didn't see anything.

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by spookydave

where are you guys signing up at? I looked at the link on page 1 and didn't see anything.

VQ
CC

[dukethenuke]

wow this is really early registration, but I just signed up. Now I have to start riding my bike again.