RR: Rim Nordic

[ghixon]

I started my training today for the Rim Nordic and Team BB Series this year. I thought it would be fun to get in a first snow free ride at Rim. I've ridden Rim two or three times so far this year but with the snow, I hadn't been able to ride the switchbacks without having to turn back to keep from tearing them up. They are finally all clear and dry enough to get a great ride in.

I ended up riding three laps from the various setups. The first two laps were the race 2 course. Lap 3 was the race 3 course. I added the west extension to all but the last lap. For those who have ridden Rim, you know what a b!tch the long climb to the fire road can be. This was no exception. All the bridge crossings are in good shape and the trail is in decent shape for this early in the season. For some reason the rain ruts are especially harsh this year compaired to the past few years. The fast downhill back the the start area is really bad. Most of the smoother dirt sections are now some knarly rock strewn gaps now.

I was happy with the first ride of the season and posted some decent times for riding a 30 pound 5" travel bike on an XC course.

Lap 1 - 48.23
Lap 2 - 53.02
Lap 3 - 1:07.45

Here are a few photos I took on the last lap for the folks that are looking forward to racing season.

The starting area.



About halfway up the first climb.



The first bridge crossing.



TBS.



Some tree cutting needed prior to race season.



The last climb up to the bomb shelter.



The afore metioned Bomb Shelter.



The rain ruts were huge. This is at the split and it was nearly 2 feet deep.



Unfortunatly, the Keller Peak and Slide Fires took their toll on the sweet singletrack leading to the switcbacks. The Forest Service killed most of it and turned it into double track for attacking the fire.



But on the brightside, it makes it a bunch easier to see around corners.



The switchbacks are in great condition and seem to be faster than they've been in past years. I'm not sure if it's because the scrub has been burned off in certain areas and made it easier to move around the line or if I was just happy to be out there....



Finally, the last climb t the finish line.

[sdyeti]

I have only heard good things about the Rim Nordic races...hope to make it up to at least one this year. Thanks for sharing!!!

[maxwell]

Man, thanks for this post!

I just e-mailed Bev & Kerry tonite to let them know I'd be up for trailwork when they need help.
It's such a GREAT venue, with an awsome vibe to the whole race seen, how could I not want to go help!

Now that I know the snows gone, I'll be heading up in the next few weekends to RIDE!!

Originally Posted by sdyeti

I have only heard good things about the Rim Nordic races...hope to make it up to at least one this year. Thanks for sharing!!!

Steph, you'd REALLY love the Rim Nordic series. It's truly MTB XC racing, with tech riding skills an advantage.

[jfromlv]

Thanks for the pics, reminds me how much I suck for not racing there last year!

great recon work buddy,I've race there many times it's so much better than b.b. So are they running races this year??

[maxwell]

Originally Posted by sqishy

great recon work buddy,I've race there many times it's so much better than b.b. So are they running races this year??

Yep.......... http://www.rimnordic.com/bike.php

[Zippy]

Bummer about the fire damage, but I'm still looking forward to racing there this year. Sweet.

thanks

[ghixon]

Let me know if they schedule anything. I'm going to be doing a little bit of maintenance on the trail to fix some ruts along the fire road, but I want to leave as much as I can to the pros. Overall, it's in great shape.

Rim is clear, Exploration is 2/3 clear and I'm hoping to get in a ride in BB this week and scope out Plantation, Stonehenge and Pineknot. I'll post photos if I make it.

Greg

Originally Posted by maxwell

Man, thanks for this post!

I just e-mailed Bev & Kerry tonite to let them know I'd be up for trailwork when they need help.
It's such a GREAT venue, with an awsome vibe to the whole race seen, how could I not want to go help!

Now that I know the snows gone, I'll be heading up in the next few weekends to RIDE!!



Steph, you'd REALLY love the Rim Nordic series. It's truly MTB XC racing, with tech riding skills an advantage.

[Von-Skipp]

I'll defintely be racing the June 22nd one.