CC/VQ training ride this weekend?

[sauce]

Since George is clearly not doing his job (i.e. - posting the training ride we talked about) :P; I've taken it upon myself to initiate the process. So who is up for a killer training ride Sat. or Sun.? We gotta do at least 25 miles, maybe more. What works for people? And I want to see some ladies out there!

[LBmtb]

Haha, sorry - been busy (you'll all see the results soon)!

I was thinking something with blackstar/motorway. Especially since you havent tasted that pain, Sarah. It's the first part of the CC/VQ.

At the end of the Motorway we could even go up Maple Springs for some extra training mileage. Perhaps even to the Peak? Ok maybe that's pushing it. We can always see how the legs are feeling at different points of the ride.

Temps should cooperate. How bout it?

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Haha, sorry - been busy (you'll all see the results soon)!

I was thinking something with blackstar/motorway. Especially since you havent tasted that pain, Sarah. It's the first part of the CC/VQ.

At the end of the Motorway we could even go up Maple Springs for some extra training mileage. Perhaps even to the Peak? Ok maybe that's pushing it. We can always see how the legs are feeling at different points of the ride.

Temps should cooperate. How bout it?

is the blackstar climb harder than Maple Springs?

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

is the blackstar climb harder than Maple Springs?

F*ck yes. Err, I mean . . . I suppose so. Haha, but seriously - it's harder. It's a bit more up and down whereas Maple is just up all the way. But some of the climbs on this ride are pretty steep. There are maybe 3 or 4 ass kickers from Beaks Place to Motorway on the main divide.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

is the blackstar climb harder than Maple Springs?

No...Blackstar is the easiest climb that you will encounter at the VQ or CC. The shitty part is the Main Divide(10 miles) between Blackstar and the Motorway.

Maple Springs is actually a nice climb.....after you get off the pavement. Rode up to the Peak on Sunday on the SS for the first time, was not bad at all.

The wife and I are planning on riding Blackstar-Motorway on Sunday...I just don't know what time.

mtnbikej

[sauce]

i'm taking my 25 lb hardtail for sure. but i'm up for anything (although i'll regret it later)!

[Sprockethead]

If you guys ride Sunday, we may change our plans and join ya all. Sauce, that means you'll have another girl representing. Otherwise, we'll be doing a fun ride Sunday, LCW/El Moro.

[Abui]

Looks like it will be a good weekend for riding Blackstar, etc. I'll bring the FS this time. (Saturday is best)

The Flying B is open for practice on Saturday so if you're not tired enough ...

[singletrakk]

"is the blackstar climb harder than Maple Springs?"hahaha.I'm in if you guys are doin it saturday not sure about sunday.

[Keith B]

I'd better bite the bullet and start putting some training in too . I'm in for either saturday or sunday.

[TURNERob]

I'd be down for a Holy Jim/Peak/Upper Holy Jim/Lower HJ ride sometime soon! Gotta have some good singletrack.....boring fireroads suck!

Sunday is the only day I can ride though.

[mp3]

It's not about Blackstar or Maple Springs being harder or not. It's if you can climb Maple Springs with semi-tired legs that have a constant burn. You can do Blackstar-Motorway once or twice so you know what to expect but on VQ/CC day you're legs should be fresh if you "rested" them the week before and Blackstar should be fairly simple. MS is where you'll start to feel it. So I think if you want to practice for the VQ and you want to make sure you'll make it to the bottom of holy jim before doing horsetheif then do the Maple Springs climb twice. Also practice using two water bottles--the 16oz size. That should be plenty for an up and back. There's no need to take a camelbak and the kitchen sink (save your back and spare your arse), especially if there will be several of you out there. All ya need in a seat bag is tire levers, a tube, CO2 and an air chuck. Need gel then use a flask...it's not as messy as using packets and no worry about trash on the trail.

Don't think ya need to "practice" horsethief. If you've made it that far then you'll finish.

[Keith B]

Having done CC last year mp3's advise seems spot on. I felt great at the bottom of Motorway but Maple Springs jsut slayed me. I cramped so bad all the way to the peak and lost count of the number of times I stopped in agony

[sauce]

seeing as how i don't know which is which (blackstar, motorway ... etc.), and i don't know my way around that area; i don't have to worry about which is harder. :-) usually, i don't endorse ignorance in any setting, but it is a good training strategy. you'll end up doing a lot of stuff you had no right to do in the first place!

can't wait to see people out there! so sunday or sat.? and which route? george? you're the godfather; lay down the law on this one.

[Pain Freak]

I've got the Tour de Foothills on Saturday (easy ride 64 miles) so I'd be up for a Sunday ride. I've done this ride before and really enjoyed it.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by mp3

Don't think ya need to "practice" horsethief. If you've made it that far then you'll finish.

Horsethief is very different from the other trails. One should have a look at the babyheads, stream crossings, and the hike-a-bike of course. No telling what it would do to the morale of someone who has no idea what's next.

I've known a few people who could take the wrong turn no matter how obvious the trail is, so pre-riding is vital.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by sauce

seeing as how i don't know which is which (blackstar, motorway ... etc.), and i don't know my way around that area; i don't have to worry about which is harder. :-) usually, i don't endorse ignorance in any setting, but it is a good training strategy. you'll end up doing a lot of stuff you had no right to do in the first place!

can't wait to see people out there! so sunday or sat.? and which route? george? you're the godfather; lay down the law on this one.

Let's do Blackstar to Motorway and meet at the dirt lot off Santiago Canyon Rd & Silverado Rd.

At the end of the Motorway we can all go back to the cars or break off and brave/dumb people can opt to head up Maple Springs at that point while the rest head to the cars.

Saturday or Sunday works for me; I added a poll to see what others think. Whatever is leading the poll by end of Thursday is what we'll do.

[Keith B]

Horsethief is an evil trail. Once you've dealt with all the really rocky stream crossings you'll come to 1500ft+ of hike a bike on over grown trails with a loose surface. I got blisters from hiking up there in cycling shoes!

However I hear they have a BBQ at the top and hand out burgers - you jsut knooooooooooooooooooow thats going to be the best burger you ever ate! And the smell wafting down as you struggle up there - thats torture in itself !!!

Maybe I'll do VQ in '08

[JamR]

I was planning on the Blackstar/Motorway loop Saturday morning. Need to start getting back in shape for the long rides.

I'm sure I'll be walking at least two of the hills before Motorway, but it's still all fun.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

F*ck yes. Err, I mean . . . I suppose so. Haha, but seriously - it's harder. It's a bit more up and down whereas Maple is just up all the way. But some of the climbs on this ride are pretty steep. There are maybe 3 or 4 ass kickers from Beaks Place to Motorway on the main divide.

Reason I was asking was to compare these two and see if they're some what the same Fire Road crap climb!! [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]I was planning on Doing San Juan to get a nice grind and some fun on the switch backs (up and down). So the question should have been Witch one is Harder and fun Black Star or San Juan? Either way I'm down for a long ride[/SIZE][/FONT].