Whiskey 25 or 50

Bizarre...was totally thinking about the 50 earlier today looked at this thread earlier this afternoon and nothing new for weeks ...then I come home and tons of posts...

So here are my thoughts / questions....as a first timer

1) First I thought the Pros started after us on the 50... then I realized they ride sunday... that was a relief...I have done several race were the pros start after then you get blasted.
2) The cutoff at 1:30 looks to be about 35 miles in...if I have done CC in 6:45 any worries....?
3) Description sounds like a lot a varied terrain...cool...but also sounds like some technical climbing...
4) First course information says start with full bladder and 2 water bottles... really that seems overload?.... there are 3 aid stations right ~ 15, 25 and 35 Miles right?
5) I am just looking for fun...not that fast ... but dang the times seem pretty fast for a 50 miler....hopefully not in over my head....

Anyways guess i need to get our and get some longer rides in now that I am over that nasty cold.

 

This will be my third year doing the 50, so I have some insight.

It doesn't sound like you will have any concerns making the cutoff by 1:30.
The climbing is not overly technical... the singletrack is typical mountain terrain, and there is plenty of fireroad climbing with great views, and fun decents.
Hydration: I think that the website is preparing you for the worst... there are 3 points in the ride where you can re-fill, so if you are a dromidary, 2 bottles will suffice. I suggest packing some electrolytes... works great for me. I also had a hydration bag that I forced myself to sip on and had no issues with cramping last year.
The course is fast for a 50 miler, and if you take the fun approach, it will be just that: fun. Not Maxwell F.U.N. , just plain old fun.

 

2) You'll have NO PROB making the cutoff. Don't worry at all.
3) There's some beautiful singletrack climbing out there. Nothing too technical. There is a stretch with a bunch of water bars, most of which I personally dismounted for. Other than that, not very technical climbing. Some of the singletrack climbing towards the beginning of the race got really backed up last year, but everyone was cool about it. (Some spectators were even out there offering people beer, and of course...whiskey).
4) I started out with a full bladder, and a bottle of my usual preferred nutrition. I was warned that the Skull Valley climb shouldn't be done on an empty-ish bladder. There isn't a lot of shade, and it can get toasty. They have an aid station at the bottom of Skull Valley for that purpose. Last year, however, I had enough water to get me up Skull Valley without having to stop. But, by the time I reached the top of it, I stopped at the aid station and needed to refill.
5) You WILL have a blast out there! With awesome trails, gorgeous scenery, and lots of fun out on the course, it goes by super quick. :wave:

Edit: Eddie was faster on the draw! haha.

 

^^ I find that if I start with a full bladder that I have to pee very quickly. Oh, that kind of bladder (sorry, just couldn't pass it up...). :wave:

As to the trail itself, I recall a pretty hectic (and fun!) descent along Trail 260 (see their course map here), just before getting down to the Medic & Communications point. Man, there was some slippery ass shale as we headed down that ST. I found that it worked best to just open 'er up and roll over that stuff as quickly as possible. A couple of times I came down to guys walking their bikes down it and honestly that looked a LOT harder than just rolling it.

Best of luck to all doing it this year!

- shud

 

Thanks Folks!! not realllly worried...just new adventure jitters.. I am actually pretyy self suffcient, but alway s good to get inside info.

But Ripley...ripping out words that I have to look up...really now ....BTW great word...now in the Vocab (needs a little fix on the sp though)

 

A little off topic. Anyone know a good tattoo shop in Prescott? Looking to get a souvenir while I'm there.

 

^^^^Best idea yet!

 

](*,)](*,)](*,)

 

Don't know of any shops but you can do what I do and crash and have a new scar to remember the ride.

 

True dat!
Men's Open Winners (2010)
25 miler 2:17
50 miles 3:17
extra 25 miles in 1 hour!

 

Oh well I am showing up for the 50 AND fun... and a little suffering

 

I will be out there for the fun and games in town...no racing for me.

Dean

 

So we are getting down to it...What are folks riding this weekend...?

I will be riding relativily long...got set back by the second round of that cold...felling better though.

 

Good call....

 

I am getting stoked, should be an awesome weekend with my MTB brutha's and sistah's!!

 

A few of us are thinking of doing the little known or attempted "Whiskey 5". It is all out at the start until you get the to dirt. Then stop and turn around. Then start drinking:drunk:

Actually I am looking forward to racing the 50, after that I would like to get back to just "riding" my bike.

 

Off to the races....see of you there. Stopping off in Havasu too

 

Good luck all you folks. Should be interesting...

- shud

 

Elevation Profile and Miles

In Case Anyone is interested....
The important peaks and mile markers...

 

For those racers that have not done the Scull Valley climb and want to check it out you can drive it on your way into town. Just take the Kirkland turnoff and drive thru Peoples Valley until you get to Skull Valley Store. Very near the store is Copper Basin Road...that road is the out and back on the race coarse. Once you get back into Prescott National Forest stay on Cooper Basin Road (the right up top) it will take you back to downtown. Or the left will take you over to Thumb Butte and then back to downtown Prescott.

And remember while in town call it Prescitt or they will know you are from CA right away. Good luck to the racers and I hope to see ya all on the staying on the podium or at Prescott Brewery or Ravens Cafe...enjoy Prescott really is a great town and when you decide to move out there let me know. I am looking to get a retirement MTBing crew to move and live there.

Dean