wraschke
New Member
So Sunday Im most likely going to try and make the entire traverse course, anyone interested in riding with me?
1/23/11 Traverse ride?
- Thread starter wraschke
- Start date
KonaDupee
Soon to be Konaless Dupee
That is a damn lofty & ambitious goal. If you have not done so already, I'd suggest pre-stashing some water and food at either 4 Corners or the Peak.
Blackstar to Trabuco unsupported is quite a feat. Best of luck!
Blackstar to Trabuco unsupported is quite a feat. Best of luck!
genusmtbkr5
STR Moderator
That was the original idea, but the heat the 1st year because it was held in June and the even hotter heat the following year even though we moved it to May, we had to have water at almost every check point. 4 Corners is really the only "official" aid station.
The heat and lose conditions of the Main Divide is what makes the Traverse a tough event.
KonaDupee
Soon to be Konaless Dupee
44 miles and over 8K of climbing unsupported is beyond tough. I did the '08 Inferno Traverse and the '09 slightly-less-brutal Traverse. I can't imagine having finished either without the 4 Corners aid station.
To the OP, good luck with the dry run!
genusmtbkr5
STR Moderator
The 1st year in 2007, water was at all check points in case of emergency, but had an aid station at 4 C. '08 was the heat wave and we knew it was going to be hot so we had more water and ice placed at all check points. We, mostly myself want it tougher so there has been talk about self supported before. I want to make the cutoff tougher than it is, but I lose out in both arguments. This year, Upper HJ was added.
kioti
Active Member
There's the "Traverse course," and the traverse (crossing the Santa Anas via the Main Divide). No real cut and dried course for the traverse, just follow the Main Divide from roughly the 91 freeway to Ortega Highway, or vice versa. I've done it both ways, but think it's more fun (but easier) starting at Ortega and going to the 91. That way you can ride all the way out to Sierra Peak, then drop down Coal Canyon to the 91. It's a great finish.
The (WS) Traverse course has so far gone up Black Star to the Main Divide, then down the Trabuco Trail and out on the Trabuco Creek Road.. It spends a little less time on the Main Divide due, I think, to the logistics of holding an event over the full traverse.
Not trying to step on anyone's toes here; just a reminder that the "traverse" is there 365 days a year, while the "WS Traverse" happens one day a year. Might be cool to run it reverse direction sometime, like say Blue Jay to Black Star, because it's a totally different experience when ridden in that direction. Another option would be Black Star to Blue Jay and down the San Juan trail, but again the logistics of moving riders around before and after an event make that tough. Probably better to do it on your own with a shuttle.
Good luck on your traverse ride. I agree with KonaDupee, it's a good idea to have water stashed near the halfway point (near 4 corners). You might not need it if you're super lean and fit and can cover the course in 4 hours, but I've used as much as 240 ounces of water to do the full traverse (91 to Ortega) in 6 to 7 hours, and I'm glad I didn't have to carry it all from the start.
The (WS) Traverse course has so far gone up Black Star to the Main Divide, then down the Trabuco Trail and out on the Trabuco Creek Road.. It spends a little less time on the Main Divide due, I think, to the logistics of holding an event over the full traverse.
Not trying to step on anyone's toes here; just a reminder that the "traverse" is there 365 days a year, while the "WS Traverse" happens one day a year. Might be cool to run it reverse direction sometime, like say Blue Jay to Black Star, because it's a totally different experience when ridden in that direction. Another option would be Black Star to Blue Jay and down the San Juan trail, but again the logistics of moving riders around before and after an event make that tough. Probably better to do it on your own with a shuttle.
Good luck on your traverse ride. I agree with KonaDupee, it's a good idea to have water stashed near the halfway point (near 4 corners). You might not need it if you're super lean and fit and can cover the course in 4 hours, but I've used as much as 240 ounces of water to do the full traverse (91 to Ortega) in 6 to 7 hours, and I'm glad I didn't have to carry it all from the start.
iPhrankie
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One option would be to ride up Maple Springs - Four Corners - Main Divide, and stash water at the Motorway trailhead. Then head down Motorway to the Maple Springs trailhead and call it a ride. You could also just ride/hike up Motorway, but I don't imagine it would be very fun going up.
It's not really half way, but I remember riding the Main Divide from Four Corners to Motorway being a lot of ups and downs that should provide some relief.
You'll have to gauge whether you want to pack both rides into the same weekend.
It's not really half way, but I remember riding the Main Divide from Four Corners to Motorway being a lot of ups and downs that should provide some relief.
You'll have to gauge whether you want to pack both rides into the same weekend.
wraschke
New Member
im going to be doing the WS traverse. Im racing it this year and ive been riding sections all winter break this sunday will be the first time im putting it all together. Im like 55 mins to beeks so blackstar isnt an issue. I know the wall on the divide isnt fun and the climb to santiago isnt that great but i feel really strong and im coming out of a rest week. I'm gonna do it with a water drop half way thru.
Congo Kid
Middle Aged Wannabe MTB'r
My 2 cents: If it's hot like it has been, you will have a really tough time carrying all your food and fluid. I did a training ride from BS to Sierra Peak and then down MS, and had 125 oz on me, had drunk 20 oz right before I started, and it was COOL and OVERCAST and I still almost ran out of fluid.
I did the Sahara ride in 08 and the hot one in 09 and there's no way I could have made it without aid station.
Stash some near 4C's if going alone is my recommendation.
Also, with the race so far out, do you really want to do the whole course now? You may want to think about peaking your training to coincide with the race date.
Just some things to think about.....
thanks
Jeff
I did the Sahara ride in 08 and the hot one in 09 and there's no way I could have made it without aid station.
Stash some near 4C's if going alone is my recommendation.
Also, with the race so far out, do you really want to do the whole course now? You may want to think about peaking your training to coincide with the race date.
Just some things to think about.....
thanks
Jeff
genusmtbkr5
STR Moderator
Well like I tell everyone, the real climbing doesn't start till after the "ball". The section after the Motorway to 4 Corners is the toughest part, then the peak, then the wall after that. Save a little or you won't have anything left. Remember, this event is held in May and it's hot.
wraschke
New Member
yeah, im trying to ride the course at least once while im on winter break, and then once a week for 8 weeks leading up to the race. This is more of a litmus test to see exactly where im at.
Kish Me
DH'r in a rigid 9'rs body
WOW!! You should get a reward for doing 8 Traverses in 8 weeks! Be sure to post the times!
OMR
Old Man Riding...
David, he ought to get a medal for this... I'd be bored out of my mind! Once a year is enough for me.
wraschke
New Member
I'll probably be riding the whole course. Depending on how my back feels after today's little main divide jaunt. First time riding from blackstar to four corners in 3 hrs and 32 mins. I havent been really working hard on the bike due to having the flu so i might just wanna ride maple springs to say trabuco.
singleSSpeedster
Rolling on 29" dubs!
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well, i'll ask...what time are you starting?
i want to do a long ride sunday....i usually do blackstar to beeks in about 48-50 minutes on the ss, but i am going to ride my 1x10 on sun. i haven't been riding a ton for the last 2 weeks.
i was thinking of b-star-motorway,maple-motorway (aka motorwayX2). i am a anti-camelback guy, so i'll be carrying 4-5 bottle with me. if you want some company on your little jaunt....then i can give some. if i feel like crap after the first ride down motorway, then i may just ride up maple til the end of the pavement and head home.
i want to do a long ride sunday....i usually do blackstar to beeks in about 48-50 minutes on the ss, but i am going to ride my 1x10 on sun. i haven't been riding a ton for the last 2 weeks.
i was thinking of b-star-motorway,maple-motorway (aka motorwayX2). i am a anti-camelback guy, so i'll be carrying 4-5 bottle with me. if you want some company on your little jaunt....then i can give some. if i feel like crap after the first ride down motorway, then i may just ride up maple til the end of the pavement and head home.
ericfoltz
Active Member
The section from Motorway to 4c has a uphill section that will be unridable (washed out rocky mess) other than that, have fun.
I would say just ride down Motorway and then back up MS. Seems just about the same effort as taking MD the whole way. That way you could easily grab stashed water or if you're looking for a real "unsupported" experience, bring a filter and refill water at the last creek crossing before the dirt.
I would say just ride down Motorway and then back up MS. Seems just about the same effort as taking MD the whole way. That way you could easily grab stashed water or if you're looking for a real "unsupported" experience, bring a filter and refill water at the last creek crossing before the dirt.