12hrs of temecula : nov. 17

we had a last minute roster change to our 4 person team. now we're set and lookin forward to this event!

 

Sandblast- The Damn Climb is now the whole Damn Race. It is a great downhill, however, I found the rest of the course to feel like a constant uphill. If you haven't hit it yet, it is pretty loose, and the "calf burner" is really a calf burner. Personally I had to dismount and hike. Hope you can make it! M210 promised me his water bottle when I pass him. (So nice.) I hope my crew can keep a decent pace.

 

do we go up or down the damn climb? no matter. at the 11th hour in the cloak of darkness, its all the same.... or is it.

 

We go DOWN Dam Climb this time around. Nice bit of ST toward the bottom (short but I bet it'll be fast!).

Here's a Google Earth pic I drew some references on of the damn Calfburner. Crap, that ain't gonna be any fun... especially the third (or fifth, or sixth, or seventh... or eleventh!) time around:



So, we'll be taking this up to the top ridge of Dragonback, and then on up to the top before the turnaround. That's gonna be tiring.

 

calf burner sucks, it is ride-able. I know, I have made it up ONCE! but then you die going along that ridge...literally! Best bet is to granny gear the calf burner until you get about half way and start hitting the sandy parts, it flattens out a bit but the sand kills it. Then walk to the top. That's my plan atleast

 

shudder - Killer google map. Is that part of the Free edition or an upgrade? It hurts to look at. Nice use of RED:bang:

 

Red PULSES! Like my legs up that hill...

Google Earth is a freebie download, for Mac and PC: http://earth.google.com/

shud

 

It's a much more difficult course.. climbing up the ridge that is normally descended isn't as much fun as going the other way either There's a few spots where I have to hike a bike everytime. The calf burner climb is NOT going to be fun the 6, 7, etc time around. Or, even the 2nd for that matter

The singletrack off of Dam climb descent is kinda hairy, so just watch it on the first lap if you haven't ridden it!

 

Rumor has it lap times will be like 1 hr to 1:15 for normal people, high 40s for the pro guys. I have heard most people have been riding it about 15 minutes slower than previous courses. I have been getting to be a much stronger and faster (still slower but not as slow as i used to be), but i went out last sunday and did 2 laps back to back, took the first lap pretty easy and had about a 1:10 and the second lap was faster at like 1:03

 

I have hit the course a few times and the calf burner is nasty.
I am not even go to waste the energy trying to clear that thing ala uno gearo.
One thing I have learned doing this solo thing is don't try to hang with the folks that have teammates, you will waste way too much effort trying to do that all day long by yourself...I am going nice and mellow, a cold Newcastle each lap and all should be good:beer:!

The Dam descent is short and sweet and that left hand turn to the "new" singletrack is fun but loose. I'm not sure you gain anytime by hitting it but it does drop you right at the fireroad out:?:
I do agree that it sure feels like you are always going uphill on this route but if it was fun and easy, everyone would be doing it:lol:
Heading out to set up camp after lunch today, I might hit the course one more time...or maybe just save it for saturday's fun!
See you all out there!

 

Good luck to everyone racing!! I really wanted to come out and cheer after our XC race tomorrow night, but we'll be staying with DenMother and Roger in Riverside.

Have fun! Can't wait to read the reports and see the photos.

 

I can walk my bike with the best of them. Perhaps I'll ride SSpeed then, it'll be easier pushing the lighter bike up the hill. :bang:

 

Awh shucks....I was hoping with us being so close to your end of town, we would see you!

Have fun at your race too!

 

good luck everyone. give em' hell!!!

 

lkn2ryd (Simon) my old friend good luck to ya tomorrow.... you to Neil.

Dean

 

Good luck to everyone tomorrow! When you pass someone on an orange Intense make sure to tell me hello.