Calif Gold State #1 /US CUP TRIPLE CROWN #2-FONTANA/KENDA CUP WEST #3-FONTANA CITY NT

Awesome!

 

You figure the fast laps will be somewhere around 22 or 23 minutes long, if it was only 3 laps, that would be one short XC race. 4 Laps is much better.

 

Looking at last years finish times, (and racing it myself), the fast Cat2 guys will finish around 1:35 +- a few min. Most Cat2 will finish around the 1:45 hr mark plus or minus a bit. It will be one of the longer, if not the longest, (in duration), Cat2 races of the year. The fast Cat1 guys will finish in the low to mid 1:30's hr as well, but will do the "big" climb. Cat3's should expect a 1:20-1:30 hr race. Of course all these are estimates and who knows what the conditions will be like. I'm guessing lap times will be a bit slower this year do to ruts/puddles, etc.

 

i am guessing a good time for CAT1 will be around 1hr 27min or so.

 

The Pro/Expert DH course is really fun. Technical with lots of new sections!

 

I just finished a pre-ride out there. (XC) Pros and (I think) Cat1's will be doing a different course than what is posted on the US Cup website. I don't know why the change, (perhaps the rain???) but the pro course will not use the "elevator" descent but will instead use the "old" course from the 1990's races. I think the winter series #3, (I'm not sure- I didn't race it), used the "new" old portion. It's gonna add a bit of time to the course but offers more climbing and some good technical rocky ST before traversing the typical Cat1 line to the back portion water-tank area. It appears (based on the tape and signage) the Cat1's will be doing the same thing. Course conditions are quite tacky. Fontana holds the water well.

 

Here is a link to a very useful view of the Sport/Beginner DH course. It looks chunky and feature-filled. Not typical of the average Fontana S-B courses. Thanks to Radicalrich for taking and posting this video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/racegts

For a guy who has never raced DH and isn't on a DH bike, it looks like he will do quite well, BTW.

 

Heading out to Southridge now for the Super D race. Good luck to you guys!

 

First time racing cat 3 tomorrow. What are goods thing to carry other than water?

 

For Cat 3, carry a spare tube, 2 tire levers, and a multi-tool with a chain-tool in it. I'd recommend a mini-pump over a CO2 cartridge since you won't need to worry about the weight anyway.

 

thanks

 

I was looking forward to this race since it's my first since Sagebrush. As I was cleaning my bike I noticed the subframe was cracked. I'm so bummed, I had pre reg, too. The company has already responded today (Saturday) and said that a new subframe was on it's way free.

 

So my rear shock stopped working and got stuck down, got hime tore it apart, new oil and it feels better than new.

What is the best way to bleed a Manitou 6 way? Does the canister crank off? I couldn't budge it and it was a real pain in the ass to bleed but feels good now.

 

Now I know Barbies' last name.......Dahmer, ssscaaaaarrrrrry.

 

Race report here: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...ld-state-triple-crown-kenda-cup-west-3-a.html