Kenda cup west #1-sagebrush safari 2/27/11

some cheap tricks...i learned being a starving undergrad racer in Chico.

" Grocery bags over wool socks is a fantastic and cheap way to keep feet warm" just remember to tape the top closed. Then a old pair of socks over your shoe. (remember to cut out for your cleat)
take the liners out of ski gloves/ snowboarding gloves and put under your normal MTB glove

U dont have to buys a single thing to keep your feet and hands warm.

 

This race has quite a reputation as is evident by the some of the comments made by those who have raced it in the past.

In addition, it seems that the poor weather forecast has not deterred too many racers because the on-line registration shows that as of right now 205 racers have signed up; 73 of these 205 racers have registered since Monday...

On a another note: I thought I read somewhere that Kenda sells their tires at these events, and that the prices are very nice; is this true?

 

Nice!! That's a little more than I plan on wearing but I will have two or three layers up top and full length arm/leg warmers. Wool socks for sure.

I just dug out the winter skull cap thingie for my Giro helmet.

I tried the neoprene booties on Monday but they were kind of useless in practice, better for road maybe. The conditions were pretty rough though with lots of unclipping for slippery sections.

FYI, as of now predicted to be clear and in the 40's by 11AM Sunday (but snow showers tapering off from midnight to 5 AM). I am almost more worried about the drive..but hopefully Caltrans will keep the highway clear and no need for chains.

 

I just raced last weekend in the rain so I have a bit of advice.

For the feet, just get a pair of wool socks and then wrap your feet in saran wrap and you are set. Keeps them dry and warm. For your legs, go with a set of leg warmers and you will be alright, just spray them with one of those waterproofing sprays the day before (I know some people who will wax up their legs with like cisco cooking grease to keep them from getting wet and ride without leggings). Then of course bib shorts. For the upper body I wear this long sleeve top I got from wal mart for like 10 bucks. Kind of like an under armour base layer, but a little more thin. Then jersey and top it off with a thin rain jacket. Lastly, get one of the thin craft head socks and fold up a plastic bag to stuff in your helmet to keep your head sock from getting wet.

If you are a little cold after that you can add some arm warmers under the jacket. The point is to be a bit cold when you start. Once you start riding you warm up and then un-zip the jacket. That is what I did last weekend and I was alright.

Oh, and on the hands I had some pearl izumi wind proof/water proof gloves with hand warmers in them.

 

As of now:
http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USCA0865
Might not be too bad.

 

does anyone have the elevation profile for the 18 mi course?

 

http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=22580

 

been hearing the hike a bike section can make or break it, where's that at on the course? mile marker?

 

Been there once for pre-ride only. After 5 miles pavement, then off road starts. I been wondering when the hike-a-bike will show up but, there was 2 occasions I thought this is it. Maybe between 8-10 miles before see HIKE-A-BIKE. Ok. I am describing this as a beginners point of view. I was there on the HIKE-A-BIKE while covered with snow, maybe about 80%snow in that section. If u think ur strong enough to ride it and u have all the tire traction, then go ahead climb it. ME! When I so the HIKE-A-BIKE section, I started hiking. The snow is very slippery. U can see how steep it is uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup uuuuuuuuuuuuup and it goes left OMG! MOOOOOORE uuuuuuuuuuuup uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup I think we need snow/hiking shoes after that, the next section was the highest peak (according to my guide). If somebody has a better description of the HIKE-A-BIKE, that's because I'm probably hallucinating already.

 

I can't imagine that making or breaking your race. Everytime I've raced everyone is HABing. Maybe some of the Pro Men clean it, but not all I don't think. You do the pavement, hit Four Corners, rolling single ish track, a few slick rock sections, more moto style whoops descending, fire road descent, right turn, look up - HAB. It isn't super long kind of comes in 2 sections. It's quicker IMO to just keep running than to hop on, clip in, pedal, unclip, hop off, hike, etc. but YMMV. Once you're at the top keep riding, fire road rollers and then big fire road descent to another fire road/paved climb back up to Four Corners.

I haven't ridden the course in a year, but pretty sure that does it

 

I'm going to have to back out of this one - I'm definitely not that hard core! Pretty bummed because I was really looking forward to it! The course out there is a ton of fun but I've never been partial to heavy snow or mud.. maybe I should buy a road bike? Nahhh. Good luck to all you crazies!

 

anyone want to carpool from Temecula?

 

sorry dude. we are headed up to my mom's house in alpine today.

 

No problem, actually I'm driving and have 1, maybe 2 spots in my truck.

 

We already have 2 feet of fresh snow in IDY. Weather for the specific trail shows snow all day today. This is going to be a ton of crazy fun. One for the books in my opinion. Anyone who comes is going to have a great story to tell no matter how it ends. My theory about my layer system keeps geeting more and more serious. I may strap a snow shovel to my ride next! See you all there!!!

 

the few pictures i've seen so far on facebook from random people uploading stuff, um, it look's snowy.

 

this year should be called Sagebrush Snowfari!! I am replacing my front wheel with a snowboard! :bang:

 

Just heard there is a lot of snow, but race director (Tom S.) is their saying race is on. I also hear road climb is all ice and top section of race is not even going to be included, but rather repeat loops at bottom. (Not sure what that means, maybe top of pro loop is cut off around Pinos). Also hear very wet, puddles every 100 feet on trail 1, with snow. 3+ hour drive from Idyllwild to battle in that sounds like a bad idea to me. I'm out.
Willhemena has a picture, but I have not seen it yet.

 

mr.plow posted these on his Facebook about 4 hours ago...

 

should make for a fun day! i am prepared. i think i will be racing on my Sauserwinds. snow and mud? BRAAAAAAAP!!!