Vision quest update per ws newsletter/2010 Vision Quest / Counting Coup - March 20th

From what I understand many in the top 10 ride most of West Horsethief. #-o

 

From what I heard Manny rides it. Does the entire WHT / Trabuco loop in an hour! :?:

 

Yup, when you do the whole course in 5:14 you gotta be riding everything.......and fast. #-o

 

Well said. For you VQ'ers I would recommend checking out WHT. Last year I was pretty good for the first 5.5hrs and started to have a bio mechanical. Then my first trip up WHT broke me. I finished thanks to the elimination of the WHT checkpoint and some very encouraging support from WS sweep crew (Fookawi), Gene, and lots of STRers like Impy, Vickie, Kish who all were super supportive when they passed me cracked on WHT. Truly suffered, but a great experience despite a 2nd last and edging Abui only b/c he flatted.

Don't know what I'll do this year. Could really enjoy another CC and eating some warm Chicken for once!

 

For comparison, it took me about 45 minutes to get up West Horsethief alone during VQ. It's only 1.59 miles long, but ascends 1393 ft! That was with about 95% hiking..5% riding.

 

damn, WHT sounds even harder written down.


Last year I signed up for the CC. My bike got stolen and I had no choice but to singlespeed it. I can't even start to describe the feelings I had when I finished it. I don't think I had done a ride longer than 25 miles up to that point (unless you count 3 laps around the fully loop). I had not done the 2nd half of the CC ever, so it was all new dirt to me that day, and I had only rode blackstar/motorway once, about a week before. I initially chickened out and didn't sign up at midnight because I thought I couldn't do it. I got on the waiting list the next day and somehow managed to finish without too much trouble or pain. Just a long day in the saddle. I'm hoping the VQ pans out the same this year for me, though I expect those emotions to be MUCH greater, if that's possible.

 

Does anyone know how much the entrance fee is for this race?

 

Last year was $135 with active.com fees (for VQ... don't know if CC is different)

It's kinda like a marathon. If you're reasonably fit and comfortable on a bike, I don't think it's too difficult to suffer your way through it and make the cutoffs. It'll hurt, though, and you'll feel like hell for a few days after. However, if you want to pull down a decent time and feel like a cyclist doing it, you need to be prepared.

 

"However, if you want to pull down a decent time and feel like a cyclist doing it, you need to be prepared."

Exactly last year my goal for the CC was sub 7 & 1/2 and honestly I didn't know for me if that would be possible. 2008 Traverse was the only ride I had done coming into last year's training that was longer then 30miles. If you train and prepare the right way the CC is very manageable. I finished last year's event in 6:36, so I know the training paid off for me. Semi looking forward to next year and will give it all I have to break 6 hours.

 

You'll be fine doing vq david, you'll just need to ramp up your times. We'll work west horsethief into training a time (or maybe two) just so there's no surprise when you get there on race day. Doing it more than that is unnecessary, but i think it's important to do it at least once so you have an idea of the climb. It'll feel a whole lot easier when you have't ridden 44 miles to get to the base of it. but at least you'll know the trail.

 

Think I'll try for a better CC time this year.:-k

 

go VQ! go big or go home! I'll barely make the cutoff's on my best day, but I'm giving it a shot!

 

You and your peer pressure will not work on me![-X8-[

 

C'mon! I'll tell Carl to have some Spam musubi at the finish line for ya!:bang:

 

word....

i think I'll be a SSweeper for the CC this year :lol::lol:

 

At the finish line?????? I'm definitely doing CC then!:lol:

Or I can just tuck and roll some spam musubi.......:-k

Oh yeah if I get a flat and you pass me again.....expect a very nice shrubbery in your spokes!:lol:

 

Armadillo Elite Tires FTW!!!!!:bang:

 

that was the only time I saw you all day. I almost had you! then you went and cheated and used gears on the last 2 miles and caught me again before the finish :lol:



That's the weird thing about doing the VQ/CC so early when it's still black outside. You know a bunch of people are out there that you know, but you may never find them until it's over. Or until you get a flat 2 miles up blackstar and see all your buddies pass you #-o

 

Gears rule! I'm sticking with gears this time for sure.

Don't think those tires can protect your spokes.:lol:

 

Other than the later start time (6:00am), are there any other significant changes to the event compared to last year? Are cutoff times modified? Is Upper HJ still part of the course?