2016 Monster Cross

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  • February 4, 2016 at 2:11 pm #1047116
    Tania
    Participant

    This was posted as the course on the FB event page.

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11214221#.Vo0B0X8GC2U.email

    February 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm #1047123
    huskerdont
    Participant

    I might try to get down and ride the trail, though it seems unlikely time will permit it. What I will likely do is still take both bikes, just in case, but ride the mountain bike this year to get a feel for the course, then maybe ride the XC bike next year if conditions are right.

    Thanks to all for their input.

    February 4, 2016 at 4:09 pm #1047132
    Tania
    Participant

    I’m so glad someone else is possibly overthinking which bike to bring to this event (and then which tires to use!) or just overthinking this event in general.

    And huskerdont, if you’re not overthinking it, lie to me and tell me that you are.

    February 4, 2016 at 4:15 pm #1047134
    huskerdont
    Participant

    @Tania 134241 wrote:

    I’m so glad someone else is possibly overthinking which bike to bring to this event (and then which tires to use!) or just overthinking this event in general.

    And huskerdont, if you’re not overthinking it, lie to me and tell me that you are.

    No need for me to lie: I am quite certain that I am otherthinking it. However, I don’t mind since I’ve never done it before and have not seen the trails. I’d rather not be 35 miles into a winter ride in the woods and find out the hard way that I made a mistake. I know that I too readily tend to throw caution to the wind, so I’m trying to be conservative here.

    February 4, 2016 at 4:29 pm #1047141
    Raymo853
    Participant

    As people have said above, a CX bike will be better and faster during parts of the course and a MTB will be better and faster during parts of the course. Just like the last two years, I will be using my 29er hardtail without a suspension fork. Last year I ran 35c CX tires and entered as a CX rider. This year I am planning to run 2.1-2.2 MTB tires and entering the MTB class.

    One thing, you have to stop and pay the VA Park entrance fee the morning of the race, I think $5 per car. Instead buy a VA State Park pass before then. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/passes
    The annual pass is $66 and then you get free entry to that park and all VA state parks. Last year I bought one after the race, and they cut the entrance price off the cost of $66.

    https://www.bikereg.com/27787

    I like this bike cam video. The music and 8x speed may not be for some. This guy, Robert Carrico, is remarkably faster than I have ever been. He cuts through traffic amazingly. Then I love at around 2:30, a guy he passed tending to a crash, just dropped him like he was standing still. Shows the the old addage of how there is always somebody faster.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkxl9sWDK24

    February 4, 2016 at 6:10 pm #1047162
    vvill
    Participant

    @huskerdont 134243 wrote:

    No need for me to lie: I am quite certain that I am otherthinking it. However, I don’t mind since I’ve never done it before and have not seen the trails. I’d rather not be 35 miles into a winter ride in the woods and find out the hard way that I made a mistake. I know that I too readily tend to throw caution to the wind, so I’m trying to be conservative here.

    FWIW, I don’t think either choice will be wrong.

    (I have very few long rides on my MTB so I’m not willing to ride it for 50 miles yet, and there was nothing beyond say, a DC-area CX course in terms of mud/etc. Also I don’t have a power meter on my MTB… yet.)

    @Raymo853 134250 wrote:

    https://www.bikereg.com/27787

    I like this bike cam video. The music and 8x speed may not be for some. This guy, Robert Carrico, is remarkably faster than I have ever been. He cuts through traffic amazingly. Then I love at around 2:30, a guy he passed tending to a crash, just dropped him like he was standing still. Shows the the old addage of how there is always somebody faster.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkxl9sWDK24

    Very handy video! Reminds me of how crowded it is at the start. I just let folks race ahead if they wanted – I started far back enough that I wasn’t going to be able to make up spots unless I was willing to be aggressive like in a CX race start.

    February 4, 2016 at 6:12 pm #1047164
    Tania
    Participant

    @vvill 134272 wrote:

    (I have very few long rides on my MTB so I’m not willing to ride it for 50 miles)

    An excellent point!!! Warbird it is.

    February 4, 2016 at 6:17 pm #1047165
    huskerdont
    Participant

    @vvill 134272 wrote:

    (I have very few long rides on my MTB so I’m not willing to ride it for 50 miles yet

    It’s just that kind of comment that will make me start overthinking again and consider the CX bike! :)

    However, it doesn’t much matter. I’m in the over-50 group so can decide which bike to use that day.

    February 4, 2016 at 6:48 pm #1047169
    vvill
    Participant

    @huskerdont 134275 wrote:

    It’s just that kind of comment that will make me start overthinking again and consider the CX bike! :)

    However, it doesn’t much matter. I’m in the over-50 group so can decide which bike to use that day.

    You could even switch between laps! I went back to the parking lot to shed a layer last year. Also to wheeze and gasp, and regain some resolve to keep riding…

    February 13, 2016 at 4:57 pm #1047660
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Is anyone who’s headed to this interested in bringing along a passenger (w/bike) from Alexandria area? I’m sitting very firmly on the fence right now, but not having to drive myself there and make sure i know where i’m going etc etc might push me in the direction of “do it”. Of course would contribute $ for gas and parking.

    February 17, 2016 at 4:21 pm #1047974
    huskerdont
    Participant

    Tania, is that Warbird of yours the Titanium one? I looked at that but decided to replace my Volpe with a Masi instead. Won’t get it until after the race though.

    Amalitza, we are heading down the night before with the dog and everything else we own or I’d offer. Hope you can get a ride or decide to go down anyway.

    February 17, 2016 at 4:49 pm #1047975
    Tania
    Participant

    @huskerdont 135143 wrote:

    Tania, is that Warbird of yours the Titanium one?

    Nope, I got the 2016 Carbon model (black rasta). I’ll be in a Bikenetic team jersey, white/lime green helmet and have on a navy blue camelback.

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]10989[/ATTACH]

    February 21, 2016 at 11:07 am #1047828
    consularrider
    Participant

    Good luck to everyone riding out there today!

    February 21, 2016 at 1:35 pm #1047830
    hozn
    Participant

    Yeah, good luck out there. Should be appropriately epic with the rain coming in!

    February 22, 2016 at 2:09 pm #1047804
    Tania
    Participant

    So. Much. Fun.

    Varied surfaces – paved roads, fire roads (similar to the CCT through Wakefield), a small rocky section (saw lots of flats after that) grass, rooty descents on dirt, peanut butter mud (especially after it started raining), boggy mud and two or three creek crossings.

    I had no idea what to expect (first gravel race and the second time I’ve ever done 50 miles) so I paced myself. My legs started to hurt around mile 42 but I wasn’t miserable and taking it easy-ish to start was the right call – I passed a lot of guys in the first 10 miles of the second lap (miles 25-35) as they had to walk up a climb because of fatigue or cramping.

    I went through all two liters of water (with some protein/carbs mixed in) in camelbak and two bags of honey stinger chews and didn’t come even close to bonking (I was worried about that).

    I love how every race (or meet) I learn something new. I learned yesterday that (a) I need to stop riding my brakes down hills; I bleed a lot of momentum that way (b) that Warbird is worth every penny and (c) I’ve got a lot more in the tank.

    Thanks to my teammates for calling my name as we passed each other on the course and cheering so loudly as I crossed the finish line.

    I ran 43mm Rock and Roads and they were PERFECT on all surfaces.

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