I may take you up on that. I wouldn’t expect anyone to feel responsible for it but if people are around it is unlikely to be messed with. Last time I sat an ice chest behind my truck in the parking area and swung by each lap without issue.
I really appreciate all the local course knowledge you have shared here.
I did this race two years ago and not sure if its the same spot but there was an early single track section. I started in the back of the group and a couple of people stalled out on a slightly technical little uphill section. I had to dismount and push around but in the back where I was it was not crowded and only took a few extra seconds.
Yes, probably same spot. I was at the 2020 race as well and didn’t have any issues, but some folks did and I just hate starting a 5+ hour race out with folks yelling and fighting for position 1 minute into the race. It’s just a bad vibe and completely pointless when you can leave people on the road (uphill) for another half mile to spread out the pack before hitting single track. 100+ people hitting an uphill section of tight single track .25 miles into a marathon race (when there is a fire road alternative right next to the single track) is a poor choice for safety and rider experience. All it takes is an overlap of wheels, derailleur into spokes, etc. to end someone’s day in the first 3 minutes. Pointless risk with minimal benefit in my opinion.
Maybe it’s just experience, but I tend to be super chill at the start. It’ll all shake out by an hour in.
Did the course on the XL Yeti. I’m not going to get the time I wanted, but I think I can get around on it. I think we’re going to see a lot of people washing out on those sandy corners, IMHO they’re the hardest part of the course (there’s not really much in the way of hills or technical features).
Thank, I was completely wrong about that sunrise 
Looks like first light is going to be around 7:25 and sunrise will be around 7:50. I plan to stash an extra hydration pack in a cooler at the start / finish that grwoolf mentioned.
grwoof, I may take you up on dropping the cooler near your van; also, jmm, if I may have room for your hydration pack if you like (and we can find each other)…
Sounds good. Grey sprinter with A/C unit and solar panel on top. It’s not one of the fancy 4x4’s, it looks like an Amazon delivery van, but with windows on the sides. We are camping out there tomorrow night, so hopefully will get a good spot.
I should come over and say hi. lol
With the warning about goatheads on the course, for someone who can’t go tubeless, would slime tubes be worth a shot?
I haven’t been out there and I haven’t raced it, but what I have read on the Facebook posts it may be a problem. I think anything you can would help.
I’ve had a single “puncture” that my sealant sorted. There’s definitely a lot of thorns if you stray off the main path. Bring spares / patches and make sure you have a pump!
Anyone know what time you’re supposed to get there on Saturday? I’d like to turn up around 07:30 for the 08:00 start, but I don’t know if that’s going to be a problem because of the Run start.
I don’t know anything about slime tubes, but they sound good if they have sealant in them. With gravel racing, I’ve had good luck just putting some sealant into regular tubes through the valve stem. Not as good as tubeless, but it should seal the tiny punctures caused by the little thorns. There is no way I ride out there without some kind of sealant, chances are high that you get a puncture. The number of goat heads has gone down dramatically in the past few weeks as people have been pre-riding the course. Here’s a pic of my tire after a ride a couple weeks ago. Not all of these would be through the casing, but certainly some of them would.
Oh those are goat heads? I was expecting much bigger thorns (the sort I’m used to in the UK!). Yeah, my tyre is absolutely full of those. lol
There are 2 types of stickers I see out there (and on my tire in the pic). The goat heads are a little smaller than a pea and are really stout and sharp. They are very sharp, rigid, and painful if you step on one or try to remove it from anything (they will stick into your fingers). They are pure evil… There is also a softer version of those out at reveille that stick to socks and tires, but I don’t think they are strong enough to puncture a good tire and they don’t puncture your fingers when removing them.
Just had a look, there are a couple of meaty ones stuck in my tyre. I’ll be leaving them alone.
Couldn’t find Slime tubes with Schrader valves, but picked up a bottle of Slime, 1 more tube, and a hand pump. Going to get to the finish line come hell or high water! Lol
Had a look around for you. Couldn’t see any van that matched. Maybe youre arriving later?
Just arrived about 15 minutes ago, we are right across from the hut where you check in
Ha, you would have literally driven in 2 or 3 mins after I left. Will try and say hello in the morning.
So what are people aiming for? Originally mine was sub 6 hours, but now I think I’m going to have to accept 6h 45m.
