Little sugar is a legit mtb race and big sugar the following weekend isn’t a bad gravel race to do on a mtb (if you’re interested in a doubleheader). And you can add as much mtb riding as you want in between the 2 races.
You did a good job at summing up all the bad parts. The fun/enjoyability is far and few between and there are very few positives. It’s not a horrible event but certainly nothing I would recommend people to travel to when there’s so many better events out there. If you’re a local and looking for a challenge, sure if there’s nothing better else to do.
Also the Alpine Epic or whatever the current name is in Oakridge. 50 miles, one lap, or half of what used to be the Creampuff.