47 replies to this topic

[rigrider]

Just ordered some sweet custom glasses suitable for drinking water, CarboRocket or PBR for awards and giveaways at the Pfirecracker XC Race July 14th at Castlewood.  Ballwin Bicycles and Polk Audio have some great SWAG coming.  Have you registered yet?

https://www.usacycli...gister/2012-616

Edited by rigrider, 08 June 2012 - 02:28 PM.

[jfp]

So you are giving away beer "glasses"?   I lost mine a long time ago.

[rfrench]

Is there a map of the race loop yet, or a description of the race loop?  I looked at the flyer, but didn't see it there.  Thanks!

[mjs]

Start at main pavilion, we'll run you through the field.  Cross the road, old dirt crit loop along the bottom of Lone Wolf, cross the creek hard right to the ranger station, up love, right on grotpeter, left on rollercoaster, left on grotpeter back to the main pavilion.

Matt

[sub-lt]

Skipping the tough climb up (Lone Wolf?) off the start this year? (And I ask because I actually really did like that climb last year!)

Sorry to ask, but since we're too far away to practice before race-day, would anyone be willing to post a Garmin (or other GPS) elevation chart once they ride it?

Thanks!

[mikebobelak]

sub-lt, on 28 June 2012 - 10:56 AM, said:

Skipping the tough climb up (Lone Wolf?) off the start this year? (And I ask because I actually really did like that climb last year!)

Sorry to ask, but since we're too far away to practice before race-day, would anyone be willing to post a Garmin (or other GPS) elevation chart once they ride it?

Thanks!

No Lone wolf trail, just the trail that follows the creek(back side) . Basically" muddy spokes" course with the adition of flat singletrack.... ~380' per lap total climb, realisticaly 200' up "love" , then rest is quick up/down. ill look for a garmin


Here is the race from earlier this summer; Course is the same minus the flat  ~.25 mile section to the south of the creek(look at sat image) that will bring you back to the trail directly across from the ranger station; http://connect.garmi...ivity/172994141

Edited by mikebobelak, 28 June 2012 - 11:59 AM.

[2Ninr]

If up is what you crave rumor has it the castlewood race late summer will provide plenty.

[shill]

A good hard climb close to the start helps separate the field and makes for a safer race. IMO. One year maybe 2004 or 5. We went up that climb that has the water bars. That was brutal.

Scott

[rigrider]

We will attempt to string the field out before hitting the single track by sending riders around the open field, double track, and creek crossing before hitting the climb up Love Trail.  I'll put together a racer guide and publish it this weekend that will have a course map, approved parking areas, prizes list, etc.

[mjs]

shill, on 28 June 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

A good hard climb close to the start helps separate the field and makes for a safer race. IMO. One year maybe 2004 or 5. We went up that climb that has the water bars. That was brutal.

Scott

We got some complaints saying a climb that close to the start is too hard, especially when it is LW.  Really.  I agree with you, but we are trying something a little different, if it doesn't work, we will change it again for next year.


Matt

[mssrsmth]

mjs, on 29 June 2012 - 05:58 AM, said:

shill, on 28 June 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

A good hard climb close to the start helps separate the field and makes for a safer race. IMO. One year maybe 2004 or 5. We went up that climb that has the water bars. That was brutal.

Scott

We got some complaints saying a climb that close to the start is too hard, especially when it is LW.  Really.  I agree with you, but we are trying something a little different, if it doesn't work, we will change it again for next year.


Matt

"Too hard"? A race out west or east would put our little bumps in perspective.   looking forward to this race. Great venue (even without the climb)

[APSBiker]

mssrsmth, on 29 June 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

mjs, on 29 June 2012 - 05:58 AM, said:

shill, on 28 June 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

A good hard climb close to the start helps separate the field and makes for a safer race. IMO. One year maybe 2004 or 5. We went up that climb that has the water bars. That was brutal.

Scott

We got some complaints saying a climb that close to the start is too hard, especially when it is LW.  Really.  I agree with you, but we are trying something a little different, if it doesn't work, we will change it again for next year.


Matt

"Too hard"? A race out west or east would put our little bumps in perspective.   looking forward to this race. Great venue (even without the climb)

I'd have to say that it's not too hard because it's a hill, it's that there only seems to be one good line to take up the hill. If it weren't so rutted out it would help spread the field out better, but when there's one lane and everyone is at 150% that doesn't spread anyone out really until you get up to the top and the trail turns to doubletrack for a while.

[The Barryman]

Mountain bike racing is hard. It is supposed to be hard.

I can not believe that anyone, other than the Cat 3s - who have yet to realize that "hard makes you fast" - would complain.

I miss the days that we used to use the "big boy climbs" at Castlewood. What ever happened to going up Cardiac?
The dumbing down of race courses reminds me of the people I see in the gym parking lot. They circle and circle their car around, until they can get a spot close to the door before they go in to "exercise".

Edited by The Barryman, 29 June 2012 - 08:03 AM.

[ssalmons]

The first race I did was Castlewood a few years ago.  It was up Grotpeter (the hard way), around the rollercoaster, down the ranger station cutoff, up Love, cross the road and down Grotpeter (another climb) and across another road to cross the creek.  If you go up the back side of Lone Wolf you can hit all the hills of Castlewood in one lap, that can be tough.  Plus you get the steep and sketchy downhill on River Scene.

[mikebobelak]

IMO: Lone wolf is a great additon if we come up from the west/back side, but comming down the ridge is just too much for most/all 2&3 level racers. Even if you ride it often, in "race mode" it becomes a very real hazzard. Setting up alternate routes for differant classes is a PITA.
AS far as Cardiac; Justins is more "fun" , than bouncing up on babyhead rocks...