Steeplechase Race Feedback

[Jeff R]

Thanks to all racers and spectators that came out at Steeplechase yesterday. We got lucky and dodged additional rain! We hope you had a fun day...We are looking for any feedback you have as we evaluate and start thinking about next year. Likes, dislikes, needs for improvement??

[zaskar]

Hey Jeff!

This was my first event ever and I'll just start by saying I had a great time. I can't compare this with any other experience but to me it seemed like everything ran very smoothly. Thanks to all who helped make this happen.

I would like to understand the reasons for the change to the citizen course. I was just bummed to miss out on even more of the woods section. If you'd rather leave that discussion for another time and place I understand.

Again thanks for all the hard work!!!

[Matthew]

There were a few reasons that we chose to leave the long section of singletrack off of the citizens course. The first and most important was that it was the first race of the day and Jeff and I felt the trails would benefit from another 2 hours of drying before racers hit them. The 2nd reason was that some of the citizen class racers might have had difficulty dealing with the slick off camber sections and we were worried about the bridges being damp, which makes them very slick. The final deciding reason was that the stuff at the bottom becomes slow when it gets wet and we were worried it would slow the course down so much that the citizen race would suddenly become to long and everyone would be out there for an hour and half. It was a bummer becuase I know the citizen class race would have enjoyed that singletrack a lot more than the wide open stuff but it will definately be in there for next year.

[zaskar]

Thanks for the info Matt. I still had fun and the course was challenging due to me being out of shape and all the climbing. I wish I had the legs and lungs to enter a different class. Someday.

I repect the decisions that were made and still enjoyed the course.

Thanks again.

[SKullman]

Don't change too much.

Expert view...I think it was a perfect race course, 2 hours of race time...spot on. Good hard climbing efforts, difficult twisty roots, open faster sections.

Steeple has a very good combination of all of them. I was still happy at the end.

[RedSquirrel]

Thanks. Like Shane mentioned the variety and 2+ hour challenge was perfect for me too.

The course was wider than last year. Specifically the off camber woods sections being wider made for a faster feel.

Matt's revenge switchbacks made for a refreshing challenge. It was all ride-able and enjoyed it. Don't take either climb out.

Although a bummer for Cit Class it was probally the right call to limit early am single track. It really firmed up nice by lap 3/4 of later race.

If possible please pull a beer permit. I was deserving of a frosty post race.......

Thanks for a fantastic race, it's one of my favorites!! The food, set-up and after race fun was all good too. Nice group of volunteers.

[Dhallaway]

At first I was disappointed that you needed to take out a portion of the citizen class single track, but I understand the need and how slippery the bridges could be. The course we rode was still a lot of fun and challenging enough to keep me breathless for the whole race. Riding part of the prologue backwards was a good idea to add some open course area.

The course we rode seemed to stand up well under the less than ideal conditions, I didn't really notice any real slick spots or muddy areas.

Feedback, I was able to ride the Citizen's Class course Thursday before the rains set in, it was a great course. I liked the new trails down by the river, they made a nice addition to last years course. I would like to see you add back in the full loop on the bottom of the course (where it goes right along the trees before doubling back). The Zumbro Zipper was a lot fun, the short wooden stakes looked a bit dangerous, maybe they could be longer or use flags. Having the food concession was a nice addition.

[jag]

Great trails. Great race. Sport class. Liked the slalom section and the other downhill sections. Got some air in a few spots which is always good.
An optional jump (doesn't have to be big) in front of the start/finish area would be cool for some racers and the spectators.
Will be back for sure.
Thanks.

[RichZilla]

Comp racer review:
This was the first time I've been to Steeplechase, but I've been to all the other races over the past few years. I've heard many good things about the work that's been done there. I was not dissappointed. I thought everything about the event went smoothly. The racer food was excellent, the schwagg was great, the course layout was some of the best I've been to. Call-ups are awesome. I didn't get there early enough to see the Citizen and Sport classes take off, but it sounds like they had a multiple wave start. Multiple waves at the start are the only fair way to begin a race with multiple age groups competing separately for points. It just isn't right to get held up by, or have to battle with, someone on the course when you aren't actually competing against them. Just my 2 cents. I understand that small numbers make this unnecassary though. I thought the ability of the staff to modify the courses due to the weather worked out perfectly. Overall a great job by all who helped make this race happen. Thanks.

The only thing that would be better was if the wiener wagon wouldn't have run out of chow before the slower guys like me got finished up. I was definitely ready for a burger and brew.

There should also be a small travelling wooden jump brought to every MNSCS race. It should be placed somewhere near the start/finish line, or where ever the main spectator base is located. Have it off to the side and out of the main race line so you would have to intentionally go a bit out of your way to hit it. (Like the little log pile at Steeplechase, the crowd loved it when three different riders on our team went out of their way to ride over it) Nothing big needed, just a little something to give all the people spectating in the area a crowd pleaser now and then.

[gus man]

Comp racer review:

There should also be a small travelling wooden jump brought to every MNSCS race. I should be placed somewhere near the start/finish line, or where ever the main spectator base is located. Have it off to the side and out of the main race line so you would have to intentionally go a bit out of your way to hit it. (Like the little log pile at Steeplechase, the crowd loved it when three different riders on our team went out of their way to ride over it) Nothing big needed, just a little something to give all the people spectating in the area a crowd pleaser now and then.


Ther will be one at Red Wing

[Wolfchimp]

Great trails at Steeplechase. I had never ridden there prior to the race but I will definitely be back! Fun, fun and more fun!

[RichZilla]

There will be one at Red Wing

YES!!!!

Yu Da Man!

[SKullman]

Is there going to be a way to avoid the jump?

I don't like to be in the air, it's not as fast.

[natehakensak]

I agree with shane. I think the racers who don't want to freeride with a 180hr shouldn't be punished with a long alternate route. Plus, how many newbies are going to want to catch air during their first race?

[hockeynut]

If you are referring to a jump at the start/finish of the Red Wing race. It will be optional. If Gus doesn't make it optional in how it's set up before the race I will take care of it Saturday night. :cool: ;)

[gus man]

If you are referring to a jump at the start/finish of the Red Wing race. It will be optional. If Gus doesn't make it optional in how it's set up before the race I will take care of it Saturday night. :cool: ;)

1st off. I've been doing this long enought to know that there will be a way around or an Isaac line for those who need it.

2nd, or I'll just fix it Sunday morning.

[hockeynut]

1st off. I've been doing this long enought to know that there will be a way around or an Isaac line for those who need it.

I know that... hence the smileys....

Back ON topic. Things I liked about the race last Sunday:

- the course was super fun
- the climbs were super fun (can you add more to the sport course?:sick: )
- things were organized pretty well

Things I didn't like about the race:
- my name didn't get pulled in the raffle thingey

Great job by all I say. No negatives that I could think of at all on the day. Top notch.

[RichZilla]

I agree with shane. I think the racers who don't want to freeride with a 180hr shouldn't be punished with a long alternate route. Plus, how many newbies are going to want to catch air during their first race?

First of all, what the heck is a 180hr? Is that some kind of new lightweight, weight-wienie, frame that can't handle a 10 inch drop? Plus I'm sure they were going to put large funnelling fences up so everyone had to hit the 6-foot high kicker that has a 28-foot gap, to an off-camber, wet, rocky landing. I think they installed the sharpened and poison tipped punji sticks in the gap last night.:alien:

[RedSquirrel]

First of all, what the heck is a 180hr? Is that some kind of new lightweight, weight-wienie, frame that can't handle a 10 inch drop? Plus I'm sure they were going to put large funnelling fences up so everyone had to hit the 6-foot high kicker that has a 28-foot gap, to an off-camber, wet, rocky landing. I think they installed the sharpened and poison tipped punji sticks in the gap last night.:alien:

Yes, funny stuff Z. I think the jump option, like what has been at the Buck spring openers in the past would be neat. Forget HR (heart rate) and race times, are we all that serious? A jump even if it's only a small one might just wake me up, or cause me to go OTB, all good if you ask me. All good especially at >LT or vo2max dark spots, bright lights yadda yadda. I'm a weenie but an optional jump is A'OK in my book. Ha ha, good one Zilla (looking for a thrilla).

[natehakensak]

First of all, what the heck is a 180hr? Is that some kind of new lightweight, weight-wienie, frame that can't handle a 10 inch drop? Plus I'm sure they were going to put large funnelling fences up so everyone had to hit the 6-foot high kicker that has a 28-foot gap, to an off-camber, wet, rocky landing. I think they installed the sharpened and poison tipped punji sticks in the gap last night.:alien:

First, 180 hr is attained, wait, you guys are trying to get my goat. Nice visual with the sticks and such. I am not a karate movie afficianado, so I haven't a clue what you are talking about, but I can feel it. Have fun all on Sunday! Steeplechase is a fun course, back on topic.

[RichZilla]

Yeah, OK. Back on topic. Here it is:

It sounds like everyone had a good time at the event, even though the weather wasn't cooperating perfectly. Good Job! If you want to make this event a little more high profile, try to bring in a few more vendors. Anything like that. When there's a lot more going on, it gives the impression of a real big deal happening. People respond to that. Think about different events you've been to. The ones with the most vendors seem the most pro. You've got the perfect little midway strip there for it. There were several little "vendors" of sorts, set up along there already. It was great. You don't get that at hardly any other races. Bring in some more. Maybe some local businesses or bike shops, a T-shirt guy, ooh ooh! the Pronto Pup Wagon!!! Give the Citizen and Sport riders (and their families) something more to do while they are there. Maybe even have a little Steeplechase Ski/Snowboard propaganda out there. Get a coupon for a lift ticket next winter. I snowboard a ton and I've never been there. A little coupon might make me want to check it out. Invite some of the other series sponsors to get out there and set up a spot for them to be seen and help out. Erik's should be there with a little setup. I know that contacting people and offering them a spot takes a bit of work, but maybe just try to get ahold of 2 or 3 more for next year. Maybe, eventually, it could be a fun little mini-carnival! Cotton candy and all. After you get a little steam going with this, and you can show positive results to them, they would probably pay to be there. Think of the family fun to be had...

Just my 2 cents. It's the only thing I could think of to make it a bigger show!?! Well done.

Oh yeah, karate movies kick butt!:cool: