Welch MNSCS race [Archive] - Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Discussion Forums

fasterfoster

08-05-2007, 11:21 PM

Kevin, I just registered the boys and I. Kids comp was listed as the last option.
Got it!
Thanks!
I guess I didn't look hard enough. I'm used to seeing it listed first.
See you all in Welch!

ninjanick

08-06-2007, 12:51 PM

So, is the citizen race really only 5.3 miles total? .5 for prolog lap, and 4.8 for full lap? Seams short. Maybe I should consider gettin my arse handed to me in sport.

Vert

08-06-2007, 01:36 PM

Is "the Wall" in this year? It didn't look like it from the map. I hope it's still there, that's one of the nastiest climbs in the series. :sick:

redpic

08-06-2007, 02:01 PM

Is "the Wall" in this year? It didn't look like it from the map. I hope it's still there, that's one of the nastiest climbs in the series. :sick:

I have heard from some people working on the trail that "the wall" is part of the course for all classes except citizen.

I cant post up the course map, but if you check it out on the MNSCS site, it does show where the walls is at on the course.

Heuy

08-06-2007, 02:45 PM

Climbing, Bring the PAIN!!!:metal::evil:

Vert

08-06-2007, 04:26 PM

Wow, brand-spanking new map.
In the words of C. Montgomery Burns, "Excellent"...

calc

08-06-2007, 08:57 PM

Just got back from Welch helping with the course setup. The course is in good shape and 90% taped and ready for pre-riding on Saturday.

The wall climb is definately in for sport/comp/expert. It's just as painful walking up it multiple times. :incazzato:

Citizen will not be doing the wall climb. There is a cutoff not shown on the map where the Citizen course will turn.

I was able to weed wack down to the dirt on a couple of the grassy climbs to get a nice single track path up the hill and make it a *little* less painful. :banana:

ninjanick

08-06-2007, 09:35 PM

Cal, Am I correct in thinking that the citizen race is only 5.3 miles?

GoatGirl

08-06-2007, 11:16 PM

Wow, brand-spanking new map.
In the words of C. Montgomery Burns, "Excellent"...

I missed the map. Where is the map? :confused:

Angie, are you going to ride the wall or just build it higher for those of us who are thinking about it?

hockeynut

08-07-2007, 06:24 AM

Cal, Am I correct in thinking that the citizen race is only 5.3 miles?

Nick... I have no clue how many miles it was, but the 1.5 laps I did last year kicked my butt - in a good way - more than any other race (including Afton) when I did a lot of the citizen races. So, while 1.5 laps seems short, I doubt you'll feel short changed when it's all said and done. Just my thoughts.

ninjanick

08-07-2007, 07:26 AM

Thanks Isaac, yea, I finally found last years results and it appears to be a pretty slow average speed. Although shorter in distance it looks like it should take right around the time it took to do afton, which yes, kicked my butt.

Trevize1138

08-07-2007, 07:34 AM

Climbing, Bring the PAIN!!!:metal::evil:

Woot! Walking!

calc

08-07-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by ninjanick http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?p=229148#post229148)
Cal, Am I correct in thinking that the citizen race is only 5.3 miles?

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Nick... I have no clue how many miles it was, but the 1.5 laps I did last year kicked my butt - in a good way - more than any other race (including Afton) when I did a lot of the citizen races. So, while 1.5 laps seems short, I doubt you'll feel short changed when it's all said and done. Just my thoughts.

I believe you're correct that it's 1.5 laps like last year. I'll see if I can get Scott to clarify the lap counts.

I missed the map. Where is the map? :confused:

An updated map is located here:
http://www.mnscs.com/page/show/4836

FarmerBEN

08-07-2007, 01:48 PM

I believe you're correct that it's 1.5 laps like last year. I'll see if I can get Scott to clarify the lap counts.

An updated map is located here:
http://www.mnscs.com/page/show/4836

would it be unethical for me to register for kids' comp on saturday just to be able to preride? I would love to ride but I doubt that I am in good enough shape to race, but don't really want to spend 20+ bucks just to ride the course. I will probably suffer through the citizen's race.

Ang

08-07-2007, 10:39 PM

I missed the map. Where is the map? :confused:

Angie, are you going to ride the wall or just build it higher for those of us who are thinking about it?

Lisa, you should race it. I hear it's not as bad as it looks! :laugh:
Oh, and once more, IT'S NOT MY FAULT!!!!!

finn0086

08-07-2007, 10:52 PM

I just updated the course map to show the citizen cutoff and the warm-up area. I have also posted the lap counts.

calc

08-08-2007, 12:43 PM

would it be unethical for me to register for kids' comp on saturday just to be able to preride? I would love to ride but I doubt that I am in good enough shape to race, but don't really want to spend 20+ bucks just to ride the course. I will probably suffer through the citizen's race.

I'd say sign up for the Citizen race and don't worry about being in shape. I'm usually not in good enough shape until about October and by that time the race season is over. It's all about suffering together and having a beer afterward.:beer_yum:

zaskar

08-08-2007, 03:36 PM

It's all about suffering together and having a beer afterward.:beer_yum:

I agree 100%!!!!

pokey

08-09-2007, 11:12 AM

You can make it around the citizen lap, Ben.
I'll ride your bike up all the hills for you....I promise.

Since Isaac keeps breaking his forks, I think I heard him say he was going to ride a unicycle for the Welch race... and he's racing sport ! So if you don't race, we'll all call you a big sissy.

redpic

08-09-2007, 01:27 PM

http://pics.smarp.us/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=28896&g2_serialNumber=2

You can make it around the citizen lap, Ben.
I'll ride your bike up all the hills for you....I promise.

Since Isaac keeps breaking his forks, I think I heard him say he was going to ride a unicycle for the Welch race... and he's racing sport ! So if you don't race, we'll all call you a big sissy.

pokey

08-09-2007, 01:34 PM

That's the first one he broke last week.

hockeynut

08-09-2007, 08:49 PM

Note that Larry said "first".

I think I'll actually be racing on a borrowed Surly fork, the replacement won't be here in time. I don't know if I will be riding many of the bigger hills, but the singletrack is fun.

redpic

08-11-2007, 08:41 AM

There was a torrentual downpour in Burnsville last night. Just wondering if it rained in Welch and whether we are still able to preride or not.

redpic

08-11-2007, 08:44 AM

There was a torrentual downpour in Burnsville last night. Just wondering if it rained in Welch and whether we are still able to preride or not.

I just spoke with my sister who lives in Welch. She says that it downpoured all last night and there was crazy lightning. Looks like there is going to be a wet preride.

Lebowski

08-11-2007, 10:25 AM

Already back Cal? Sorry I couldn't make it. I'm looking forward to seeing the back of your head all race tomorrow :sick:

Wolfchimp

08-11-2007, 01:28 PM

I am in Red Wing right now. It poured early this morning and it just got done raining again.

Vert

08-11-2007, 04:01 PM

Wow. We did a full comp/expert lap which took about an hour, with lots of walking. Muddiest course I've ridden in a long time. It makes Maplelag and JailTrail from last year look like smooth pavement. Many sections are unridable (shared opinion from everyone we talked to today). If it rains tonight, yikes.

calc

08-11-2007, 04:32 PM

What Chris said. Hopefully with the afternoon sun and if it doesn't rain too much overnight it should dry out a little. I'd pack a set of mud tires to bring with just in case.

redpic

08-11-2007, 10:07 PM

Welch got hit with another downpouring about 9ish this evening. Its gonna be a long one tommorrow.

Good Luck to everyone and dont forget those mud tires

RichZilla

08-11-2007, 10:52 PM

I am SOOOOOOO ready for this!!! Bring the mud!!!

finn0086

08-12-2007, 05:09 AM

We received some rain yesterday morning and a brief amount in the evening that ended around 9:30 pm. The sun was out most of the afternoon and winds overnight helped dry the course. Come on out and enjoy a great day of racing. Todays weather is going to be perfect to dry the course out.

Trevize1138

08-12-2007, 07:54 AM

tmac

08-12-2007, 09:28 AM

Well, that's all I need to hear. :( See y'all in Duluth.

Poop.

C'mon, Chris - don't be so MORC-ey. My best results have been in the mud. Of course, I definitely swallowed some bacteria at St. Cloud last year. NOT a fun day after.

Just kidding about being MORC-ey. Hopefully the trails will dry out to a nice tack by race time.

Trevize1138

08-12-2007, 10:30 AM

C'mon, Chris - don't be so MORC-ey. My best results have been in the mud. Of course, I definitely swallowed some bacteria at St. Cloud last year. NOT a fun day after.

Just kidding about being MORC-ey. Hopefully the trails will dry out to a nice tack by race time.

Eh, I know ski hill trails aren't really held to the same sustainable standards. :) I'm just not a fan of mudding.

Magic

08-12-2007, 10:48 AM

Eh, I know ski hill trails aren't really held to the same sustainable standards. :) I'm just not a fan of mudding.

I hope this statement isn't a slam on these types of trails.;):nono:

Trevize1138

08-12-2007, 02:15 PM

I hope this statement isn't a slam on these types of trails.;):nono:

Not at all, just a recognition of how trails on private land often differ from ones on park land. :)

mtnbykr

08-12-2007, 04:15 PM

Not at all, just a recognition of how trails on private land often differ from ones on park land.

i'd think it would be the builders of the trails, no matter what/which land the trails are on.

why can't you build sustainable trails on a ski hill??

hockeynut

08-12-2007, 07:17 PM

For all that may be interested. It sounded like the Citizen course was a bit greasy (open sections that had nothing to do with the singletrack) but bikes were far from plastered with mud in my recollection (maybe a racer can disagree). By the time sport rolled around things were getting downright tacky I believe.

b_rogo

08-12-2007, 07:36 PM

The trail really wasn't bad for the sport class race. I was nervous about it after pre-riding yesterday, but it dried up nicely. I still mounted up a mud tire for the rear though.

Has anyone heard if the woman who crashed and was in the neck brace is OK?

zaskar

08-12-2007, 09:09 PM

Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I raced Citizen. There was only one spot that sucked big time. Woods sections were fun, a little greasy in a few spots but totally rideable. Actually now that I think about it some of the climbs required me to get off the bike and push due to lack of traction. I stayed seated and still couldn't get the rear tire to bite.

Great race and thanks to all those who volunteered their time and efforts!!

RichZilla

08-12-2007, 09:20 PM

Anyone who chickened out and chose not to ride at Welch today really missed out. There was not one single section of the course that was not rideable. In fact, I was almost dissappointed at the lack of mud. From what everyone was saying on here, I thought it was going to be a little moist. It was the best tacky we've seen all year. Three laps and only walked a couple short spots of singletrack where someone in front of me stepped off. Mud was NO issue. Just goes to show, listen to the locals (Scott Finne - finn0086)! He called it exactly correct. This was the first race in a VERY long time where dust was not an issue. Man was that a refreshing change!

Too bad suckas!!!

manual63

08-12-2007, 10:05 PM

why can't you build sustainable trails on a ski hill??

Because people want to go straight up and straight down.:scream:

mill0298

08-12-2007, 11:06 PM

Because people want to go straight up and straight down.:scream:

Guilty. It is nice to see some rapid elevation change every once in a while. :jumpy:

Trevize1138

08-13-2007, 06:58 AM

Because people want to go straight up and straight down.:scream:

That's my point. It's not that you can't build sustainable trails on ski hills, it's that you often don't have to because the land managers don't mind as much.

Bummer for me that it turned out to be great conditions. Got to spend some quality time with the parents before they left for IA and had a good day with the wife, instead. :cool:

Magic

08-13-2007, 09:41 AM

That's my point. It's not that you can't build sustainable trails on ski hills, it's that you often don't have to because the land managers don't mind as much.

Bummer for me that it turned out to be great conditions. Got to spend some quality time with the parents before they left for IA and had a good day with the wife, instead. :cool:

That is the joy of working with private owners of the land. We can have a few areas that are not sustainable and still have a nice trail. I was just giving you some static earlier Chris, I think you knew that. But I do like the freedom to have these types of trails.

gopherhockey

08-13-2007, 10:09 AM

But I do like the freedom to have these types of trails.

I agree. But even so, I think you and the crew out at Afton have done an excellent job of building some sustainable stuff... yes, you can deny it ;) but you guys actually do some IMBA quality stuff out there and you make it fun to ride as well! I can't wait for 24 hours... although its a lot easier when you're eating cheese balls and heckling the riders :D

tmac

08-13-2007, 10:27 AM

Anyone who chickened out and chose not to ride at Welch today really missed out. There was not one single section of the course that was not rideable.

I wouldn't go that far, but it did dry out nicley. Some of us had a little trouble grinding out a couple of the greazy uphill sections in the woods, but that was probably less than 50 feet of the entire trail.

It was the best tacky we've seen all year. Mud was NO issue. Just goes to show, listen to the locals (Scott Finne - finn0086)! He called it exactly correct. This was the first race in a VERY long time where dust was not an issue. Man was that a refreshing change!

I almost agree with your there. I was happy to race without fighting a dry/dusty trail all afternoon.
As for Tacky - there were a couple of sections that looked flat, but instead of pushing a gear and picking up some speed, I found myself downshifting to find a gear I could spin through the peanut-buttery substance that was under me.

Another really fun day out at the MNSCS races. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to put it on.

manual63

08-13-2007, 10:30 AM

Nice job in the Metric Drop Ty. Did Adam tell you about his visit with the stump? Glad he was okay after the crash.

tmac

08-13-2007, 03:00 PM

Nice job in the Metric Drop Ty. Did Adam tell you about his visit with the stump? Glad he was okay after the crash.

Thanks. Three more times through, and I'm confident I could clean it.

Adam's crash sounded pretty impressive - he got some trail rash to bring home, but as always it didn't slow him down too much.

RichZilla

08-13-2007, 05:29 PM

I wouldn't go that far, but it did dry out nicley. Some of us had a little trouble grinding out a couple of the greazy uphill sections in the woods, but that was probably less than 50 feet of the entire trail.

Ha ha ha! Tire choice!:D

I almost agree with your there. I was happy to race without fighting a dry/dusty trail all afternoon.
As for Tacky - there were a couple of sections that looked flat, but instead of pushing a gear and picking up some speed, I found myself downshifting to find a gear I could spin through the peanut-buttery substance that was under me.

Yeah, the ground that was totally dry looking, but was super spongy, was crazy. It felt like someone grabbed my seatpost and was pulling back.:hit: Ugly slow, hated it too.

redpic

08-13-2007, 05:43 PM

[\quote]Has anyone heard if the woman who crashed and was in the neck brace is OK?[/quote]

She'll be out for the rest of the season, broken collarbone and ribs

Magic

08-13-2007, 06:04 PM

I agree. But even so, I think you and the crew out at Afton have done an excellent job of building some sustainable stuff... yes, you can deny it ;) but you guys actually do some IMBA quality stuff out there and you make it fun to ride as well! I can't wait for 24 hours... although its a lot easier when you're eating cheese balls and heckling the riders :D

Thanks John. I like that we can have all different types of trails here in the metro. It just makes it hard to figure out which one I should ride most days.
See you down in the valley for the 24hr.:cool:

grizzly adam

08-15-2007, 08:04 PM

Adam's crash sounded pretty impressive - he got some trail rash to bring home, but as always it didn't slow him down too much.

And it sounded like the only one of the day! I can't say that it all happened fast. It felt like I was laying there for 30 seconds waiting for my bike to land on top of me - THUNK!

What was even better was after I got back on I missed the next corner and hauled ass down the hill a ways in the 4ft tall grasses :laugh:.

The next two times were definately better.

Oh yeah - did anyone get any pics of my wipeout?