Mid-State: Burchfield

[reidabel]

I think some racers might be "preparing" the course ahead of time - I saw a handful of cut-corner reroutes on Randy's Maze yesterday that look like they are designed to speed travel. That's too bad, I liked the trail as it was. Speaking of which, there are a few spots where people have made things easier at Burchfield, sadly.

Disclaimer - maybe they weren't racers, maybe this wasn't done to speed things up. And of course it isn't everybody that's doing this, just a select few, I'm sure.

[jonw9]

I think some racers might be "preparing" the course ahead of time - I saw a handful of cut-corner reroutes on Randy's Maze yesterday that look like they are designed to speed travel. That's too bad, I liked the trail as it was. Speaking of which, there are a few spots where people have made things easier at Burchfield, sadly.

Disclaimer - maybe they weren't racers, maybe this wasn't done to speed things up. And of course it isn't everybody that's doing this, just a select few, I'm sure.

There are many places (Anderson, Burchfield, and probably every trail) where riders will take the path of least resistance, or make that path. If there is a root, rock, or bump that requires some sort of technical ability, there will shortly be a path around it. I guess it is the nature of the beast.

I doubt it is racers prepping for the Oct. 2 event, since that route hasn't been finalized, or announced. Many sections will be "taped" off to prevent the cutting of corners and such.

[reidabel]

So true. When do we find out the exact route that will be used? I'm guessing that riding the stunts will not be part of the race course ...

I'm actually considering signing up for this, which would be my first one ever. Are there age categories for it? If so, what are they? Is it a group start, and if not, how far apart are people sent out? Yeah, I know, basic questions ...

Thanks, Jon.

[jonw9]

So true. When do we find out the exact route that will be used? I'm guessing that riding the stunts will not be part of the race course ...

I'm actually considering signing up for this, which would be my first one ever. Are there age categories for it? If so, what are they? Is it a group start, and if not, how far apart are people sent out? Yeah, I know, basic questions ...

Thanks, Jon.

Actual route will probably be the week of the event. Perhaps at a group ride prior to that.
The trail will be marked a few days before the race. there will be no stints included, but several of the log crossings will remain.
There would be 2 categories for you, A or B. A is the more advanced group.
Time trial is individual start, perhaps a pair of riders. Typically 30 seconds apart riders will leave the gate.
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register. ... ntid=13563

[jonw9]

Roots on the first portion were a little slick today. The trail was a bit slimey in a few places, but not overly wet.
I wasn't around to know how much rain fell yesterday, but the heavy rain we had a bit ago won't help.

Some new deadfall around.

The new bridge beam skinny was fun.I gave it a shop a couple times. It isn't as easy as it looks (for me).

They were out grading the Riverbend road. I am not sure how much it helped, but it was done. Possibly for the triathlon perhaps?

[reidabel]

The new bridge beam skinny was fun.I gave it a shot a couple times. It isn't as easy as it looks (for me).

Where is that - on Swamp Thing? When I was out on Monday, it still had the green fence blocking the (new) entrance after riding the section by the river. Is the whole thing currently open? I know there is trailwork planned there for Sunday, but is it open right now? I ask because I'm considering riding and/or playing disc golf there tomorrow (Saturday), by parking at the McNamara lot and biking in to the disc golf course, which should be VERY devoid of players due to the triathlon. I like it much better when nobody's there.

[jonw9]

The new bridge beam skinny was fun.I gave it a shot a couple times. It isn't as easy as it looks (for me).

Where is that - on Swamp Thing? When I was out on Monday, it still had the green fence blocking the (new) entrance after riding the section by the river. Is the whole thing currently open? I know there is trailwork planned there for Sunday, but is it open right now? I ask because I'm considering riding and/or playing disc golf there tomorrow (Saturday), by parking at the McNamara lot and biking in to the disc golf course, which should be VERY devoid of players due to the triathlon. I like it much better when nobody's there.

The skinny is a bridge beam laying on the ground. It isn't a permanent fixture, and will be gone tomorrow.

Swamp Thing is still closed off. I do not think it is officially open, but I was out again preriding the TT course. The main reason it is closed is the lack of bridges, and debris. I think after the trail day tomorrow, we might be able to open things up, but the bridges won't be complete yet.

[reidabel]

Rode this afternoon, lots of slimy corners after all of that rain. Otherwise mostly fine. I cleaned up the new ridge trail by McNamara, and Bob's Supremacy didn't seem to need much attention, though it could be made cleaner. The new log pile is still solid and I rode it 1-for-1 without problems. I cleaned up Serenity as well. The river trail near Bob's has a tree down across the trail, but since it hasn't been mentioned, I'm guessing it's not part of the planned race route. I didn't ride any part of Swamp Thing, or Dragonball Run, or the Randy's/Annie's/Kentaro/Red Route/Forest Hump/Nathan Dynamite area, so I don't know if those are clean or not. I'm sure somebody will tidy those up tomorrow - maybe even me.

[pfox90]

Rode out there this morning. Trail is in much better shape all around than it was earlier in the season. Less mosquitos, slimy trails and overgrowth although we didn't ride the section out by loopmans. Swamp thing by the river is in great shape thanks for trimming it back. Still muddy where the new bridges are going in and I enjoyed the ramp.

Pat

[jonw9]

Rode out there this morning. Trail is in much better shape all around than it was earlier in the season. Less mosquitos, slimy trails and overgrowth although we didn't ride the section out by loopmans. Swamp thing by the river is in great shape thanks for trimming it back. Still muddy where the new bridges are going in and I enjoyed the ramp.

Pat

Which areas have the overgrowth issues? That is besides the open field areas.

[pfox90]

Idk? I was saying there isn't much of an issue now?

[jonw9]

Idk? I was saying there isn't much of an issue now?

Oh, I though you were stating less mosquitoes, but still slimey and overgrown. You were sating that there is less of all three?

[pfox90]

That would be correct.

[TenSpeed]

Trail was pretty nice today. Swamp Thing looks pretty good so far. The part by the river is really nice now. Also rode Dragonball for the first time in a long while. Forgot how cool that part is.

[reidabel]

At first I thought doing Dragonball Run backwards was too dangerous and too difficult, but now that I've seen others ride all those stunts and have been able to do it myself a few times, it IS good. I think people are riding Serenity all the way, then doubling back on the beginner trail to ride Dragonball backwards ... once Swamp Thing is fully completed, all of this will tie together nicely.