I'm in. It will be my 4th year doing it. It's worth the drive from Oklahoma. It's one of my favorite events of the year. I had to choose between this and Gravel Nats, which is 6 hours closer for me, and I'm choosing BR
As others said, course conditions can change quite a bit. Personally, i think a 35-38 is the right width tire for the course. It can be sandy in spots, so a wide tire is an advantage there, but there is also quite a bit of asphalt on the course and a few climbs, where anything wider than a 38 is overkill. Two years ago, a few riders from Holoweskel Citadel raced it on their road bikes with road tires and finished top 10, but i wouldn't suggest that.
Sager road is the section where the race usually blows up. It's a hard left turn off of asphalt onto a narrow jeep road, up a small climb, and then basically a mile or two dodging rocks, puddles, holes, sand, etc as you gradually keep climbing. It's narrow enough that you can get caught behind a rider who gets stuck in the sand, and your chances of making back to the leaders are slim.
As others said, course conditions can change quite a bit. Personally, i think a 35-38 is the right width tire for the course. It can be sandy in spots, so a wide tire is an advantage there, but there is also quite a bit of asphalt on the course and a few climbs, where anything wider than a 38 is overkill. Two years ago, a few riders from Holoweskel Citadel raced it on their road bikes with road tires and finished top 10, but i wouldn't suggest that.
Sager road is the section where the race usually blows up. It's a hard left turn off of asphalt onto a narrow jeep road, up a small climb, and then basically a mile or two dodging rocks, puddles, holes, sand, etc as you gradually keep climbing. It's narrow enough that you can get caught behind a rider who gets stuck in the sand, and your chances of making back to the leaders are slim.