The first shots were fired this weekend at the Cascade Gravel Grinder, 3 days Omnium. Two stages had big grinder options. A few thoughts.
1. I don't know how many people who raced this weekend are doing Oregon Trail, but there was some serious competition. I thought I was in very good shape and got steamrolled pretty hard in the Saturday Big Grinder. When they warned to watch out for "hostile natives" they really meant all the fast locals from Bend who will beat you;) Also note that Masters is 45+, I'm 44 this year so I don't have to race in the geezer division like I usually do;) In all seriousness, the OA placings were pretty evenly mixed masters and open, so a lot of really good masters athletes.
2. I think they gave kind of sandbag tire recommendations. I only raced Saturday and they recommended 33-35. I raced 38s and wouldn't have gone any smaller, there was a lot of loose gravel, numerous sandy sections and washouts. Likewise, almost everyone I talked to thought 33s would have been difficult. I am a MOPer and was only talking to other MOPers though;) Not saying there was anything wrong with the course, but it was a little more challenging than I expected in terms of surface conditions and having more tire was definitely better.
3. The 5 day race is going to be hard (okay we knew that, but really hard). Took lots of concentration and energy for me to ride within my skill level. I was glad I planned to go skiing today instead of doing back-to-back race days (I'm saving my suitcase of courage for June).
The Saturday big grinder rode a lot slower than I expected, considering the overall elevation gain. On paper most of the stages in the OR trail are quite a bit harder. The Oregon Trail covers a lot of real estate, so I am sure the course surfaces are going to vary, but I would suggest bring some big tires and be ready to grind. This really is a game for the true grinders.
Anyone else race this weekend? What were your thoughts? How are you feeling about the race?
1. I don't know how many people who raced this weekend are doing Oregon Trail, but there was some serious competition. I thought I was in very good shape and got steamrolled pretty hard in the Saturday Big Grinder. When they warned to watch out for "hostile natives" they really meant all the fast locals from Bend who will beat you;) Also note that Masters is 45+, I'm 44 this year so I don't have to race in the geezer division like I usually do;) In all seriousness, the OA placings were pretty evenly mixed masters and open, so a lot of really good masters athletes.
2. I think they gave kind of sandbag tire recommendations. I only raced Saturday and they recommended 33-35. I raced 38s and wouldn't have gone any smaller, there was a lot of loose gravel, numerous sandy sections and washouts. Likewise, almost everyone I talked to thought 33s would have been difficult. I am a MOPer and was only talking to other MOPers though;) Not saying there was anything wrong with the course, but it was a little more challenging than I expected in terms of surface conditions and having more tire was definitely better.
3. The 5 day race is going to be hard (okay we knew that, but really hard). Took lots of concentration and energy for me to ride within my skill level. I was glad I planned to go skiing today instead of doing back-to-back race days (I'm saving my suitcase of courage for June).
The Saturday big grinder rode a lot slower than I expected, considering the overall elevation gain. On paper most of the stages in the OR trail are quite a bit harder. The Oregon Trail covers a lot of real estate, so I am sure the course surfaces are going to vary, but I would suggest bring some big tires and be ready to grind. This really is a game for the true grinders.
Anyone else race this weekend? What were your thoughts? How are you feeling about the race?