The Draper course has been posted on the ICUP site. If I'm reading this map correctly, most of the course is single track. The passing (or getting passed) should make it interesting.
I'm pretty excited for this one.
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I thought the old course offered more variety that I'll miss.
This should be a lot of fun though. It's all about the clark's TT. The laps are a bit short, no?
No scary paved road crossings, this course will be fun, Clarks is easy to pass on and Rick, to not worry about passing, just race your age category like BK.
An interesting course - a lot to like, but a few possible problems.
While the dirt road is ugly, it was a good uphill shake out with easy passing before the downhill. Clark's is fairly wide for single-track and passing is possible, but I wouldn't call it easy.
I would trade the ugly old double track "the wall" for the Gasline trail then take BST back down into the bottom of Corner Canyon.
Racers pushing speed down Ghost Falls and Creekview may have some off-trail experiences.
But overall it looks like a good course.
That looks fun. The intersection could get sketchy.
Kris, on the old course (which I really liked) there were several off-trail experiences coming down Clark's, so I think it evens out.
I gotta get up there and practice on Ghost Falls. Last time I rode that I was all over the place...
I'm ugly DHing Ghost Falls too.
UtRider noticed that the race route goes down Ghost Falls south. How does that make any sense? Ghost Falls south is almost washed out in places from the Spring runoff - it's a mess. And Ghost Falls north is a good trail. What gives?
I'm going to pre-ride it soon as-is - maybe I'm wrong about some of the course choices. But I don't think I am. Looks fun to pre-ride, not sure I'll race it. I'll have more fun in my chupacabra costume - like the yeti in the Disneyland Matterhorn.
kk, i disagree, ghost falls south is easily the better trail, more fun, and last i was up there, was not washed out.
and it hooks nicely back into main ghost falls over that bridge. i'm impressed they knew enough to choose south over north. it's faster and funner.
I rode (walked some sections) the south trail last Wednesday and in my opinion it was a mess. Lots of horse traffic and runoff had made it so rough and eroded in spots that it was so narrow I got off and walked for fear of falling into the little gulley. Of course, my skills are limited but when coming down ghost again on Friday I chose the north trail.
Ride it and see what you think. Given that I am a racer that frequently gets passed I'm concerned about all of the tight singletrack. It makes for a fun ride but I don't know about a race.
Ghost South is the faster, more fun section of trail. I totally agree w/ Dug. They made the right choice. I rode it last night and it was in prime shape.
I rode the course an hour ago. I'm pleased to report it's a fun ride.
I misread the course map and assumed the old Ghost Falls south trail would be used (with the baby head road and washed out trench). But the race will use the new-ish "shortcut" trail that is good single-track and dumps you back into the old GFS trail with only 20 yards of the trench gully remaining. Then back over the bridge to do the trail with the switchback around the boulder, as dug noted. I retract my objection to GFS - it's good trail and I like it.
I'm even OK with going up "the wall". The climb was actually a nice break after all the DH. It will also offer an opportunity to pass. But after the top the old road is a bit washed out. And you have to make a very sharp downhill hairpin turn to get on the single-track. I saw 2 tire skids / trenches there so watch out. I still think it would be better to skip "the wall" and take the single-track instead, then go down the BST, but it's not bad the way it is.
Will the construction be done by race day? The sign says they will be done May 6, not. My guess is the wet April delayed work. I imagine they'll have a route through there for race day.
After talking to Kris tonight it turns out I missed the new trail and continued on the old ghost falls south trail so I too retract my comments about the rough, eroded, narrow section of the course.
I need to get out and ride it this week. How is it on a single speed? I'm tempted to try racing the 1 gear in my normal Sport category.
UtRider: If you can make Clark's (and I know you can) SS will be fine. "The wall" will hurt, but it's short. But SS Rick can probably give you better advice.
One last concern: With the smaller loop there will be a lot of riders on the course. The racer handbook gives one 9 AM start time. It would be better if they had 2-3 start times so the course isn't so congested, like they do for other small courses. If it's one start, I pity the Pros and Experts and all the passing they'll have to do.
UTRider- Bring your SS. It's a great course for it. Even the "wall" can be cleaned on your SS. I'm keeping my gearing a secret so don't ask. Good luck.
When I win the 12 and under category, I will sport a MASHer jersey. I am sure to get lots of press.
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