|   24 in the Old Peublo Feb 2004 ??'s | nigel7780
Oct 20, 2003 8:41 AM | | Hey all, I might be heading down to Tuscon for the 24 in Feb, but I have a few questions so I'm ready when I get there, if i can find a way down that is :)
Tires....
Best for the terrain, is is sandy, loose dirt, harpack dirt, leaomy, clay-like? Flats?? thornproof? Is the course cleared prior to race to prevent flats? I run tubeless Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 but I also live in MN, So whats the tire of choice for that area, Ive never ridden down there yet.
Clothing...
Whats the temp like there during the day and at night. I'll prolly bring what I'd wear up here, so figureing a Fall 24 hour race here can go from like 90 during the day to low 50's at night, I should be safe. But just in case, whats the general climate during Feb?
Lights...
Is it really dusty on the course? Does the dust screw with the light and reflect it back on you. Will people ahead of you kick up a lot and youll have to pass really wide, or can you ride up until you have to pass and still be able to see ok.
Thats about it, everything else should be standard 24 hour race stuff. I hope to get a team and head down there for the first time this next one!!
Thanks in advance for the help :)
Douglas |
| re: 24 in the Old Peublo Feb 2004 ??'s | Carter Taylor
Oct 20, 2003 1:10 PM | | Tires: you can run anything you want, cause the course is packed. The only cactus you need to worry about is what gets knocked onto the course during the race unless you go offcourse to pass or a missed turn. Passing can be tight, but most people will work with you and help you around. It is one of the most pleasent races to do for a soloist, the other racers are very respectful and work with you.
Very nice course, holds up very well. I have done it for years now and remember no dust. the course is longer than most 24 hr courses, with even a new section of singletrack added last year to make it even longer.
Clothes: my crew always says it is cold, but it always feels good to me. I guess if i wasn't riding all night, it would be cold. The coldest is right before the sun comes up. My guess would be to expect low 40's to high 30's, then you will have no problems. The last couple years I do not remember putting on anything more than an underlayer(light), a jersey and armwarmers, windbreaker and legwarmers. I do not think I even used long fingered gloves last year. The highs during the day can be anywhere from 80's to 50's, it does tend to be a stormy time of the year.
cya there,
carter |
| Traction will vary a bit depending on the moisture in the soil | Brandon
Nov 6, 2003 11:14 PM | | This year traction was pretty much ideal but I understand it can get pretty dusty and loose if there hasn't been any rain. I ran slime tubes for the week I was in Tucson and for the race and only got pinch flats from running too low pressure. The course is non-technical. I'd say dump some sealant into your Fire XC tubeless and run a bit higher pressure than normal they should be great as far as traction goes.
As far as clothing goes you've got about the right temperarure range in mind. Personally when I'm extremely tired (like after riding 12 hours straight) my body doesn't produce as much core heat and I have to dress warmer than I normally would for a given temperature. |
| Try
| rock crusher
Nov 19, 2003 9:24 PM | | some stan's in your tubless tires. Will help for the occasional or enormous amount of cactus spine you can get in your tires.
There can be wind out there and if there is rain like last year the humdity can take it down to freezing, yet during the days if it is sunny you can expect 80's
Layers are good here. Light layers, eg undershirts, jerseys, vests, light shells, arm warmers and knee warmers.
You may want to carry a man's comb on your bike, small black, to help if you interact with the Jumping Cactus (cholla), just brush it off yourself, never touch with your fingers.
oh, yeah...Pueblo |
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