virginia city
Michael Parrott
George Lyle (233789)
|> I am heading for Virgivia City GP for my first time,
is there anyone out there that can give a little insight
on the course and choice of tires. I normally race Dist.
37 desert races, is Virgina City comparable or different.
would be helpful (rocky,sandy,hardpack, or little of
everything) any help would be terrific.
Mini-flame: Put a few returns in your message. It's hard
to read all on one line, even with my whiz-bang workstation!
VC is mostly hard-pack with quite a few rocks thrown in.
Very little sand. Use hard terrain tires, run Slime sealant,
and run your tire pressure up a bit.
VC is a lot of fun. I used to run it in the '70s.
George
Chris Barrett
in message id <3mbt58$j...@tbm0.thomas.com>
>
> I am heading for Virgivia City GP for my first time, is there anyone out
there that can give a little insight on the course and choice of tires. I
normally race Dist. 37 desert races, is Virgina City comparable or different.
rocky,sandy,hardpack, or little of everything) any help would be terrific.
The course is usually a long loop. The times I've raced there
it ranged in the 30 mileish range per loop. They tend to run pretty
much the same course, but they change direction from time to
time. You can expect to find lots of rocks and trail that ranges from
hard pack to very lose and deep sand. Also, you can expect the
conditions to change from very hot and dry to very cold and wet.
Sometimes this happens in the same day. On year, I think it was the
20th anniversary event a few years back, we started the day with
a little ground fog. That turned to rain, snow, sleet and hail during the
day. I have a really nice picture of me finishing the race with about
1/2 inch of snow/ice built up on my chest protector. The hills range
from wide open high speed romps to very technical rock strewn
and sandy challanges. You never know what the conditions
will be like until you have finished the race. Prepare for anything
because that's what you'll encounter. Handguards are great
for deflecting the roost from the guy in front of you as well as
helping to protect your hands from the biting cold. Pick a tire
that is an all around tire. I wouldn't recommend using anything
that is designed for a specific use. If possible, bring an extra
rear tire that you can change after the first two or three laps.
If not, be prepared to finish the race on a tire that will need to
be immediately thrown in the garbage. This is a great race
to have a pit crew to support you. Bring extra tubes or run
the foam inserts. Go to your local library. There have been at
least two books written about VC. It's legendary. I only wish
that they would change the date. Now that I have kids of my
own, It's really difficult to break away from the family on
Mothers Day weekend (which also happens to be my
wife's birthday weekend) :-( If only she would take up
racing!
Bring extra: gloves, goggles, roll-offs and have them ready.
If it gets cold and wet (which it likes to do that time of year) you
will be glad you were smart enough to keep your hands warm
and dry. Pray for a good starting number. The last year I
races VC, I drew number 42. KILLER!!!!!! One year I was in row
29. Argh. . . . Nothing worse than wiffing premix exhauste for 10
minutes right before the start of a race. If you bring a pit crew,
bring a tarp that they can hang out under. No matter what
the weather decides to do they will be very glad to have
the protection. Shade if it's hot, protection from the rain,
snow, sleet, hail, etc. . . .
I run tire pressure of about 13 to 14 to aviod flats. Get there
a day early and get your bike jetted. You will be at altitude
and your bike will run differently (unless of course you live
at altitude already) If you don't have a camelbak type
drinking device, get/make one. Bring a fannypack
with basic tools and some powerbars. VC is a mega
long race. 4 1/2 hours long MINIMUM unless you bail
early, which I am proud to say in all the years I raced VC
I never did. Completed the race every time. One year
I completed the race even after suffering 5 flat tires. Finished
that year on two flats. Thanks the the Shipmans for being
an EXCELLENT pit crew. My buddy Don Shipman has been
racing VC since he was a kid. He has won his class (200 Novice)
more times than I can count. This is one of THE BEST races I
have ever done and would really love to get back up there and
compete. Have a great time!!!
Chris Barrett
George Johnson
I am heading for Virgivia City GP for my first time, is there anyone out there that can give a little insight on the course and choice of tires. I normally race Dist. 37 desert races, is Virgina City comparable or different. I am looking for course length and any other info that would be helpful (rocky,sandy,hardpack, or little of everything) any help would be terrific.
Michael,
I was just at the Shasta Dam GP, I heard that they are going shorten the
loops to about 13-14 miles. The terrain is mostly hard pack and rocky and
sometimes muddy if it rains.. I run intermediate tires front and back.
Also all C riders race on saturday, A & B riders race on sunday..
When you get there look me up I be in a 91 Blue Chevy with a Barhma Shell
on it with personal plates with an 89 XR600 behind it. I`ll be riding saturday.
See you there,
George Johnson