Here’s the first 35 miles that all racers will do:
Start at Bowen Ranch Round House > north on pipeline road> west on Sotol Canyon Rd (Big Silver Tank)> South on Sotol Forest Trail>East down RockShock Rd>North on Mad Cow back to round house>south on Lazy Cow> east on Tin Mine Rd>south to Cardiac Hill>west on Cardiac to AC Draw> west on AC Draw through Vent Shaft to Mule Shoe>Mule Shoe then north on Blue Moon Rd.> west on Tin Mine Rd>South on Mundy’s Gap Rd. and up and over Mundy’s Gap>stay left in the park and head to the Lower Sunset Trail>North on Lower Sunset all the way to the north end of the park>east up to the Hitt Canyon switchbacks all the over to the windmill and down to the outhouse on the east side of the mountains>south on pipeline road back to the Bowen Ranch Round House (finish 35 miles)
Here is the link to Geobetty.com and the gps file. http://geobetty.com/puzzler The additional 15 miles will be on the east side of the mountains in order to spend more time closer to the race venue. Stay tuned for details on the final stretch.
TIME CUTS: Once again, time cuts are set for your safety. 7 miles – 10:00 am, 19 miles – 1:00 pm, 26 miles – 2:30 pm, 35 miles- 2:15 pm.
[...] COURSE [...]
I think I’m getting it now. Just a few things.
Do the 50 milers ride the 4 mile eastern section (going north)of the Lower Sunset trail twice?
Also, is Mad Cow the trail to the right while going down Rock Shock?
Thanks for your help,
Bret
You are correct on both Bret. The eastern section on the west side of the mountains is called Upper Sunset. It will be ridden twice by the 50 milers. You will loop it back on the south end at short cut #1 to avoid going into the Jobe area of destruction. You are correct on Mad Cow as well. Rippin’ fun!
So basically, it looks like the full 50-mile marathon will be:
1.) “first 13 miles”
(pass through start/finish area)
2.) First half of “Big Loop”
3.) All of “Lower Sunset Loop”
4.) Repeat part of “Lower Sunset Loop” (just like Bret pointed out)
5.) Finish “Big Loop”
(finish)
Is this the basic plan (with small loops added / subracted)?
-David
Yes, except the first 13 miles is now closer to 11.5. 50′s will also ride Sotol>Mad Cow for the finish.
Haven’t done this race before, so am not familiar with the area. Is there something that links the GPS maps (which are great) to the trail section names?
Thanks
-Jim
Not sure what you mean, but our trails have no official names or signage. Most of the names we are using are ones the rangers use and most of the mountain bike community here has spread around over the past few years.
I signed up for the 50, but if I can only make 35, does this put me near the start/finish?
Start/finishes are in one location…..for both distances.
will the course marking make it possible to follow the 50 course without using a GPS unit.
TB
Yes. We will have lots of arrows and striped flagging on the left side of the course. There will be course marshals at all critical junctions. We will also have sections subject to sabatoge in the past (one section was removed completely) checked by marshals before race start.
You will NOT need a gps.
Can we have our own feeeds taken to the feed zones that we can retrieve when we go through? Also, where exactly is the second feed zone on the east side? I would think somewhere after the descent from Mundy’s?
I thought that the feed zone drop style of the Breck Epic worked well, can we have something like that?
BTW- course is looking great and the flagging is awesome, can’t imagine anyone getting lost! Great work!
There is only one feedzone on the east side and that is at the Bowen Ranch…..I think you’re getting your compass flipped.
Feedzone #2 is at the upper parking lot in the Tom May’s Unit of the State Park. Feedzone #3 is in the north end of the west side of the park in the wash where the course turns east to go over the new switchbacks or the 50 milers take a left to ride Lower Sunset.
You may have drop bags taken to both feedzones on the west side. They probably won’t lay them out Breck Epic style….probably more Laramie Enduro style. You might want to have a bag you recognize. I may use my #168 Breck Epic bags….so if you use yours make sure you remember the number!
What is Laramie Enduro style re the feedzones?
Your drop bags get lined up along the trail at the feedzones.
Concerning the feed zones, what will be provided for the riders?
Water, Heed, fruit. No bottles.
Just to help my decision between carrying one small bottle or three big ones:
1. how far apart are the feed zones
2. how many feed zones
3. what will be available at each? (not picky, just curious)
Moo
7, 19, 26 and 35 miles between each feedzone.
3 feedzones. Venue feedzone gets used twice for a total of 4 zones.
Water, Heed, and fruit.
time cuts are WRONG, can you claryfied the…???
7 miles – 10:00 am, 19 miles – 1:00 pm, 26 miles – 2:30 pm, >>>>35 miles- 2:15 pm.<<<
They are NOT wrong. 35 miles is back at the venue/start/finish. If a 50 miler doesn’t make it to the 35 mile mark by 2:15, we don’t let him/her go out for the final 15 miles.