Reminder. Race is this weekend. Daver and I were in today doing a few more trail upgrades. It's going to be a fun time!
Gorge XC Race - September 5 2010
Tuesday, August 31 2010 at 6:26pm
#2
Tuesday, August 31 2010 at 7:53pm
#3
Didn't the Gorge have a Hurricane to deal with once before ?
I hate to sound like a stick in the mud, and I know we are still 5 days out from raceday, but I want to be the first to say that I wouldn't blame ya if a short Hurricane induced delay was announced.
I know we all like to be tough guys and race in whatever (some of my best results have been in the slippery crap, so I'm not saying this for my sake), but with that crazy trail debacle from NB a few years ago when the trail was raced and wrecked after heavy rain, I think we should take a deep breath and consider the health of the trail; if in fact the 50mm of forcasted rain hits us saturday.
I'm sure Pep and Bifff know their trail and how well it handles rain, I'm just saying that I bet the kinder, gentler mtb community would support any postponment decisions you may have to make in the name of the Trail.
Tuesday, August 31 2010 at 8:09pm
#4
Rain is the "Curse of the Gorge"
To put things in to perspective the weekend we had our last DH at the Gorge it rained 44.2 mm of rain (Greenwood but thats the closest to Kentville I can find..) on race day and a bunch the afternoon and evening before. Went back in and checked the trail over a few days later. Had to fix nothing. I think I smoothed out one rut. Thats it.
It pretty much always rains when we host events. It would have to be pretty gnarly for me to cancel. Wind is more of what I'd be worried about it we get a ton of blow overs form a storm and can't clear the trial in time but for now..
Pack your mud spikes.
Wednesday, September 1 2010 at 7:13am
#5
Friday, September 3 2010 at 9:46am
#6
The course is one thing, but I think attendance may be an issue if the power goes: people's alarm clocks won't be going off!
or... people may be hesitant to show up for a muddy race if they don't know if they're going home to a warm meal and a hot shower....
Just give us plenty of warning between saturday noon and say 9pm-ish if the province takes a beating enough to warrant a re-scheduling. Everyone appreciates that a lot of time and money is wrapped up in events, but sometimes you have to cave to things like this.
Halifax was shut down for a week the last time, people have other priorities in situations like this, just sayin'
Friday, September 3 2010 at 7:23pm
#7
At this point we are a go. IF things get out of hand a call will be made by 1pm +/-
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 2:27pm
#8
Just came from the trail. Walked the whole trail, picked up any debris from the Earl. A few small branches and only one large one. The heavy rain is over now and most of the puddles are already drained out.
Going to be a stellar race tomorrow folks!
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 6:06pm
#9
That map link doesn't seem to work... Can we get some directions.. I have never been there before and need to plan drive time accordingly...
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 6:11pm
#10
Is their a race poster or finalized details?
Registration cost? What time does registration close? Laps per class? Are we starting at noon ?(original post says time subject to change), Water or toilets available on site?
Couldn't find anything on the BNS site.
We didn't get nearly the rain I would've expected. My lawn seems to have sucked up the 20-30mm pretty quickly, hopefully the course is in similar shape.
thanks for any info.
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 6:18pm
#11
That map link doesn't seem to work... Can we get some directions.. I have never been there before and need to plan drive time accordingly...
Give this a try...
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=45.074612,-64.514...
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 6:30pm
#12
Forgot to ask the cost? When registration closes? and is it a 12noon start time?
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 7:27pm
#13
- Reg will open around 9.
- Racing for ALL including jr. classes will start at noon.
- Reg will be open untill 11:45 but I'd prefer if people showed up well before then.
- Cost is $25
- As the commissar about lap numbers. Elite (A) will be doing 4 laps as far as I know but BNS will have the final call on this kind of thing.
- I'll bring as much water as I can, there are washrooms and taps across the road at the ball fields and near by gas station + we have lots of trees.
- Signs will be up at the end of the road to the trail head by 8 am. It will be very visible.
Trail was drying up like a rocket when I was in this afternoon. Dave and I will be on site by 7:30 doing any last minute clean ups. Now I should back to making awards...
Saturday, September 4 2010 at 7:32pm
#14
Thanks. You da man P'jester
Sunday, September 5 2010 at 4:01pm
#15
Wow, that course was the essence of the overly abused term 'ol skool'! Tight windy singletrack, just the way I remember it from the mid 90's. Actually it was far drier than any time we raced it back 'in the day' Pepperj must have installed in-floor heating elements or something!? I had a blast rippin' that course for the first time since 97.
Thanks to Pepperjester and his band of volunteers for a job well done. And thanks to the enthusiastic spectators! When you do marathons and endurance events you kinda forget what's it like to have people cheering every lap. Good stuff!
And thanks to the kind cat who lent me his 29'er SS for the last lap, I didn't catch his name.
Sunday, September 5 2010 at 4:23pm
#16
Hell ya, that was an awesome event. Thanks to everyone involved in putting it on. I agree with Terry, I've raced there off and on for the past 15 years or so and that was by far the driest most fun example of old school mtb racing at the Gorge ever. I couldn't imagine hardtailing it through there with a 63mm fork (if that), thank god for progress.
Monday, September 6 2010 at 5:17am
#17
Great times, whoever would have thought post hurricane Gorge would be dry? Thanks to Pepperjester and crew for making it happen.
Monday, September 6 2010 at 7:19am
#18
Where are the pictures that were being taken going to end up??
Monday, September 6 2010 at 8:39am
#19
New York Times!
... I've not sorted out the ones I grabbed yet but should get time in the next day or two. WIll post links to them. Hi Res copies can be arranged if requested. I'll see if I can get links to Erin's photos too.
Thanks again for coming out folks!! Race went off with out a hitch and we're stoked with all the positive comment, makes it all worth while. Was a great turn out (44 I think) especially considering a hurricane passed by the day before and it was a holiday weekend. Props go out to all our volunteers, Geoff for doing a grand job as our commie, Michelin Tire for the rad hook ups and Dave for doing all the boring back end organization of the event and putting up with me during the whole process.
Look for more rad events in the Valley for 2011.
Monday, September 6 2010 at 9:27am
#20
good event
Course was tech and tough but still had a blast
thanks to Dave and Ryan and all the volunteers for puling it off and of course Geoff
Monday, September 6 2010 at 5:59pm
#21
New York Times!
... I've not sorted out the ones I grabbed yet but should get time in the next day or two. WIll post links to them. Hi Res copies can be arranged if requested. I'll see if I can get links to Erin's photos too.
Thanks again for coming out folks!! Race went off with out a hitch and we're stoked with all the positive comment, makes it all worth while. Was a great turn out (44 I think) especially considering a hurricane passed by the day before and it was a holiday weekend. Props go out to all our volunteers, Geoff for doing a grand job as our commie, Michelin Tire for the rad hook ups and Dave for doing all the boring back end organization of the event and putting up with me during the whole process.
Look for more rad events in the Valley for 2011.
Glad the prizes worked out well Ryan. If you can find some Michelin related pics it would be cool... I need to send a note into the communications (donations) person at work and pics would make it that much better!
Monday, September 6 2010 at 6:27pm
#22
Looked into my pics a bit today. Have one with one of the banners hanging up trail side. Wish I got on of the tent with. Dave and I might just have to set things back up and recreate the event haha
Monday, September 6 2010 at 7:56pm
#23
For next time, bathrooms are necessary. There were none across the road. All were locked.
Monday, September 6 2010 at 8:44pm
#24
I see. Ok well look in to it. Just make sure we get at least 50 racers so we don't have to take a loss because of it.
Wednesday, September 8 2010 at 3:12pm
#25
Thanks for the props!!!!!!! The day went great! This was a feeler to see how the attendance would turn out. NExt year we'll look into a shitter, but there is also a gas station 1km from the trail if there's emergancies. We can't host races if we loose money. Its all about responsible $$$ flow when it comes to these things. The Gorge is a different beast then it was 10 years, even 5 years ago. Even if it seems the same, a lot of work has gone into proper trail construction and drainage.
See ya next for at least one DH and one XC race at the Gorge.
cheers
Friday, September 10 2010 at 9:32am
#26
A few images here:
http://pepperjester.blogspot.com/2010/09/racing-day-after-hurricane.html
This years Gorge XC race will take place on September 5th. Trail prep work has started and we can assure you the track will be pristine. This is a BNS points series event.
Location: Gladys Porter Dr. Kentville NS
Map: http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=Gladys%20Porter%...
Registration will open around 9:30 and racing will start at noon. $25
Any questions post them up or PM my self or Dave (Biffff)