Only 28 miles?
I love talking to people who have never ridden at Downieville and only judge a bike ride's toughness by mileage. 28 miles? That's not too bad. Sure, maybe on a road bike or some of our lamea$$ fireroads here in the Bay Area. But mix in a baby head or several thousand, a nasty climb (8 miles, 3K elevation gain) up a fire road with really only one good line in most sections, a lot more technical singletrack, and 28 miles can seem like an eternity.
Even though at times it can seem to go on forever, still wouldn't miss D-ville. It is one of those "good pains."
So for you folks who think a 28 mile ride shouldn't be too tough, make sure you join us next year. And puh-leeze don't get me started on those people who say, "Oh a downhill race - that should be easy."
posted by ginmtb @ 8/02/2006
4 Comments:
At 8/03/2006,
nosajpalnud said…
amen - whoever said that needs to go do that course
take mtb miles and at least double it for road miles
that's a tough climb for sure and tops out at 7K or so (about 10% less 02)
and it a looooooong tough downhill that keeps you on edge
At 8/03/2006,
L. Christmas said…
if they're recreational, non-racer types.. let 'em be ignorant... we're all a bit obsessed anyway.
If they're road racers aks 'em if they've ever done the Mt. Hammy RR, Patterson Pass RR or Districts... as a certified roadie racer and has been mt.bikeracer(but will be back damnit!) .... D-ville is just as hard... and even harder if you don't know what the F' your doing on a mt. bike.
The baby heads alone will teach you that one way or another.
At 8/03/2006,
Unknown said…
hey guys i finally posted the d-ville pics on my blog.
lots of TWW'ers and Roaring Mice!
At 8/04/2006,
Pizie said…
Word to your mother!
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