Anyone ridden the Virginia City Grand Prix

[thedub]

You need a pit crew? I can pour gas all over your bike and lose your clean goggles after I sit under the EZ-UP.

Thought about signing up but, naaahhh. That was a tough, long race when I was half my age.

:laughing sounds good

 

[rt rider]

Mike, if you need a pit crew you are welcome to join us. We have 4 riders on Sunday this year There will be at least a couple of people working the pit. We usually head up Saturday and do the final registration. Then spend the day hanging out in VC and try not to drink too much before the ride Sunday.

 

[byke]

Well I can't say I'll be able to make it in three months, but I've mailed off my entry anyway. Been wanting to do this for years, so hopefully it will work out.

 

[thedub]

Dropped mine in the mailbox this morning. I gotta say the entry process is a little tedious. Can't imagine why they need TWO self-addressed stamped envelopes, but I guess I'll find out. I had to go by the grocery store to buy stamps; I haven't needed to buy stamps in years. Not sure why the whole thing can't be done via email and electronic payment, but whatever, it's their show.

 

[byke]

Yeah the wife and I were laughing about writing on something called a "check". :laughing

 

[thedub]

I'm still using up checks with an address I haven't lived at for 13 years.

 

[byke]

Haha, same here except it's only been five years.

 

[byke]

Does anyone have mileage info from years past? Wondering roughly how long the loops are.

And are there many really tight and slow sections? I have a 51t rear because I usually ride trails and whatnot, but thinking of going back to the stock 48t because the videos I found looked like the vast majority of it faster stuff. It'd add a half inch to the wheelbase too.

 

[rt rider]

The loops are approximately 25 miles on Sunday. The only real slow technical stuff is Sutro canyon. They ran it last year when there was no rain leading up to the event. If there is rain or snow they may take it out as they had done in previous years.

I don’t change from my normal gearing that I use for trail riding. 13/52 on a KTM 300 EXC. The fastest part of the course is when they loop you back on the payment. I didn’t need to go faster than 75 on pavement with the knobbies.

Do you have a pit crew coming or you planning on letting 2SYS set your bike on fire?

 

[byke]

Right on, thank you. Looks like the faster 40+ novices were averaging 1:10-1:20 per lap, so a little slower than 25mph average speed. Yeah my bike isn't anywhere near 75mph, maybe 55mph, but I'll leave it be if 99% of it is less than 50mph. It's an mx model, so the close ratio transmission sucks for races like this. You have to gear it fast or slow and sacrifice the other pretty significantly.

I'd love for 2SYS to light my bike on fire and pee in my goggles. Yeah I'm not sure what I'll need, maybe just a small place to put stuff? Gas and maybe a second camelback, extra gloves and goggles? I think all I'll need is a place to put a gas can and a storage tub.

 

[rt rider]

There are a couple of decent hill climbs where the lower gearing would probably help. I have never ridden an XC or other close ratio gear box so hard to make a suggestion.

You are right on track with gas, goggles and a second camelback if you go through a lot of water. I also eat a banana and some of those sport gummies. I would also suggest a post race beverage. I prefer Jaegermeister or a Mickeys 40oz but I’m sure you have your own preference. We set up in the pit area Saturday night to try and get a decent spot so it is easy to start the next lap. You are welcome to pit with us.

 

[byke]

I'd love to pit with a little barf crew! Currently thinking of going Sunday morning. Not sure how that affects things, where you park, drop off stuff, etc.

 

[byke]

Anyone have their check cashed, or get anything in the mail? Nothing here.

 

[SonoraMike]

same, check not cashed, nothing in the mail

 

[thedub]

Also no. But I'm not worried about it in the least.

 

[thedub]

Never mind, they cashed my check on the 21st.

 

[thedub]

Numbers/starting positions were drawn on Saturday. I got #271, Over 30 Amateur on Saturday.

 

[rt rider]

122 O40 on Sunday. It should be nice starting a little earlier this year.

I am hoping VC continues to get rain/snow. It was dusty last year.

 

[ex-walker]

Just seen this post, brought back old memories. I did this race a couple times before my injury. Led for two plus hours and got a flat tire one year (DAMMIT :laughing) and finished 3rd overall, I think but got the win for the 40 plus experts. It was a long time ago, but this thread made me remember a better time. Good luck guys

 

[rt rider]

I think but got the win for the 40 plus experts.

Congrats on the first place! There are some fast guys out there so that is a hell of an accomplishment.