True Grit Epic 2019

I really want to do this ride/race. My only concern is that some times my back does not cooperate and this is pretty far from home. If this thing were this weekend I feel good enough where I'm confident I could do it. I'm considering registering and yolo'ing it. Would there be a floor to crash on (I'd be solo and would bring a cot)? My only caveat is that with my back, I may have to game time it and cancel at the lastish minute. At that point, I may just go anyway and help with feedzone and cheering.
 
Ebruner said:
I really want to do this ride/race. My only concern is that some times my back does not cooperate and this is pretty far from home. If this thing were this weekend I feel good enough where I'm confident I could do it. I'm considering registering and yolo'ing it. Would there be a floor to crash on (I'd be solo and would bring a cot)? My only caveat is that with my back, I may have to game time it and cancel at the lastish minute. At that point, I may just go anyway and help with feedzone and cheering.
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That’s the spirit. :thumbsup:
 
Ebruner said:
I really want to do this ride/race. My only concern is that some times my back does not cooperate and this is pretty far from home. If this thing were this weekend I feel good enough where I'm confident I could do it. I'm considering registering and yolo'ing it. Would there be a floor to crash on (I'd be solo and would bring a cot)? My only caveat is that with my back, I may have to game time it and cancel at the lastish minute. At that point, I may just go anyway and help with feedzone and cheering.
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I heard that @Cougar is opening his home to everybody!


(Sorry Craig, that's what you get for moving. I've met your wife, she's cool. She will understand.)
 
Long range forecast looks promising.....::

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I dunno... the trails have been soaked the past two months. Even the hearty trails here that locals ride during the rain are getting too wet to ride (and they aren't drying out). Zen will be fine, but Bear Claw Poppy-Stucki isn't rideable when wet.

As it stands, I haven't been able to get my training in due to the weather & my commute. So I may have to join y'all for a Sunday/Monday ride rather than kill myself. It'll be an expensive T-shirt ;)

Also, :cry:
 
Cougar said:
I dunno... the trails have been soaked the past two months. Even the hearty trails here that locals ride during the rain are getting too wet to ride (and they aren't drying out). Zen will be fine, but Bear Claw Poppy-Stucki isn't rideable when wet.

As it stands, I haven't been able to get my training in due to the weather & my commute. So I may have to join y'all for a Sunday/Monday ride rather than kill myself. It'll be an expensive T-shirt ;)

Also, :cry:
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Preliminary plans are Gooseberry on Sunday.
 
Are they going to hold the event when some of the trails are saturated?

People are raising similar questions about the Sedona MTB fest where some trails are still covered in snow and going through daily freeze-thaw cycles that are even worse than simply being saturated. Now add 3,000 MTBers many of whom have travelled too far to want to not ride.

Yeah I know these events take a lot of planning and people have laid down $$ to travel there but at some point you have to call it off....
 
mtnbikej said:
Preliminary plans are Gooseberry on Sunday.
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I'm in. The road UP to Gooseberry might be really, REALLY, crappy (like high-clearance 4x4 only territory). Once at the trailhead, the trails itself should be fine.

I'm part of a local Facebook group that talks about road/trail conditions. I can look for reports as that weekend approaches. Gooseberry is higher up in elevation, and everything over 4k is still snowy.
 
evdog said:
Are they going to hold the event when some of the trails are saturated?

People are raising similar questions about the Sedona MTB fest where some trails are still covered in snow and going through daily freeze-thaw cycles that are even worse than simply being saturated. Now add 3,000 MTBers many of whom have travelled too far to want to not ride.

Yeah I know these events take a lot of planning and people have laid down $$ to travel there but at some point you have to call it off....
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Not sure. I think the intent is to have it in whatever weather conditions happen. But the snow is apparently freakish for the area is throwing some wrench in the works. It'll be worth watching for sure (Bear Claw/Stucki... cry), but I don't know if they'll pull the trigger or not.

It IS warming up slightly in the 10 day forecast (even if it still projects rain). So, I think there are lots of crossed fingers by the event organizers.
 
Cougar said:
Not sure. I think the intent is to have it in whatever weather conditions happen. But the snow is apparently freakish for the area is throwing some wrench in the works. It'll be worth watching for sure (Bear Claw/Stucki... cry), but I don't know if they'll pull the trigger or not.

It IS warming up slightly in the 10 day forecast (even if it still projects rain). So, I think there are lots of crossed fingers by the event organizers.
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First year I did this, it rained overnight til about 1 hr before the start. Only had 1 short section of fire road that around Barrel that was any bit muddy. Lots of water on Barrel and Zen, but tons of traction.
 
Cougar said:
I'm in. The road UP to Gooseberry might be really, REALLY, crappy (like high-clearance 4x4 only territory). Once at the trailhead, the trails itself should be fine.

I'm part of a local Facebook group that talks about road/trail conditions. I can look for reports as that weekend approaches. Gooseberry is higher up in elevation, and everything over 4k is still snowy.
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I tried driving into Gooseberry a day after a rain/snow event and we were lucky to turn around and get out at all. We never got to the trailhead. I had 10" of ground clearance and 4-WD. There was a foot of very slippery mud. We rode Hurricane Rim/JEM and that stuff instead.
 
herzalot said:
I tried driving into Gooseberry a day after a rain/snow event and we were lucky to turn around and get out at all. We never got to the trailhead. I had 10" of ground clearance and 4-WD. There was a foot of very slippery mud. We rode Hurricane Rim/JEM and that stuff instead.
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They have a new Trailhead parking lot a little ways out the road....I'm hoping that this is going to be accessible.
 
mtnbikej said:
They have a new Trailhead parking lot a little ways out the road....I'm hoping that this is going to be accessible.
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Unless they've built another new trailhead since 2017, the new one is still not accessible when the road is wet any moreso than the original one. On a nice sunny day the clay can bake enough by 10 or 11am to be driveable. It's the people who try to drive out there early who have problems. A few years ago we headed out to Gooseberry after work, arriving our usual 2am. Saw the pavement was still wet so they'd had rain recently. Tried driving in a bit and almost got stuck, so we retreated. Checked in at OTE the next morning to see what they'd recommend. Quinten just said go have breakfast and try again around 11. There were still the large puddles/mud holes but he was right most of the road was fine and no longer slick. Trails were perfect. I'd check with OTE on your way out there. They can give you a good idea what to expect based on how much rain and current weather.
 
Mud..... That was not part of my "plans".
This winter is messing me up big time.

Do you guys have any plans to ride Zen (or other sections of the course) on Friday?
 
  • WEATHER & COURSE CONDITIONS: First we will NOT CANCEL THIS EVENT!! We have had a wet winter. Two weeks ago it snowed. The last week temps were in the 60's and yesterday the course was hero dirt. It is raining today and the forecast this week is calling for warm temperature and occasional light drizzle. We have met with the BLM and the City. Currently there are no plans to alter the course race day. However, we do have a bad weather/conditions plan in place ( B & C) and may have to activate it if certain areas are too muddy. The areas most susceptible are Cove Wash and low Bearclaw Poppy. The options would shorten the course and change the start. We will send out a letter to all racers on Thursday to update everyone on conditions. The gravel course handles water very well and no snow is forecast. If there is mud it will be at the Motaqua Road junction near Aid #4. For now we are monitoring the trails every day and planning for a full race. Next Saturday is forecast for sunny.
 
mtnbikej said:
YAY!!!!!
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I like their other policies...


NO E-BIKES !

True Grit Epic is a bicycle marathon event along the BLM managed single track trails and dirt roads of rural Washington County UT. For the purpose of thisevent, “bicycle” is defined as “a vehicle consistingof a frame mounted on two wheels one behind the other, and having a seat, handlebars for steering, two hand-operated brakes, and propelled solely by the operator via two pedals connected to the rear wheel by chain or belt.

“E-Bikes” are not permitted by the BLM and will NOT be allowed under any circumstances.
 
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