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Mountain Biking

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neilx
Feb 11, 2014 at 04:18 AM
@Rick-Right, I knew about your early years in beloved Ulster County and forgot.  I have no idea where that Hurley Burley race is held, but I would love to hear about it.  Also, checking that out, brought me to the site for the NYS Series this year, which opens up a whole other world of excellent races on excellent Jules or anyone else interested in doing a bunch of MTB race this summer.

@Jules-
Check out http://www.nysmtbseries.com/

(Also below.) Two of my favorites courses, Williams Lake and Stewart, are being used for the series. (Willaims is usually technical but fun and Stewart is fast flowy and mostly non technical.)  Also if you decide that longer climbs suit your style, as you might expect, the courses at both Wyndham and Belleayre ski resorts usually provide a decent amount of long non-technical climbing.

Williams Lake Classic
June 8, 2014 | Rosendale, NY


The West Hurley Burly Backyard World Championships
July 6, 2014 | West Hurley, NY


S.O.S. Mtn. Bike Challenge
July 27, 2014 | Stewart State Forest Newburgh, N.Y.


Windham Mountain – Race the World
August 9, 2014 | Windham, NY


Belleayre Mtn All Terrain Challenge
August 24, 2014 | High Mount, NY


jim_nelson
Feb 11, 2014 at 01:49 PM
Neil, since you're imparting so much great wisdom here I've got a question - Any of these courses appropriate/doable in a race scenario on a single speed? Or are there single speed categories like in cross?
David Yang
Feb 11, 2014 at 02:30 PM
@Gwynna - How about you first eliminate the assumptions and figure out if one must race with a specific type of bike or components?

https://s3.amazonaws.com/USACWeb/forms/rules/2014-USAC-Rulebook-Chapter5.pdf

http://forums.mtbr.com/xc-racing-training/uci-weight-limit-578579.html#post6405882

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTkzNg&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34424&LangId=1


Unknown
Feb 11, 2014 at 04:24 PM
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neilx
Feb 11, 2014 at 05:11 PM
@jim_nelson...wisdom, hardly... 

In the local H2H series last year there were two Single Speed classes, an Open Cat 1 and Open Cat 2.  (As you probably know, MTB is down to three classes now, with Cat 3 MTB roughly approximating Cat V on the road and Cat 2 roughly approximating Cats III/IV on the road.)  Not sure what the current rules are for upgrade.  [By the way more and more, local MTB races are eschewing USAC sanctions and aligning with separate organizations so make sire to check whose sanctioning any race you're looking at when trying to decide what class to register for]).

Anyway, the 2014 H2H series, which is USAC sanctioned, is offering the following classes:

Cat 3 Men: Junior 10-14, Junior 15-18, Senior 19-29, Master 30-39,  40-49, 50+

Cat 3 Women: Junior 12-18, Senior 19-39, Master 40+

Cat 2 Men: Junior 10-14, 15-18, Senior, 19-29, Master 30-39, 40-49, 50+

Cat 2 Women:  Junior 12-18, Senior 19-39, Master 40+

Cat 2 Singlespeed Open: (same distance as Cat 2; must be a Cat 2)

Cat 1 Singlespeed Open: (same distance as Cat 1; must hold a Cat 1 license; no Pros)

Cat 1 Men: Junior 15-18, Senior 19-29, Master 30-39, 40-49, 50 +

Cat 1 Women: Jr/Sr 15-39, Master 40+

Cat 1/Pro Women Open:  Open (must hold a USA Cycling Cat 1 or Pro license)

Cat 1/Pro Men Open:  Open (must hold a USA Cycling Cat 1 or Pro license)

http://www.h2hrace.com/archive/series-rules-a-info/2014/95-2014-categories-and-classes

The 2014 NYS Series, also USAC sanctioned, is similar, but, along with other categories, further breaks down SS into Men's and Women's categories:.

Singlespeed Cat 1 Men
Singlespeed Cat 2 Men
Singlespeed Cat 1 Women
Singlespeed Cat 2 Women

http://www.nysmtbseries.com/categories/

I don't think that there are any restrictions on racing a single speed in a multi-speed class, but double check the applicable rules.  

There are single speed racers at every course I've raced in these series, but in terms of local single-speed friendliest courses, Stewart Forest (NYS series), with it's flowing swoopy terrain, is always a favorite for single speeders.  I rode Taconic Hereford 909 (H2H Series) in the fall with a Cat I MTB friend on a single speed and he loved riding it there and went fast, so I suppose that could be a good place for it. Tymor (H2H series) would probably be similarly good on a single speed. Lewis Morris Park (H2H Series) is totally non-technical so I could see that being lots of fun on a hardtail single speed.  Lippman Park (unaffiliated with either series) seems like it could be fun on a single speed and the non-USAC sanctioned races there always have SS categories. [Renegades MTB Club, who put on the Lippman races, have even added a ;cross bike class to their race.]   https://www.bikereg.com/Net/annual-hike-a-bike-mtb-race .  I've never ridden the West Hurley course (NYS Series) so I can't give you an opinion either way on the single-speed friendliness of that course.


David Yang
Feb 11, 2014 at 05:20 PM
If there are mountain bikes that exist without suspensions then I see no reason why not outside of all the annoying time and work to remove the drops with road shifters and installing flat bars and figuring out shifter and brake pull compatibility, etc.

You know what's a lot more convenient and probably more fun?  Not worrying about any of that crap and racing on your made-for-mtb-races mountain bike.
neilx
Feb 11, 2014 at 05:20 PM
@Gwynna-  Do you know what rules the Gay Games are subject to?  Is it UCI? USAC? It's own rules?
Remember, if you change your bars out for flat bars, you may have to switch brake and gear levers (depending on what your cross bike is set up with) and cabling.  Seems like a lot of trouble, but on the other hand, at that point, you're racing an approximation of a fully rigid 29er MTB (with lousy brakes), so I think the moral dilemma part is not an issue.  Also you mentioned that Gay Games course is non-technical.  That doesn't necessarily mean that 'cross bike gearing will work well there.  For instance if there are any ridiculously steep sections, you may well want a mountain bike granny gear to spin.  So keep stuff like that in mind in making your selection and/or equipping the transformed 'cross bike for the job. 
jim_nelson
Feb 11, 2014 at 05:43 PM

Neil, awesome info. Thanks.

I should probably actually ride my bike on some trails first, but I may give one of these races a go this year.
neilx
Feb 11, 2014 at 06:00 PM
@Jim_Nelson -
No sweat. (Please take all of this with a grain of salt since I've been out of the MTB race world for a few years.)  Let me know when you're ready to ride.   
Unknown
Feb 11, 2014 at 06:45 PM
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Jules
Feb 11, 2014 at 07:17 PM
@Gwynna don't monkey with your stuff; ride a MTN bike and REPRESENT. Take all that time you'd spend scheming about gear changes and spend it on the trainer.
Unknown
Feb 11, 2014 at 08:00 PM
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Unknown
Feb 14, 2014 at 03:33 PM
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neilx
Feb 14, 2014 at 07:51 PM
@Gwynna-

Yes-  I have ridden there -- though probably not in the last 10 years.  We (my friends and I) stopped going there because it had become overgrown and the trails had fallen into disrepair.  If people have started riding it and grooming the trails again, it s fun a place.  I would caution however that, in the past at least, it wasn't well marked, so if you went there not accompanied by someone who knew the place well, you could spend a lot of time not riding the fun stuff. That's true of a lot of the local spots, but particularly so Goose Pond (and Stewart). (We did a "Blair Witch Style" night ride there one Halloween.. It is located by the scene of  revolutionary war activity and there are some ruined stone structures on one of the the trails that are easy to imagine having belonged to a destroyed community.  Add to the mix a friend who believes in ghosts and you have a fun night out the trails.) 
Unknown
Feb 14, 2014 at 07:58 PM
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neilx
Feb 14, 2014 at 08:21 PM
There are a few other bigger/more established places within 15 minutes to half an hour of there as well: Ringwood, Jungle Habitat, and Wawayanda.
Unknown
Feb 15, 2014 at 09:31 PM
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WilliamDC
Feb 18, 2014 at 04:50 AM
Gwynna Smith said:
Hey mountain bikers, any good fitters specifically for mountain biking? I've been to Ashlei at Sid's 19th and loved the fitting she did for me, but have recently had a pretty terrible experience there. I know she knows mtn bikes, but reluctant to throw more cash that way. Considering talking to Al at RB. Looking at the basic fit type, in the $100 range. I've tinkered with the bike to no end and can't get it to come together for me. NYCVelo? Others?
late to the party, but something that Dave Vollbach (one of KCC's best MTBers and a grad of Specialized Fit School) told me is that fit matters less on a MTB because one tends to move around the machine a lot more as compared with the relatively static position on a road bike.

i started MTBing a lot since I moved to Cali and i find this to be true.

the point is - you don't have to be super dainty with MTB fit.

save the money for a road fit.

or 15 boxes of Margarita Clif Blocks.
Unknown
Feb 18, 2014 at 05:11 PM
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Jessica Schpero
Feb 28, 2014 at 01:23 PM
@Gwynna, any chance you could make a calendar of MTB races that people can join in on together? So we can go as a team and organize ourselves? You can share via google docs maybe. Just a thought since the season is starting up and there is a lot that is going on in MTB.
Gwynna Smith said:
Damn, not in the budget. This is a borrowed bike, I can't justify putting that kind of cash into it.

Jules, I've got a bunch targeted. My major local focus is Campmor H2H series. Also very interested in the NJMTB series, though they are heavy spring focused and I can't do that. Planning on the Hike-a-Bike on May 10 that I posted in the Can't Miss thread. There are also races on Long Island that I'm still investigating. Out-of-town plans are (non-race) NEMBAFest at Kingdom Trails in VT (everybody come play!!), then my A race of the season is Gay Games in Cleveland in August. I just found out it is "95% fast and flowy", so it turns out I have to work on my damn power after all. Was SO hoping to rely on technical skills. *sigh* On the upside, it will be brilliant prep for 'cross.

Unknown
Feb 28, 2014 at 02:52 PM
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JoshuaC
Mar 04, 2014 at 03:39 PM
The last weekend in March there is a weekend long MTB camp, about 3.5 hours away near Harrisburg PA

Michaux MTB School https://www.bikereg.com/Net/19200 
http://www.fastforwardracingproductions.com/p/michaux-mtb-school.html 

They just opened some new spots (it was full earlier) . Once I get the approval from work I will be registering tonight. The camp is Saturday and Sunday, with check in and a welcome meeting Friday night.There is an optional intro class Friday at noon as well.

If anyone wants to tag along, I have a spot in my car and on the bike rack.

Tentative plan:
Leaving NYC ~7am Friday March 28th
Get back home ~7pm Sunday March 30th

-Joshua
Unknown
Mar 04, 2014 at 03:52 PM
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JoshuaC
Mar 04, 2014 at 06:12 PM
I have not done this for MTB before. I have gone to a similar event for CX. If its anything like those, I would expect some folks to use the instructor a lot less than others, so you get better than 1/12th of the instructors attention if needed. Re the noon fundamentals - yes, since I need to take the day off anyway, I think it makes sense.
Unknown
Mar 20, 2014 at 07:56 PM
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neilx
Mar 26, 2014 at 11:30 PM
Registration is open for the Wildcat 100 in June.  This is a great mountain endurance bike event held near New Paltz.  There is a 100 mile and 100 kilometer (i.e., 66 mile) version of the race.  I've done the 100 mile version in the past -- though at that time it was broken up into two days of 50 mile back to back races. If the present course is anything like the past, it's well worth doing. (Some easy single track, rail trail time trial action, and then some really technical stuff as well.) Let me know if any are interested in doing this.
http://www.wildcatepicevents.com/entrie-to-the-wildcat-100-are-now-open/

Unknown
Mar 30, 2014 at 11:56 PM
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neilx
Mar 31, 2014 at 01:59 AM
@Gwynna-

Glad that camp got you stoked.

The MTBNJ forum has links to forum threads are on trail conditions in NJ --which covers a good portion of  the mountain bike legal trails within 1:30 radius of NYC.  None are "official" or necessarily updated on a regular basis but you can sometimes find what you're looking 

Here's the link to the page
http://www.mtbnj.com/wiki/Park_Conditions#Ringwood_State_Park

I've highlighted the trail systems which I've ridden or raced in the past.
Of those, I think Ringwood (rocky) and Allaire (sandy) tend to dry out fastest.
Unknown
Mar 31, 2014 at 02:41 PM
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Unknown
Mar 31, 2014 at 03:34 PM
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