Anyone else headed to Angwin this weekend for this "Classic" race?
This was my first race ever last year and it's the one that really hooked me on nor-cal xc racing.
As a true "beginner" I logged a miserable time of almost 3 hours last year. After a year of racing and training i'm headed back for sport class and hope to trim about 45 minutes off of that time....
Looks like the weather will be nice and the trail should be dust free - I'm having a hard time controlling my excitement!
Hell Ya!!
After a piss poor showing at Boggs, I'm ready to stomp on the competition at NVDC
Remember to bring some Technu and shower stuff. The trails in Angwin are solid PO right now. The showers at the college gym are open to the racers after the race which helps out with preventing massive PO breakouts.
Its all Shits and Giggles until somebody Giggles and Shits
Hell Ya!!
After a piss poor showing at Boggs, I'm ready to stomp on the competition at NVDC
Remember to bring some Technu and shower stuff. The trails in Angwin are solid PO right now. The showers at the college gym are open to the racers after the race which helps out with preventing massive PO breakouts.
I will bring my Ivy Block and Technu and shower stuff, good to know, thanks!
The weather looks to be good for the rest of the week, give the ground a chance to dry up
I did it last year (1st time) and came in at 2 hours 15 minutes which placed me 14th out of 30th in Beginner. I'm doing sport this year 19-34, competition will be harder!
I bombed out on the last hill, I guess I didnt pace myself too well. Oh well, I'm going to attack it like I did last year and hope I'm in better shape so I can go up that damn hill or most of it at least
I did it last year (1st time) and came in at 2 hours 15 minutes which placed me 14th out of 30th in Beginner. I'm doing sport this year 19-34, competition will be harder!
A lot harder. NVDC is one of the few area races that is NORBA sanctioned. Not many of us carry annual licenses and NORBA does not allow one-day Expert licenses, so the CAT 2 Sport ranks are filled with CAT 1 Expert racers. Makes it real hard for those of us that are true CAT 2 Sport racers to reach the podium.
Its all Shits and Giggles until somebody Giggles and Shits
I'm frantically planting as much PO as possible. I've got a strain that cannot be stopped.
It will grow vines that will grab and latch on to your front wheel and cause massive endos.
A lot harder. NVDC is one of the few area races that is NORBA sanctioned. Not many of us carry annual licenses and NORBA does not allow one-day Expert licenses, so the CAT 2 Sport ranks are filled with CAT 1 Expert racers. Makes it real hard for those of us that are true CAT 2 Sport racers to reach the podium.
Thanks for the excuse!
Stupid, but sometimes witty. Occasionally brilliant. Slow and fat though.
I don't think its exactly the same, but the basics remain. Climb up to the airport, a couple of high speed straight aways, a bunch of sweet singletrack, a lot of climbing, a super steep, sandy drop down into Pope Valley, a super steep climb out of Pope Valley, the big whoops section, then a high speed decent back to the college
Its all Shits and Giggles until somebody Giggles and Shits
A lot harder. NVDC is one of the few area races that is NORBA sanctioned. Not many of us carry annual licenses and NORBA does not allow one-day Expert licenses, so the CAT 2 Sport ranks are filled with CAT 1 Expert racers. Makes it real hard for those of us that are true CAT 2 Sport racers to reach the podium.
Thats why I upgraded to Cat 1, to avoid the sandbaggers But what sucked about expert/cat1 last year was that they eliminated the semi pro category. So those guys had the option of a free upgrade to pro, or could drop back down to expert/cat1. So I think all around, having one less category makes every category tougher.
Definitely going to be there. However, I am not seeing the point in actually RIDING up the big long climb out of the valley. Its more relaxing to just walk up the hill with everyone else.
I haven't done the race since 2006, but as I recall, it's basically at the end. On SS it's unrideable, at least for me. So once you get to the point in the climb where you can actually start turning the cranks again, there is a short, sucky bit of climbing left, and then it's all downhill from there to the finish (basically re-tracing the starting climb up to the airport). If I am mis-remembering, someone please feel free to correct me.
No I didn't ask what came on your Mongoose from Walmart. I wanted to know if this course that I have not been to needs a true mud tire if it rains. Does that help ?
hey guys, I've been riding the race route all week, and the trail is looking super sweet! There still a bunch of mud/water on the lower loop and sand hill is deeply rutted. Unfortunately, its supposed to rain sat night/sunday morning-so get ready for some mud. See y'all here on Sunday!
Anyone race here in the rain ? Just want to know what tires to have ready....thanks
If it's muddy, nothing too fat. 2.0 or thinner with nice sticky rubber and wide spaced nobs. A Kenda small block 8 is a BAD choice. You want it to slice into the mud, not float on top of it. Then you need the sticky rubber to grip any wet roots or rocks.
Lead by my Lefty............... right down the trail, no brakes.
If it's muddy, nothing too fat. 2.0 or thinner with nice sticky rubber and wide spaced nobs. A Kenda small block 8 is a BAD choice. You want it to slice into the mud, not float on top of it. Then you need the sticky rubber to grip any wet roots or rocks.
I got SM8 on the rear and too lazy to change tires
I ran Nevegal 2.1 front and SM8 2.1 Rear at Boggs last weekend in the mud and it worked well, but wish me luck!
that climb at the end could be "fun" with a SB8 back there.
Yeah "fun," if we had motors we could remove the "" around fun
Last year, I was on a HT and Panaracer XC Pro's, but I had mechanical issues and couldn't shift all the way down to the lowest granny, so a goal of mine this year is to make it up all (or most) of the hill without stopping.
For those who did Friends of Tamrancho race last year, remember that grueling uphill section? I barely made it up that up, some girl even pushed me up a part of it so I could keep going! I feel like the NVDC climb is very close to that grade but only longer!
Oh and it's time to go to REI and get a rear fender, I bought a SKS front fender for Boggs and it worked well, but I want to join the crowd of riders who spit dirt in peoples faces who are behind you
Looks like it will probably be a muddy and sloppy with potential of 50 mph winds! I have never rode there in the rain but I am sure it could get nasty.
Hardest race ever. Mud coming out of every orifice. Missed my start. Never caught up to the 14 other Cat 2 Single Speeds so achieved my first DFL, by default. So glad I did it. Sea Otter will be a cake walk next weekend!
That was so much fun. Trusting my WTB's all day. What about those mud slide downhills. Epic. Mud blind all day. Hope for a dryer Sea Otter. If anyone has photos please post or a link because it's hard to describe that much MUD !!!!!!!
That was rough. What a mess. My derailer hanger broke off just before the big climb and I had to hike out. Of course, with all that mud, pretty much everyone had to hike up the big climb.
To the guy that gave me his mimi-tool so I could yank off my chain and derailer.... send me an email and I'll get that back to you. Thanks so much for that! Love the good will out there today.
Yeah, all over the place. Did Boggs 5 just get owned?
Sounds like it did. The ONLY saving grace from Boggs was that it didn't rain (only a short hail shower)! I stayed home, watched the Masters, Paris-Roubaix and the Giants game. To all those who raced today, way to "harden the f*ck up. Ronnie Johns would be proud
Everyone who raced today is top notch in my book. Way to tough out the elements! You all rock!
Overall, I had an excellent race. Once you embraced the rain and the mud, it was a great time. I hardly noticed the 'poor conditions' once my blood got pumping. It didn't take long for the Curse of Chainsuck to kick in, but I kept it under control and didn't snap my chain. Big ol' Kenda Nevegals worked out well for this one! I noticed a few people having a hard time out there with less aggressive tires.
This was my first Napa Valley Mud Fest and definitely not the last! I heard there's a "dirt classic" next year?
I finished in 2hr12min for 5th (of 15) in 19-34 sport.
So. F'in. Fun.
Thanks, Carmen for capturing the aftermath of this most muddy day.
That's what all you rippers are who raced today! I was in Napa for a wedding think'n how close I was to my favorite xc race, yet so far... Spoke with an older rider at the wedding who owns two Ottis Guy's,,,
,,,then I'm driving through St.Helena in the pissing rain and what do I see on the roof of a Suby? A sweet Ottis Guy, muddy as all hell, brown number plate. Damn.... Nice ride to whomever drove solo to race on that v-braked classic!
Can't even begin to think about how brutal that climb outta the hole was... oh, wait, I've been in there on a very similar day to today! Stupid fun.
If anyone has pictures, please post up links. I'm especially interested in seeing #247.
Well, what can I say -- mudworm finally got to play in the mud. Total immersion style, head to toe and inside 'n out. I was one of those lucky ones who finished the ride safe and sound with a big smile though. A plastic grocery bag outside of my helmet and a free oversized plastic poncho (got it from last year's Death Ride) kept my head and core dry, which turned a would-have-been-miserable ride into a just-a-bit-uncomfortable ride.
My real ordeal started after the ride though when I found out that my saddlebag was gone with all my keys inside, so I couldn't get in the car and couldn't buy any food or beverage. Dripping mud, I stood in the shower in my riding gear and then waited through the entire awards ceremony hoping someone had picked it up and turned it in. Eventually, the course sweep came back without good news for me. By then, despite having a towel and a fashionable blouse donated by two kind ladies, I was shivering uncontrollably. The race organizer, Michael's wife and two beautiful daughters took me into their house, put dry clothes on me and fed me with the best soup I had ever had in my life. I gradually thawed.
Oh, that earlier message was posted by my hubby from my computer before he started to drive north with a valet key to my car (and later he edited it to remove his phone number). In the mean time, Michael and one of his daughters went back out on the course to start taking down the signs.
My luck then suddenly turned. Michael phoned home saying they found my saddlebag right at that first Wall. I must had lost it by the end because I was able to hear my keys rattling inside for the most of my ride. It turned out that the entire clip broke from my bag probably just from the constant vibrations. That was the first and last use of that ToePeak bag. Lesson learned: always keep the essential stuff on your body when riding.
This is my first NVDC ride. 2:52 on my GPS, which I stopped a couple minutes after passing the finish, placing me 2nd in my Sport age group. I guess I'll have to come back to do it on a nicer day to see another side of the area. One guy commented that he had been racing NVDC since 1994 and this is the worst ever condition, so there is hope.
Kudos to everyone who finished the race and I'm sorry for anyone who could not finish due to mishaps (mechanical or physical). Thanks everyone who helped me when I was feeling miserable, especially Michael's family! You all are such beautiful people!
P.S. Once I finish with my full report (bike and tire talk), I'll post up the link here.
Last edited by mudworm; 04-11-2010 at 11:29 PM.
Inch by inch, I will get there... ride reports | tracks | photos
Green Chiclets are my favorite candy.
Everyone who raced today is top notch in my book. Way to tough out the elements! You all rock!
Overall, I had an excellent race. Once you embraced the rain and the mud, it was a great time. I hardly noticed the 'poor conditions' once my blood got pumping. It didn't take long for the Curse of Chainsuck to kick in, but I kept it under control and didn't snap my chain. Big ol' Kenda Nevegals worked out well for this one! I noticed a few people having a hard time out there with less aggressive tires.
This was my first Napa Valley Mud Fest and definitely not the last! I heard there's a "dirt classic" next year?
I finished in 2hr12min for 5th (of 15) in 19-34 sport.
So. F'in. Fun.
Thanks, Carmen for capturing the aftermath of this most muddy day.
You sure you were there? You look a little too clean to me.
Had a great ride, legs felt awesome, toasted scores of my competitors on the technical downhills, and lived to get 3rd place in Cat 3. Scored a seat in the raffle, got a t-shirt to prove it, and had some kick-butt mexican food with Justin. A great weekend overall.
All that mud and rain, and this event was STILL EASIER THAN COOLEST 2009! Coolest 2009 set the bar for misery and filthy riding, everything else pales in comparison to that weekend, so I was in a totally happy place for the entire ride.
Mudworm: so glad you found your keys, I was bummed for you!
Hey Lars,
Matteo and I were out representin' THC on a day to remember. It seems like weather is always a factor at NVDC; either mud and rain, or brutal heat.
I broke my chain at the very bottom before the climb out, and by the time I got it fixed with frozen wet hands, I was cold and cramped for that climb.
I'm still pulling little bits of dirt out of my eyes... but no stop at the emergency room this year.
I got 7th out 24th Cat 2 19-34 with 2 hours 18 minutes, 5 minutes slower than last year, damn weather! I did Cat 3 last year.
19-34 Cat 2 Male 1 Frank Spiteri 01:51:03 00:00:00 342
19-34 Cat 2 Male 2 Owen Ransom 02:05:01 00:13:58 212
19-34 Cat 2 Male 3 Nathan Brown 02:07:02 00:02:01 255
Time to move up Frank? That time would have placed you easily second in Cat 1 19-34
Anyway, it was a fun race and it was fun at the end looking at people's brown faces while my face was clean, GO FENDERS!
I totally failed at this years goal of climbing most of the climb due to no traction and chain suck in granny gear. Although walking up the climb wasn't as painful as last year and I felt stronger and not as tired, so that's good!
Sea Otter shall be dry but that course only gets better with some rain a day or two before, tames the sand. See ya guys there, Cat 2 25-29, 7:30am Saturday!
Hey Lars,
Matteo and I were out representin' THC on a day to remember. It seems like weather is always a factor at NVDC; either mud and rain, or brutal heat.
I broke my chain at the very bottom before the climb out, and by the time I got it fixed with frozen wet hands, I was cold and cramped for that climb.
I'm still pulling little bits of dirt out of my eyes... but no stop at the emergency room this year.
Brian
Nice goin, mates! Yessir, "a day to remember" is always a good story... Bummer on the chain! Damn, sounds like you were not the lone ranger on that one, but right before the climb,,, ouch.
Stoked you got to head straight to the warm food...!! I bet Matt was too Roadside burger at Gotts?
Well I am from the UK and these conditions were almost the worst I have raced in. The worst it was -6C before the start and we had to break the ice in the portable toilet!
I had a great time, the course was fun (apart from that last hill!). I managed to cycle straight into a creek at one point. Straight over the bars, completely immersed - quite funny.
Looking forward to doing a fast Californian race soon......
Crazy ride! I had my doubts about this once when I showed up at the venue but just shut my brain off and went ahead with the ride. Twenty minutes in I wondered to myself if perhaps I should just bail on this race.
Starting with the initial fireroad after the first singletrack, it was mostly the same mucky, peanut-buttery gunk for much of the fireroads. The singletrack was actually a bit better but still very beat up. I don't know what the trails were like for the Expert and Sport class but my god the trails when I got to them were a disaster!
Climbing up out of the Pope valley(?) was different this year from last -- not because I did any riding, mind you -- mainly because I could hardly get a grip on the trail with my shoes let alone any tires.
For a while there I thought chainsuck (granny) was going to get me but as the trail finally became ride-able I was able to make up good ground once again and pass a bunch of folks walking up a rather mild incline.
This was yet another "survival" race rather than one that really affected my cardio in any way. Amazing experience ... and I think we all knew going into this race that when we made it out, it would be quite rewarding.
My bro came along and took a bunch of pictures at the final single-track section. You may notice the accumulation of water change from when the Pros come through to when I came through. That was one big bog!
Great photos. I hoped that your brother was an event photographer. I would love to buy a photo of my self at that mudbog Please let me know if we can get photos.
Yes, I remember seeing your brother. I thought he had to be paid to be standing out there in that cold and wetness. What an awesome bro you got there, NoBalance! I have never been so excited to see a picture of me on a ride. Please give your bro a big hug for me and tell him I said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Next time when we are at the same event, please be sure to find me. All you need to utter is "NVDC" and I'll buy you each a beer!
It just dawned on me that NoBalance, you and I have a long history. You were there at my first race, and you were there at my last race.
I love that picture of #355. That's the spirit!
P.S. I hope your brother has no issue with me reposting the picture in my blog. (Let me know if it's inappropriate.)
Last edited by mudworm; 04-13-2010 at 12:05 PM.
Inch by inch, I will get there... ride reports | tracks | photos
Green Chiclets are my favorite candy.
Wow! It looks like the trail got nastier the farther back you started. I was the second person of everyone to get to most of the trails, and they didn't seem as bad.
Check out my race report for the details of the heartbreak finish http://summitcallup.ning.com/profile/JimHewett
Maybe it will be sunny for Sea Otter?
Marty, I am working on getting my bro to do photography and video for events and will probably eventually provide an interface for digital purchases. For now its free to use on Flickr but not all racers pics are up.
NoBalance..Yo and your Bro Rock... This just made my week..I have told people about the rain/mud but this is IT !!!!!! I to offer beer in the future and look forward to his photography business. THANK YOU !!
It just dawned on me that NoBalance, you and me have a long history. You were there at my first race, and you were there at my last race.
I love that picture of #355. That's the spirit!
P.S. I hope your brother has no issue with me reposting the picture in my blog. (Let me know if it's inappropriate.)
I think I actually saw you but wasn't sure. I wondered if you could even survive in that kind of weather. You can use the picture as you want. Its my camera and Flickr site so no problems there.
That was a difficult race to stay on your wheels for at least 30% of the trail ... I had to go extra slow just to keep on the bike, in some areas; with others, speed was your friend.
Its interesting that the pictures make that one spot look like perhaps it was the muddiest but honestly after enduring the entire course of peanut butter mud and dozens of huge puddles, it was really nothing.
Biggest problem for me was my prescription sunglasses had partially muddy water droplets on them the entire time, distorting my vision. I really had a hard time seeing anything clearly and that stressed me out all day. Just glad to make it out of there!
Here I am reaching the final puddles - I did have both front and rear fenders but those only helped so much ... say Hi if you see me at Sea Otter this weekend (40-44 Cat3 XC). I will probably do some pre-riding on Friday and find a spot on the course to take pics of the Cat1 racers, then same thing on Saturday for Cat2.
Here I am reaching the final puddles - I did have both front and rear fenders but those only helped so much ... say Hi if you see me at Sea Otter this weekend (40-44 Cat3 XC). I will probably do some pre-riding on Friday and find a spot on the course to take pics of the Cat1 racers, then same thing on Saturday for Cat2.
I will be there for the Cat 2 race, 7:30am, blaaaaaah! Probably be wearing my CCCX or Pyramid Brew Jersey, just yell out when I pass you
Posted 120 and 435 to the flickr album. Number 102 was totally blurry and 101 doesnt even show up in the results on the PUC site. If you can give me the finish time of 101 I may be able to determine where in the photo set to look.
Posted 120 and 435 to the flickr album. Number 102 was totally blurry and 101 doesnt even show up in the results on the PUC site. If you can give me the finish time of 101 I may be able to determine where in the photo set to look.
Posted 120 and 435 to the flickr album. Number 102 was totally blurry and 101 doesnt even show up in the results on the PUC site. If you can give me the finish time of 101 I may be able to determine where in the photo set to look.
Thanks a lot! I hope i speak for everyone when i say that we really appreciate the effort of camping out in the rain to make these pics available for us!
Having seen the whole photo set, I can't believe how lightly some riders dressed. How in the world did they survive?
Originally Posted by NoBalance
Biggest problem for me was my prescription sunglasses had partially muddy water droplets on them the entire time, distorting my vision. I really had a hard time seeing anything clearly and that stressed me out all day. Just glad to make it out of there!
Having lived my life with strong prescriptions (-6.5), I think I know how much that has sucked for you. I can't imagine riding with bouncy vision, let alone in that kind of condition. What has saved me is the daily disposables. They are on the expensive side, but I get to enjoy the benefit every waking hour of my life, which pretty much makes it worth more than any bike upgrade I do. (Sorry about going off track.)
Inch by inch, I will get there... ride reports | tracks | photos
Green Chiclets are my favorite candy.
the photos are great, very nice quality, thanks so much for sharing!
I was really wishing brightroom or someone was there on Sunday, if you get a chance we'd really appreciate it if you have either 250 (2nd place cat 3 19-34) or 219 (4th place cat 3 19-34).
Congrats to everyone that slogged through the race last Sunday: a serious mtb race!
I found more photos on Calistoga Bike Shop Facebook page from three different spots including the Whoops.
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Originally Posted by rsquared28
Makes it real hard for those of us that are true CAT 2 Sport racers to reach the podium.
put it in the middle!
That time would have placed you easily second in Cat 1 19-34 
Roadside burger at Gotts?
