Looking for ANY advice or even anecdotal info/experience regarding the Epic 8-hour at Hardwood. I have only ridden Hardwood once before casually and was relatively easy technically while demanding physically given the many uphills (I currently ride mostly Don trail). I will be trying to get a few more rides in there before the race day (August).
Background to help guide any advice for me as a first timer:
1) age/experience? 43 years old and team will be 2-4 people (still working that out). I have NIL bike race experience.
2) bike? 2011 stumpy fsr 26er with 140mm travel front/rear. i know it's too much bike for this purpose, but how bad will it be? Are there any ways to offset the unnecessary travel excess, such as running high fork air pressure or locking out front fork, etc? or is it so bad that it'd be better to just use a different bike, and if so, any recos?
3) tires? still using stock Purgatory front and The Captain Control in rear. Should I be switching either or both out for something else better suited to Hardwood? I'm not familiar enough with Hardwood -- any tire recos, or fine as is?
4) hydration pack? not planning to use one because we're planning to take turns after each lap, so I'm assuming I can do the 10km loop without needing water until resting after each lap.
5) ability? I'm assuming it's more flow than technical, but correct me if I'm wrong. I'm "hoping" to include my 12-year old son on the team (Is there a minimum age requirement? Will have to check that still).
6) repairs? I'm assuming the mechanical breakdowns are usually limited to flat tires rather than broken derailleurs, but again, correct me if I'm wrong as am currently not planning on bringing more than basic tools and tubes.
7) backpack? tied to #6 above, I am intending to ride the laps with my backpack/knapsack since it carries my tools, etc. or is it better to just tape such to the bike?
8) nutrition? what food(s) [as in real food] to ingest through the 8-hour day? Please don't say energy bars, lol.
Appreciate any feedback.
Background to help guide any advice for me as a first timer:
1) age/experience? 43 years old and team will be 2-4 people (still working that out). I have NIL bike race experience.
2) bike? 2011 stumpy fsr 26er with 140mm travel front/rear. i know it's too much bike for this purpose, but how bad will it be? Are there any ways to offset the unnecessary travel excess, such as running high fork air pressure or locking out front fork, etc? or is it so bad that it'd be better to just use a different bike, and if so, any recos?
3) tires? still using stock Purgatory front and The Captain Control in rear. Should I be switching either or both out for something else better suited to Hardwood? I'm not familiar enough with Hardwood -- any tire recos, or fine as is?
4) hydration pack? not planning to use one because we're planning to take turns after each lap, so I'm assuming I can do the 10km loop without needing water until resting after each lap.
5) ability? I'm assuming it's more flow than technical, but correct me if I'm wrong. I'm "hoping" to include my 12-year old son on the team (Is there a minimum age requirement? Will have to check that still).
6) repairs? I'm assuming the mechanical breakdowns are usually limited to flat tires rather than broken derailleurs, but again, correct me if I'm wrong as am currently not planning on bringing more than basic tools and tubes.
7) backpack? tied to #6 above, I am intending to ride the laps with my backpack/knapsack since it carries my tools, etc. or is it better to just tape such to the bike?
8) nutrition? what food(s) [as in real food] to ingest through the 8-hour day? Please don't say energy bars, lol.
Appreciate any feedback.