The Official 2018 VQ/CC thread

She’s ready, 2.4 Ardent and 2.35 Ikon. Test drive tomorrow at Black Star. Gotta love last minute training on the Huffy!

 

Sorry to hear this. Heal up!

 

Ardent 2.4 looks less voluminous than the Ikon 2.35.

 

So, ah...I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but anybody else see the forecast for Saturday and have their heart sink? No April Fools joke, the forecast is now for rain.

After last year's chaos, I'm worried. Has Blackstar been graded recently like last years moondust that turned to peanut butter? Anyone think WS would be gun-shy about starting the race with rain forecast after last year?

I really hope this doesn't come to fruition, but this is part of another major atmospheric river event aimed at CA. It's just a matter of intensity and where along the coast it hits.

 

I, for one, welcome our rainy overlords.

 

We have never used our backup rain date.......which means we have never canceled due to rain.

 

No so much the weight savings.....but that combo will roll so nice.

 

Looks like the rain coat and wet weather gloves get a place on the bike. I refuse to carry a pack, so they will probably be attached to the bars with my velcro straps- like on a normal death march. I won't repeat last year's mistake and pack too light. I froze my ass off.

I'm hoping the forecast gets pushed back. I was really looking forward to riding the lighter bike... Even if it's a couple hours, that would be fine. The only part of the course that can't handle the water is Black Star. Everything else is fine when wet.

 

I know. But I'm sure that there are a bunch of people that wish WS had last year.

 

You going soft on us? LOL Hi Tim!

 

Might be a good time for someone to spread some gravel on the problem area?

 

Serious question though, since I haven't made it to SoCal to pre-ride this year - has Blackstar been graded this year like it was last year? Had it not been graded to moondust right before the rain it likely wouldn't have been as bad. Just trying to be prepared. Really keeping my fingers crossed this rain will hold off or not pan out.

Thanks guys. Looking forward to racing Saturday, rain or shine.

 

I'm not sure when they worked on it last, but it is smooth as a bowling alley for the most part. There have already been a couple wet spots in Hidden Ranch with the little bit of rain we've had recently. They are easy to ride around, but if we get a significant amount, I'd look for conditions like last year.

 

I wouldn't worry about it at this point.

Focus on stuff that you can control.

Chance of rain on Saturday at this point doesn't mean Sh!t (What if it starts raining @ 10 am...... who cares).
Don't lose sleep over it. As a matter of fact, sleeping well Thursday night is one of the keys for a good ride.
Get your bike ready. Get your body ready, Get your mind ready.


..........And if it is raining Saturday morning, it is your choice to make.

 

No grading in the recent past.

 

Dropped like a pound or so but the rolling felt way better this morning. Shaved like 7 minutes off the gate to gate climb. Fishtailed a few turns on the way down though.

 

I just put Ikon 2.2s on recently and had very similar results. Very fast tire, but a little looser than what I'd been used too. Dropping the PSI to about 26-28 seemed to help a lot.

 

I haven't ridden it in a month or so, but up to that point BS was in the best shape it has been in years. fast, hard packed, and smooth. It is doubtful the rain a few weeks back did too much to change that.

 

Looking like Saturday PM rain now so for the time being my panties feel good and aren’t in a bunch.

 

Hmmmmm.

 

Dallas Raines just confirmed the rain will be in the afternoon so we can all sleep well this week. I mean, Dallas has never let us down, right?

 

I think he's legitimately proven that every day is a good tanning day in LA.

 

No "Hmmmmmmms" from you... I expect to see you at the start line ready and raring to go!

 

Nasty Weather Service for Saturday:

Chance rain mainly after 11 am. Not the same as no rain before 10.

 

Serious question... would anyone who is going to be at the finish be willing to stash beers for me? I can drop a cooler off at your house on Friday but really want a barley pop or 8 after I finish.

Or should I just stash beers at the ranch Friday?

 

I like your thinking on this!

 

What??? Are you telling me that there’s not a beer vendor at the finish? I’m out!!!

 

It was a serious question.

 

Who the hell cares what Dallas Raines says? What does Jackie Johnson say? She is far more credible - or so I tell my wife.

 

C’mon! We all know that Inra Petersons is the most in”credible.”