Unoffically Official 2017 VQ and CC Thread

The wristbands are for the aid stations.

Our permit does allow us to close down Blackstar for time at the start of the event. Riders without number plates will not be allowed into the starting corral, nor will they be allowed on Blackstar until/after 30-45 mins after the start. Once on Main Divide, all bets are off. Anybody can ride. If you are going to have a friend ride with you....you make sure that they do not interfere with any of the riders registered for the event. That means they get out of the way for riders climbing....also for faster riders on the descents. There are 364 other days of the year that people can ride these trails....don't screw it up for the VQ/CC participants. Don't tell me your friend wanted to enter but couldn't get in....this time is not like all the years in the past where it sold out in mins. Registration was open for weeks before it sold out.

 

Yep, I was told that last night when picking up my packet.

After I was out buying a new refrigerator since ours just went out. New one being delivered while I am riding tomorrow, PITA. Had to take today off to clean out the old one, undo the water etc. Hope I didn't hurt my back!

Current fridge setup:

 

Very ingenious setup...but Guinness does not need to, and should not, be refrigerated.

 

Actually picked that Guinness up yesterday while picking up more ice. It's the IPA and it was already cold so that's a no no to let cold beer warm then cool again. Annnnnnd, while I don't want Guinness ice cold or in a chilled glass I do like it chilled a little bit more than room temp. My grandma's maiden name may be Flanagan but I'm a yankee who for the most part likes cold beer!

Oh, and I might have one of those tonight before bed as some extra carb load.

 

The Germans call it Flüsßiges Brot! Liquid bread...

 

That's poetically appropriate. The Germans usually don't get there...

 

Well good luck to you all in the morning. I won't be at the start....because, I don't have to be.

However......I'll see most of you go through at the bottom of Motorway.

Have fun y'all.....enjoy the nuttiness that is Blackstar in the dark with 350 other riders.

 

Good luck to everyone racing out there tomorrow! Reading this thread the last few weeks even has me thinking about signing up for next year.

 

I've already decided to sign up for CC next year. Not sure it's wise, but it sure is a challenge.

 

Just a reminder....we can do the CC any weekend you want.

 

And I'll be taking you up on that in the coming months. In pieces to start with. I've done B* - Motorway, and I've done Tree Farm/Silverado/MS to Peak, and I've done Peak down LHJ. Just not all at once.

 

Number 22 and my 6th VQ in the morning. Bike is ready and I am mentally, legs are questionable. Let's hope it does not rain and it's all smooth sailing.

 

I'm really a butthead for even bringing this up, but why does it look like your bike peed on the floor???

 

I scared the piss out of her when I told her of tomorrow's task.

Probably some dumb stain.

 

Good luck to all who are attempting this tomorrow. I hope to be somewhere out there to cheer you on.

 

Good luck everyone...of course you should really be in bed by now... Sending positive vibes!

 

Good luck everyone May the mechanicals and cramps stay far far away from you.

 

Woke up to the sound of rain at 5:45 this morning (up here by Cook's). It went on for a bit but never started pouring. Streets are wet, but hopefully it didn't saturate the soil on B*. It's almost 7:00 now and Tinker and a few other fast riders should be through the bottom of Maple Springs.

Best wishes to all taking part, and hoping for clearing skies for you by late morning.

 

I'll make it short and sweet. It was muddy, cold and wet. Black star took forever and I called it quits at motorway to do the road ride of shame back to the car. @Faust29 was just behind me at motorway and chose to go on, good for him. @mtnbikej was waiting to run sweep and I handed him my number plate and froze my ass off back to the car. 6 VQs and 5 feathers

 

I may have been out there longer, but our score was the same!

The Black Star Hell Mud sucked the soul out of me, and I never recovered.

 

At least you have the satisfaction of having finished 5 times before. (as if I'm qualified to talk about it). You went. You rode. I didn't.

No way!!! You fell short?????

 

It was hard. Harder than expected. I'm glad I ended up with a feather ;-)

 

Let's just say that lowly, easy, boring Blackstar showed its sharp teeth today.

 

Heck yes! Good work Sharone. Can't wait to read the deets!

 

Way to hang in there. Easy peasy.....right?

 

I'm going to do bullet points....

 

I'm gonna write up my own ride report about my CC experience today but in short I made it all the way. I finished 100/102 but 48 others either turned around or didn't make the cutoffs. Oh, and I didn't have a rear brake (zero) from before Santiago Peak and on. Big thanks to @mtnbikej for helping me at the first aid station and for tailing me down part of HJ making sure I was good.

 

^^Thanks awesome, Brian! Can't wait to read your report.

 

Absolutely fantastic!!! See? Told you it was all in your head.

 

Yup...... haha