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RBoardman

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just signed up for this race the other day. This will be my first "real" mountain bike race, so I'm super excited and a little nervous. I have watched videos of all the stages from previous years, but would love to hear some stories/helpful tips from anyone that has done it in the past. Also, is anyone else going to be up there?
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#2 ·
China Peak is one of the gnarlier races of the CES. Not just more technically demanding but physically as well. Last year we had about 4000 ft of climbing fully exposed in the sun with 5000 ft of descending(one lift assisted climb), at race pace might I add. Friday practice gets packed so be prepared to wait in long lift lines and spend all day to do 5 runs.

If you're camping bring plenty of food, there is a small restaurant at the resort but the nearest market is a bit of a drive. Theres water and restrooms on site. You need a full face helmet for the race. It was one of my favorite races last year. Looking forward to it!
 
#5 ·
bob-o said:
Drinking beer healthier than riding.... Depends on how you ride I guess?
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OR the type of beer....

Her knee and my lung issue. No need to kill ourselves up there for nothing when there is a party at a lower elevation. :)

I look forward to seeing the CES results though. A lot of friends ride the series.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
JCWages said:
Right on! Good luck.

We signed up for the race but health reasons are requiring us to back out and go drink beer with fc in Downieville instead. Guess I should see if someone needs entry tickets for the beginner class.
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Hope you heal up soon.
Yeah, I'm sure there are people that will want to buy your entries considering it is sold out. I got really lucky with getting a spot. I have been wanting to do this race for a long time but never got around to registering because I didn't want to go alone. A few days ago my friend texts me saying that he registered and that I should too. I told him I would as soon as I got home. Get home less than an hour later and go to register and it is sold out. (actually a blank grey screen at this point). Bummer. Well, maybe 3 days later I go back on the website looking into the Northstar round. I have no idea why, but I decided to click on the China Peak round just cause. And guess what, registration was back open. So I signed up and cried a little as I entered in my credit card info for the $90 entry. I messaged the promoter and asked them if they were adding more spots. They replied saying that someone(s) originally double registered so they had that spot open. And sure enough, as soon as I went back to the CES website it was sold out again.
 
#8 ·
It is rough and loose and expert/pro usually has some good sections. No big jumps, just natural terrain stuff. Lots of rock and moon dust, I think full face and knee pads are required to race.

But yeah, most important is be ready for the conditions. Kinda like that Hollister 6hr moto race. It will be hot, there is almost no shade, and lots of climbing.
 
#10 ·
as beaverbiker alluded to, bring your toolbox and plenty of spares. there are no bike shops anywhere close, and the terrain is tough on bikes. I had a mechanical during practice a couple years ago and was barely able to macguever a fix. it would be a bummer to go all the way out there and not be able to race due to a mechanical. I'd bring spare rotors, chainguide parts, chain, spare tire, seatpost, shock, whatever you've got basically. people were running around trying to find just about all of the above parts when I raced. hopefully this year there will be a bit more neutral tech support in the pits but last time I raced there you were pretty much on your own.

I'll be there, I'm looking forward to it!
 
#11 ·
RBoardman said:
Yeah, but I know how to ride a dirt bike. Mountain bikes.... Not so much. ;)
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You'll be fine!
Don't crash and pedal all the time are the keys for Enduro mtb racing.

The timed segments are from 3-7 minutes long usually, so practice some Strava segments in similar length around here.
The best thing to practice is sprinting off the line so your HR is maxed right out of the gate and go full gas for the whole segment. Gotta train your body to function correctly when deprived of oxygen!

Looks like the temps will be OK this year, I only see low 80's for race weekend.
I'll be there trying my best to breath.
 
#14 ·
Anyone wanting to know what we're all talking about here ya go, there's a video on the homepage, (we can't embed Vimeo in here yet?).

VP EnduroFest at China Peak, Lakeshore CA June 26-27 | California Enduro Series #3

hardboiled said:
as beaverbiker alluded to, bring your toolbox and plenty of spares. there are no bike shops anywhere close, and the terrain is tough on bikes.
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I'll third that notion. Also, have fun, bring fluids and gatorade, enjoy the race.
~This will be the first time I can't go just to watch because we were camping last week instead.

EDIT: Mrs.Obi wants me to warn everyone that the skeeters are BAD this year. Big and Small-Uns, us and the kids ended up w big mosquito welts this time. Also watch out for the Hornets, this one was buzzing us while we were up the road. Almost 1-1/2" long.
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#20 ·
Gemini2k05 said:
Practice the climbs. That's where most of the time is taken away from you.
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Yes, but you also need to make sure you can make it through any technical sections without crashing. Crashes waste a lot of time. That said, dont worry about being the fastest through the rocks and spending time doing multiple runs on tech sections. Figure them out and be able to ride them with confidence. Theres never going to be more than a few seconds of time to be gained in a rock garden where as a climbs and pedally sections are much more substantial.

They haven't released the course yet so we can't really say what stages will be important. Last year stage 4 was pretty technical.
 
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