2019 Caspar Classic Bike Race
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The riding up here (125 miles of trails) is worth the trip. Lots of pilgrims from your neck of the woods have made the venture.
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Abalone season on hold
So far this summer the average daily temps have been in the high 60's to low 70's with very little fog. Just got in from a solo Double Loop ride. Saw some runners, but no bikers on any of the trails.
Life is rough here...
Typical day so far:
![Body of water Nature Coastal and oceanic landforms Sky Daytime]()
Another year of no abalone diving. This could be indefinite as the kelp beds are in disrepair. Purple urchins seem to be wiping out a lot of biomass.
So far this summer the average daily temps have been in the high 60's to low 70's with very little fog. Just got in from a solo Double Loop ride. Saw some runners, but no bikers on any of the trails.
Life is rough here...
Typical day so far:
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Caspar classic trail is open to ride!
None of the trail intersections are marked as Cal-Fire (JDSF) does not want trail signs. The guidebook has description for how to find each section. If you have never ridden here it is a good idea to have it. If you attempt to ride without a guidebook, the trail maps alone are not enough info to keep you out of trouble. Trailforks.com is a good app, but it too is not enough info.
Here is a map to get to trailhead:
![Blue Yellow Green Red White]()
The course is open. Only real impediment is a large redwood that has fallen across Jim's Trail. Be careful as it is a fast section leading to it.
None of the trail intersections are marked as Cal-Fire (JDSF) does not want trail signs. The guidebook has description for how to find each section. If you have never ridden here it is a good idea to have it. If you attempt to ride without a guidebook, the trail maps alone are not enough info to keep you out of trouble. Trailforks.com is a good app, but it too is not enough info.
Here is a map to get to trailhead:
caspar race
Thank you for that info. I'll grab the guidebook and see how long i can ride until i get lost.
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will there be any promotion or more information besides an unmaintained facebook page?
was interested last year, but seemed like a sketchy event to make the drive for. i even called the old promoter, whose number is/was still listed in places, lol.
I just got back last night from our yearly week in Fort Bragg. First time bringing a MTB (1.5 years back into riding MTB). I rode the race course route by myself using trailforks and did not have too much trouble. Didn't get off track much.
Missed the 2ne half of Ride Thru Stump as turned out when I should not have. The trail I should have kept going on I thought was going to loopback on it self. The more fun trails were actually near the road oddly enough. I felt the loop out from Jim's Trail to the Maze etc was skippable just old skid roads, so if you are looking to cut time. EZN was the best trail, wish that went on forever. I had a bear cub shoot across the road right in front of me on the fireroad back to the truck, barely avoided it because I was going fast downhill and didn't notice it till it was pretty close to right out in front of me.
Picked up Roo's book at Catch a Canoe after the fact. Nice book. Already planning for next years ride.
Mendocino HS pump track was fun for my son, just learned to pedal at the end of our trip. Track felt pretty small on my trail bike, so that made it challenging but still fun for me. We spun laps for a little while and he dug in the dirt for a bit.
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Poster child
But, that being said, it is a very fun race course overall. It is well attended, gets off on time with good timing equipment from Bike Monkey. We have always gotten some ringers in the past who will kick most mortal asses all around the redwoods. Gabe Cheese always comes, Brian Astell, Kevin Smallman, Charlie Schneider and even the uber-fahrer Baron: Matthias Behrends have won a few races here.
So, If your looking for coolish weather (60°) in paradise among tall Redwoods with even a new brew pub, then come for the weekend. If you absolutely hate it here, I'll buy you a beverage at Piaci's!
I wish I could be more helpful. I only do the posters and registration every year and wish those who have taken it over to start promoting sooner than later. Unfortunately, it falls on deaf ears with the organizers who are also overwhelmed with their real jobs and families to be able to focus on the Caspar Classic every year.
But, that being said, it is a very fun race course overall. It is well attended, gets off on time with good timing equipment from Bike Monkey. We have always gotten some ringers in the past who will kick most mortal asses all around the redwoods. Gabe Cheese always comes, Brian Astell, Kevin Smallman, Charlie Schneider and even the uber-fahrer Baron: Matthias Behrends have won a few races here.
So, If your looking for coolish weather (60°) in paradise among tall Redwoods with even a new brew pub, then come for the weekend. If you absolutely hate it here, I'll buy you a beverage at Piaci's!
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Thanks Roo!
FWIW I was able to ride the course first time with Roo's book, maps and GPS .... signal is spotty but it helps in places.
Thanks!! Keep up the good work!
FWIW I was able to ride the course first time with Roo's book, maps and GPS .... signal is spotty but it helps in places.
i just rode the classic course today with a downloaded map from Trailforks. GPS on my phone worked perfect and also the trail was marked pretty well. I didn't see any downed tree on the course anywhere. whenever i came up to a trail junction, i just checked the GPS and away i went!
I'm from Chico and this is paradise! 60 degrees and dirt! i am so tired of riding all the lava in Upper Bidwell Park in 95 degree weather.
Course was fast and smooth, a couple of sections of climbing. the only drawback is the last section of the logging road back to the start but during the race one would appreciate not having to intersect with other riders coming at you.
Maybe I'm in my honeymoon stage with the course, but i loved and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I'm from Chico and this is paradise! 60 degrees and dirt! i am so tired of riding all the lava in Upper Bidwell Park in 95 degree weather.
Course was fast and smooth, a couple of sections of climbing. the only drawback is the last section of the logging road back to the start but during the race one would appreciate not having to intersect with other riders coming at you.
Maybe I'm in my honeymoon stage with the course, but i loved and would do it again in a heartbeat.
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Elevation Chart
Happy to supply you and others who are considering the "Best Little Coastal Race" with 60° temps in the big trees. Below is my elevation chart for the 2019 Caspar Classic. Coming off of Shithole Tr., 3 Post is the hardest sustained climb into Beer Joint (approx. 0.60 miles). Sorry, no more beer there! The Treefrigerator is empty!
As I do not use Strava, I am providing a GPS elevation. Hope this helps.
![Green Blue Yellow Slope Text]()
Vedson,
Happy to supply you and others who are considering the "Best Little Coastal Race" with 60° temps in the big trees. Below is my elevation chart for the 2019 Caspar Classic. Coming off of Shithole Tr., 3 Post is the hardest sustained climb into Beer Joint (approx. 0.60 miles). Sorry, no more beer there! The Treefrigerator is empty!
As I do not use Strava, I am providing a GPS elevation. Hope this helps.
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This year's trophies
This year's trophies are a unique idea that Marc Jensen has created. They are 3-D computer generated elevation model of the Caspar Classic race course. Marc made me one of "Hole in the Ground". Looking forward to seeing his genius idea for this year's class winners!
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