[clayperez]

SoNoMas registration opened yesterday. This event is testing not only its participants but our abilities as promoters. The course is so remote that the challenge of just organizing this event is expensive and flat-out hard.

There are 400 spaces available this year. All the information about the new XC format race is at http://SoNoMas.BikeMonkey.net.

Those of you who raced last year know that we ran into some challenges. Namely, the heat was unexpected. We topped out at nearly 110 degrees which is quite out of the ordinary. It'll still be warm, maybe even hot this year too. But we're prepared, and we have changed the format.

SoNoMas is now a single 35 mile cross-country race with about 8,000' of vertical. It's tough. Real tough. We would love to see a showing of some strong racers to come test it out.

There is a pro purse for both men and women racers as well as single-speeders. Check it out!

 

[Zen_Turtle]

Any more details on the course?
Maps/gps tracks for the geeks?
Thx
ZT

 

[clayperez]

Zen,

Google maps lets you download the file to Google Earth and you can geek out on it like crazy. Just updated the site with some more info and it got a facelift.

 

[jms]

Hard.

Any more details on the course?
Maps/gps tracks for the geeks?
Thx
ZT

In a word, HARD. Unrelentingly, brutally, hard. If it's not the hardest XC course you ever see, I'd be surprised. There's lots of steep [like "loop out" kinda steep] technical climbing, so make really good friends with your granny ring, or wear comfortable walking shoes. Also a good 29er HT course.

If you do well here, you can race anywhere. I think it's the best loop I've seen in California.

I'm glad Clay's doing something w/this loop again, I really enjoyed last years [abbreviated] event. This one is well worth the experience.

 

[MSH]

Nice! Would love to tackle this one if I was still in Norcal.

That's some legit footies in 35 miles. I thought my "out the front door" trails here in Colorado packed a wallop per mile, but 8K in 35 is even steeper than the climbing per mile you get here on the local stuff. The last 34 mile loop netted me a little over 7K and that's with lots of tough technical climbing.
Needless to say that's going to be one "fun" race!

 

[Gregg K]

Oh no. My parents live on W. Dry Creek. Combined with the fact that I've been "training", I may have to do this. I don't do rides more than about 24 miles and 3000 feet. I live on the other side of the hills from this place. So I know the terrain. Besides, what am I riding for? Why am I alive?

 

[Gregg K]

Here's the course map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...702596,-123.041948&spn=0.043271,0.091667&z=14

I'd sure like to hear from people who have ridden a course like this. What kind of rest stops do you take? I've been riding a mountain bike for close to 25 years. I always carry 10 pounds of Camelbak. But I ride daily out my back door. 18 miles/2000 ft, every day or so. 1 hr 40 minutes. No long duration rides, ever. The only race I've ever done was the Weaverville classic. I was putting my clothes on when the gun went off. I still got podium in my class. But I'm 54. I'm OLD!!! But I will be in shape by late August. Words..................

 

[Zen_Turtle]

In a word, HARD. Unrelentingly, brutally, hard. If it's not the hardest XC course you ever see, I'd be surprised. There's lots of steep [like "loop out" kinda steep] technical climbing, so make really good friends with your granny ring, or wear comfortable walking shoes. Also a good 29er HT course.

If you do well here, you can race anywhere. I think it's the best loop I've seen in California.

I'm glad Clay's doing something w/this loop again, I really enjoyed last years [abbreviated] event. This one is well worth the experience.

So a SS 32x32 should do it uh?
I'll bring my best walking shoes...
ZT

 

[Gregg K]

Here's the elevation of the 2009 course. I think the direction is counter to the way it is run this year. I just want to post this so I can look at it and think. Think about the pain.

Sheesh, it's so big I can't upload it.

Here's the link-

https://www.bikemonkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sonomascourseprofile.gif

 

[clayperez]

These are kinda heavy...

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