Fairhills Classic

743power said:
...the courses are generally not as rough as the h2h races, you get a lot of roadies...
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I don't think this statement very accurate. Sure, some roadies do show up at the MASS races, but the races are fast and fields are deep - at every level. It's not because there are a bunch of roadies there. I do agree that Fair Hill caters to people that can put down a lot of power over the duration of the race more so than a rider with a lot of technical ability.

If you look over the MASS schedule, the majority of races are not exactly "roadie" friendly courses. I'll give you the two Fair Hill races, Iron Hill and Gloucester County College as "roadie" courses, but the rest are definitely not. The first Fair Hill race is by far the least technical, fastest course of the series but look at the top riders from that race... They're not Roadies.
 
This argument is so old and lame. Put a fast roadie on a mountain bike, and he goes fast. Put a fast mountain biker on a road bike, and he goes fast.

Fast is fast.
 
I recieved this last night...

From the Fair Hill Promoter –

The rain over the last few days has done a wonderful job hardening the race course surfaces for this weekend. The race should be one of the best ever as far as course condition. The additional rain possible this week should not present a problem and in fact may make things even better. Due to the hot and humid weather expected this Sunday, however we've made a couple of changes to the elite/expert/endurance race courses. We've also made a change to the endurance race "cutoff time" to make it very likely that all who enter will receive a finish place and still be kind to the volunteers. See Below:

Fair Hill Classic Race Course Update For Expert/Elite and Endurance Classes:

Due to the forecast for hot humid weather for Sunday July 18, we decided to make a change at approximately mile 23.2 of the elite/expert/Endurance (lap 1) loop and mile 46.7 of Endurance 50 mile course. We will be eliminating a 120 ft climb and descent in favor of a flat section along Big Elk Creek. This change will add approximately 0.1 mile to the course length.

In addition the planned 3:00 PM cutoff for all classes to finish will be modified as follows:

1. A cutoff time of 2:00 PM will be established at Water Stop #3 for endurance racers on their 2nd lap. This Water Stop is ~40 miles into the 50 mile course.
2. If you pass before 2:00 PM you will be allowed to continue to the finish line.
3. If you arrive after 2:01 PM your arrival time will be documented and you will be given a "finish place". NOBODY who makes it to Water Stop #3 will be given a DNF.
4. We will be sweeping the endurance race course behind the last racer. The sweep may ask you to stop if you're not going to make it to WS#3 by 2:30 or so.

Note that an average pace of 7.5 miles per hour will get you all the way to the finish of the 50 miles by 2:50 PM and to WS #3 by 1:19 PM! An average pace of 7.0 miles per hour still let's you finish both laps for the full 50 miles.

Were trying to be sure all endurance racers have a good chance to finish and place in this event while at the same time recognize that a safe event for both racers and volunteers on such a hot and humid day is the priority.

Bob Gaston – Race Director, Fair Hill Classic
 
Norm said:
This argument is so old and lame. Put a fast roadie on a mountain bike, and he goes fast. Put a fast mountain biker on a road bike, and he goes fast.

Fast is fast.
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I figured that little roadie comment would cause a reaction, but I didn't mean to stir the pot at all. I ride probably 80% road anymore. Anyway, at every MASS race I have done this year, talking to people in my class at the start, there were a handful of guys who don't race mtb more than once or twice a year and they did good at those races.

I wonder if guys who never race mtb, but race road a lot in cat2 would race mtb cat2? Because I know for a fact I would get murdered in a cat2 road race.

Anyway, I just race for fun and not for the series so it doesn't matter to me.
 
the day i decided to race cat1...

was cut short. i felt good and was sitting where i'd thought i'd be...next to last. actually i was ahead of 3 riders with 7-8 miles to go. maybe they would have caught me or maybe i gapped them good enough to hold on, who knows

IMG00199.jpg


the race was well organized adn the course was awesome...better luck next time. Ben, i got chicked 😀
 
Thats at least #2 this year, what the hell!! At least it wasnt an H2H or DH40. Way to kill it in the big time.
 
Awesome recaps in the training threads. Damn Dustin you blew that thing up, but atleast it happened in a race you were doing for fun and not one of the H2H's. How did Kirt end up?
 
Fun race. Was in 2nd until a nut surfing incident left me with a nice bruise and some crazy harsh cramps for the last 6 miles. Ended up with a 4th.
 
Norm said:
This argument is so old and lame. Put a fast roadie on a mountain bike, and he goes fast. Put a fast mountain biker on a road bike, and he goes fast.

Fast is fast.
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I think colin's areguement is valid. If you put a fast roadie on a mtb at sourlands, they are going to explode wonderfully on the first rock garden they hit. The smoother trails make it much easier to make the change.

BTW, great job colin.
 
Not sure how Joe, kirt and Ilya did all I know is they are fast. As for the chainring the first time was my fault and ever since then I've made sure my shit was dialed in...this time 2 aluminium bolts off somehow???? Right before I broke the shit I was racing with dudeman I thought for sure its me vs him till the end.
Me "hey, you in cat1 SS?".
Him "yeah"
Me "oh man...me too"
SNAP...CRUNCH...
Him "not anymore". After the laughter wore off (cause I thought that was real funny) I was mega pissed
 
stb222 said:
I think colin's areguement is valid. If you put a fast roadie on a mtb at sourlands, they are going to explode wonderfully on the first rock garden they hit. The smoother trails make it much easier to make the change.

BTW, great job colin.
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How can you bring Sourlands into a race discussion? It sort of renders your argument absurd. Might as well bring bouldering up as a counterexample.
 
Norm said:
How can you bring Sourlands into a race discussion? It sort of renders your argument absurd. Might as well bring bouldering up as a counterexample.
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Sourlands is a bit extreme, but the idea that a pure road rider will have a tough time in real technical spots isn't out of the question is it? Ive never seen a Roadie try so I wouldn't really know. Just speculation.
 
I think it's a paradoxical argument. How is a "pure roadie" even doing an off-road race? Whose bike are they using? You have to assume that they a) own a mountain bike and b) have ridden it before. Given those basic assumptions I don't think you can assume they've never ridden trails before.

I agree that someone who has never ridden off-road at all will struggle. But I think LM would be a struggle for that rider. Soon however they won't.

At the end of the race season, what races are really technical? Blue and maybe Jungle? Aside from that they're all pretty beginner friendly, which many label as "roadie courses".

Bringing it back, I did not think yesterday was a roadie course. Not remotely.
 
It was a valiant effort Dustin, shit happens. But you werent last and you gave it your best shot. Did you say that you use aluminum ring bolts? I think you should stick to the steel versions. Dont the the alum. is a good choice for an SS.

as far as roadies and technical....id still take having the legs and endurance of a roadie over technical ability when it comes to XC racing anyday. As Jim V said...."XC is an endurance based discipline" and the cream usually always rises to the top. Still, just because someone is a roadie, doesnt mean they will suck on a mtn bike and have no bike handling skills.
 
From wiki

Roadie Course

Definition

This is what fat and/or slow people call a race course when they get destroyed by someone fitter and more technically competent than they are. For many, every single race on the planet is a roadie course.

Example

John: So how did you do at the race last week?
Frank: 83rd
John: Out of?
Frank: 90
John: *silence*
Frank: It was a total roadie course
John: Oh man I hate those. Stupid leg shavers
Frank: Word.
John: More french fries and mayo?
Frank: Word.
 
kush said:
Example

John: So how did you do at the race last week?
Frank: 83rd
John: Out of?
Frank: 90
John: *silence*
Frank: It was a total roadie course
John: Oh man I hate those. Stupid leg shavers
Frank: Word.
John: More french fries and mayo?
Frank: Word.
Click to expand...

I ride with Frank and john all the time. Very good for the ego 😀
 
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