Mountain Bikes

[ScottyB]

Anything to be aware of prep wise for the event?  My 2019 Trek Fuel Ex8 is "bone stock" aside from some more aggressive pedals.

just condition yourself. for me, running helps just as much as biking. keep your heart rate under control. its a 12 mile loop and i have not been able to do more than 1 lap at a "race pace". seat time/running is the only way to get your body in the place it needs to be for sustained pedaling.

the thing about WC is that there is NO flats. you're either hauling ass downhill or grinding uphill with one rock garden section. your bike will be fine. i've run WC twice, first time was on a hardtail department store bike with rim brakes, mismatched tubed tires, and hybrid clipless pedals and i still kept up with people - unfortunately my cardio was not good enough to keep going.

second time i was on my current dual suspension but did not eat/hydrate properly (overconfident and just lazy conditioning) and i bonked about 10 miles in, cramped to the point i had to walk the bike. i went out way too fast as well, just rookie mistakes. very embarrassing.

RJ/Jay/Ryan will probably have better advice on nutrition prior to the race and actual strategy for your laps.

don't let what i said scare you though. if you're there to have a good time, i guarantee you'll have it, just go into it knowing its a physical challenge and you'll be smashed by the time you finish. the trail is amazing, scenery is amazing, atmosphere is great.