Flagstaff riders - any beta on the Barn Burner course?

[Flounder]

I'm signed up for the Barn Burner 104 as a geared solo. I'd like to qualify for the Leadville 100. I'd like to ride my cyclocross bike at the Barn Burner. Anyone ridden the course? Is it appropriate for 35c tires? Everyone I've talked to said it's super mellow, but I'd like the local beta.

Anyone?

[Flagster]

Heading out tomorrow am for a preride on my cross bike...32c tubies...still deciding on whether to use in race...
It is a mellow course...couple of tech/rocky decents but mostly fast fireroad...

Matt

[Flounder]

Anxious to hear your report. I've tweaked the ExPo Fargo project bike to tackle this race. I put her on a severe diet, but it's still a heavy bike. I also fitted it with 2.0 tires, a longer stem for a more aggressive posture, and a bigger chainring. It's now the world's most burly cyclocross bike. However, I'd love to rip this out on my Yeti ArcX cyclocross bike. I do five hour service road rides on that bike all winter long.

[Flagster]

Well not much has changed since last year...just much drier...same rocks are in the same places
There were some sketchy slick patches last year that made me glad I was on a 2.1 knobby but this year it is really dry and I am going to do at least one lap on my cross bike (I only have to ride two as I am doing it pardner style)
There is one long fast down hill with IMO the potential for severe rim damage if sloppy on a skinny minny and one short rocky slightly technical (just because big loose rocks) downhill that is going to require slow pace and picking the less evil line...
IMO there is just so much fast flat fireroad that I think taking a bit off the pace on the technical downhills will be totally offset with what is made up on the flat stuff...
I don't have a 29er MTB and would probably ride that if I did...but my 26" Yeti ASR SL is "slow"...24.5lbs vs 15.8 for my cross
Not sure if I am going to run the tubulars though...at least I can carry a handful of tubes for all the pinch flats I will probably get...

[Flounder]

Thanks for the beta. I'm putting the crosser on the roof of the car just in case I feel it's worth using. I'm starting off on the Fargo. Just talking about racing a Fargo makes me chuckle. But, it'll be a fun installment in the ExPo Fargo project. I went out yesterday and did 35 miles of mostly singletrack on the Fargo and it did great. I've got it pretty slammed so it should have a similar position to my cross bike. 2.0 tires won't roll as fast as 35c tires, but I should be able to bobble through those techy sections quickly. Who knows maybe it'll be perfect. It handles like a truck in the tight stuff, but I won't have much concern for that on this course.

Can't wait!

[Flagster]

I will probably rock a particulate mask for the first bit of the race...

[Flounder]

I will probably rock a particulate mask for the first bit of the race...

Hmmm....I'll channel my inner road racer and shoot to the front. Seriously, every race I've done lately it's been all about a fast start. I hate getting caught in the herd.

[APolinko]

I'll be heading out there today. I'm really just happy there is no rain in the forcast. I got caught at the top of the big climb when the monsoon rain came last year, it was a brutal descent.

[Flounder]

I'll be heading out there today. I'm really just happy there is no rain in the forcast. I got caught at the top of the big climb when the monsoon rain came last year, it was a brutal descent.

30mph wind in the forecast. Oh boy. Time to get low and skinny.

[Flagster]

Great race...how bout that flour dust