2013 Iron Hill Challenge

I did this race 2 years ago - conditions were great (I think last year's conditions weren't tho). Fun course packed into a small area. Reminded me a bit of Clayton. Enjoy the "mega dip"!
 
I did the 4hr race last year on a SS. I remember i kept it 32x18 cause I was getting ready for SSaP. I also remember conditions were real crappy on one side of the course. Eventually my gearing and mud really wore me out but I got 5 laps in (not sure doe).
 
I've done this race probably more than any other that I can think of. It's one of my favorite courses -- super fast with lots of variety for such a small park -- some smooth singletrack, rocks, roots, mud (always muddy at the bottom of the course along 95) and, of course, the mega dip. Last year they didn't open the mega-dip at all, though (at least not for the endurance race), but it was still a really fun day. I'm probably going to miss it this year because I agreed to do the Rapha race the day before with a friend of mine and have too much to get done around the house to be away again for another whole weekend. Kind of bummed. Have fun!
 
Same bummer as last year, same day as an H2H race. Same with Neschaminy. Both courses are a blast and hate to miss.
 
MMuller said:
Same bummer as last year, same day as an H2H race. Same with Neschaminy. Both courses are a blast and hate to miss.
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There are a few races the same day between each series. I am debating on H2H or SS endurance this weekend.
 
I'm thinking of doing this race (Marathon 45+) in order to prepare for Bear scat 50.

I have zero racing experience so I need advice on hydration:

1) camelback 2L
2) a bottle in holder and spares in a cooler
3) 2 bottles in holder and back pocket (will I be able to refill my bottles?)
 
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alex_k said:
I'm thinking of doing this race (Marathon 45+) in order to prepare for Bears cats 50.

I have zero racing experience so I need advice on hydration:

1) camelback 2L
2) a bottle in holder and spares in a cooler
3) 2 bottles in holder and back pocket (will I be able to refill my bottles?)
Click to expand...

You can get away without the Camelbak at Iron Hill if you prefer not to ride with one (personally, I hate using them.) The lap is relatviely short and usually I would go through a bottle a lap. What I usually do there is keep a cooler full of bottles and just keep grabbing a new one each lap. I use a coupe of gel flasks and keep one in my pocket the whole day. The fire road section is pretty much the only spot where I can usually grab a gel, though (I'm not really what you'd call dextrous when it comes to that stuff.) And I usually try to drink on the climbs and on the section that goes around the dip. It gets too techy or too fast in the rest of the course to be able to grab a drink. If you want to be able to drink at any time, then you may want to use the Camelbak. And if you do, you'll probably need to fill it once during the race depending on the size you have. I would absolutely not use one of the big ones if I was you -- just too much weight and it will slow you down on that course. The pace in the endurance race is pretty high, and having extra weight on you will cost you late when you still have to do those same punchy climbs after 3 1/2 hours in the saddle. Have fun!
 
Chris(NJ) said:
🙁

Was looking forward to finding out what this "mega dip" was all about
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The mega dip is always hyped up, but it's just a 20' bowl. down one side and up the other. Its not overly technical or challenging, it's just that you don't typically see a trail routed like this.
 
alex_k said:
I'm thinking of doing this race (Marathon 45+) in order to prepare for Bear scat 50.

I have zero racing experience so I need advice on hydration:

1) camelback 2L
2) a bottle in holder and spares in a cooler
3) 2 bottles in holder and back pocket (will I be able to refill my bottles?)
Click to expand...

I agree with 1 speed.

Nutrition and hydration are key to endurance racing. Definitely bring a cooler containing at least enough full bottles to have one per lap. Plus another one or two for preriding, warmup or just nervous drinking. The camelback will wear on you. Force yourslef to drink a bottle a lap (at least). It may be hard to do, but choke it down. I would have something to eat as well. Even if it's just a couple bites of a bar each time you enter your pit. I would have a gel each lap also.

Iron Hill is short for an endurance event, but as 1speed has said the pace is pretty high. Keeping it in your pants early and maintaining an even pace is also important - I have a hard time with this and its the reason that I rarely enter endurance races.
 
BShow said:
The mega dip is always hyped up, but it's just a 20' bowl. down one side and up the other. Its not overly technical or challenging, it's just that you don't typically see a trail routed like this.
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This is true. The most fun part ofthe mega-dip was always the crowd. As each rider came through, the big anticipation is whether they'd make it up the other side. It's a fun little drop and rise, but after five trips through it, it's just another feature.

You could always ride it once on your own before the race if you like!
 
What is your front ring? That is sort of important 😉

I ran 34x19 when I did this two years ago, but I did the standard XC race. For an endurance race I would go 1 tooth easier. It may suck the first 2 hours, but you would be a happy man the last hour 😛
 
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