2009 Little Sac 12 Hour Good Time Race

This Saturday is the Little Sac 12 Hour Good Time Race. I rode at Little Sac this evening and they were marking the course for the event.  To my surprise it's largely the same one they used last year.  The only difference is a small section they added at the start of the race.

According to my bike computer, which isn't entirely accurate, the length of each lap is 5.8 miles.  I did 2 laps and they were both right around 35 minutes.  I rode solo in last years race and I'd let you know what my lap times were but I can't because they never posted the results to last years race. 

The hardest part of the course (at least for me last year) was a long gradual climb in the middle of the lap.  It's not steep but it wears on you over time.  Also the one section were I saw the most people pushing their bikes last year has had a new trail cut next to the old one so it's not as difficult to navigate.  It's a great single speed course, in fact if I remember correctly, the fastest lap last year was by a guy on a fully ridged single speed. 

For the most part the trails are in good shape and ready to race.  They did a good job preparing the park for the OMBA Caramba race a couple months ago and the trails they used are still great.  The few that weren't used for that race could use a little cutting back but I'm sure that will be done before Saturday.

We had some rain today and there's more in the forecast but Little Sac drains pretty well and other than a few low lying spots mud won't be a problem.   But be prepared for it just in case.  Also keep in mind that Little Sac has the most thorns per square mile west of the Mississippi (citation needed) so either go Tubeless or carry a few patch kits.

Unfortunately I won't be at this year's race, I'll be racing at Castlewood in a MWFTS event.   I wish everyone good luck and I look forward to seeing the results (yeah, right!).

Race Dilemma

I was worried this would happen.  The date for the 2009 Sac River 12 hour good time race has been announced.  It's Sept 12th, the same day as the Midwest Fat Tire Series Castlewood ICCC race.

I rode solo in the Sac River race last year and had a great time.  I've been looking forward to the race all year; plus it's on my home turf so it deserves my support.  But the Fat Tire races have also been great and I've got a chance at a top 3 finish in the overall standings at the end of the season if I finish well in the rest of the races.  After the Spanish Lake race I'm in third overall behind JP and Rock.  I think I could miss one race and still be eligible for the end of year awards, but I need all the points I can get.

Another thing to consider is if I ride in the Sac race I'll need to pick up another (expensive) battery for my light because I don't want a repeat of last year where I run out of juice 45 minutes before the end.

I know the calender is packed this time of the year with a race somewhere every weekend, but I wish they could have pushed the date back to mid October or even done it on Labor Day weekend.

Oh well, I've got plenty of time to mull this over, and there's no bad decision, it just sucks to have to make a choice....