24 Hours of Great Glen question

[tmorash]

For those of you who raced there before, how would you describe the trails (aside from the rain and mud)? I have heard "a mix of singletrack, doubletrack, and carriage roads", but was hoping to get some comparisons. How techinical does it get? What kind of climbs should we expect? Do any of the trails in the greater Boston area compare?

Thanks.

[jaime]

The race course is about 8.5 miles total. There's a lot (A LOT) of fire roads in that total, so if you've been on your road bike you'll do well there. The singletrack is OK but not great: most singletrack sections are fairly short and not too technical. The "Outback" section of trail is the longest, most technical, and has the most climbing; some portions of it are beyond the ability of most riders and results in a lot of walkers, but not for too long. There's also a long doubletrack climb that will test your lungs, but otherwise isn't too technical. "The plunge" is fun, especially if things get slick, but apparantly in years past it used to be a lot scarier.

Overall, it's a fun race, but as far as the quality of the trails goes, you wouldn't go out of your way to ride there on a regular basis. I really enjoy this event and recommend it, but mostly for the atmsophere rather than the actual riding.

I will say that it has gotten rather pricey over the last couple of years (cost has gone up about $35 per person since 2002); we'll have to see if the fee increase is justified....(Tim C., are you reading this?).

jaime

[ArmOnFire]

Agree with most of Jaime's comments.

The course was extended last year, they added a section by the new GG Base Lodge, with a switch back climb and a failry straight descent. I think it is around 10 miles now.

The singletrack is OK, the mix is good, between fireroads, singletrack, to double track to singletrack to .... you get the idea, it keeps it interesting. Typical New England singletrack, rooty and rocky.

The event has a great atmosphere and I'll keep returning. I just hope it doesn't rain for 21 of the 24 hours like it did last year.

I think the event has a new director, Mary, I don't know what happened to Tim C.

See you up there.

[C.P.]

tmorash - check this out? ???

http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=8;action=display;threadid=4106

[ArmOnFire]

I've never ridden around Dalton, but is Great Glen, at the base of Mount Washington mind you, "flatter"?

Thought that comment was interesting from that other post.

Any input? Who's ridden both?

[tmorash]

Look kids! Big Ben!

Oops. I think I need another vacation. Even the same subject! Well, if anyone has any more details about the course, I would love to hear them...over and over again.