2009 Coconino Loop Race Thread

[Twenty-niner]

Hey Chad-  Can you email me what you have?  (It's Greg O.)

Turns out my wife is going to owe me one, so I may be able to do some of this ride with you guys.  Not the whole thing, but I'm thinking I may be able to get away with riding Flag to Mingus and then have a buddy come shuttle me back to Prescott. 

Greg

[ScottM]

I hinted earlier in this thread that we'd be trying a new race format for the Coconino Loop Race.  I've taken a stab at preliminary 'rules' for it, which for lack of a better term, we'll call "self supported stage racing."  Unless someone can come up with a better name?


The usual rules for self-supported bikepacking apply (see AZT 300, Colorado
Trail Race for examples), with one exception: there are locations
on the route where stopping is allowed and as long as you are there, the
clock is not ticking.

This makes the event into a quasi-stage race.  Riders may race from one
stopping location to another, then rest the night before the next 'stage.'
However, stopping is not required at any of the points.  The option of a
non-stop ride is still open.

Each rider's time will be computed as = the total time on course minus the
total time spent in designated stopping locations.

Because of this it is important that you carefully log your time in and time
out.  Bring a piece of paper to do this, and if you can collect a GPS track
for backup, even better.

The idea is to promote camaraderie, lessen the physical 'impact' on
participants, and also experiment with a new racing format.  It should be
interesting.



What we don't have yet is a final list of where the stops will be located.  They'll be denoted in the GPX file, which hopefully will be out soon.

Comments?

[Pivvay]

Innnnnnnteresting. Bodes well for those who like to sleep

[YuriB]

Innnnnnnteresting. Bodes well for those who like to sleep

and for those of us with kids and a full time (and then some) jobs who are kinda slow. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[donkey]

How many stop points are we leaning towards? I'd like to utilize the stop points and camp with folks each night(just for the sake of socializing) but need to plan for how many days off work I'll need.

B

[Chad B]

3 stops... Sedona, Mingus, Bill Williams. More details to come later today as Scott is finalizing the GPS with stop locations.

[DaveH]

4 days for 250 miles at low elevations...damn...sounds like more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

[ScottM]

4 days for 250 miles at low elevations...damn...sounds like more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

And that is exactly the idea.

[mr.hobbs]

Hey all, I'm new to this type of riding but not new on a bike. Sounds like a great time!

I like the "sleep here" option of the stage race. What about water refills close to the end/beginning of the stages.

So what's the head count look like so far?

[Pivvay]

The only issue is pushing an extra day into the schedule for those working? I think the guys coming from up here were thinking it would be 3 days...

[DaveH]

You could still do it in 3 - and more than likely 2, and maybe 1.5 - but you would take a massive time penalty in going "faster".  I have power meter files from several multi-day efforts explaining why

Strange, huh?

Scott/Chad - perhaps 2 classes?  Stage racers and thru racers?  Declare your intent at the start and let'r rip.

Question on the rules:  is there an organized start time each day?

[Chad B]

The only issue is pushing an extra day into the schedule for those working? I think the guys coming from up here were thinking it would be 3 days...

The stages are not mandatory. I'd recommend you skip Williams if you wanted to do it in 3 days.  

The usual rules for self-supported bikepacking apply (see AZT 300, Colorado Trail Race for examples), with one exception: there are locations
on the route where stopping is allowed and as long as you are there, the clock is not ticking.

This makes the event into a quasi-stage race.  Riders may race from one stopping location to another, then rest the night before the next 'stage.' However, stopping is not required at any of the points.  The option of a non-stop ride is still open.

Each rider's time will be computed as = the total time on course minus the total time spent in designated stopping locations.

Because of this it is important that you carefully log your time in and time out.  Bring a piece of paper to do this, and if you can collect a GPS track for backup, even better.

The idea is to promote camaraderie, lessen the physical 'impact' on participants, and also experiment with a new racing format.  It should be interesting.

Water will be given on the GPX file that is given.

[Pivvay]

Oh no I agree DH, the stages will make the riding faster and more fun. there was just the issue brought up of "objections" and this is the only one I see. And it doesn't matter to me other than if it affects my ride to the start

[Chad B]

Hey all, I'm new to this type of riding but not new on a bike. Sounds like a great time!

I like the "sleep here" option of the stage race. What about water refills close to the end/beginning of the stages.

So what's the head count look like so far?

I am thinking about 10 people so far.

Water will be given on the GPX, but this is what we are looking at:

Knights of Columbus near Mormon (500 yards off route)
Munds (1.5 mile off route)
Sedona proper
Buddha Beach, Sedona
Cottonwood
Coyote Springs (.5 mile off route)
Verde River
Williams
Sycamore Canyon (possible, depending on rain)

[Chad B]

Scott/Chad - perhaps 2 classes?  Stage racers and thru racers?  Declare your intent at the start and let'r rip.

Question on the rules:  is there an organized start time each day?

I think the early intention should be left up to the person; so they can tell who they want. We will do two rankings: total time and time minus time stopped.

No mandatory start time, that way you can estimate when you want to arrive at the next stage. Keep your time.

Dave, sounds like you are in?

[jonesy792]

I like the idea of posting two rankings, it will be interesting to see how two somewhat equal riders stack up when racing both formats.  This is of course assuming that there will be two equally matched riders doing separate racing formats

[DaveH]

I think the early intention should be left up to the person; so they can tell who they want. 

Hmmm...don't like that sentence.  It's a race, right?  Everyone should know who they are racing.  To not know could play havoc with a thru racer's pacing & mojo.

We will do two rankings: total time and time minus time stopped.

No mandatory start time, that way you can estimate when you want to arrive at the next stage. Keep your time.

Dave, sounds like you are in?

 
Doubtful...just helping refine the format I've been thinking about for a few years

[AZTtripper]

Hmmm...don't like that sentence.  It's a race, right?  Everyone should know who they are racing.  To not know could play havoc with a thru racer's pacing & mojo.
  

Seems like those who want to ride non stop should line up at a set time, declare their intentions if you want to call it that.

As the original start time was 7:00 that could be the start time for thru-racers, stage riders could start latter if they want to delay their arrival in camp.

I hope to make this one it should be fun I'll be in the stage race if I can make it.

[tRoy]

Contrived Bikepack Racing dot com 

[brink]

I am in and will be doing it in traditional style. I am time constrained, so I am "planning" for three days since I should be back to work on Monday. That said, does anyone want to commute from Tucson with me. I can comfortably carry three riders, including me, and gear.