Stampede course

[BD83]

I'm sure the course hasn't been decided yet, but I'm wondering if a direction has been decided? Do we expect it to be the same as last year?

Just my 2 pennies - the start configuration last year was way better with the long loop through the loading dock to get single file.

[Kings]

We have been doing a lot of recon out there trying to decide. The course has essentially been the same for the last couple years, so we are considering running it exactly opposite from last year with a few changes. There are a couple sections that need a little work but are minor. This direction is just as fun, fast, and has as much flow or more than previous courses.

I hope to have the course finalized, mapped out on the nice color Sylvan Trail Map, and posted once completed.

Still working out the logistics of the start, but yes, there will be some sort of parade lap to single file everyone before running them over the chip timing mat to start the first full lap.

[Chief Illiniwek]

We have been doing a lot of recon out there trying to decide. The course has essentially been the same for the last couple years, so we are considering running it exactly opposite from last year with a few changes. There are a couple sections that need a little work but are minor. This direction is just as fun, fast, and has as much flow or more than previous courses.

I hope to have the course finalized, mapped out on the nice color Sylvan Trail Map, and posted once completed.

Still working out the logistics of the start, but yes, there will be some sort of parade lap to single file everyone before running them over the chip timing mat to start the first full lap.

Don't let it out until we set it up the day before the race! That way everyone is in the same boat and no one has an advantage over anyone else. My two!

JB

[Vibrato]

Don't let it out until we set it up the day before the race! That way everyone is in the same boat and no one has an advantage over anyone else. My two!

JB

I 100% agree- for different reasons- if you let the course be known early you will get HAMMERED from the peanut gallery 2nd guessing what you should have done. Do yourselves a favor and just keep it to yourselves till the saturday before. The people who will complain about this are the same ones who will stab you in the back if you post it up early.

[farmboy]

I 100% agree- for different reasons- if you let the course be known early you will get HAMMERED from the peanut gallery 2nd guessing what you should have done. Do yourselves a favor and just keep it to yourselves till the saturday before. The people who will complain about this are the same ones who will stab you in the back if you post it up early.

X2. Locals have an advantage by being locals thus knowing every rock and root in the place. That should be enough. The thought of directing a race makes me cringe. You folks are good people.

[jimithng23]

X2. Locals have an advantage by being locals thus knowing every rock and root in the place. That should be enough. The thought of directing a race makes me cringe. You folks are good people.

it's Sylvan Island

the rocks and roots morph and evolve

we ride there year after year, mile after mile, and most of us still don't know every rock and root in the place

BUT, I *completely* understand what you're saying...Sylvan is just a completely different animal and yes, I am all for the practice of keeping the actual race course "hidden" until the very last minute.

[Russhole]

Locals have an advantage by being locals thus knowing every rock and root in the place.

Knowing all these things isn't really an advantage 'cause we mostly ride in the weeds while passing everyone...

[BD83]

Saturday works for me. But.... Don't most races post their courses? I think the BP race has it on their flier. It might encourage more out of towners to head up/down/over if they knew they had an idea what to try to do (assuming they had military grade navagational skills). Since it would be public info, a non-club member wouldn't have to be suspicious that is was a club-only secret.

Anyways - thanks to everyone busting their butts trying to get the race put together.

[badfish41]

I agree with Ben on this one. Although it is pretty tough to map out the course, if it is made public like all of the other races in the series, it encourages those to come out and ride to get a feel for what it will be like on race day. Everyone that has a race in their area has an advantage, that's just the nature of sport.

[Gunchie]

I remember in the years prior showing people the course the weekend or two before hand that made the trip. That's not only good for our trails, but good for the economy because they go eat lunch and/or dinner at our local restaurants. Besides, if you keep it secret to only to a select few then those select few should automatically be disqualified from racing the course because they would have an unfair advantage... and something tells me the race directors would not be okay with not racing. Doesn't matter how well you know the course because a skilled mountain bike racer is going to take good lines regardless if they know the course or not. Plus, racing a course and riding a course is never the same experience. Just my two cents.

[SweetSVT99]

In the past the course hasn't been announced or marked until the day before. Some people complained.

In the past the course has been announced or marked weeks before the race. Some people complained.

I agree with whatever our current Race Directors decide, that's why we elected them.

Now that I think about it, I've never even bothered to go look at a race course map before the day of/before the race. Farmdale comes to mind: "WWWHHHAAATTT, you're making us go up Horse Hill?!?! "

[Gunchie]

In the past the course hasn't been announced or marked until the day before. Some people complained.

In the past the course has been announced or marked weeks before the race. Some people complained.

I agree with whatever our current Race Directors decide, that's why we elected them. "

Nicely put. And that concludes this topic decision. Thank you for participating.

[jimithng23]

this thread has run its course, thankfully....but I wanted to point out this quote:

Doesn't matter how well you know the course because a skilled mountain bike racer is going to take good lines regardless if they know the course or not.

I'm definitely not implying I'm a skilled racer, in fact far from it, especially at Sylvan. My lines are horrific out there. But, there is a TON of truth in what the Gunch speaks here.

ok, now I'm done.