Hey Luke, I haven’t done the VCGP but I was just talking to Steve Sletten about it. He did it one year. Based on what Steve told me, you need to consider the dust and logjams at the hill climbs due to the very large number of riders. I have done a few XC races in the past and one thing I remember is that if you are in shape and can keep a solid pace you can do well. I believe the VCGP is 4 hours long – that is a long race. Folks that aren’t in really great riding shape may get arm pump or just plain gas out in the first hour. Endurance is more important than raw speed for a race like that. If you can get onto your 4th (or 5th!) lap just before the 4th hour rolls over you will probably be in contention for a class win. Much easier said than done of course.
BTW, I am planning to try the BattleBorn MX series this year if you want to come ride with me. To me MX is more fun than XC, and vet classes are generally pretty mellow (I’m old). I will be riding a KX250 (two stroke) but will miss the first couple of races – had to send my cylinder out to get re-sleeved. Hopefully I will be doing all the BBMX races from May to the end of the season.
