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Capital Punishment 50k / Dirtworks 50k Hill comparison
Hi
am planning to compete CP 50k this year. Does anyone know how the hills compare to DW 50k big hill in terms of difficulty, terrain?
Have done DW 50 a couple of times so I know what that is like.
Welcome all comments.
Woftt.
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I havent done the DW50 but did the CP 50 (it was actually 60 with the untimed section)
I did it in 3h 15mins in muddy conditions and I would class myself as a downhill rider not an XC racer.
I found it very easy. No big long fireroad climbs. Alot of flat, heaps of single track.
Stromlo is a switch back climb and is easy as pie. You have a grin from ear to ear after coming down!
Not many fond memories of CP from last year... Hope you don't get any rain before or during it. I can't remember any hills that get anywhere near DW hills. Stromolo was probably the steepest/most technical bit on the course which is just gradual up with plenty of switch backs. (There might have been a slight steeper/longer climb through one of the pine plantations but it was unridable due to the mud by the time i hit it.) What i found the most taxing was actually the paddock bashing. Really clumpy/tufty grass, so was bone rattling and difficult to get a rythm going (was on a dually).
Good luck and enjoy!
Thanks - in comparing the elevation profiles again it looks like the hills in CP50 are more gently being over distance rather than the sharp long climb of the DW50. I suppose if La Nina continues we may have some more wet conditions so any tips on handling the mud? (apart from not competing)
I race downhill at state and national level so I would say my bike handling skills are good.
I did CP in the mud last year and alot of the XC racers need to learn how to handle there bikes in the mud. I saw so many crashes that could have been avoided.
Alot of people were braking well before the corner then draging there brakes into and out of the corner. Not good.
Like any sort of racing get your braking done before the corner then off the brakes into the corner and then you can start powering out.
I started the race with 50% pad life and finished the race with about 25% left. I spoke to so many people that had used a full set and had to either pull out or fit a new set of pads. Most of the wear in this case is to do with braking techneque.
Line choice is another big one especially in the wet. Alot of people were trying to ride around puddles in corners and crashing. Most of the time the best way is right through the middle of the puddle. You need also need to look for support in corners. In majura pines there was alot of support on the outside of the corner (small berms) use this to give you grip around the corner.
Layers - make sure you are warm enough but can take it off layer by layer.
Sounds like good advice, thanks VTS. That is heavy brake usage - wow. Depending on the day I might opt for something with a bit more grip as well, rather than the crossmarks. What tyres were you running?
I was running 2.1 crossmarks on my anthem and found them good except for heavy braking but I am used to muddy race in downhill.
If you are after a bit more grip maybe replace the front tire and leave the back alone.
On my Giant reign I run an Ignitor front and crossmark rear and that works really well.
Good rolling rear tyre and a grippy front tyre.
Thanks - I'm running the 2.1's as well. May stick a Ignitor in my kit bag just in case.