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Mt Annan v Ourimbah
Hi All,
How would everyone rate Mt Annan v the Ourimbah track from Rnd 3?
is Mt Annan as technical in terms of climbs and descents?
the profile map shows some large'ish climbs and downs, are they as technical as the Drop Off and that horrible climb up through that dark bit of forest where there were rocks and a log (whihc i said hello to) on teh side.
Jeff
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Mt Annan is very different. It is technical in terms of getting a good flow happening rather than rocky stuff. Still plenty of climbing but lessor gradients. Single track is well groomed and rather smooth.
There are some b lines around the more tech sections.
Much less canopy cover too do sunscreen and sunnies a good idea
So less opportunity to get "stuck" on the climbs with a need to unclip or fall over?
since I did the 24hr event there a few years back but from memory there were nothing technical at Mt Annan. Ourimbah did have a few tight corners climbing back to the transition area and I don't think the climbs at Mt Annan were as tight.
I plan to venture out there before next round of the Shimano GP series and learn the track. I'm chasing my riding buddy who's beaten me in every race so far this year so I need to go and do some secret practice.
Maybe we can team up and go and do a few laps before round 4 and check it out?
Cheers,
Staffan
I'm going to get to one of these rounds eventually. Each time this year something stupid has happened in the leadup like injury or getting sick. The Scalpel seems to be cursed
Ourimbah is tough. Not as techy as Manly Dam's hard bits, but more consistently challenging. Don't worry I haven't done the drop yet either, the approach does my head in. And you're right about the chicken line, it's not real easy.
Haven't been to Mt Annan yet but it sounds like fun.
At Ourimbah is not hard, it looks intimidating but nothing hard about it. Just have to commit and go.
Once you get your head around doing the Drop (it took me ages) you'll find it's much easier to ride than the B line.
I've raced both tracks and would rate Mt Annan as the harder race track.
Mt Annan is easy for a few social laps or in a team but gets tiring after a while - I did a solo 6x6 there at the end of last year; on day 2 my triceps started cramping, my lower back was sore, my neck was sore, blisters on my hands popped inside my gloves...... it was tough (over 210kms on an XC track will do that though). The only real sections to eat or drink at Mt Annan are the back fireroad climb and the initial fireroad after transition. I also did a solo 4hr there last year and it was easier on the body but harder on the legs because I was pushing harder.
I guess Ourimbah doesn't really have anywhere easy to eat or drink either..... and it has the climb to finish.......
I think I prefer to race at Ourimbah but that's just me.
I agree with @Ian_A said.
This term 'technical' can mean a lot of things to different people.
There is 'technical' in a sense of "can I ride it without fear of crashing?", and then there is "how can I go fast on this track - I know I wont crash, but am struggling to go any faster"
Ourimbah definitely has the higher risk of crashing than Annan. There just arent the 'difficult' features at Annan - there is no drop, no high speed descent with little jumps thrown in, none of the tight trees, nor as many rock roll offs.
But - going really fast @ Annan is very hard. There is a long fireroady bit in the middle of the lap that allows for a drink and some food, but also allows for some real speed / power if you are fit.
I've taken my missus to Annan and she rode a full lap without coming off at all, and without needing to walk her bike. She is a 100% novice MTB rider. There is no way I'd take her to Ourimbah - she'd never touch her bike again......
Ourimbah is more fun - and would be super fun for a ride with mates on a trail bike. Annan doesnt off that same level of 'fun' or playfulness, but is still testing.
If you're gonna race it, definitely worth hitting a few laps in advance. Trial some lower tyre pressures at Annan - seem to work better for me there...
What pressure do you run at Mt Annan Ant? It's a tack that can reward or good setup. I reckon it's taken me nearly 20 laps of that place to get the bike right. I've finally settled on 28 front Ardent Race with a softish front and 38 rear Ikon with a medium shock on a Trance Advanced 27.5.
As far as the track goes, the only bit to take note of is the entry to the black section, you don't want to stop, just go straight down the A line and some of the dusty off camber corners are hard to get really right. Definitely hard to grab a drink. I tried a couple of laps with a bottle at the 24hr last year but ended up using my camelbak.
I really need to go ride Ourimbah.
I have ridden both tracks and I can say that Mt Annan is good to build up your endurance and Ourimbah puts a smile on the dial , for some reason I can ride both tracks in similar time ..
I tend to run them much lower than you do on the back.
It depends on which tyres (specifically sidewalls) I run. with a heavier sidewall tyre (i.e. a Control casing from Specialized) then I will run 26psi front and back.
If I am running a lighter tyre (i.e. an S-works casing, or a light Schwable tyre) then I would run about 28psi front and rear.
This is on a 29er dually, with 79-80kg's of rider.
Interesting re camelbak - I find for most 'enduros' (in the old school sense of the name) - 4hrs around an XC track - a Camelbak is the way to go. There is just no room to drink from a bottle. The issue with the camelbak is that it covers rear pockets and then makes solid food an issue - I end running with bottles but going a bit dry!
And yes - if you havent ridden Ourimbah - shame on you. Get out there - its pretty good.
Next club XCO race there is Sun 13th of July. all grades etc..
26-28 in the back? I reckon I'd spend the entire ride looking down to see if I had a flat. I found the Nobby Nic squirmy at 38! I guess you get used to it.
With the camelbak I adjust it so it sits higher and opens the access to the side pockets. I had no problem grabbing bars during CP.
I saw that race. I've only done 2 24hrs and CP so not a lot of racing experience but keen to give it a shot. Trying to work out my grade, I'm guessing C or D.
38??? You're talking psi right? Holy lack of traction, Batman. Surely you're wheel spinning on gravelly climbs? Kudos if you're putting power down and have uber technique to get around that issue.
I occasionally spin on a really loose climb but I got up the last pinch on the Kessell return 2 weeks ago so I think I'm doing ok
Must admit I always giggled at people riding bouncing skidding bikes due to running silly tyre pressures. Then I started riding to tracks with 45-50 in the rear and 40 in the front and got too lazy to drop it when I got there. After a while you get used to it and and when you do drop the pressures you feel like you're riding hero dirt all the time, great for practice.