Mel, I seem to recall that you raced Richmond a couple of years ago and am thinking of doing this race next year. Can you please tell me what the course is like? I understand the swim can involve some scrambling on gravel but don't know what the rest of the course is like. Any pointers? Would you use Crossmarks for the course and go full sus or hardtail?

Thanks. Merry Christmas for next week.

Julian

I have done Richmond a number of times. The swim is very short and very shallow but generally is still swimming, albeit about 10 minutes for the fastest athletes. The rest of the course is fun, twisty, relatively flat singletrack. There has been an amazing amount of trail development in Richmond which has resulted in one of the coolest Xterra courses on the circuit. A duallie would likely be a good choice as there are numerous roots and rocks along the way and without any significant climbing bike weight is not an issue.

The tire choice would be entirely dependent on weather. I rode a Maxxis Wormdrive on the course but if it rained, Medusas would be the choice. A wet course is much different than dry there.

Happy Xmas!

M

Thanks, Mel for your input. Sounds like I shall be doing battle with the railroad tie stairs in June. Hope to see you there.

Good luck in 2007.

J