.png)
Just Previewed the Xterra World Championship Bike Course
It is a fantastic course! There is a ton of climbing as predicted. The first climb is super steep up a cement path which kicks you out onto the first trail. The first three miles included a ton of switchbacks and blind turns. This is going to be fine during the race because the slowest individuals will be off this part of the course by the time the professionals are exiting the course utilizing the same trail the opposite direction. However, during practice hours athletes are starting the course as they please leading to a lot of head on traffic which might end up being a major safety issue. A lot of the athletes are not aware of this and are flying through the turns and having to slam on their breaks to miss colliding with you head on. Once you safely make it through this section you enter the start of a huge circle. The first eight miles are predominantly uphill with a few short downhill sections. Luckily, for me there isn’t anything too technical on the entire course. There are a few hairy downhill sections but nothing unridable.
At mile 12 is another long climb which is the last big push before entering the same blind switchback section to exit the bike course. Should be a great course come race day. Lots of space for passing which is great for a World Championship! Come on climbing legs, I will definitely need you come Sunday!!!
