The Unofficial Sugarloaf Chat

Anyone participate in the CBCC last weekend? It was good to see so many mountain bikers in the area and all the businesses benefitting from the increased traffic.

I did the race and not only was it the hardest version of the CBCC I've ever done, it was the hardest race I've ever done.

I did the 50k and I can't even imagine going for another lap to do 100k. This year with the Gauge being out of commission and some of the key connections being out of play due to the Penobscot closures, I think they had a hard time routing a course that didn't repeat itself a lot. There were a few good sized climbs that were basically unrideable due significant rain a few days before the race. Beyond that there were a few sections that linked Stratton Brook zone to Esker trail that were also more or less unrideable due to mud and erosion. When I crossed the finish an hour slower than last year's time, I was kind of bummed at first, then I realized that just about everyone was an hour slower (including the elite folks). Despite it being super hard this year, it was still really fun and a very well run event that put 500 racers and at least another 500 people in the valley for a weekend. It's my understanding that the organizers realized how hard it was and have promised a more tame course for next year.