Hey guys I did registered for the half enchilada a while ago hoping also to hit the trails there to know the course, but never did... I will be leaving to go to Italy and will return on the 27 of December so this is what I am asking, who is willing to come wit me at the was before the race to show me the trails?

Thanks

team_ssr wrote on 12/02/18 at 12:16am:

No there is still nothing.... strange 

Last year they posted the route about 2 weeks before the race. Then they changed it slightly the day of the race, I think. 

They started everyone out on the gravel trail around the access road to spread everybody out. They also sent waves of riders out to help spread out the pack, worked pretty well.  They will probably do the same this year.

For the whole, you ended the race riding East Main, I'd be happier if we started on that when I was fresher.

Rain or $$ race?

ya, no way they wont run the race. unless it's a monsoon.

seemsl ike the course still has that strange crossover from academy/thread trail/needle. last year it was a little confusing so i hope that they looked into a way of making this idiot proof!

DG wrote on 12/24/18 at 4:52pm:


If I didn't get lost you won't either lol

I guess Upper Thread and the Needle will be open by then?

Also wondering, I don't see anything about aid stations/water stops anywhere on the maps.  43 miles self supported?

JokerSC wrote on 12/27/18 at 5:10pm:



Mebbe I'll hit them up on FaceBook to update the site or course.  That's great info to know when you're riding 43 miles.

I think just water, maybe some bananas but I cant remember for sure. Forgive me, I am old.

teamdicky wrote on 12/27/18 at 9:17pm:



Yes, old. Now hungry too.....

New maps (now with Aid Stations) and some other changes since the last one, I think.

They said on FB that Aid 1 & 3 are hydration only, aid 2 hydration and nutrition.

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teamdicky wrote on 01/02/19 at 9:39pm:

Thanks yes the course has some different directions but looks like fun. Never ridden this trail so it will be a little bit of a challenge.

No tunnel or Bridge but I recall "bike crossing" signs on Belmeade.   Maybe not-only rode that side once.
I did pause for a few seconds to cross Belmeade to let a car clear each time across but it wasn't a scary crossing by any means.  Might be more heavy traffic on a school day or rush hour but on Saturday morning it's not going to be a big deal-just pay attention before you jump into the road.

I think it that side is a great addition to the park.  Panda is nothing to write home about/beginner style trail but the Smoke and Bandit were good fun.

I wouldn't be worried about crossing the road, its having to mush through all that field mud if this rain does not go away. 

Instead of an aid station I would love to see a bike wash station with free chain lube at the halfway point. Everyone gets a 5 min break to clean off that Catawba red clay.

ciao
Santana

santana wrote on 01/04/19 at 2:41pm:


Fifty year old in the 40+ class riding a single speed says "we need a what what?"

I'll take every advantage I can get outta my disadvantage(s).

santana wrote on 01/04/19 at 2:41pm:


Just like when you were a kid, look both ways before crossing the road....I didnt even think about the mushy field......

pearl wrote on 01/04/19 at 6:50pm:


They have a certain amount of success already in hand.  59 in the 18-39 M and 54 in the 39+ M...  120+ total finishers last year.  

With those kinda numbers, you can usually draw even more people off the fence with additional classes.  There are those people that won't enter unless they got some shot at something.  Podium, top five, top ten... whatever strokes the ego hard enough.

I'd just be doing it because it's Mt Everest.  Not that it's an ultimate, life-altering, possible-death experience, just that "it's there."  I mean, like right there.  Twenty minutes from my house.

Besides, what better way to get ready for five weekends in a row of intense 45 minute bursts of painful, blood-outta-my-eyes effort?

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I only have IKON and ASPEN tires so it needs to stop raining. After 21 years of sliding around in the mud at Catawba I am almost over it. 

But that does look fun. 

ciao 
Santana

teamdicky wrote on 01/04/19 at 9:37pm:


#cxalreadyhappened

with this snow forecast, i may take my talents to irmo, sc and do that outspokin dirty 50.... heres to waiting until the last minute to register for anything.

Wonder if the aid station will be handing out milk and bread for the snow event?  If only it was cold enough to freeze the mud bogs over....

DG wrote on 01/07/19 at 4:40pm:


do you even internet bro

Weather Underground has it now starting to rain or whatever around 4pm. I hope to be home by then. 

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

pearl wrote on 01/07/19 at 8:55pm:


4PM?

That means I got time for a 1/2 Enchilada and mebbe a side of rice.

I can’t imagie it being worse than last year after a week of dry, windy and sunny days.

pearl wrote on 01/08/19 at 2:25am:


You must have a limited imagination...

They (the people who control the weather machine) are delaying the rain dispersal till later, but mang... I hate riding all-out in low to mid thirties.

Hmmmm...

Half Enchilada starts an hour later.

Cold weather-finger hack    -   

Put on a pair of those cheap, disposable latex gloves under your full fingered MTB gloves... you won’t notice they’re on and your fingers will actually sweat.

On a more important note, is anyone paying $15 for the taco bar?

The map changed (again) and we're back down to 45 miles and crossing Belmeade right across from the school.

makes the most sense to cross the street early in the day, since everyone should be somewhat closer together

now i need to reassess with my team director on where to launch my vicious attack

DG wrote on 01/10/19 at 6:36pm:

I will I recognize you so that I can create an epic fall for you to take the lead?  (Joking for those with a lame sense of humour)

AMitchell47 wrote on 01/10/19 at 9:11pm:


I think that area will be fine; there is only a short section now that they added the new entrance that is two way and its plenty wide.  What is going to be interesting  is the gravel down to prairie; gonna be some crashes and some funneling.

I will let you all start all like in a F1 Grandprix and will enjoy my timed ride!

This will be my first MTB race ever. I plan to start fast, go fast in the middle, then end fast. Any other tips?

Huge shout out to Pearl for his 8th place finish and Santana for his 11th place finish in the Masters division in yesterday’s Whole Enchalada. You guys must have went for the fire sauce right out of the gate!  I know there were more Trail Blazers out there & huge props to all who braved the cold for a great day on the trails.  Anybody have a story to share?

Thanks bros, I was able to hang with the front group for the first 15 minutes or so until I couldn't keep up, then just settled into the "chase" group and did my own thing. I'll write a longer recap this morning.

In the meantime, where the photos at!? I saw a bunch of people out in the woods.

holy &^&^ you're 50?! how do you stay so skinny?

i was the dude that yelled SPIN SPIN SPIN next to you about 5 seconds into the race. you probably don't remember, but i remember everything.

Yeah, that was a bad spot for them to have marked like that. I think minus that one hiccup (granted I don't think it made that much of a difference in the race) it was pretty well marked. When everyone locked them up and thought that was the way to go, I was THEE front of the race. just for one second. I did not like it.

damn, I'm usually pretty good with details but couldn't remember that. I was more amazed with how off my garmin was with mileage, I was trying to figure out how I could possibly have another 10 miles when my garmin was reading 30~, I finished with 37.6 miles 

teamdicky wrote on 01/14/19 at 3:04pm:


Both are bad ideas.....

JokerSC wrote on 01/14/19 at 6:23pm:

just a GPS that i end up using just for time when racing anyways, i should probably just get a timex watch instead

teamdicky wrote on 01/14/19 at 6:42pm:



Thats the thingy I use for my wheel with my garmin. I can't stand it when my mileage isnt accurate. I use that Garmin watch that has a square-ish shape, it doesnt dig into my wrist.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links);

pearl wrote on 01/14/19 at 7:36pm:


I had a helluva time trying to replace it two years ago.

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The only part of the race I thought could stand some fixin was the end of Academy, with the two way section up a short hill.

I ended up pushing my bike up that hill in the weeds to get by the barrage of people coming down the hill to start academy.

Seems like widening that section or somehow letting the folks coming down they should yield to folks who are 30 minutes ahead of them would be helpful.

Other than that, it was a hoot.  Maybe I'll be dumb enough to ride the full next year.