Austin Rattler MTB and Austin Rattler Run - March 30th and March 31st, 2019 - Dates Set

Tim Sullivan

So it looks like the dates have been set for these races.

The Rattler MTB will be March 30, 2019



https://www.austinrattlermtb.com/mtb/


The Rattler Run will be the following day March 31, 2019

https://www.austinrattlermtb.com/run/



The King and Queen is for people that want to compete in both the MTB as well as the Run 

https://www.austinrattlermtb.com/king-queen/



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So we have a bunch of people from EN doing one or both of these races.  This should be a super fun weekend. Even if you aren't racing, these are fun events that will help motivate you for the early part of the year. 

Here are the people that are planning on racing that weekend (at least 10 of the ones below) or have expressed an interest (I'm sure I have forgot to include some).

@tim cronk
@Francis Picard
@Brian Hagan
@Jeff Horn
@Peter Noyes
@Jeremy Behler
@Scott Giljum
@Scott Dinhofer
@Nam Lam
@Trent Prough
@Gabe Peterson
@Shaughn Simmons
@Jenn Edwards
@Danielle Santucci
@Ed Eovino
@Coach Patrick
@maurice matthews

Who else wants to join us for that weekend?  Some of us are doing the MTB and Run, and some are just running.  I would guess we might have some that just do the MTB race as well.

Let's get the discussion started!!!

Brian Hagan

I am definitely in for the 66K run, and I am slightly considering the MTB.  I just have a few issues with MTB 1) I have not mountain biked for 25 years 2) My Trek 970 is 26 years old (chrome moly frame, no suspension) 3) I'd rather not pay to check it with the airlines and deal with that hassle.  

I think renting a bike down there may take care of a couple of concerns.  I do know that @Tim Sullivan trained almost 100% on Zwift and is not an experienced mountain biker and did well last year.

I also have seen brief discussions on how to train for the run.  Not sure if we should have a separate forum for that, but I'd be interested on peoples thoughts.    

scott dinhofer

@Brian Hagan -it's an incredibly benign MTB course, there is one steep climb at the beginning of laps 2 & 3,  they avoid it for the mass start of lap 1. There are some windy single track in the woods, but nothing i would call "technical." There is one sketchy downhill in the 2nd & 3rd mile from the end of the loop.

I am probably buying a lauf Gravel bike for my VT house and am seriously considering doing this on THAT. otherwise I will again bring my 29er hardTail which only has 100mm of travel on the front fork.

Given the criteria of climbing for leadville qualifiers, I am shocked this course even makes the cut. The Wilmington Whiteface course is fierce compared to this. 

Clark Mitchell

Does anyone know if these events typically sell out?  I'm interested in both, but my 2019 plans are so far up in the air right now I have no idea where to even start.

@scott dinhofer, I have a Lauf Grit in my workshop that I've yet to install #winterproject.

Tim Sullivan

@Clark Mitchell - the only one that might sell out is the MTB, but that won't be for a long time

I will check with a LBS to see about getting a group rental of MTBs.  I wouldn't worry about technical MTB skills @Brian Hagan. You just need cycling fitness and the self-restraint not to do something stupid   You can avoid the steep downhill section as there is an alternate route that I think might even be faster.

Stephanie Stevens

I may be in for the run.  I would need to really learn how to MTB before then to do that part!!

Gabe Peterson

I'm interested in the Rattler King.  Would probably want to rent a MTB rather than deal with the hassle of shipping mine.  Interesting that this course could be done on a gravel bike...might be tempting to do it on my Canyon Grail.  Let me survive the Wasatch 100 in three weeks and then I'll start thinking about next year...

Tim Sullivan

@Stephanie Stevens I had no idea how to MTB before I did the race

scott dinhofer

Stephanie Stevens said:

I may be in for the run.  I would need to really learn how to MTB before then to do that part!!

Steph - get Carrie Larson to take you on some Tame MTBs NOW before the snow comes, there is one sketchy section, other than that you will be ok.. it's ok to walk the steep kicker in the beginning if you need to .

scott dinhofer

Attention gravel bikers - @Clark Mitchell @Gabe Peterson @Tim Sullivan - If the doc gives me ok, I plan on doing the VT Forest Fondo in Late October. Anyone interested in joining me?
http://vtforestfondo.com/

tim cronk

I am signed up for the 66k Run.  Heather is signed up for the 33k Run.  We will be traveling from MOAB, have ZERO interest in the MTB, however we will have 2x Medium Specialized Crave MTB's with us, and would be willing to lend them for the MTB race.  We plan to camp and arrive in the weds-fri timeframe .

Clark Mitchell

@Scott Dinhofer, That looks like fun, but I'll be in Geneva, so I'm out.  Maybe next year?

I like the idea of renting a Mtn bike vs traveling with my bike, that's such a PITA.  That said, this course looks perfect for my GT Grade with Lauf Grit fork.

Shaughn Simmons

I am definitely in for the smack talk from @Scott Dinhofer @JeremyBehler @Trent Prough @Jenn Edwards @Ed Eovino

....the drinks with @Danielle Santucci  and @Francis Picard

...the badassery of @Coach Patrick  and @tim cronk @Gabe Peterson @Tim Sullivan

...... I might also do a little MTB and trail runnning as well.....

#whathappensintexasstaysintexas

Scott Alexander

I'll prob sign up for the MTB. I'll be putting in for the Leadville lottery for the MTB100 again. I could prob be convinced to do the 10k on Sunday too. 

Francis Picard

in

Brian Hagan

OMG! @Francis Picard in Texas!

Shaughn Simmons

@Tim Sullivan and I met this morning with the Texas Rangers Council and explained @Francis Picard badassery and willingness to learn the Texan language. They approved his trip into the motherland as long as he brings the Canadian mojo with.........

Patrick Large

Definitely following this one as I will be racing my first ultra a few months after :)

Tim Sullivan

MTB RENTALS - ATTN ATTN ATTN

Really good MTB rentals available if you want

https://www.bicyclesportshop.com/rent-a-bike

Today, I talked with the rental manager Mike and he can set us up with almost any MTB bike you want. He said he has lots of $10k plus mountain bikes available. They also have lower price bikes for rent. For the super high end bikes they are 120/day. The normal ones are probably more like 60.

They can deliver all of them and pick them up at an extra cost. He did warn that insurance is not available for them so don't snap them .

The MTB is early Saturday morning, so unless you really want to ride them longer, we could have them delivered to the rental house Late Friday afternoon, and then get them picked up late Saturday afternoon. That would save some money. Your call.

The easiest solution will probably be for each person to call and go over what they want with Mike and he will reserve the bike for you.

Let's put the group name "EN" or "Endurance Nation" with each reservation so all the bikes can be delivered together (if you want them delivered).

512-477-3472 is the telephone number. Select the rental option.

Mike said to call sooner rather than later but he was appreciative I was calling this early.

Gabe Peterson

@Tim Sullivan great work, thanks for pulling this together! There is an option to pre-ride the course Friday from 12-2. I'm guessing that would be a lap of the course. I'd definitely want to do that to get used to the rental bike as well as check out the course. I'll bring my pedals, saddle, and Garmin stem mount so I can get it dialed in. The no insurance thing kind of makes me nervous. 🙄

Shaughn Simmons

Hi all!

I reserved the mid range carbon MTB option this morning ($90) = $20 drop and pick up at Rocky Hill ranch. I spoke with Joe.

Also reserved this cabin: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16041453?bev_ref=&eal_exp=1540649789&eal_sig=ec5d9c50c6ca428afeeb17745d949eee5e4f29d723130d70b87e16fd5f7356c2&eal_uid=92834626&euid=3a46d900-3459-4705-aadc-22590e5a5a83&photo=&s=&user_id=

Had to go with a personal cabin as I will have several family with me participating in the Sunday 10K trail run.....

scott dinhofer

I have a bike on reserve also, thought that @Steve boer was getting a big group house together, where does that stand?

I am still thinking heavily about bringing my very light 29er that I've done this race and leadville on... have to research the two bikes have an option on to rent..