Halloween will be here very soon and that mean so will cx nationals at Hardwood Hills. While I was able to dodge the wet race again this year having missed out on Woodstock pb WCC..not complaining if im being honest. I was up north for Thanksgiving and gave me an opportunity to do a race sim at Hardwood on the nationals course. I did a 50min sim at close to race pace, here’s my thoughts, I can break it up into 3 sections. First 40% is hard, start climb, sand and 2 run ups. Middle 30% forest double track, can be recovery for some, but attack zone for others. Right after the long run up the first double track will sting. Last 30% easy regular cx stuff with a little bit of techy narrow trail by the parking lot. If anyone raced the o cup last year its the same course without the spiral and no barriers on the steep hill. The sand isnt much, really only one section that is fun to just send it
on as its downhill. Depending on weather the sand might be frozen or wet and packed. Took a picture of the 1st run up with a log across it, looks ridable but its not, while not for anyone around here. The long run up will kill the legs after 4 laps for me so definitely need to work on that.
