Got into Mt St Anne about 2:00 local time. Promptly got settled into the hotel. I needed/wanted to ride, ride, ride! I must add that Quebec is as French as it gets. Heck, even the trees speak French.
I must add, that the view is not that bad. After I got things squared away with lodging I headed down to the expo to set up the Ergon booth and the Topeak-Ergon Team tent. While down setting things up I had a chance to talk with Wolfram, Kim, and Wolfgang from the team. They had just got done doing a light spin and where on their way back to the hotel. For me, I got the tents set up then went out and rode 3 laps on the course to cure my "car-legs"
"Team" plate. Got'a have it...UCI rules for course pre-rides. No plate....no ride.
The course is pretty crazy! Lots of big rocks and slick roots. Tire chose is huge....as is bike choice. Course is pretty tough. You are either flying on some buff singletrack, or white knuckle death gripping as you are bouncing off rock drop after rock drop. There is a pretty cool "chute" to ride down. No sure how long it is, but your chest is on the seat. Even all the trees at the bottom of the descent are wrapped in padding.
It rained all day on Wednesday. The course showed it, making a lot of the roots like ice.....OK, they were ice! Most of the racers (Pros and Amateurs) where out testing the course. My pre-ride was "white-knuckle at times. My dry and fast specific tires were rebelling against the slick and tacky Mt Anne course. While talking to Kim, I noticed the Team was riding some prototype Conti tires. They look awesome and remind me of the Maxxis Larsen TT....but only with smaller knobs.
Pick your line carefully. Outside the picture is a 15ft. cliff drop to the left.
This is also a total 100% 29er specific course. I have yet to see one on site.....or even a singlespeeder. Must be my Midwestern mindset.
The home stretch.
Tomorrow, things get under way. Let the madness begin!!!!!
Pictures from the weekend events will be posted here over the next 3 days.