BenBB Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 And anyone else, just looking for any kind of tips or tricks, or what to look out for. I'm running the Tarantula 100 in Alamogordo, NM next Sunday the 15th, along with Ridingorhiding and some of his crazy friends. I know for sure that the course is approx 23 miles, and the Novice class I'm entering makes 2 laps. A buddy from Alamo said that it's mostly sand whoops, ranging in size from like 1' tall and 2' apart to damn near doubles/rythm section like 3' tall and 5' apart. He said it wasn't rocky (thank God), but what wasn't whoops was dirt road and a couple sand hills. Easy stuff; they require spark arrestors so I'm mounting my stock cans on my Fatty's again. Already got tether, nerfs, numbers, blah blah. Gonna run the stock steel rear skidplate and a homemade plastic belly skidplate, about 3/16" thick. The race starts at 8am and judging by past results, takes a little under 2 hours to make 2 loops, so lights aren't an issue. First off, all I've got is 18" rear Holeshot MXR's, almost brand new...think I'll be OK if it's mostly sand trails? Do those CO2 tire inflators work worth a shit? I've got plugs and the tools, but don't have a way to inflate the tire out on the trail. From what I know of the area cacti are scarce, but there's likely to be lotsa Mesquite. Think I'll be able to make 2 loops on one tank of fuel (370 mains, stock tank) or should I plan on refueling after one loop? I plan on taking a few tools, maybe a couple plugs and a spare chain master link, and a cellphone in a fanny pack, what else? I know this isn't a hardcore Baja 500 or anything but still, I'd rather be safe than sorry. At this point I'm pretty much stuck with the setup I've got, which probably isn't the best but hopefully will get me by, even if I had time I don't have the cash to build a full-tilt desert burner. I'll be running my K&N with Outerwear in the airbox and hoping I don't eat a ton of dust...would running the lid and rejetting be worth it or not? Any kinda tips or tricks you got would be much appreciated. BTW ridingorhiding is running his DS (same class as me), should I sneak a 12-tooth front sprocket on there and strap an ice chest full of Gatorade on his grab bar so I can keep him behind me and when I'm thirsty just stop and wait? Just kidding, hope he don't lap me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoin39 Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 Hey Ben, I haven't ever entered a desert race (since I live in Indiana) but the GNCC races I enter are 2hrs long and the courses are about 8-11 mi long. I have to stop for fuel, usually after lap 2 but this should give you an idea of how much fuel you will go through. I only have a 300main but I figure I get 7-8 mpg. Also since I am running woods i am on/off gas, only in open areas can I pin it so I would guess you will use much more. I would refuel after the first lap. Goodluck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wassup350 Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Sounds like you pretty much have your shit together. I've never raced for long periods of time but all i can say is get some good rest. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton eyed Joe Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 TAKE ALONG YOUR PRESCRIPTION OF CELEBREX. just kidding. So, is that a total of 46 miles? or 23 miles? or is my 13" monitor too small for 1024 resolution and its really 2.3 miles? I'd run a taller gear if there isn't a lot of hills to climb, for the sake of mileage. You can always down shift, but if there is an open space to fire it up, why not make the gears a little taller? I've never raced desert, other than 2 drag races out at The Knolls on some salt flat/desert floor type ground. I nearly looped out, and almost ran over my buddies wife because she stopped, and I started walking to the right on my rear tires. The other one I ran out of top end running 13/44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J..J. Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Hey Ben, We need photo's!!! We use the CO2 cartridges (mountain bike type) over here, but they are not as popular (or cheap) as the aerosol tyre inflators. They carry enough volume to inflate one rear tyre each, but I find them (CO2) a bit fiddly with gloves on. 370 mains is REAL fat man, I would choke the airflow and re-jet. We also carry mini-type mountain bike pumps as a last resort. They take forever to inflate a rear tyre, but once you've run out of compressed gas, you'll be glad you brought it along. Will you have a good pit crew standing by? If so maybe a spare filter or outerwear. Other than that you've got it covered, try to stay clear of the dust ! Did I mention photo's ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meat Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 take a camelback. Id think the 18 inch tires are too small for desert racing. Get a new pair of 6ply 22 inchers. There's no way my Banshee would run 46 miles on a single tank of gas, id have my pit crew ready with the gas can after your first lap. good luck and keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDD Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Take a GPS with you and make sure any crew you have has one as well. I burned up a complete stock tank of gas in 13 miles while riding in the dunes. This was with 370 mains on stock carbs. I was not wide open all the time either, mainly just half throttle 2-4th gear until I was pretty much empty. If you hit reserve you only have about 2 miles left. Get at least 20 inch rear tires and run a 15 tooth front sprocket. Check your gas tank when your half way out and see how much gas you have used... if you have plenty twist that throttle more... less than half and you better conserve. Make sure you cell phone works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBB Posted February 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Thanks everyone, I appreciate it. I can grab one of those tire inflator cans from Wal-Mart and maybe strap it to the grab bar or something, but if I gotta pit after one loop (yes Stan 23 miles per loop, 46 miles total) I'll probably just have some fuel & water at the truck instead of getting a camelback. I know I need 20" or 22" rear tires but can't afford them right now, but I'll see if I can put on my 15-tooth front sprocket. If things go well I can set up better for the next one. I'll be sure to take some pics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MULLET~BOY Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 bring fix a flat that will fix any air leeks you might have to bad your not coming threw az ben i have a set of tires front and rear that would work perfect for what your doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Duece Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 cool ben your gonna have fun.....the 18's should be at least 20's......gear as tall as you can....a 16 if you can pull one in 5th, 6th will be overdrive if you can use it on any freeway type straights, have you gotten to do a pratice lap? if not be damm careful shit happens fast at high speed on a course you dont know, relax your preload slightly so youll be more comftable and yeah dont try to stretch your fuel, just try and relax and run your own race 20 miles doesnt seem far but hauling ass will wear you out quick if your not relaxed let alone 46.......and focus on whats 50 yards out as well as the line your in surprises at 60 mph and higher come quick so you need to read the terrain in time to react for safetys sake........have fun bennie and good luck...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridingorhiding Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Hey Benbb i told u already if u see a big yellow bomb pass u just jell out TAXI.I'm taking my co2 tire inflator and plugs in my camelback 2 co2's give u around 5-6psi when compleaty flat per tire. Josh (ARM-BANSHEE)said he's In called me late last night I guess that line we told him to tell the wife worked,so dont forget to pick up those DAISYS for his wife I got the jelly bellys packed!!!! I really don't know what ur worried about u SANDBAGGER if i had ur racing experence i be racing in the expert class SANDBAGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let us begginers have our fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBB Posted February 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Sandbagger shit!!! Yeah, Josh sent me an email this mornin', hope he has better luck this trip, if he has something break again I'll never get him down here again! I'll be there Saturday at about 2:00, if you get there earlier you might ask them if they'll let you do the poker run early and then hit it again when I show up, thought I saw somethin' about only prerunning the course once... Thanks again guys, I'll be able to prerun the course the day before the race so hopefully I can get by on my current setup...and I love ridin' desert. If only Pike's Peak was a little closer, mebbe next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 dammmm !!! i must have missed this post but youll do great ben, if id a known i would of sent you my tires, just be causious on 18's, rims tend to get munched quick in the desert. definitly fuel after each lap, not sure what tank you have but its always a safe measure. camel back is a must too, and at the pits have a fresh set of goggles waiting. a small but usefull tool kit for on course repairs is helpfull but dont bring the rollaway, mabey a small ballpeen hammer for your rims, just incase. beats looking for a rock !! stay relaxed and flow with it, you tense up and your done=no kung foo grip !! another tip, i use filter skins in the desert, put about 3 on there and at the pit yank one off and its clean, if it is dusty. well hell, your probley gone off to race allready so good luck hommie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00BANSHEE Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 As far as flat tires go you should look into geting some Tire Balls. Alot of off-road racers are using them to keep the tires from going down. Check them out. Tire Balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frocashmoney24 Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 i dont know about you, but puttin around that long would get me hungry! bring some granola bars n water, and also a tow rope! you never know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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