I came in 4:14 on my SS, 34t/19t. My goal was to complete it on my SS and I did! This race is no joke, it really is tough as nails. I remember riding the gravel rode after couch and I stand up to try and crank the wheels one more time and then I just fell over, lol. My left leg cramped so bad it was sticking out like a straight board.

WOW...that was truly one of the BEST races I've done...the course was "Epic"...the group that put it on was fantastic...it was very well staffed and organized...The scenery was spectacular, what a place to ride and live.

What an awesome day or racing, the conditions were perfect! The climbing was brutal I must agree, but the downhills were well worth it. I must admit that I had to stop a couple times to really figure out which way the trail went, but other than that the race was a blast. Thanks to everyone to put the race together!

At 5200 ft of climbing, I knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. OUCH! The weather threatened but in all honesty it was not a factor. What really surprised me were the number of rather steep and sketchy descents. While not as sandy as NVDC, they were pretty technical in places. After the smoothness of Fort Ord races and riding a new Epic bike mostly this year, this race was a wake up call for the rougher races to come.

Anyway, the initial climb was somewhat steep and long. Most of the people I was with, which was the latter 1/3rd of the pack, were doing a professional-slowness granny-gear ride up the hill, tinkering on the edge of losing balance going up the hill. The reward for all this pain was Gas Can. What, catch your breath? Not really. Lots of people were slowing and stopping and random spots in the trial .. something I ended up doing once or twice as well.

After that, it was nice to be on the pavement. From there I believe there was lots of fun single track, and even what appeared to be an old flume trail (canal trail?) that was the best part of the entire course, hands-down.

Loved the cold creek crossings, specially the one you HAD to walk across about 20 feet worth. I was fortunately in good enough shape at the point to climb most of the trail going up the mountain, until at some point on Recliner it makes a sharp right and goes straight up the hill for a while. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was not having an NVDC nightmare but all that did was add sweat and salt.

After a couple miles of hiking (I need to stop this hiking-with-a-bike thing), it was finally time to head downhill on singletrack ... yeah! Well no. Lots of breaking and sketchiness followed, with a couple stretches of nice downhill single-track thrown in. Definitely easier on a stumpy, but whatever, no excuses. I stunk it up. My front fork (100mm) took its full travel at least 3 times.

On the last fire road climb the cramps came in and I began the ride/walk process I had perfected at Boggs III. Very disappointed in the 4hour time for this course, but all in all not much worse than expected, now that I've seen the course first-hand.

Great job by the volunteers .. many of them on the course, always enough water and fruits. The accelerate at the final rest stop was pretty sad though ... best to go with just gatorade IMHO. Otherwise, great event - thanks a lot!!

That was my first real race... and i loved it!! I had never been to Whiskeytown before, and the trails were awesome. The whole atmosphere was great! Thanks to everyone who planned and volunteered It really helped me to see a smiling face at almost every intersection. And somehow my wife timed it just right to be driving over the dam at the same time I was so she could yell for me I can't wait to go again next year. I will definitely do the long course!

That's one of the beauties of the Lemurian IMO, there is no "sport" or "expert". Just pick how many miles you want to race and roll. Sandbagging is a little silly. Personally, I can't understand why anyone would race 20 mile if they are capable of racing 26 but to each his own.

Epic: the only way to describe the Lemurian Classic. Truly one of the most exciting, dangerous, difficult, treacherous experiences I've ever had the pleasure to experience. For a beginner racer like me, this is what its all about. The climbs went on seemingly forever, the descents were loose and blindingly fast, and every resources at my disposal (water, muscle, concentration, my machine) was depleted by the finish. Today my muscles ache, my bike creeks and moans with every pedal, and I'm constantly hungry, tired, and unable to think straight. I can't wait to put myself through it again next year. Thanks for a great event.

The race was EXTREMELY WELL RUN! everyone involved was super friendly and helpful.

This is my new favorite race! Downieville may give you one long 18 mile downhill, but the Lemurian rewards you with singletrack for every climb!

I really liked the on-site race photos and the post-race shade canopy.

This is the best yet...I put this one in my "EPIC" file...even though the climbs were brutal, hey without them there's no DOWN, and was that not the bomb!!!! Loved it, the event staff and the way it was run was GREAT!!! I just might consider this a race to fly back out here for next year...thanks to everyone!!!