Hilly Billy Roubaix 2017 conditions?
06-20-17, 09:19 AM
#1
Blazer of saddles, trails
Thread Starter
Hilly Billy Roubaix 2017 conditions?
Anyone live around Morgantown, WV or have a bead on what conditions to expect for HBR this year? Seems like it's going to be muddy and I'm trying to figure out whether to pull the trigger on a new pair of mud tires or just roll with my Riddler 45s...
07-02-17, 09:58 AM
#4
Blazer of saddles, trails
Thread Starter
Agreed. Just enough mud to make it as epic as HBR should be and perfect weather.
I went with some Kenda Kommando X Pro tires, which were the only >33mm tubeless, mud tires I could find, despite finding no reviews online. I was surprised to see most people on cross/gravel Bikes were not running mud-specific tires, but I was sure glad I did. The tires performed as well as expected: I had no traction issues, even in the mud pits of Little Indian Creek Extension, nor any flats. And, even in the relatively slower conditions, I managed to take 40 minutes of my time.
And on the subject of the above pic, I happened to be at my LBs the Monday after HBR when in comes another guy who raced it dragging his full squish mtb after him. The mud destroyed his: headset, BB, front hub bearings, front derailleur, rear brake pads and rotor. This has me a little paranoid about how much life this race took out of my bike, but what can you do? Onward to Spruce Knob!
I went with some Kenda Kommando X Pro tires, which were the only >33mm tubeless, mud tires I could find, despite finding no reviews online. I was surprised to see most people on cross/gravel Bikes were not running mud-specific tires, but I was sure glad I did. The tires performed as well as expected: I had no traction issues, even in the mud pits of Little Indian Creek Extension, nor any flats. And, even in the relatively slower conditions, I managed to take 40 minutes of my time.
And on the subject of the above pic, I happened to be at my LBs the Monday after HBR when in comes another guy who raced it dragging his full squish mtb after him. The mud destroyed his: headset, BB, front hub bearings, front derailleur, rear brake pads and rotor. This has me a little paranoid about how much life this race took out of my bike, but what can you do? Onward to Spruce Knob!
07-10-17, 08:21 PM
#5
Full Member
i was very surprised my BB survived as did all the other bearings. i opted for my SS 29er this year (last 2 years i road my CXSS). glad i made the switch. way more comfortable because i was able to move around on the saddle easier for all the different road conditions. i did manage to spin out on the flats since i was geared for the climbs. even after all that rain the night before, the atv trail at mile 50ish was ride-able.
i would have done GRUSK but they moved the date and i had a previous engagement on that weekend.
BtW, i was riding a Schwalbe Thunder Burt on the rear and a Clement LXV on the front (both tubeless). no flats and good enough traction. what i really liked was how well they rolled on the hard pack and road surface.
i would have done GRUSK but they moved the date and i had a previous engagement on that weekend.
BtW, i was riding a Schwalbe Thunder Burt on the rear and a Clement LXV on the front (both tubeless). no flats and good enough traction. what i really liked was how well they rolled on the hard pack and road surface.
08-06-17, 07:24 AM
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This is what happens when you try riding thru something instead of around.
I live close to this ride living in South Central Pa. and have it on my radar for next year since I just bought my gravel bike late this spring and was coming from the roadie background. Looks like a blast though. I think I also saw on their website that the oldest finisher was 66 something 
and of course I have to go after that record.Zman
06-22-18, 12:07 PM
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Any word on 2018 conditions for tomorrow's Hilly Billy ride. I am expecting "perfect" again... We will be on a tandem...
06-24-18, 08:37 PM
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Agreed. Just enough mud to make it as epic as HBR should be and perfect weather.
I went with some Kenda Kommando X Pro tires, which were the only >33mm tubeless, mud tires I could find, despite finding no reviews online. I was surprised to see most people on cross/gravel Bikes were not running mud-specific tires, but I was sure glad I did. The tires performed as well as expected: I had no traction issues, even in the mud pits of Little Indian Creek Extension, nor any flats. And, even in the relatively slower conditions, I managed to take 40 minutes of my time.
And on the subject of the above pic, I happened to be at my LBs the Monday after HBR when in comes another guy who raced it dragging his full squish mtb after him. The mud destroyed his: headset, BB, front hub bearings, front derailleur, rear brake pads and rotor. This has me a little paranoid about how much life this race took out of my bike, but what can you do? Onward to Spruce Knob!
I went with some Kenda Kommando X Pro tires, which were the only >33mm tubeless, mud tires I could find, despite finding no reviews online. I was surprised to see most people on cross/gravel Bikes were not running mud-specific tires, but I was sure glad I did. The tires performed as well as expected: I had no traction issues, even in the mud pits of Little Indian Creek Extension, nor any flats. And, even in the relatively slower conditions, I managed to take 40 minutes of my time.
And on the subject of the above pic, I happened to be at my LBs the Monday after HBR when in comes another guy who raced it dragging his full squish mtb after him. The mud destroyed his: headset, BB, front hub bearings, front derailleur, rear brake pads and rotor. This has me a little paranoid about how much life this race took out of my bike, but what can you do? Onward to Spruce Knob!
Blazin if you have done Spruce Knob before give me some advice. I did see that there is a 12 mile something mile climb but only at !-2% grade but the kicker is sounds like you have to work to climb back down the mt.
Zman
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