Here are the links to the results of Piggy's Revenge 2016

Follow the links to the results.
We did the best we could trying to keep track many muddy numbers and riders.
Have fun looking at then but don't get too serious about it, it was just some fun riding in the mud.
Eric

The 20 mile ride

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nWxWyP-E0_fYWnMG7nsjnM_gN20mnx6Vs_EbuC10cyc/edit?usp=sharing

The 40 mile ride

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TPwoAIDVeHdF5d6C97JRBvh5A2z98jZofSMP6stWAiw/edit?usp=sharing

The 60 mile ride.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cxXyaekxY2ck1pore-RLtsgn_9reMkEMVx4xx7ABpck/edit?usp=sharing

See you on Sunday morning !

Right now, the forecast is for temperatures in the low 70’s and a 10% chance of rain which sounds like a perfect day. The rain on Friday and Saturday will probably not change the trail conditions very much, if anything it will improve them especially some of the sandier sections on the 60-mile loop.

First if you are driving in with a GPS make sure you are getting off I75 at exit 193 Jacaranda Blvd. Every year some GPS’s send drivers to the end of Laurel Rd on the wrong side of Myakka River. Once on Jacaranda go North to Border Road then take a right (there is a sign for the park at the intersection) go East to the end of Border Road then left in to The T. Mabry Carlton Reserve (1800 Mabry Carlton Pkwy, Venice, FL 34292.

When you get to the park follow the directions from the volunteers to the parking areas, we need to squeeze a lot of cars into two parking areas and along the sides of the gravel road going into the park. Please let us direct you to your designated spot.

This year, the registration and start / finish line will be at the pavilion and not in the parking lot as previous years. The sign up process will start at 7:00AM. There will be separate lines for preregistered and day of registrants. If all goes well, we will have a brief riders meeting shortly after 8:00 am with wave starts after that. 60’s will leave first, then 40’s, 20’s and finally the 10 wilderness ride.

We have a lot of items from our sponsors to give away during the day so hang around after the race and hang onto your race number.

For the 60 miler, you will need to download the GPS file at  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11349507  to find your way around since we will only mark the first and last few turns. If you don’t use a GPS plan to follow a rider that does ……YOU WILL GET LOST. Remember you are ON YOU OWN, make sure you are prepared.

The 40 and 20 loops will be marked with signs and painted arrows. Sags stops will be around mile 13 (20 and 40) then at 32 for the 40. The sag stop is 25 miles into the 60 and there is a gas station around mile 42.

Registration ends tonight at midnight.

$40 Sunday morning

See you there

Eric

But what about the 20 and the 40?

The 20 and the 40 share the first 13 miles and the last 6.The start will include a grassy section before you enter Boldlygo. You'll ride the whole trail, the red trail, South Powerline and Venice Acadia grade to the sag stop: Tom and El Jeffe's Cantina. The 20's turn back down the VA grade back to Boldlygo. The 40's ride a loop including:the North, South Powerlines,the mile of hell, the mowed trail along Big Slough and parts of Doe Hammock.The sag a second time (mile 30+) and back onto Boldlygo. The 20 and 40 will be marked with paint and signs.

Eric

Links to 20 miler not including the first two miles and a separated rendering of the 40's extra loop.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11368264

40 extra loop approximate not accurate:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11669018

The low down on the 60 including the GPS file

The course is very similar to last years with the trails dry and improving daily. The 60 is a tough ride, you will earn that Fat Point beer at the end.

The course is set up to have several challenging sections followed by easier areas allowing for some recovery. You will start from the Pavilion, after a brief neutral section you will ride a grassy double track until you pass a picnic table and go around a gate to reach the Border Road extension which is 2 1/2 miles of gravel road. There are three gates which all have a bypass on the left side. No need to open or climb the gates, there might be cattle in the area so if you open it close it. A left turn and a swing gate gets you onto Doe Hammock which is a grassy section connecting to the south Powerline, a 3 mile gravelly section, another short grassy road followed by asphalt and then a right turn back onto the Powerline after going around the gate. The most challenging section of the race follows between mile 12 and 20 where you will ride the River Trail and the Stockade Trail. This will test your power and ability to find the right line. Local riders know that at the Carlton it pays to look for a better line sometimes the right path is just a foot or two to the right or left of your current track. Next will be 4 miles of gravel road and before you know it you will be 25 miles into it and at Tom and El Jeffe’s Oasis SAGG Stop.

After a little bit of recharging, you are off down the Venice Arcadia Grade which is a fast double track road going through the area of last month’s bear sighting. The end of the VA grade is called the mile of HELL, enough said. Right turn onto the North Powerline is a mix of grass and gravel and near then end is one gate that you will have to climb over. You’ll ride further on and take a right turn onto the mowed track running along Big Slough. If you cross a rusty metal bridge you missed your turn. The section along the Slough is very scenic, look up! LEFT onto the South Powerline but only briefly, you cross the bridge then take an immediate right turn down the bank and into the Myakkahatchee Environmental Park. Go over a small ditch crossing then into the park proper where there will be park visitors so be mindful. Cross the wooden bridge and follow the creek on the right side. There is a water source near the parking lot (white pipe sticking out of the ground). You will be riding a grassy/sandy trail then you cross Tropicaire Blvd so go slightly toward the bridge and down the bank across the street.

You have 2 miles of ATV trails next which were very nice this week but can get sandy. There are two trails that run parallel to each other watch for illegal ATV and Motorcycle riders. Follow the trail UNDER the freeway and then take a left onto some paved but poorly maintained roads for the next 2 miles. Back onto the ATV trail for a short distance then across the Myakkahatchee Creek and up the sandy bank. You will reach a road, go past the house then turn down the right of way on the left side of the house till you get to the dam. You can ride or walk this section because it can be slippery at the bottom. Go left onto the gravel access road and a right at Sumter Blvd, ride the sidewalk. At mile 43, the intersection of Price and Sumter, you will find several options for resupply (Publix, restaurants, 7/11, etc.). After that break, ride more sidewalk down Price Blvd. until you cross the Myakkahatchee Creek for the last time on a pedestrian bridge. After the bridge, cross Price into the parking lot of the Sport Complex and ride past the buildings and then go left behind the Middle School which takes you to a grassy/gravelly road.

 At Pan American, the 5 mile road section begins. These are back roads with little traffic the busier roads will have a bike lane. Pan American will take you to Avanti and eventually to S. Biscayne Take a right on Trionfo, past the Warm Mineral Spring Complex to De Leon Drive and De Miranda Ave till you reach HWY 41 but only for a short section. Next is the entrance of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, a mile and a half of gravel with a water crossing. Go left onto a grassy double track followed by more gravel then another road section will get you across HWY 75. The end is near as you reenter the Carlton Reserve with one more gate to go around with more grass and next thing you know you will be smelling the grill and finishing.

This course will play well with riders that work together so take advantage of the sections where drafting can be a big factor. Cross bikes would work best with this tactic but there is a price to pay and you will get beat up in the bumpier sections. A 29r will ride smoother but will be hindered on the fast rolling sections. Also stay on the route the temptation to cut out tough sections or take shortcuts can be pretty strong but it’s cheating in my eyes. If you can’t do the ride as designed maybe you need to find another sport where cheaters get rewarded.

Eric

GPS file for 60 follow the link:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11349507