Crowsnest XC

[Bark]

I had an absolute blast at the Dirty Moose XC and am thinking to challenge myself again at the upcoming Crowsnest XC. I finished dead last but I finished and was super proud of myself for doing so.

I don't expect a guarantee on the answers to the following questions but I'd appreciate opinions nevertheless. I won't hold anyone to anything. For those who rode the Dirty Moose XC, can you offer a prediction on how much harder/easier/longer/shorter the Crowsnest XC 'typically' will be? Where does the race actually stage from?

Thanks,
Bark

[dirtyboy]

I think it depends what class you ride there. At crowsnest there are often 3 separate loops that some classes do 1, 2 or 3 loops of.

The loops are longer for sure.

The race stages West of the forestry trunk road about 20 km North of Coleman. Most people take the turn off the #22 at the Maycroft bridge if they are not pulling a big trailer.

The CNP race is one of my favourite races of the year and my first XC race back in 2002.

[LID]

I wish I was home from work for this one!

[rock93]

I don't see a poster for this race on the ADRA sight. Is there a link to a map somewhere?

[motodaddy]

Does anyone know if this is a go? Haven't seen any poster for it.

[Dobi]

Does anyone know if this is a go? Haven't seen any poster for it.

They were flagging course on the weekend when I was down there. Go to www.aeracing.com and under special events there should be some directions.

[motodaddy]

Wow... I must be stunted, I can't find anything on their site?

[crazy2wheeler]

To get to the race location, keep going south on hwy 40 (past "B") to the next road you can see on the west side. Turn on to this road (heads NW), about 20 minutes or so from memory to race site (you won't miss it - you'll see trailers and motorhomes all over the place along the sides of the road).

Most people coming from the north probably take hwy2 to hwy520 to hwy22.

NOTE: when you are driving south on hwy40, you'll see signs for "Racehorse Creek Campground" (or something like that). Keep going south past there on the 40 (that's the provincial recreation area, not the race site).

Cheers
Derek.

[Dobi]

Wow... I must be stunted, I can't find anything on their site?

hey, A&E changed their website.....

I guess I should have looked at this first....

Crazy has good directions. If you are coming with a big trailer the way North from Coleman is a bit better, less gravel.

[rock93]

Thanks Derek. This will be my first time to one of Dave's Cross Country races I'm told that he likes to put on a challenging event.

[dirtyboy]

The Devon road that you turn West on is between K18 and K19 markers on the Forestry Trunk road.

The race camp is approximately 11K on the Devon road.

[MotorEd]

so how much snow fell up there? man the mountains are white!

[rock93]

Snow should make it even more challenging. The poster is up at the ADRA site. I see that they are giving trophies to all finishers. That sends a message right there.

[Spinalguy]

so how much snow fell up there? man the mountains are white!

When i left Sunday, the ground snow at camp had melted. Up high was white but i imagine wet and gone by now.
The area REALLY needed moisture so the snow/rain was a good thing. Now there will not be a fire ban
Weather looks good from Thursday thru Sunday.(as in no rain)

My directions.
Hwy #2 to Nanton.
Turn R at Hwy #533 after you pass thru Nanton.
This will take you to #22 (Chain Lakes entrance).
Turn L and go South to Maycroft. (you will see a big building with GAS advertised). You cross the Old Man River (bridge) and turn R. The gas station is now open and also sells beer and booze.

This road is a mix of asphalt and gravel. The asphalt sections suck compared to the gravel sections. This road ends at a Stop sign which is the 940 trunk road. Turn L.

Follow this road and you will pass by the Race Horse Creek Provincial campground (marked area is 40km/hr), keep going. This is not our area.

Now, you will come down a hill into a corner and you will see part of a bridge. SLOW DOWN as this is a blind corner and narrow bridge!!!!

Soon, you will start to climb. As you climb you will come to a road on your right side. You will see the back of a sign facing you (on that road) before you get to the road. Turn R into the road. This road will descend you into the valley about 11kms. This is the camping/racing area.

[Hendrix13]

...I see that they are giving trophies to all finishers. That sends a message right there.

I missed that...hmmm, interesting