I am planning to do this underground race.   It sounds like about the hardest ride I’ll have done.   I really am not sure I will even try the back side of the figure 8.   Chad and DaveC posted some cool photos from the first loop, and it looks like a wonderful day on the bike – ~50 miles and 5-7k climbing in aspen and fern forests, with some trails into Flag’s Inner Basin; some of the trails around Flag I know nothing about but have wanted to see for awhile now.   it’ll be a Blur ride, but that’s cool.   Maybe I’ll bring the Heckler for a shakedown ride the next day.   I have not gotten to Flag yet this year, and committing to this seemed to be my only chance.   So I will head out with the intention of doing the whole thing, and at the refill spot assess my situation and decide if 5-6 hrs is enough for one day.   Not like there is an entry fee…

So, I s’pose I should do Tortilla Flats or something to get ready, especially with the Heckler in the shop and me earning a free full Sunday morning with 3 days of single parenthood.   If I leave at about 4:30am, I should be back by 9.   Not too many more days where I will have this ride so easily accessible.