the property to carve out a fun and challenging three-plus mile course . As stated , there were plenty of dangerous areas , and Dave Kutskel made it clear that the course is one of the more difficult in the series and warned that you do not stray off course due to hazards inherent in the land ’ s history . His description of the ribbons indicating the strip-mining created shear threehundred-foot cliff within fifteen feet of the trail certainly drove home the point that safety demands attention this day .
All the hype surrounding the difficulty and conditions is certainly meant to humble and instigate a safe event foremost , but also to set expectations and define boundaries for those set to participate . In action , the racers operated within those boundaries and thankfully everyone remained safe . Reactions to the course were tremendously positive . The course was hemmed in between the active mine access road to the south and a steep mountainside to the north . Leaving the parking area start , the course made an immediate right and began ascending the hillside on an old rock-strewn access road .
If there is something this area is known for besides coal … it ’ s rocks . Considering the rocky predisposition , the course was nearly 80 % untouched , freshly cut , single track carefully wrought to avoid the worst of the rock areas ,
VOL . 6 ISSUE 5 - MAY 2021 // PAGE 193