I climb the road on it all the time. but yes OB could be a challenge. not timed though so pushing it up is still an option….
straight-lining the steep blown out section of severed would be worth the pain though….
I actually doubt I will be able to make the race so was trolling more than anything anyway.
There is a little lung buster climb on stage 3 that would be an energy sap on big squishy dh bike.
If people want to ride the road (I personally hate climbing the road), feel free. The course is marked via climbing Old Buck. There is no flagging for alternate routes into the top of Pingu.