Single Track Sunday
Place: Tuscarora State Park, Blain, PA
Ridden: March 2014
For both of us, the first race of the year, the Tuscarora 4 Hour Endurance, can be summed up as a great ride with lots of flat fixing practice. Both of us were happy with our rides, but those darn flats just kept on slowing us down. The day started out with temps in the high 30's, much warmer than the previous years we have raced here, so that automatically started the day off on a good note. Additionally, it was not raining, so once again, much better than previous years. 
The course stared off with a steep climb on a dirt road about a mile long; a great way to spread out the field before entering the single track. The single track was a slow climb up the mountain, with a few really sloppy sections which made for muddy bikes and slippery climbing. Soon came the hike a bike section, in which everyone had to walk. After this was the fun descent and super technical but fun rock gardens. Joël was happy to have cleared the entire rock garden section multiple times and I was happy to have made it almost all the way through. I have to say, the 27.5 inch wheels of our Giant bikes really are as nimble as 26" but do roll over things better. I was very happy with the way my Lust Advanced handled the rock gardens. After the rock gardens more climbing on some loose, rocky double track and dirt roads before the chattery double track descent. After this descent it was dirt road back to the start/finish area. Zach Adams puts together some tough but rewarding courses.
Both of us were happy with our rides, we felt good, put in good lap times, and all in all just had an awesome time in the woods. As for the flats? Maybe time to experiment with different tire pressures? Maybe we need more Stans in our tires? Maybe we just forgot how to ride over rocks because of all the snow this winter?
-Jess
Click on video link above for a race recap.