Chain Buster Racing
McCalla, Alabama
June 12-13, 2020
Joël 1st expert male
Jessica 1st expert female
Iron Maiden...a mythical torture device that inflicted slow suffering, pain, and death. Much like a 24 hour race does.
Note: click on video link to play
COVID-19 has races being canceled one after the other, which is the right and safe thing to do. But for the Nankmans, we look forward to racing. It's a way to challenge ourselves, gives us goals, gives purpose to our training. And not only do we race for the physical aspects, it's also a way to meet new friends and catch-up with old ones, we see new places, experience different cultures. Racing is a physical and mental test along with a social outing and a vacation of sorts. The cancellation of races has left us feeling empty while waiting in anticipation for a real race to happen.
Along comes 24 Hours of Iron Maiden. Joël and I always had this race on our radar but it occurs on or near the date of other 24 hour races that are a much closer drive; driving six hours has always won out over driving 13 hours. Not too long ago an e-mail arrived from Chain Buster Racing about the event being on, the other 24 hour races closer were canceled, we already had some time off from work planned. The discussion in the Nankman household went "Hey Joël, next weekend we have some time off and there is a 24 hour race in Alabama, want to go?" Joël replied "sure, I think we can drive 13 hours, do a 24 hour race, and drive home all in 4 days. Let's do it."
The race location was Tannehill Ironworks Park which is the perfect venue for this type of event. Camping directly on the course was available to all racers ranging from primitive camping to RV hook-ups with electric and water. Campground style bathrooms with showers were on site. A very family and pet friendly park, so all can come along. Arriving on Friday, the night before the race, Joël and I found the ideal spot adjacent to the course for our van which also serves as our sleeping accommodations. Social distancing check in went quickly and smoothly, we did some race prep, then it was time for a camp stove cooked dinner and relaxing with some wine and rum while watching the sun set prior to getting a good night sleep. The last real sleep we would have until Sunday night.
Waking up race morning there were still a few event prep items that needed to be done prior to the 9am race start. Our pit area is pretty simple. The awning from the van covers a folding table and we use all solar operated lights for at night. We do have a generator and inverter in the van if power is needed. Nutrition, primarily all Honey Stinger products, is packed in a tote at home and then the tote is placed on the table. Bottles are filled at home and each Joël and I have our own cooler. We each typically fill about 20 bottles, enough to get through most of the race so refilling in minimal. Lupine Lights are pre-attached to our night riding helmets and these are set on the table for a quick helmet swap when night laps arrive. A changing tent holds extra kits for when we each put on fresh clothing mid race.
The race start was a little different than usual. Typically all racers, solo and team in both 12 and 24 hour events, start riding together. To create distance between racers due to COVID-19, racers lined up according to racing division. The solo 24 hour racers were the first in line! Usually solo 24 hour racers head to the back at the start; we aren't racing full speed at the start like team racers are, we are going slow to conserve energy. Many of us joked that we would be passed in no time, maybe even some of us would pull over and let the speedy team riders go by.
The course overall was ideal for a 24 hour race. Laps were 10 miles, taking solo racers anywhere from one to two hours to complete. The start/finish line was the camping and pit area giving easy access to racers needs. A few good climbs but nothing killer. There were fun pump-track style areas, techy rock gardens, some tight and twisty spots and also some long flattish areas. There was ample room for passing in both the single track and a few double track areas. It was a course that was difficult enough to keep riders on their toes but not so difficult that when exhausted things were excruciating or dangerous. The climbs were still manageable when tired but also steep enough to be an excuse for a walk break. A perfect course for my Liv Pique Advanced 29; it's nimble, light, responsive, comfortable and did everything in the course well.
The weather was cooperative for this event but required temperament management. No rain at all, which of course is ideal when racing. The high temperatures on Saturday were around 90, which did impact how we rode our races. Our pace and exertion during the hottest times of the day was decreased. When stopping at our pit area Joël and I utilized sponges and towels soaked in icy water to wipe ourselves down and I even packed ice in my sports bra to keep cool. Preventing overheating at long events like this not only helps at the immediate moment but also is key in being able to continue to ride later in the race. Temperatures went into the low 60s at night which was perfect. Just cool enough to give a reprieve from the heat of the day but not so cool at to require additional layers.
As for our individual races, we both had to work hard for the win. The second place women and I were within striking distance of each other until the early morning hours which meant no rest for the weary. I was really feeling crappy around two to three am. Nausea, back seizing up, so super tired that I was riding off the trail. Joël and I rode together for a few laps at this point which is always helpful to both of us, to encourage and support each other. I then told Joel to go on, I needed to go really slow for a bit. One key to 24 hour racing is that sometimes you just need to keep going not matter what. I walked and walked often. I sat (and I suspect even napped) on a rock and on a bench on the side of the trail and laid in the van for a few minutes to recover. After these little rest breaks I felt much better and it was race on again. For all 24 hours, Joël had a race going with the second place guy; the entire race they were only about half a lap apart. Struggles with a swollen arm from being stung by a bee along with blistered and cramping hands made for some interesting challenges for Joel. After his mid-race break when both he and I rode together for awhile Joel learned the second place guy was getting closer. Race on for the two of them which became a battle until the very end. No mechanical issues with our bikes, Saucon Valley Bikes keeps things running smoothly to help prevent issues during races. Joel attempted to make a race video but due to concentrating on racing that never came to complete fruition.What else is worth mentioning and is note worthy about this event? The creatures that came out at night. Deer everywhere. Cute little mice scampering across the trail. Joel and I stopped to let a cotton mouth snake cross our path. Coyotes were heard off in the distance and quite a few owls were hooting. Some cute little toads were out and about. A raccoon on the trail that then scampered into a tree. Gigantic daddy long-legger spiders and centipedes. Joël was lucky enough to spot an armadillo. He said that is now his spirit animal.
To summarize, both Joël and I are so happy this race ended up on our schedule. This event was well worth the drive and the last minute prepping. Perfect course and good location for a 24 hour race. The race organizers Jason and Dawn were friendly and welcoming; Chain Buster Racing always puts on top notch events. Fellow racers were cheerful but yet racing was competitive. Good race swag and amazing prizes (cash and awards) to top expert finishers. Definitely a race we would recommend to others and one that will be on our schedule in the future. In fact, Chain Buster races in general are ones we would recommend and always enjoy attending.
Some planning notes about our travels. How did we fit all of this into such a short weekend? How did we keep ourselves and everyone else safe by reducing the risk of corona virus spread despite traveling? Our camper van is the key. We split the driving into two days on both ends, but our overnight accommodations are the van in a parking lot. We carry food and supplies with us and cook on our own in the van, no need to stop at restaurants or get food at gas stations. I will admit, we did stop and have a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, one can't visit the south without having BBQ and sweet tea. One family member you may see missing from this adventure is our dog Clifford. He is out constant traveling companion but with the high temperatures foretasted and the fact we were really just going to race it was decided Cliff was better off staying at the family farm for a few days.Anyone pick up on the great naming scheme here? Took me a few days to figure it out. Iron Maiden the torture device, 24 hour races can be torture. And the fact the race was at an ironworks. Just too much. Big props to the race directors for the amazing innuendos here.
Stats
Joël
Clock time 22 hours 58 minutes, moving time 21 hours 29 minutes, total miles 200
Jess
Clock time 22 hours 45 minutes, moving time 20 hours 22 minutes, total miles 183
- words by Jess
- input from Joël