Double the Fun or Double the Stupidity? Shenandoah Mountain 60 Mile and 100 Mile Races on Back to Back Days

Shenandoah Mountain 100K and 100 miler 

“Stan The Man/Woman” event; racing both races back to back
60 miles on Saturday September 12, 2020
100 miles on Sunday September 13, 2020
George Washing National Forest, Mt. Solon, Virginia
 


Nothing like deciding on a Wednesday to race 60 miles on Saturday and 100 miles on Sunday.

Shenandoah Mountain Touring puts on great races, but the SM (Shenandoah Mountain) 100 is typically not on the schedule for the Nankmans. We usually have other races going on that take precedence for us; 24 hour races and other ultra endurance events. However, this year COVID 19 created substantial changes to our race schedule and the SM 100 became a viable race option.

Joël and I entered the 100 miler about a week or two before the race, at which time the 100K (60 mile) and 100 mile were on the same day. Soon after news was released that the races would be separated to help with social distancing; the 60 mile race on Saturday and the 100 mile race on Sunday. A lightbulb went off in the brain of both Joël of I, wouldn’t it be a stupid but great idea to do both races, race on both days. These are not easy races on their own; lots of climbing, technical single track, harrowing descents; racing one day is challenging, racing both days would be extremely challenging. We really weren’t ready; not packed appropriately, not enough time off from work for travel, it’s not really a logical option. But for those of you that know the Nankmans, we thrive on crazy things like this, it’s what we like to do. So all in for us, NOT racing both days was NOT and option. The only option that made sense to us was racing both days; we decided to also enter the 60 mile race just a few days before the weekend. 


We didn’t know when entering, but this option also had extra perks. Joël and I entered both days just for the challenge. What we didn’t know is that it would become an “official” event. Shenandoah Mountain Touring and Stans No Tubes created a “Stan The Man” and “Stan the Woman” award to the fastest combined times of both days; the winner coming away with a set of Stans wheels. I was able to take the title for the weekend; Joël put in a good effort but guys with gears on their bikes went faster.

Now it not only was it a personal challenge to race both days…cash awards were on tap for each individual race and a set of wheel was up for the earning for best combined time. Time to push the limits for the personal challenge and to earn some good prizes.

So what was it like to race both days, how did we do it, what went through our minds?

Well, being that is was spur of the moment decision we didn’t have the best race planning in place. Thinking we were only racing the 100 mile race on Sunday we really didn’t taper well. We still rode hard earlier in the week, thinking we had one extra day to recover and taper. Riding hill repeats on Tuesday and a long endurance ride on Wednesday is not really recommended prior to a weekend of 160 miles of racing, but oh well, that’s what happens when you don’t decide to enter a Saturday race until Wednesday night. IIt also takes quite a bit of extra packing when one decides to enter race an extra race; extra kit, race food, bottles, pre and post race food and beer, etc. Throwing things together, re-organizing, and re-packing on Thursday night from just a 100 miler on Sunday to a 60 and 100 miler on Saturday and Sunday added some urgency and stress to the race prep. And travel, this is where things really got interesting. Nothing like pulling into the race site at 1am on Saturday morning for a Saturday race…for a weekend of racing. Because Joël and I originally only planned on racing Sunday we our work schedule for Friday were as usual, a regular full day at work. Add to this I had a social event at work that made my day just a little longer. So on the road for the drive from PA to VA started at 7:30pm.

Back again to what was it like to race both days? To summarize…arrive at race site at 1am. Wake up a few hours later and race 60 miles. Both Joël and I decided to really race this day, go hard and not worry about riding the next day. These tactics paid off and we both were on the podium, 2nd place overall female and 2nd place single speed. After the Saturday race try to recover as best as possible. Hydrate well, eat a good dinner, drink a few beers. Put our feet up and watched a movie in the van. Prepped the bikes and our gear for the next day; Liv Pique Advanced ready to go, Honey Stinger nutrition packed in drop bags, Lupine Lights as backup just in case needed. Try to catch-up on sleep with an early bedtime. Sunday morning it was an early race start, 6:30am. Being that we prepped well the night before and we both planned on just a slow start at the back of the pack we rolled out of bed not even and hour before the race start. Our legs were tired, our bodies achy, but everything still felt like it had another 100 miles in it. Both Joël and I decided to start the 100 mile race slow and conservative and see how the day went. As the day went on Joël felt better got into a little battle with a fellow single speeder and picked up the pace. I decided to just continue on at my conservative yet moderate and steady pace, enjoying the ride while taking in the views, chatting with other racers, and talking with aid station volunteers. Sure, not a true racing effort but still a good enough pace to earn a podium spot for me, 5th overall woman.



The weekend ended with social distance hanging out with friends; great conversations, good drinks, fun times. Which after it was all said and done…tired bodies, chafing, blisters, scrapes and bruises from crashes…the best part was that the weekend seemed almost normal. Masks were worn and distances were kept but friendships were reunited, catching-up was done, and hanging out occurred. A weekend of bikes and friends, can’t get much better than that.

Two days, 160 miles of racing, almost 20,000 feet of climbing, almost 17 hours of total riding for me and 15 hours for Joël. Both 2nd place on Saturday at the 60 mile race. 5th place for me at the 100 mile race on Sunday. “Stan the Woman” title earned. Thanks to SM Touring for putting on a great race, for all the volunteers for being out there, and for Stans No Tubes for the wheelset.

- Words by Jess
- Photos by Nankmans
- Input from Joël