Single Track Sunday- Bike Line Spring XC Race

Single Track Sunday

Place: Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, Elkton, MD (Bike Line Spring XC)

Ridden: April 2014

What a weekend! Saturday was the Giant Northeast Off-Road Team meeting at Bear Creek Resort in Macungie.  We met our fellow team mates, received our kits, went for a group ride, did some social media things, and learned about the Giant products; how awesome they are, how 27.5 wheel size really is best all around wheel size to use, and that the Maestro suspension makes both descending and climbing smooth.

Sunday was the Bike Line Spring XC Race at Fairhill. The weather was great- sunny and dry with temps in the mid 50's.  This race was a team event for Giant Northeast, having the majority of the riders there to race. It's great going to a race knowing you have friends there for support both on and off the race course. The team tent was set-up and people spent part of the day hanging out to socialize.


Joël and I both raced Cat 1.  XC racing is not our thing- sprinting to the trail head, bumping elbows for position, a race that is over in under 2 hours- that's not what we do.  It takes both of us 2 hours just to warm-up and get into a grove. Thus, we set low standards for ourselves- just to not be last place.  We were at Fairhill to see friends, help Giant make a presence and be ambassadors for the brand, and get in a good training ride. We had just gotten our new racing kits so it was time to show them off.

Fairhill is a flat, fast, twisty course. Each lap was 7.5 miles, Cat 1 doing three laps. The single track section of the course involves multi-use trails throughout the management area, most of which are packed dirt that makes for fast riding. There are some roots here and there but the rocks are minimal. Occasional bridges are present but they are wide and smooth.  Multiple times the course includes riding on gravel roads and open fields.  There are a few creek crossings; one is fairly substantial and makes for wet shoes and clothes. Definitely a course that favors cyclocross and road riders.

Joël and I were both happy with our rides.  We had fun and enjoyed the day. Despite the intensity of an XC race, I still took the time to chat with fellow riders and look at the flowers growing along the course.  Friends and riders from Saucon Valley Bikes were there also; cheers from them along with Giant Northeast brought a smile to my face. Neither of us ended up last place, so we met our goals. My propensity for endurance racing shows; I was getting faster each lap by well over a minute; I didn't really feel like I was I was in a grove until the last lap.

And what did we do after the race?  As our team mates relaxed under the team tent, Joël and I went out and rode for a few more hours. We explored additional trails of the Fairhill management area and did a lap of the XC course again. It's all about getting in the training miles for the upcoming endurance races.

- written by Jess
- video by Joël
- race warm up and cool down fun by Cliff

Rothrock State Forest Camp And Ride

Single Track Sunday
Place: Rothrock State Forest, State College, PA
Ridden: April 2014

Rothrock State Forest and Tussey Mountain is my favorite trail system. Since we were out that direction already for the Intergalactic Relay, we decided to head over after the relay, camp overnight at Penn Roosevelt State Park, and ride the next day. Our main goal was to pre-ride the Enduro stage for Trans-sylvania Epic; a course which included trails such as Old Laurel, Wild Cat Gap, and Croyle Run. Penn Roosevelt has a primitive camping area that was just perfect for the night. Due to the cold temps (went below freezing overnight) the campground was pretty much empty. Without other campers around, Cliff had a great time roaming the camping area.  Despite a leaky air mattress and the frigid temperatures, we were tired enough from riding in the relay earlier that day to get a decent night of sleep. After packing up camp the next morning, we headed over to the Old Laurel Trailhead with our Purple Lizard map and a map of the Enduro course. We started out on Old Laurel Trail and then to Three Bridges, two of my favorite trails. Cliff had a great time splashing around in the water beneath the bridges while Joël and I sessioned some of the rockgardens near by.  We then headed over to Green Shot Trail and then back to the car to drop Cliff off. He was beat, time for him to take a nap while we finished our ride. Next was Little Shingleton and the Croyle Run. In between each single track section we road on gravel roads. These roads were the way to get back up to the top of the mountain, so obviously we were always climbing up roads and then taking single track down.  The roads gave us some time to enjoy the scenery and had some spots with scenic overlooks that gave a beautiful view of the mountains. So far the trails had been challenging but rideable. OK, I had to walk a few rock gardens but overall enjoyable, fun, trails.  This was until we got to the last single track trail, Wild Cat Gap.  Rumor has it only one person rode all of this trail last year, and he is a local so he had the availability to practice it.  We should have gotten the idea it is a tough descent when we saw guys doing shuttle runs with their downhill bikes on this trail.  Sure, we have awesome Giant bikes that can handle anything, but this trail was just insane.  All I can say is I thought I was going to die. We rode a good portion of it but when I saw Joël plummet off the trail into the rhododendron it was time to bail and walk.  We finished most of Wild Cat as a very nice hike with our bikes. After a long day riding we were hungry!  All three of us enjoyed a picnic lunch made over the camp stove before heading home. Looking forward to rocking the Enduro stage at TSE. - written by Jess - video and photos by Joël - great trail companionship and fun by Cliff

Single Track Sunday- Michaux Off Road Weekend Endurance Race

Single Track Sunday

Place: Michaux State Forest, Biglerville, PA (Michaux Off Road Weekend Endurance Race)

Ridden: April 2014

When attending a race put on by Zach Adams (Fast Forward Productions) one can expect lots of rocks, gnarly descents, and awesome post-race festivities and awards; the endurance race of the Michaux Off Road Weekend definitely filled all these criteria.

The weather could not have been more beautiful, the sun was shining, there was a light breeze, and the temperature topped off somewhere around 80 degrees. In fact, it was almost too hot (I know, how dare I say that). But when it has been so cold for so long, it takes some time to get adjusted to the heat.

As stated above, Zach puts together some fun but challenging courses.  The race started off with a fast, steep, and loose descent.  Thank goodness for the dropper seatpost on my Lust Advanced, it was definitely need for this descent and many others.  The course then meandered through the forest on some double track that included one very long, grinding climb. Then came another super fun and fast descent on a power line and gravel road.  After taking a breather on the gravel road descent, time for another tough climb. This climb was on a loose, rocky, washed out ATV type trail. Now comes the gnarly, fun part of the course.  The single track descent.  It was rocky, filled with switchbacks, and it was steep. Many racers were walking this section. After crossing the creek at the bottom, came a rocky climb up the powerline. After an unsuccessful attempt the first time through to ride this, I walked it everytime. Joël did some riding up this.  After this final tough hike-a-bike climb was more single track filled with lots of babyheads, chattery rocks, roots, and logs.  About 6.8 miles per lap.

Joël put in 6 laps, I did 5.  We both were happy with our races. We enjoyed the course and had good rides.  Both of us feel the heat was a bit of a factor, not being used to the high temperatures took its toll.

As for results Joël was 6th open men and I was 4th open women.  Fellow Giant racer Abbey had a rough day, mechanical issues prevented her from finishing. Despite this, Abbey was there cheering us on during the race. Thanks for the support!

Post race food included camp-fire grilled chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, bean salad, watermelon, rolls, chips and pretzels.  Judy's homemade ice cream was there also.  Part of my prize package was free ice cream, the perfect treat after a hot day on the bike!

-Jess

Single Track Sunday- International Intergalactic Global Open MTB Relay

Single Track Sunday

Place: The International Intergalactic Global Open MTB Relay of the Multiverse (aka Team Relay Race), Marysville, PA
Ridden: April 2014

This week we traveled to Marysville for the team relay. As noted above, this race has an extremely long and complicated name, but to summarize it is a relay race.  Teams can be four, three, or two person; co-ed or all the same sex; and even solo racers can compete.

This race is not about who can go the fastest; the organizer Mike Kuhn has a complicated handicap system to even out the playing field.  It is anyone's guess who the winners are until they are

announced.

                                                                                                          Giant Northeast was represented by three teams this year. Team Anthem was made up of Andy, Jordan, Ryan and myself.  Joël, Wendi, Levi, and Jamie made up Team Maestro.  Team Trance was Jed, Mike, and April.                                                                                                                                                                          Laps were about 3 miles each.  The course can be described as muddy, twisty, and slippery; all that with tons of logs to ride over.  Besides a few short and steep descents/climbs, not really much overall elevation change.  Rain all week and overcast conditions made for a chill in the air. Bundling up in layers between laps was necessary to stay warm; or some people like Jordan and Ryan were smart enough to bring hometrainers to spin on to keep from getting cold.  Each lap was taking the average rider somewhere around 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

The relay is just as much about going fast as it is hanging out with friends. This was the first time

many of us on the 2014 Giant Northeast team were getting to meet, so introductions were made and we all got to know our team mates.  Joël and I spent a fair amount of time also hanging around with our friends at Team Saucon Valley Bikes.  Many fellow racers whom we had not seen all winter were at the relay, so it was also time to catch-up with them.  All in all a fun day on the bike and a fun day with friends!

As for results...at the time of writing this results have not yet been released.  Every team member put in an awesome effort to get some fast lap times; but with the handicap system fast does not always mean top placing.  All I can tell you result wise is that Giant Northeast was not in the top three because we were not called to the podium. However, a huge congrats goes out to Team Old and In the Way from Saucon Valley Bikes for their second place finish. Way to go guys!  Once results are available they will be posted here.

Note- photo credit for the two individual photos of each of us goes to Abe Landis- his photos are awesome!

-Jess

Just click on the video to play