Steel City Enduro, Bethlehem, PA

Single Track Sunday
Event: Steel City Enduro
Place: Walking Purchase Park, Bethlehem, PA
Ridden: June 2015

Click on video to play

This week we stayed close to home for the Steel City Enduro, put on by the local organization Valley Mountain Bikers (VMB).  It was so nice to know that we could sleep in a bit, roll out of bed, and be at the race site in only about 15 minutes of driving time.

The race site was one of our favorite local riding locations, Salisbury Township's Walking Purchase Park, know to locals as "Sals". This network of multi-use trails was petitioned for, procured, designed, constructed, and is maintained by VMB.  The trail system at Sals is a network of technically advanced single track.  There are rocky sections interspersed with smooth and flowy sections. There are some climbs and descents, but nothing overwhelming.

The enduro was proceeded by a day of hard rain, so one would expect wet conditions out there on race day.  Luckily Sals handles the rain well; the course was definitely a little sketchy and there were a few muddy spots but overall it rode very well for the amount of rain we had gotten the day before.

At the end of the day Joël and I both felt good about our rides; we felt smooth, confident in our skills, and we rode the best that we could.  And it paid off for us; I was 1st Pro/Cat 1 female and Joël was 3rd Pro/Cat 1 male.  It was great to see other Giant Co-Factory team members out there 

racing also; this race definitely helped keep the team in the top spot in the MASS overall enduro series standings.

Post race food consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, and chips was perfect for after a day on the bike. Most racers hung around sharing stories of the day, while enjoying food and beverages. Awards were custom made using bike parts and winners could choose items from a prize table.  So overall a well done race; you can bet we will be back in the future.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

Sometimes a break is needed- no riding this weekend

After racing almost every weekend from March until now, which included a week of racing at TSE, we decided it was time to take a weekend off and spend some time with family; resting and relaxing at a family member's cabin in north-central PA.

The weekend at camp was filled with food, sleep, wildlife watching, and laughter. We rested, ate tons, drank beer, and shared stories (many of which produced endless laughter).

After a busy few months racing, it was exactly what we needed.  If you are feeling sad because there is no video, be on the lookout for the return of Single Track Sunday next week as we get right back into racing.

-Jess and Joël

Snacks for the bear

Rothrock Trailmix, Boalsburg, PA

Single Track Sunday
Event: Rothrock Trailmix, MASS Endurance Race
Place: Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg, PA
Ridden: June 2015

Click on video to play

We just can't pass up this event.  36 miles in Rothrock State Forest, 80% of which are single track, covering some of our favorite trails. Tussey Mountain, Croyle Run, John Wert, Longberger are all included. In our opinion, this race features some of the best trails ever!

The weekend started out with another night in the van, sleeping near the event site overnight prior to the race. Race morning we moved the van to a nice shady spot for Cliff (thank you to the race director Dave for allowing us to park there) and got ready for the day.  Racer bags were filled with swag- T-shirt, socks, metal pint glasses, snacks, chain lube, and more.  The only downfall to race morning was the rain- a constant drizzle forecast to go all day that we knew would leave the rocks slippery and the course muddy.

And that is how the course was.  The rain and mud certainly did add a challenge to the day; at times it added a sense of adventure and fun.  But, even with the adverse conditions, the course was awesome.  The rhododendron were blooming and ferns were everywhere.  Who can't can't enjoy the view from Tussey Ridge (even on a cloudy day it was amazing), bombing down Croyle Run and Tussey Mountain Extension (made very sketchy with the wet conditions), or the challenge of John Wert.  As mentioned above, about 80% of the course was single track; the other 20% was gravel roads and double track jeep roads, which primarily consisted of the climbs on the course.  A course that suited the 27.5 inch wheel size of our Anthem Advanced and Lust Advanced 0 perfectly- they easily rolled over the rocks, kept better traction in the corners, and help accelerate up the climbs,

Aid stations were plentiful, four total. The aid station volunteers were friendly and super quick at filling bottles and handing over aid station bags (they were uber quick when I said "I just passed from third into second, and she is right behind me, but I need water please!").  Post race food consisted of pulled pork, coleslaw, some super yummy whoopie pies, and beer.  Award winners received medals and multiple prizes. So all in all a great race that we definitely recommend. It's got everything going for it- an awesome course, great volunteers, tasty post race food, and huge amounts of race swag and awards.

And speaking of awards, I came home 2nd overall female. Joël, who was more content taking video and riding with friends, just took it easy but still pulled off a 10th overall male.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

Bad Bear Enduro and Bear Scat 50

Single Track Sunday
Events: Bad Bear Enduro and Bear Scat 50
Places: Bad Bear at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie, PA and Bear Scat at Wawaywanda State Park, Hewitt, NJ
Ridden: June 2015

Click on video to watch. Video is from the Bad Bear Enduro.

Something a little different for Single Track Sunday this week, two events.  One we raced and the other we were spectators. 

The Bad Bear Enduro at Bear Creek was on Saturday, at this event we were there just to watch. This allowed us to experience a mountain biking event from an entirely different perspective.  We cheered for racers, supported friends, and saw some mishaps also.  It was a relaxing and casual way to be at an event; no stress of racing. Just a day of socializing, hanging out, and screaming encouragement at racers.

On Sunday we raced the Bear Scat 50 in Wawaywanda State Park in NJ.  All week long both Joël and I were asking ourselves "why did we enter this race and what are we doing?".  Our bodies and minds were still feeling the events of TSE. Bear Scat is notorious for being a tough course, the rocks just never end.  Rumor has it historicially there is a 50% DNF (do not finish) rate. We had done a few shorter, easier rides during the week to spin out the kinks from TSE but did not know what to expect.  We were just hoping that we would wake up Sunday morning feeling ready to go.

And I think it is safe to say we both felt pretty good on race day.  The course really was 50 miles of never-ending rocks and roots, which is what we enjoying riding. Joël saw a large black bear and I saw a rattlesnake. The rocks are tough enough; add in dangerous wildlife and what a day!

We both ended up on the podium, myself second female and Joël fourth male.

In summary, and awesome weekend of mountain biking. Spectating on Saturday and racing on Sunday. Bear Scat is a challenging course but worth the challenge to experience it.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic 2015

Single Track Sunday
Event: Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic
Place: State College, PA
Ridden: 7 days in May 2015

Click on video to watch.

Another TSE completed!  Seven days of riding some of PA's best single track, 225 miles covered, 28,000 feet of climbing, all completed in 20 hours.

With the discontinuation of the "Duo" category, we raced as an "Epic Team" this year.  As a Duo, all teams consisted of two riders who must be together the entire time and each must ride all seven days. As an Epic Team, there can be any number of riders on a team, they can all ride separately and do as many or as few days as they want, and only the fastest time for each day counts.  Knowing teams would send out their fastest riders for each day, Joël and I knew that our first place in the Co-ed Duo from last year would not be repeated; we surmised we would not be racing hard for any awards this year.  So for 2015 we had a different goal- to just go out and have fun. Yes, we would ride at a decent pace and push hard if we felt like it, but our overall goal was to enjoy the time together and get in seven days of amazing riding.

And that is what we did.  We enjoyed the views, sang songs, and chatted with fellow racers.  We had one day where things fell apart- literally and figuratively- at RB Winter.  A flat tire, a squeaky non engaging free-hub body, and both of us not feeling well made for a long day. But after fixing bikes and a good night of sleep we pulled it together for the remaining days. That is what stage racing is about- yes, there will always be bad days but getting through them and pulling it together for the next days is what it important.

Besides the racing the rest of the week included letting Cliff run around with his dog friends, enjoying time with friends relaxing around the campfire, and taking a dip in the camp swimming pool.  We opted to camp this year and cook our own meals (rather than stay in a bunk house and eat the meal plan food). This allowed us the freedom to eat what we wanted when we wanted and saved some money. We slept in the van but also set up a tent to keep gear in.

All in all TSE 2015 was a success.  Yes we feel tired and worn out.  Yes we each have a few bruises and cuts and scrapes.  Yes the bikes are in need of some TLC. But we enjoyed the week. Now, on to finish the multiple loads of laundry!

- words by Jess
- video by Joël