Tidewater Classic, Williamsburg, VA

Single Track Sunday
Event: Tidewater Classic
Place: Williamsburg, VA
Ridden: October 2015

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This installment of the Nankman Adventures took us to Williamsburg, Virginia for a weekend of racing at the Tidewater Classic 5 hour endurance and XC, both part of the VORS (Virginia Off-Road Series).

The race is held on private property, which is only open for race weekend. Rumor had it the course is some type of enduro motocross track, which it seems to be.  There are numerous short, steep, punchy climbs and equally as many short, steep descents. Some rooty sections add technical parts. Turns, turns, and more turns were also present.  A few jumps added to the overall fun. A great course for spectators due to the fact it looped around it's self many times.

What a weekend it was for us; it was exhausting.  After a ten hour drive due to traffic and road construction, we finally arrived in Williamsburg at around 2am the morning of the race.  A quick few hours of sleep in the Nankvan in a Cracker Barrel parking lot left us waking up wondering what the heck we were doing.  Did we really expect to be able to ride, let alone ride well, during the 5 hour endurance race that day.

To our surprise, each of us was able to pull things together for a good race. I lead right from the start and never looked back.  Keeping a consistent pace, I was able to lap many of the other women and take the overall win by about 20 minutes. Joël on the other hand had to fight a little harder for his podium spot.  After starting conservatively, he was racing hard and getting constant splits throughout the race stating he was moving up.  Near the end he moved into second place, passing the third place guy who was stopped to eat a sandwich!  Due to the lack of sleep and relentless hours and hours of pedaling it was a tough day on the bike but worth it due to our podium spots.

After spending the night with friends, we awoke Sunday morning feeling a bit refreshed after a good night's sleep. The XC race didn't start until the afternoon so we spent the morning touring colonial Williamsburg.  Once at the race site for the Pro/Elite XC race we both knew we would have our work cut out for us. Neither of us are XC racers; we like to race steady all day long, not race hard for only and hour or two.  My race started by being neck and neck with teammate Mason...she soon pulled ahead and ended up winning. Due to tired legs from the day before, I decided to just race at my regular endurance pace which was still good enough for second women.  Joël once again started slowly and increased his pace as the race went on. He slowly picked off racers and was determined for a top ten finish; he did that by finishing 9th.

A special feature of this race was the "Trifecta" division, making the weekend into sort of a stage race.  Using a point system devised by the race director; points were awarded for the endurance and Pro/Elite XC finishing position.  At the end of it all, I was 1st overall Trifecta women and Joël was  overall  3rd Trifecta men.

What a great weekend.  Awesome racing, hanging out with team mates, and visiting old friends. Sure, we may have come away from the weekend tired and sore but all the fun and top-notch racing was worth it.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

Jim Thorpe, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place: D&L Canal, Jim Thorpe, PA
Ridden: October 2015

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Jim Thorpe is a town in eastern Pennsylvania that has been called the "Switzerland of America" due to the picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and architecture; as well as the "Gateway to the Poconos".  Jim Thorpe was founded as Mauch Chunk, a Native American term for "bear place". The name was changed to Jim Thorpe in honor of one of our nations greatest athletes.

The town's roots lie in the coal mining industry and the need to have a railroad and canal system that could transport coal from eastern Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia area.  As focus turned away from industry, Jim Thorpe became a tourist destination due to the scenic views, charm, and access to outdoor activities.  Many of the railways remained and have become cycling destinations such as the D&L Canal, Switchback/Gravity Railroad, and many surrounding single track trails (see blog post from ride in 2014 for single track trails, click here)

The D&L Canal out of Jim Thorpe runs north for about 26 miles through Lehigh Gorge State Park. Waterfalls (especially at the Glen Onoko parking area), remnants of the Lehigh Canal, and breathtaking views of the the Lehigh River and surrounding mountains can be seen from the trail. The trail is crushed stone and being that it is an old railbed is flat with a slight grade up one way and down the other.

Our ride to Jim Thorpe consisted of a family outing on the D&L and then into Jim Thorpe to see the sights. Kayakers and trains were watched; stopping for views of the river and fall foliage on the mountains was also part of the outing. A great way to spend a day with family.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

Abandoned Turnpike, Breezewood, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place:Abandoned Turnpike
Location: Breezewood, PA
Ridden: October 2015

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The Abandoned Turnpike was created by a re-route if the highway in 1968. When it was originally built, the Pennsylvania Turnpike was a four lane highway, but only had one lane tunnels. Eventually this created back-ups that needed to be fixed.  At many places, larger tunnels were dug.  However, for a section of turnpike in BEdford and Fulton counties, the turnpike was rerouted.

Over the years, this section of abandoned turnpike in Pennsylvania had a variety or uses, including turnpike worker training and military training exercises. It was even used for movie sets.

In 2001, this 13-mile stretch of abandoned PA Turnpike was given to Southern Alleghenies Conservancy by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Run by an organization called Pike2Bike the goal is to turn the road into an official biking and walking trail.

As of today, nothing official has been done. In fact, the Abandoned Turnpike is officially closed to visitors, as signs at the entrance state. However, the language on the signs lets you know that it’s not a no trespassing area, simply an area where you proceed at your own risk. If you do opt to visit, use common sense and be respectful of the area, so that there is no reason to actually restrict access to the area.

The two tunnels, Rays Hill and Sideling Hill are the main attractions.  Construction began on Rays Hill Tunnel in 1881 for use as a railroad tunnel. However, it was never used for that purpose and it was updated in 1938, opening to traffic along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 1940. The tunnel is 3,532-feet long; along the way a small sliver of light can be seen at the opposite end.  Sideling Hill Tunnel is an impressive 6,800 in length; when in the middle of this tunnel it is dark! Lights are definitely needed to travel through Sideling Hill. Both tunnels have features that make then rather creepy; some odd graffiti, drainage systems, and ground level rooms that can be viewed.


Along the way you will pass a long concrete area that used to be home to the Cove Valley Travel Plaza. It is interesting to see the open expanse, there is nothing remaining of the plaza except a few manhole covers.

Overall, the road surface is bumpy and cracked, as to be expected when not maintained for 40+ years. Definitely not the place to ride a road bike.

What an interesting place to visit.  Seeing part of history in a very post-apocalyptic setting is both cool and creepy.  Worth the trip to experience this odd place in PA.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

Virginia Vacation- Part 2

Virginia Vacation Part 2
Where:  Various locations George Washington National Forest, Virginia
When: September 2015

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The last part of our trip was centered out of Braley Pond, a camping area near West Augusta. We met up and camped with some friends. They were pre-running part of a race course that went through the area (which includes some of the trails we rode on).  Once again, as par with the area, lots of long climbs to spin up and then a descent to bomb down on the other side of the mountain. Many beautiful views from on top of the mountains, especially from Reddish Knob.

Day 5: Braley Pond Trails and Dowells Draft, West Augusta, needed a recovery day, did about an 13 mile ride.  The trails around Braley Pond only consist of a few miles of single and double track, but they are perfect for taking Cliff for a loop. Dowells Draft is part of the Shenandoah Moutain 100 mountain bike race and part of the trail running ultra marathon the Grindstone 100. It's not technical but it does gain/loose a lot of elevation. We did this as an out and back, climbing up to Hankey Trail and then descending. It was a long time climbing but the reward was an awesome descent.

Day 6: Bridge Hollow Trail, Georgia Camp Trail, and connecting paved and dirt roads, 30 miles total for the loop, West Augusta. As expected in VA, more climbing. Bridge Hollow was a long, switchback climb up the mountain. The descent down the other side was fast and smooth until it was interrupted by a rattlesnake in the middle of the trail!  Took a little detour through the brush to avoid that guy. After this a little road climb up to the top again where we took some time to explore the Confederate Breastworks, the remains of a fortress from the Civil War. Then came Georgia Camp Trail; it appears to be what was an old fire access road or old logging road, what would be a great trail if it wasn't for the stinging nettle that had completely grown over most of the few miles of trail. Much cursing ensued as we tried to ride, sometimes walked. Once at the bottom, after being scratched and bleeding, it was some meandering dirt roads back to camp.

Day 7: Timber Ridge Trail, Wolf Ridge, and Sand Spring Mountain Road, Reddish Knob, around 16 miles total. Wow, what a view from Reddish Knob. At well over 4000 feet, this is one of the highest locations in the area.  The Timber Ridge Trail starts from here, and since it starts at one of the highest points, it has no where to go except down.  So the first half of the mileage of this ride was rocky, technical single track that dropped about 2000 feet elevation.  Then it was time to turn around and climb back up.  Sand Spring Mountain Road is an old logging road, it's grown in and rough at places but overall it is just a "spin in an easy gear" all the way back up to the top.  Definitely a great loop and the view from Reddish Knob is worth the trip up there.















Other highlights from the last few days of the Virginia Vacation were camping with "the Goat Ninja" and Bob as they did some running to prepare for an upcoming race, Cliff spending time with his friends Max and Bella, and seeing part of the Alpine Loop Grand Fondo (and having no idea multiple friends were out there riding it).

- words by Jess
- video by Joël