2016 races in review

2016 brought about many new races. Some we will definitely return to; 18 Hours of Scouts Honor is one of them.  Some we will probably not return to; like Summer Solstice. And then then good old favorites we will always be at; Rothrock Trail Mix, French Creek on the Rocks, the Michaux races.  Trans-Sylvania Epic is always a highlight of the year, as is Hardcore 24.

But all in all it was a season filled with lots of riding.  Three 24 hour races, a five-day stage race, and numerous marathon events.  We raced in two countries and six states and providences.  Many nights were spent sleeping in the van and many meals were made on the camp stove.

There were good races and there were bad races.  There were smiles and tears. But each race brought about it's own challenges; we learned from these challenges and came away with knowledge as to how to help us ride stronger and faster in the future.  We can't say enough about our Liv and Giant bikes; the carried us through an entire season with minimal mechanicals.  

And what do we have to say now that it is all over?  It's time to relax!  Time to ride with friends. Time to sleep in a bit.

But not for long!!!!  2017 race season is right around the corner. And stay tuned, there are some major changes happening in 2017.

2016 Race Results

Jess

IIGO Team Relay, April 2, Marysville, PA- not really a race, just a fun day

Rattling Marathon, April 17, Halifax, PA- 2nd overall female

Michaux Maximus Endurance, May 1, Gettysburg, PA- 1st overall female

6 hrs of Brady's Run, May 7, Pittsburgh, PA- 2nd overall female

Long Sock Classic Marathon, Ganaraska Forest Center, ON, Canada- 2nd overall female

Trans-sylvania Mountain Bike Epic stage race, State College, PA- 2nd co-ed duo, 4th overall duo (racing with husband Joël)

Rothrock Trail Mix, Boalsburg, PA- 1st female

Cranky Monkey 6hr, Rosaryville, MD- 1st female

Summer Solstice 24hr race, Bolton, ON, Canada- 2nd female

6 Hours of Power, Ellicotvile, NY- 2nd overall female, 1st age group

Michaux Curse of Dark Hollow marathon, Shippensbug, PA- 1st overall female

Hardcore 24, Naples, NY- 1st overall solo female

On the Rocks at French Creek marathon, Elverson, PA- 1st overall female

Dirty Dirty Weekend marathon, Marysville, PA- 1st overall female

MASS (Mid Atlantic Super Series) Overall Enduance Championships- 1st overall female

Kingston XC Marathon championships, Kingston, ON- 1st overall female

Michaux Terror of Teaberry marathon, Michaux, PA- 2nd overall female

Michaux Endurance Series championships- overall female winner

18 Hours of Scouts Honor, Maidens, VA- 1st overall female 18 hour solo

Erie 80, Port Jervis, NY- 2nd overall female

Joël

IIGO Team Relay, April 2, Marysville, PA- solo rider- rode with wife Jess as duo team practice for upcoming TSE, unknown placing

Rattling Marathon, April 17, Halifax, PA- 8th overall male

Michaux Maximus Endurance, May 1, Gettysburg, PA- 3rd overall male

6 hrs of Brady's Run, May 7, Pittsburgh, PA- 4th overall male

Long Sock Classic Marathon, Ganaraska Forest Center, ON, Canada- 5th open men

Trans-sylvania Mountain Bike Epic stage race, State College, PA- 2nd co-ed duo, 4th overall duo (racing with wife Jess)

Rothrock Trail Mix, Boalsburg, PA- 6th men

Cranky Monkey, Rosaryville, MD- 2nd open men

Summer Solstice 24hr race, Bolton, ON, Canada- 6th open men

6 Hours of Power, Ellicotville, NY- 2nd age group, 4th overall male

Michaux Curse of Dark Hollow marathon, Shippensburg, PA- 6th open men

Hardcore 24, Naples, NY- 1st overall solo men

On the Rocks at French Creek marathon, Elverson, PA- 2nd overall male

Dirty Dirty weekend marathon, Marysville, PA- 3rd overallmale

MASS (Mid Atlantic Super Series) Overall Enduance Championships- 2nd overall male

Kingston XC Marathon Championships, Kingston, ON- 1st (tied) overall male, 1st division

Michaux Terror of Teaberry marathon, Michaux, PA- crashed hard and needed medical; still finished but easy pedaled most of race

18 Hours of Scouts Honor, Maidens, VA- 2nd overall male 18 hour solo

Rodale Thursday night crits, Trexlertown, PA

Erie 80 marathon, Port Jervis, NY- 14th open men (multiple flats)

Erie 80, Port Jervis, NY

Erie 80
Event: Erie 80- 80K mountain bike race
Where: Port Jervis, NY
When: October 2016

The Erie 80 was an inaugural event in Port Jervis, with the intention to showcase the ever evolving and newly worked on trails in the area.  Put on by DJ Birch, a crazy single speeder that Joël and I met many years ago at Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic, we knew we were in for a challenging but yet fun event.

Challenging it was, fun not some much. The trails were amazing, the volunteers excellent, and who doesn't appreciate a bottle of whisky hidden in a "trick-or-treat" bag mid race. But it was just one of those days where things suck.

Liv Cycling embodies the idea of 'Actually, I Can' where there is a moment you decide whether to meet your fears or retreat; a battle of determination, of will, of spirit. Yesterday had many of those moments at the Erie 80 mountain bike race.

People always comment how at races I am smiling, happy, and cheerful. Well, this race was definitely not one of those days. It took everything I had just to start (I told Joël I would be perfectly happy getting back in the van and going home). It was cold, my body was tired from a tough season of racing, I knew it was going to be a long day on the bike.

For the first portion of the race my fingers were so cold I could barely shift and depress my brake levers. For those that know me I am not a happy camper when it's cold. This made me miserable.
Then came the back issues. Maybe it was being cold, maybe it was the constant jarring from the rough course, or maybe being tense from all the sketchy, off camber roots and trail...whatever it was my back hurt. I stopped at the 25 mile cut-off and took some time to seriously consider if I was going to keep riding. I decided to suck it up and go out for the second lap.

And let's throw in constant gut issues the entire race. I knew I had to keep drinking and eating but everything I consumed made my belly rumble and gave me fear that I would have to run into the forest to relieve myself. Not a fun feeling.

So the characteristic smile was not there. There was no chipper chit-chatting with fellow racers like I usually do. I barely even sang songs to myself (a little Ozzie or Wheezer sung out loud always cheers me up).

But in the end I kept riding. I decided that #ActuallyICan suck it up and battle through the negative thoughts and keep going. I decided that I can #LivBeyond the feeling that this sucks and keep pushing towards the finish. I pulled myself out of that deep, dark, hole and kept riding the best I could and managed to keep things together for a 2nd place finish.

Thanks to everyone at the race for putting together a great event. I may not have had the best of days but overall it was a top-notch event with a challenging course with beautiful views.

Finding Chickens and Aliens at 18 Hours of Scouts Honor, Maidens, VA

18 Hours of Scouts Honor
Chickens and Aliens Are Out and About
By: Adventure Sports Racing
Place: Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation, Maidens, VA
Ridden: September 24-25, 2016


So how crazy are Joël and I, this was our third 24 hour race this year; on top of an already packed racing season.  We had one bad 24 hour race in which we learned from our mistakes.  One that went well where we learned what worked.  Hopefully this one would put it all together.

Joël and I had always heard good things about this race and decided to make the journey down to Virginia to check it out. By now we had our prep and packing for 24 hour races down pat. We made quick work of getting ready and headed down to the race site Friday afternoon since camping was available all weekend for racers. It's always nice to arrive at a 24 hour race the day before, it helps alleviate stress and strain on race day to just wake up, roll out of the van, and be at our pit spot on the morning of the race.

We set our pit area up directly along the course, close to the start/finish. Many other racers and teams set-up in that area also.  It was nice to have neighbors.  One of the race sponsors, Blue Ridge Cyclery, was set-up right next to us. They were the neutral mechanics for the race and all around great people who offered to help us whenever needed.  Being that Joël and I each ride solo and crew for ourselves, it's always nice to have others around to help if needed.

The race started late afternoon and it was still quite hot. Knowing the heat would take it's toll later on, the goal was to stay well hydrated and not overheat for the first few laps. Wiping down with ice-cooled sponges and rags each lap helped with that. Joël started out at a nice, conservative, aerobic pace. I on the other hand started a bit too hard, which would come back to haunt me later.

The beginning hours of the race everything was going as planned.  Hydration and nutrition were on par.  I was singing songs to myself and talking to every racer I came across. I made many new friends this way and found some great people to ride with.  With sunset the lights came out and then things started to fall apart a bit. The hard effort I put in earlier in the day was wearing on me, so it was time for damage control; time to slow it down for a awhile and recover a bit. I was also having some stomach issues, so I switched over to all liquids for a few hours. Chicken broth, Boost drinks, and Coke are great ways to get in calories but are easy on the stomach.  Chamois chafing required constant re-application of chamois cream.  Luckily by this point I had lapped all the other females, so I had enough of a buffer that I could take it easy.  Joël lapped me a some point during this time, we chatted for a bit and then parted ways. He was still feeling good and was in second not far behind the leader so he had to press on.


I was plugging along, feeling not the best but just OK, and then around 1-2am the rain started. The course was rooty and already a little sketchy at places, and now it became super sketchy.  More easy riding, as the goal was now just to stay upright. It also now became more of a mental game than anything else. It was lonely out there, during the rainy lap I only saw one other race. I wasn't really enjoying it much anymore, it was getting chilly, and the riding treacherous. There were some deep, black holes that I went into mentally during this lap.  But...that is what these races are about.  Persevering when the going gets tough. I found some things to be happy about, stayed upright, the rain stopped, and all was good again. Continue onward.

After the rain stopped all sorts of magical things started to happen.  Forest creatures emerged during the night. Frogs everywhere; along with a snake and salamanders that I spotted.  Skunks and an opossum darted along the trail. Besides the forest creatures many other beings showed up. Extraterrestrials lined the trails at different locations.  Rubber chickens, minions, and big stuffed-animal frogs also popped up on the trail.  Grabbing one of these earned racers a prize. Disco balls also light the course, bathing the forest in lights and colors.  Both Joël and I found chickens.  Things can get quite bleak in the wee hours of the morning; having distractions like this help the time go by and help bring racers back from the deep, dark, unhappy mental places they most likely are in by then.

Just before day break Joël and I met up at the tent.  Our placings, Joël second overall male and my first overall female, were pretty much solidified by then. All we had to do was slow pedal a few more laps to make sure those placings stuck.  So we rode together for the last few laps. Both of us were feeling pretty much like zombies on the bikes; just staying on the trail was a challenge at times.  It was nice to have each other to help keep our minds occupied and to keep each other going. We ended our last lap just after 7am. Rules were racers had to finish by 8am to have the last lap count. No way were either of us going to do a sub one hour lap, so we called it.  15 laps for myself for the overall female win, 16 laps for Joël for second overall male.

We are happy to report no mechanicals during the race. Our Lust Advanced 0 and Giant Anthem Advanced worked flawlessly. Our Lupine Piko lights light the way with no issues. The Liv/Giant and Jakroo clothing and equipment felt comfortable the entire time.  Concentrating on ourselves and dealing with our own bodies is hard enough, It's nice to know we can feel confident in our equipment and gear.

To summarize, this was a great race. The vibe was awesome. The race directors, Bill and Billy, were always helpful and smiling, one can tell they really cared about each individual racer and giving every competitor a fun and safe experience.  The other racers were friendly, supportive of each other and always talkative and cheery on and off the course. The 7.6 mile course was a good fit for an 18 hour race, just technical enough to challenge riders but not dangerous when fatigue kicked in. The climbs were decent but not unrideable or overbearing, even when tired. The scout camp was the perfect location for this event. Great camping during the weekend; complete with flush toilets and showers.  The large mess hall made a good central location for registration and awards, along with the post-race breakfast. And what a breakfast it was!  Eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausages...everything a hungry racer with a bottom-less pit of a stomach needs. Sponsors were plentiful and supportive; with impressive prizes for finding the chicken/minions/frogs during the night and quite nice payouts for top finishers.

Joël and I have done many races this year; some we will not return do and do not recommend, others we can not speak highly enough of and would recommend to all. This is one we would say go to. Put this on your race itinerary for next year.  You will not be disappointed.

- written by Jessica with input from Joël

Volvo Michaux Terror of Teaberry

Volvo Michaux Endurance Series Terror of Teaberry

Event: Michaux Race Series Race #3

Place: Michaux State Forest

Ridden: September 11, 2016

The Terror of Teaberry was the last race in the Volvo Michaux Endurance series three race series.  The previous races, Curse of the Dark Hollow and Michaux Maximus, were fun and challenging races, they truly fit the description of back country racing. Since we enjoyed the other two, there was no question as to if Joël and I were going to attend the last race.  In addition, I was in the running for the overall series women’s championship, so I wanted to race to try to win the overall series.

The Terror has the reputation of being the most challenging and rocky of the three races. And it certainly was.  There was by far more single track and the single track was more challenging than the other two previous series races. Just fine by Joël and I, we like rocks.

The race started off fine for both of us. Joël was right up with the front runners and I was comfortably in second place for the women.  Then as I looked up the trail I saw Joël walking. I stopped to talk a little while with him, finding out he crashed pretty hard.  Ripped kit at multiple places, scrapes and blood, and a dented helmet.  Joël promised me he would be fine and that I should continue onward. I did so but with hesitation not knowing how he was doing back there.

Rocks gardens, boulder fields, log overs…that is pretty much how the race then went.  Huge rock formations to ride up and over, fast downhills, backcountry trails that were rugged and ungroomed.

An hour or so later, Joël caught up with me. He said he walked for awhile until he felt better and was now back to riding.  We rode together for a few miles and then Joël decided he was feeling ready for normal race pace and decided to try to catch some men. Off he went. 

By this point in the race the 30 milers were beginning to catch some of the 20 milers. This was nice because it meant more people to talk with. After Joël left I was beginning to feel a little lonely; it was almost four hours into the race and having people to talk with is a good motivator.  Especially the last portion of race; it was single track that even for the best riders included quite a bit of hike-a-bike.

30 miles of rocks and logs is how I would sum up the Terror of Teaberry.  Super challenging but super rewarding course. Despite the nasty crash Joël was able to hold onto a top ten spot in his division.  I finished 2^nd overall women. This placing cinched the overall series championship for me.

What a great series the Volvo Michaux Endurance Series is and I would recommend it to anyone who wants the challenge of rocky and rugged singletrack.  As one other racer told me, Michaux is a magical place. Just embrace the challenge and amazing rides will happen there. And who can’t argue with kegs at the finish, beer as awards, money and awesome prizes for winners including Wicked Girl cycling specific clothing.

Thanks for a great series!

-Jess 

Kingston XC Marathon Championships, Kingston, ON

Kingston XC Marathon Championships
Kingston, ON, Canada
September 03, 2016

So why do we drive so far to races?  This race is the perfect example.  A fun course, great organizer, good prizes, tasty post race food, and just overall an awesome vibe at a race.  We are in this sport for the experience, and all of the Substance Project Races, put on by Dan, give the full experience that a race should.

After a busy week at work for both of us, we left on Friday afternoon to start the journey. We cooked dinner at a rest stop and then slept overnight at a Cracker Barrel.  We finished the drive race morning and arrived at the race site with more than enough time to get ready in a leisurely fashion.

The race includes both a marathon at about 40 miles and half marathon at about 20 miles; the full marathon essentially just being two laps and the half marathon one lap.  The race is held entirely on private property; access to the trails is via membership to the club that maintains the trails or of course for racers on race day. And what a great job this club does, these trails are awesome.  The trails and thus race course have a little bit of everything.


The race starts off on a gravel road and then enters some tight and twisty single track. There are a few areas where the trees are so close that those with wide bars would have to find a tricky way to get through.  Also in this section there are a few boulders built up to have fun on and ride over.  After this single track the course opens up to double track trough soyfields and past apple trees.  Then comes one of the best parts of the course; like a big playground for cyclists.  There is a pump track, then over a made-made obstacle area with a bridge and boulder.  Then the course goes through a barn. Yup, right through an old bank barn. After the barn, it's more pump track followed by a line of dirt jumps and table tops. I maybe got off the ground a few inches on some of them but I did see Joël really launch off some.  Next came fast and flowy swoopy single track, which had a few really long bridge crossings over swamps next to beaver dams.  After the swoopy single track came the infamous Route 66 trail, regarded as having some of the most difficult rock gardens of the course. And that it does. But of course Joël and I really enjoyed this part of the course best..it has rocks and climbing. And lots of each. After Route 66, there was a mix of twisty, turny single track, some grassy field riding, a little bit here and there on gravel roads, and then some fast and flowy single track to the end of the lap.  After the end of the lap, there is a bit of riding to get back to the original start area that included riding through a corn field. This was surreal; riding on a path not much wider than one's handle bars through corn stalks higher than one can see over.  Fun and horror-movie like at the same time.

Besides a fun and challenging course, this race has everything a racer wants and needs. Multiple fully stocked aid stations and a neutral feed zone where racers can put their own person nutrition.  The course was well marked with course arrows and wrong way Xs along with course tape at places.  Post race festivities are what I really look forward to at this race.  There is a pool to go swimming in along with post-race burgers and picnic food.  Racers all hangout and relax around the pool. Awards take place pool-side, and winners jump into the pool from the podium. Awards always include beer, can't go wrong with that!  Camping is offered at the race site both the night before and the night after the race, which many racers along with their families take advantage. The night after the race a campfire is built; racers, race volunteers, and the race organizer all hangout around the fire.

How did we do racing; we both took first place. Joël tied for first overall and was 1st in his age division. I was first overall female and first in my age division.

Joël and I can't say enough good things about this race; both the riding and race atmosphere make it worth the drive.

Sorry folks, no video this year. But here is the video from 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blLFtV8WXI8.

-Jess and Joël

MASS Series Final Races- French Creek and Dirty Dirty Weekend

MASS (Mid Atlantcic Super Series) Final Race

On the Rocks At French Creek, Elverson, PA
August 21, 2016
Dirty Dirty Weekend, Marysville, PA
August 27, 2016

On the Rocks at French Creek



The MASS (Mid Atlantic Super Series) race On the Rocks at French Creek typically happens in spring. Due to weather, it was rescheduled from May to August this year.  This meant dry, fast trails and hot temperatures come race day.

French Creek is a "4 Hour Endurance" race which means the person who does the most laps in four hours win. The laps are about eight to nine miles long, and on average take 45 minutes to an hour.  At the same time as the endurance race there are also multiple XC races going on.  Having the XC racers on the course means for quite a bit of traffic at times but it also means people to talk to and people to help push one go just a little faster.

The name "On the Rocks" for this race is a perfect name. This course has it's fair share of rocky, technical sections. Which is perfect for Joël and I, that is what we do well and what we enjoy, so we look forward to riding this course and typically do well.

Pre-race routine was uneventful. Set-up our feed station, took Cliff for a warm-up ride, and then it was time to race.  Both Joël and I knew many of the MASS regulars were racing, so we had an idea of who to look out for and what we would need to do to do well.

My race went as planned.  I had decided to race based on heart rate; giving myself a maximum heartrate to get close to on the climbs and an average heart rate goal. This planned worked well, it kept me pushing hard and giving me a quantitative measure to race by. Besides watching my heartrate, my goal for the race was to not have to walk any of the course for my first lap. This may sound like a strange goal but there is one climb on the course that is notorious for being a hike-a-bike section. It is steep and has multiple waterbars on it.  I knew once my legs were tired it wouldn't happen but I figured on my first lap I would go for. Goal accomplished!  Made it up without a dab...but only the first time. As the race went on I needed to dab to get over the water bars, then it eventually turned into walking the climb by the last lap.

Joël had a much more exciting race than I did. Up until the last lap he was racing hard and just doing his own thing. He was getting reports that he was close to the top, third or fourth for the entire race.  Halfway through the last lap Joël caught another guy, and knew this moved him up a spot. He then kicked it up a notch to try to put some distance on the guy, and thought he was doing well at this until the hike-a-bike climb about two miles from the end. At the top of the climb Joël turned around and at the bottom was the guy he had passed. Now the pressure was on; a sprint to the end and Joël was able to stay ahead. Afterwards Joël was talking with this guy; he said that he was trying to hide from Joël as to not be seen and once he knew Joël was on to him he tried his hardest to catch Joël. What an exciting finish.

As it turns out, the reports Joël was getting during the race were incorrect, one of the guys was not in contention for a top spot, so Joël did even better than he thought was 2nd male.  I was 1st female.  We both really like this course and this race so we were happy to do well.

Dirty Dirty Weekend

Mike Kuhn is bringing back the Dirty Dirty Weekend at his in-law's farm in Marysville, PA. The weekend consisted of a night-time individual time trial on Friday night, the MASS (Mid Atlantic Super Series) endurance and XC finals on Saturday, and a cyclo-cross race on Sunday.  Due to other commitments we could only come out for the day on Saturday for the endurance finals; but the rest of the weekend looked like it was a fun time and we are bummed that we could not attend all.

The endurance race was the four hour lap format, most laps in four hours wins. What a course it was. For anyone who has raced at the Osterling Farm, Mike likes to put together interesting courses.  Tight and twisty with short punchy climbs. Deceptively a lot of climbing, rumor was 1000 feet per eight mile lap.  Quite a few bridges.  More log overs in one lap than most people probably typically ride in a month.  Sure, not many rocks but this course was a physical and mental challenge every second of the race;  but it was also fun and interesting. The aspect I think I enjoyed most about the course was how it looped around past the parking area and team tent area numerous times; it made for great spectating areas and lots of places to cheer on racers. That little bit of extra motivation from people watching is always helpful.

My first lap I rode with a friend, and we chit-chatted the entire time. Since this was our first time seeing the course, many of the trail obstacle were surprises...log, drops, sharp turns, and a sketchy trail along the creek where one wrong move and you would be in the creek. This friend requested I give a "play by play" of what he heard from me during all those surprising sections.  He said I would make quite the commentator. So this is how much of the lap went when challenging trail obstacles appeared "oh shit", "whee", "whoa", "grrrrr", "oh crap", "come on Jess", "pedal, pedal", yipee", some grunts and groans and "oh fuck".  Yes, I talk to myself quite a bit when riding, mostly encouragement but the expleratives do fly out quite often.  I am glad to hear this gibberish is fun for others to listen to.

Overall both Joël and I had good races.  We enjoyed the course and enjoyed the day. This was the final MASS race where series championships were being awarded; so we decided to make a day out of it hung around for the remainder of the day after the race was over. It was nice to just sit and talk with friends, many of whom we probably would not see until next year.  In addition, there was a band at night, which was a great way to end the day.

As for racing, I placed 1st open female and Joël was 3rd open male. For the series, I was first open women endurance for the series and Joël was second open male for the series. Thanks to Todd Strauss and the Mid Atlantic Super Series for another awesome year of racing.

- words by Jess
- podium photos by us
- professional race photos by Abe and Firespire Photography

Liv Ambassador Program

Liv Ambassador Program

This past year, 2016, I was honored to be selected to be a Liv Ambassador for Liv Cycling (the women's side of Giant Bicycles). As you may know, I ride for the Liv Co-Factory Off-Road team; the Liv Ambassador Program is separate entity not related to the racing team.

The Liv Ambassador program aims to encourage women to get out and ride.  Through rides, seminars, clinics, and social events women gain confidence, learn new skills, and just plain have fun on their bikes. Ambassadors do this through the support of a local bike shop, which is in my case is Saucon Valley Bikes in Hellertown, PA.

Events this year have included in-shop seminars on lighting, clothing, and basic bike maintenance.  I have held numerous mountain bike skills sessions and rides that are focused on skills; which I really enjoying holding because it is so awesome to see the ladies come away with new skills and knowledge.  Social rides for ice cream on the local rail trail are a favorite of mine; it's great just to cruise along and socialize and stopping for a treat is an added bonus.  When the Liv and Giant demo trucks came around it was awesome to help them during the demos and see ladies get stoked about riding Liv bikes.

Liv Cycling and what they do is an asset to all women cyclists out there.  Producing women's specific bikes, which are made for women by women, is something women need. The bikes are made for how women ride and what they want to to ride. In addition, a full line of gear and clothing is available that is quite stylish and the clothing fits well.

Keep an eye on the Saucon Valley Bikes Facebook page for info about then the next Liv Ladies event will be. Come on out and join other women for a great time on bikes.

-Jess

Hardcore 24, Naples, NY

Hardcore 24
Event: Hardcore 24 solo 24 hour race
Place: Ontario State Park, Naples, NY

After a less than stellar Summer Solstice 24 Hour race just a month ago, we took the lessons learned from that race and applied them to the Hardcore 24. We slept more the week before the race, we packed and did house chores during the week so that come Friday we had nothing house-related to do, we arrived at the race site early on Friday so that we could set-up the day before, and got to bed earlier than normal the night before the race. All of these things helped make sure we would start the race with us well rested and stress free.

Race morning we slept in, then finished setting up our pit area. Food was spread out on the table, all electronics and lights were plugged in, coolers were prepped, and our clothing for the next 24 hours was organized. The race didn't start until noon; we took the morning to relax some more and socialize with friends and other racers.  Friends and fellow solo racers from PA were set-up directly across from us; it was fun to have them there and to catch-up with them.  Before we knew it, race time arrived and we were ready to go.

Both Joël and I had the same goal for this race; to start conservatively and ride as consistenly as possible.  Heat and dehydration took their tool at the Summer Solstice, so we took extra measures to prevent those issues at this race.  We had sponges soaked in ice water and ice-filled cloth bags (we actually modified tube socks for this) to put in our shirts each lap. We also had a bucket filled with water and rags in which to wipe ourselves down with between laps. These ideas worked great, they were quick and easy to insitute between laps and really helped keep us cool.  As far for riding tactics, we both kept a closer eye on our effort and heart rate. We kept our max heart rate and effort lower as to stay in the aerobic zone longer.

Both of us rode the first part of the race separately.  Just after nightfall Joël lapped me and we decided to ride together for a bit. This then turned into riding together for the entire night portion of the race. It's always nice to have company during endurance races, but especially nice to have company during the night laps at a 24 hour race.  It is a really added bonus if you can ride with your significant other (assuming of course you like to ride with that person!).  Sure, we didn't always talk much, since by this point in the race we were like zombies on auto-pilot, but still nice to have someone else there.  We saw mice scurrying everywhere, huge centipedes and spiders, a doe with two little fawn, and the sun rise. Once the sun was up I was really starting to slow down and was starting to walk a bit, so I sent Joël on his way. I rode for only a short time more, ending around 9:30am with 18 laps, I had enough of a lead that I could stop well before the noon cut-off. Joël had to ride a little longer than I did to ensure he stayed in the lead, he stopped around 10:30 with 21 laps.

What a great race this is, we recommend it.  The seven mile course is primarily single track, with just enough technical sections to keep racers on their toes but to not be dangerous when tired.  There are climbs but nothing unrideable and nothing too long or sustained. The course is well marked and there are mile markers every mile that at night are lit with white sparkling lights. It's little things like that which bring about smiles after hours and hours of riding.  The race support is great, the timing guys were always cheering for us and helping by giving us splits and lap info every time we passed by.  Support by spectators and other racers was amazing also. Everytime passing through the pits people were cheering and offering motivation.  Neutral water was available to racers during the race and post-race vouchers for food from an on-site  food-truck were given to racers. Awards were large trophies, a choice of prize, and cash to overall winners. Thanks to all who helped with the race; it has a great vibe and a good course, what more can one want in a race?

So that's it, Hardcore 24 completed.  We both felt good about our races, enjoyed our time out there, our Liv and Giant bikes held up to the challenge of being beat-up for mile after mile, and we came away with the win.

-Jess and Joël

Michaux Curse of Dark Hollow, near Shippensburg, PA

Vovlo Michaux Endurance- Curse of Darkhollow
Event: Curse of the Dark Hollow 30 mile marathon race
Place: Michaux State Forest, near Shippensburg, PA

These are great races, what more can we stay about the Michaux Races.  This was the second race in the yearly Vovlo Michaux Endurance Series. Each race offers a 10, 20, and 30 mile option.  As you can guess, we always race the 30 mile race.  There is also an enduro category within the 20 and 30 mile race; which is a separate event to enter.

Michaux State Forest is known for it's rocks, and the race course is full of them.  Even the best racers (and I am writing this based on Joël's analysis of the course) still had to walk at a few places.  There is a good mix of single track with just enough double track and gravel roads for passing. Climbing at just over 1000 feet per 10 miles, there were some decent climbs within the race but nothing too terrible.  The course was well marked, aid stations sufficient, and the rhododendron were blooming which made for a beautiful scenery.

Both Joël and I were looking forward to a day of racing.  We felt good, finally recovered from the 24 hour race.  We love rocky and technical courses; and those are what we ride well. Many other fast people showed up, so we had our work cut out for us.  We both rode well; I know I pushed my limits multiple times.  And we both had fun out there, enjoying the course and enjoying the ride.  Joël was 6th in the open men and I was 1st open female.

Post race food for racers included burgers or sandwiches and fries.  Overall winners received cash and prizes; enduro winners and the 10 and 20 mile winners received prizes.  The race director is enthusiastic and the atmosphere at all of the Michaux races is one of fun and friends. What great races!

-Jess and Joël

6 Hours of Power, Ellicottville, NY

6 Hours of Power
Place: Holiday Valley Ski Resort, Ellicottville, NY
Event: 6 Hours of Power 6 hour race

6 Hours of Power (6HOP) is a race we have always been intrigued about.  Joël and I have always heard good things about it and decided to make the journey to New York for the race. We decided to make a weekend trip out of the race; the Ellicottville area touts a artisan shopping area and many eateries so we figured it would make for a good mini-break weekend trip.

Visiting the town of Ellicottville definitely was worth the extra time.  Many small eateries and cafes, a winery and brewery, and eccletic shops. It was a relaxing town to walk around in, do some window shopping, and enjoy some of the local food and beverages.  Camping was available at the race site, so it was an easy decision as to where to stay for the night.  We picked a level spot for the van, filled food and water bowls for Cliff, and settled in for the night.

Race morning we made breakfast, set-up our pit spot, walked Cliff and were then ready to race.  This was a lap race; so a pit area was needed to to place bottles and nutrition. There were a few places along the course where water was being handed out but no actual aid-stations supplying food or bike support. This is the way lap races work, racers go around and around passing their pit multiple times during the day.

The course, which was different than what it had been other years due to a new race director, utilized the ski slopes at the resort.  Thus, it pretty much went up the mountain, wove across the top, then back down the mountain.  It started with a gravel climb and then a small amount of single track to the top, a few miles of twisty and rooty single track along the top, then then new flow trail to the bottom.  The flow trail is in the process of being built, so unfortunately it was not much of a flow trail.  It was still rough and bumpy, and not all of the corners were bermed. Thus, not too much speed could be gotten, too bad.  Course marking was a bit lacking, both Joël and I took wrong turns at one point (which is unusual for us).

Just two weeks after a 24 hour race, Joël and I thought we were well recovered.  But, it seems that we were not.  I just couldn't get going, the race turned into a six hour training race.  Joël had a great first few hours, but then just ran out of energy. Despite feeling a little "blah", we both still put in enough effort for good race results.  I was 2nd overall female and 1st in my age group. Joël was 4th overall male and 2nd in his age group.

The trip to Ellicottville made for a nice weekend away. The race was well run, fun, and had good prizes.  A huge meal of pasta and salad was available to all competitors post race.  However, the course was a little disappointing. The new course did not live up to what we had heard about this race; it was unrewarding and lackluster.  A race that we would still recommend to others and it was great to experience the race and surrounding town, but not one we would rave about.

-Jess and Joël