What: 5 day stage race
When: May/June 2016
Where: State College area, PA
This was the 4th installment of the Trans-sylvania Mountain Bike Epic (TSE) for Joël and I. We have raced three times as a duo and once as an "epic team". Our best placing so far was 1st co-ed duo in 2014. This year we were 4th place overall for the duo competition (men/women/co-ed combined) and 2nd for the co-ed duos.
So what is TSE? It is a five day mountain bike stage race; which means racing every day for five days in a row and the lowest overall time for all five days is the winner. Each stage is approximately 30-40 miles long with 4000-5000 feet of climbing; taking the average racer about four hours (our shortest day was just over three hours and our longest was almost five hours). Being that it is a mountain bike race most of the racing takes part on single track (which being Eastern PA can be quite rocky), but there are some gravel road sections which are good for passing and for recovery.
Many people ask what does it mean to be a duo? Essentially we race together the entire time. At each check point/aid station (usually two per stage) and the start/finish we need to be within 30 seconds of each other. So yes, we could split up for a bit, but we opt to ride together the entire time. As most people know, married couples disagree. Add in fatigue, frustration, and the aches and pains that occur with riding hard everyday, so yes, disagreement does happen to us during the race. For the most part we are happy and smiling and enjoying the day, but yes, the occasional argument occurs. This year that happened during the first part of day four at R.B. Winter State Park. Sorry for those fellow racers that had to see our blow-up occur. There were some curse words that were shouted and some stopping that happened. But what makes us a great duo is that we can pull things together and get riding well again. Bad days happen to every racer, and getting over them and moving forward is what is important. Thus moving forward is what we did. We fought against our own tired legs and aching bodies and yet still managed to ride together and help each other with smiles all along the way. Through the rocks and roots and two days of racing that were torrential rain and mud we kept together as a team.
But all in all what a great week it was. Spending time with friends on our "Tent City". Spending time on the trail enjoying the beautiful scenery together and with fellow racers. Having Cliff at camp with us. Thanks to all involved for making TSE a great week of racing, riding, and time with friends.
And a big shout to to Giant and Liv for making such awesome gear and bikes; we made it through the week with only one minor mechanical and no clothing or gear issues. Giant Co-Factory Off-Road Team and Honey Stinger kept us going strong all week.
Below are many links to check out what TSE is about that have personal coverage (photos, race reports, interviews) with Joël and I)
Pinkbike TSE coverage- including photos, personal names and team names mentioned.Day 1 report: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-2016-trans-sylvania-epic-stage-1.html
Day 3 report: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-2016-trans-sylvania-epic-stage-3-2016.html
Day 5 report: http://www.pinkbike.com/u/tsepic/blog/the-2016-trans-sylvania-epic--stage-5.html
DirtwireTV Facebook coverage
Personal interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIZFRINehr0&list=PLd8fGNC5PlXTu9SX2WbsZ1Uhi0NkI2xzm&index=10
Videos from each day highlighting the stage
Day 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6v0sQhYQOU&list=PLd8fGNC5PlXTu9SX2WbsZ1Uhi0NkI2xzm&index=11
Day 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lh0VimPVtU&index=28&list=PLd8fGNC5PlXTu9SX2WbsZ1Uhi0NkI2xzm
Day 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE5PvBcnDKA&index=36&list=PLd8fGNC5PlXTu9SX2WbsZ1Uhi0NkI2xzm
Day 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAfa4kLzwRg&index=52&list=PLd8fGNC5PlXTu9SX2WbsZ1Uhi0NkI2xzm
Day 5 https://www.facebook.com/Dirtwiretv/
TSE Facebook page- live feed of the race and podium awards in which we are noted along with race highlights and race photos we are in
https://www.facebook.com/TransSylvaniaEpic/?fref=ts
So here is thinking about 2017...
-Jess and Joël