Leesburg Bakers Dozen
Leesburg, Virginia
April 22, 2017
Jess first overall solo female, Joël second overall solo male
This was our first trip down to this race. Joël and I have l always been intrigued about it; hearing stories of the party atmosphere surrounding it (usual to have a band and bonfire post race), tough competition, and a propensity to have terrible weather we decided to put it on our race schedule this year. As race day approached, we were very much looking forward to race weekend. Sleeping in the van, a good 13+ hour ride where we could use our Lupine Lights, hanging out with fellow racers and partying afterwards, and we even planned the day after the race to leisurely make our way home stopping at a winery and for some riding on the way home. Little did we know that plan would fall to pieces. A stressful day at work for me filled with surprises made for a hectic and later than planned departure. But still not too bad of a kink in our plans, we made it down for registration, set-up our pit area, and got to bed at a decent time. 
Rain pelting the roof of the van woke us up early...and that rain became the theme for most of the race. Significant rains prior to the race already made for a muddy course, more rain on race day just added to it. It was wet, sloppy, slippery, rainy, and in an odd way fun. Many times I felt more like I was skating or skiing with my bike than actually riding it as I slid all over the course. I hit the ground a lot, luckily it was soft and muddy. After a few laps nothing was visible on my bike except a thick layer of mud, I was also covered in a thick layer of mud.
The beginning laps the course actually improved, then things changed and the course conditions worsened quickly. All of a sudden the mud turned to peanut butter, imagine the thickest peanut butter you could ever imagine. Wheels just wouldn't turn due to all the mud stuck between the wheels and frame. Almost all racers were walking, or trying to walk. It was like carnage as racers were seen on the side of the trail using sticks to removed mud from between their frame and wheels. I tried to carry my bike but it was so heavy I couldn't even pick it up. And what did I do for most of this lap...laugh. Oddly enough it was like being a little kid again, playing in the mud, making mud pies, throwing mud. It necessitated laughter. I had many nice conversations with other racers as we walked along. Joël said he felt the same way, it was oddly interesting and fun. So there you have it, the two crazy Nankmans. 
After the walking lap, the race director decided to shorten the race to a seven hour event; the course was becoming impassable and riders were dropping out left and right. So our Bakers Dozen became a Bakers Half Dozen. This race was really just about surviving and keeping the wheels turning. Riding smart and riding consistent was what was needed to get on the podium. Joël and I both did that and each earned ourselves a top spot. We have to say our bikes performed amazingly, which is a big part of surviving endurance events. Joël's 27.5+ tires gave good traction in the mud and having a single speed to avoid shifting issues was a big help. Despite the healthy coating of mud on my bike the SRAM components worked great, not a single drive train problem despite the conditions.
So now for all those great post race plans...well, we ended up driving home immediately after the race. The rain quelched the bonfire and band. We were dirty, all our gear was wet and dirty, Cliff was dirty; we just didn't feel like spending the night in a soggy and muddy van. So we made it a late night and heading home. Which probably was not a bad idea, it took us the entire day on Sunday to clean the mud off of everything. Our washing machine was busy all day. It was like the endurance event after the race; the clean-up.So our Leesburg Bakers Dozen experience was not quite what we expected it to be. The race changed and plans changed. We still enjoyed the race, raced hard and were rewarded for it, and plan to make the return trip in the future.
Shenaduro 6 Hour Marathon Race
Bentonville, Virginia
May 13, 2017
1st place solo male and women for each of us
This was a last minute decision. The local race we usually do this particular weekend, French Creek, was canceled due to torrential rain in Eastern Pennsylvania. So on Friday afternoon we were scouring the internet for a race to replace it. Due to family commitments, we needed something that we could do in one day.
Along came Shenaduro by Action Enablers. A four hour drive for a six hour race. Sure, we could do it in one day. Luckily it was an 11:30am race start, so driving that far in the morning was feasible. So we packed up on Friday night and headed out the door first thing Saturday morning.This area of Virginia had gotten rain on Friday, so the course was wet. Huge puddles, creek crossings, and overall muddy conditions made for an interesting course. But overall it was a fun course, some good climbs and fun descents, and the mud was not too terrible. A few little babyhead rock gardens here and there, some slippery roots, and sketchy corners were just enough to keep on on their toes.
The goal for Joël and I at this race was to get in a good effort but play it safe knowing this was our last big ride before upcoming Trans-sylvania Epic. We would be racing our own races and not taking too many chances. And of course make sure were we having fun. This plan worked great for both of us, we both placed first for open solo men and women.
At the end of the day we enjoyed this race, had a good time, got in a good ride, and as a bonus we each topped the podium. Despite the conditions our bikes worked flawlessly; Liv and Giant bikes and SRAM components are holding up great to all the mud we are throwing at them this year. Now it's time to visit Saucon Valley Bikes to help rebuild the bikes, try to clean the mud out of our clothing, and prep for the next race.