12 Hours of Santos...drive from PA to FL, win a race, and drive back all in a few days

12 Hours of Santos
How we drove from PA to FL, won a race, and drove back to PA all in a long weekend
1st solo open women for Jess, 6th solo elite men for Joël
Gone Riding race series, Ocala, Florida
February 17, 2018

The week prior to the race Joël and I tell people we won't be around for a few days. Thus, they inevitably ask where we are going.  As we answer Florida for a race they ask driving or flying?  We of course answer driving.  They then look as us questionably because it's really only a few days we will be gone...we are driving 2000 miles round trip for a race and will only be gone for a long weekend. Doesn't seem crazy to Joël and I but I'm sure it seems crazy to many other people.

But that is how Joël and I do things. With all the gear needed for a long-distance endurance race in which both of us are racing we need to drive, just way too much gear to take along.  The van makes things so easy, with the loft and bed in the back we can sleep in any location, just pull over and climb into bed.  And of course our dog Clifford goes with us, so driving is a must so he can go along.

Our plan was two days of driving to get to Florida, race day, then leave the day after the race and take two days to drive home.  After a ride on the hometrainers Thursday morning we all piled into the Nankvan and hit the road. Lunch and dinner were already prepared so it made for convenient and quick stops along the way. By bed time we made it well into North Carolina and picked a Cracker Barrel parking lot to be our sleeping location for the night. Side note of our drive; only in the rural south do you see roosters at a gas station!

Waking up at a decent time on Friday morning we ate breakfast and quickly got on our way.  Since we had a little extra time to spare we decided to take a detour and check out the city of Savannah. It was just a quick walk around the historic area along the river but it was a great way to get into some tourist time during our trip south.  Clifford wasn't too keen on walking around there, guess he is just not meant to be a city dog.


After leaving Georgia, it was a few hours drive until we arrived in Ocala.  Getting there in the afternoon on Friday we figured we would have an ample selection of pit spots to choose from. That certainly was not the case. It was amazing how many people were already there. The parking area was crowded and good spots were at a premium.  Being that each of us ride solo and unsupported, a site directly along the racecourse is a must. In addition, parking in a shady spot is a necessity due to Cliff so that he can stay cool. This makes us a bit picky when it comes to a parking spot but our reasons are valid.


After much scouting of the area we found a great pit spot that fit all our criteria. As were were setting up our neighbors came over to us to introduce themselves and give us a warning. They were the party bunch of the race.  We had picked a spot right next to what would be the loud, rambunctious, drunk group during the weekend.  I have to admit, I was a bit concerned about this, but as we talked to all the guys and got to know them a bit more I actually decided it was the perfect spot. They were friendly, helpful, and I knew in a jam they would help out.  By the time the race was complete I can say I would not have wanted to be parked anywhere else. The guys were courteous, kept things interesting, and their heckling was quite motivating.

Race set-up went as usual.  Joël and I have a system; we each have our own set of tasks and we do our thing.  It's goes quickly and efficiently this way.  During all of this Cliff usually just wanders around and spends his time in the van. After getting set-up we went to register, getting our race numbers and racer goody bags.  Then it was time to relax by watching a movie on the computer followed by dinner made on the camp stove and then get some sleep.

The morning of the race we were up and ready well before the start.  This always seems to happen. We give ourselves more than enough time to get ready and then end up with too much time.  Oh well, it's good to put our feet up and relax a bit before the start. Better than rushing around and getting stressed.  I did some reading, Joël took Cliff out for a bit, and then before we knew it time for the racer meeting and the race start.

The race began with a LeMans start. This means we had to run to our bikes. All racers put their bikes in what is called the coral area and have to run from the race starting line, grab their bike, and then ride. The run was maybe about half a mile or so, not so fun in cycling shoes. Once to our bikes the course started with a prologue to help spread out racers. The course was much better than I expected; to be honest I thought racing in Florida would be flat, smooth, and non-technical. This course had some challenging technical sections, there were quite a few challenging rock features.  Good for Joël and I, these were definitely places we could excel and gain some time.  A few wooden bridges, skinnies, and wall rides were dispersed along the course which just made for plain old fun to ride.  There were no sustained climbs but there certainly were many short, steep climbs which made for punchy efforts.  And yes, as expected, there was twisty and turny single track.  As I mentioned, this course was more challenging and interesting than I expected; it kept me on my toes the entire time. It was also fun, which is good when having to ride it again and again and again during a 12 hour race.



Remember above I noted how we were parked next to the party group and their heckle pit?  Well, it was quite the experience during the race.  Lights, a megaphone, and blow-up dolls and animals were present every lap.  There was a ramp to jump off of that was light on fire, yup, on fire. I believe at some point there was a smoke machine.  One of the guys was wearing a very skimpy Speedo-type thing and was in compromising poses at times.  The guys would yell to us every lap though, something funny and yet supportive at the same time. A good group to be pitted next to.

Not much to report about the actual race itself; it went smoothly with no glitches.  Joël and I each had our race planned out as far as effort, heart race, and paced we had planned to keep. We each followed our plan things worked well for us. Lap times were consistent for each of us and besides a few minutes here and there to put lights on, lube a chain, go pee neither of us stopped for any extended period of time during the race. No mechanicals and no major crashes. This was the first race on my 2018 Pique and it performed great.  Nutrition and hydration went well.  Despite the Florida heat we both kept cool with icy-cold towels and sponges to avoid overheating. Our plethora of food choices, our "convenience store" as one other racer called it, gave us more than enough choices for calories that we could eat whatever our stomachs felt like they could handle.

Everything noted above fell into place perfectly, I took the top podium spot for the solo women. Joël was 6th solo elite men (riding single speed).

Post race podiums were done quickly and that was it, race over.  After a sunshower clean off we climbed into bed. The party next door was still going on and both Joël and I wondered how we would be able to sleep. Well, when you are tired you sleep. Even with everything going on around us we both fell asleep right away. The next morning we packed up, went for a short recovery ride with Cliff on the Santos trails, and started our drive home.


The traveling back was saddening. As we made our way north the temperatures got colder and snow started to appear. We spent the night in a welcome center in Virginia and it was in the 30s at night. Sure, normal for that area this time of year but after being in the 80s in Florida it was tough to handle. By the time we arrived in PA Monday afternoon snow was everywhere!  It was terrible.  It was our rude awakening that we were back to our regular routine. Once we arrived home, we unpacked, did load after load of laundry, cleaned all our bottles, and packed things away for the next race. Then it was back to the regular routine of life.

After our short stint in the warm Florida sunshine here's to dreaming about warmer weather and onward to the next race.

-Jess

Cycling With Your Valentine: How a Husband and Wife Train, Race, and Bike Vacation Together

How to Ride With Your Valentine
How Joël and I train, race, bike vacation, and live the part time vanlife together

Many couples out there ride together, so you may be wondering why I feel Joël and I are any different from the others. Think of many of the cycling couples you know; one half may be a pro racer and the other a casual cyclist, one in it for fun while the other competitive, one a roadie and the other a mountain biker...all of these couples may ride together on occasion, matching recovery days with the other's hard efforts or doing an easy day on the trail while the other struggles through the technical parts. Sure, they share cycling as something that brings them together but yet they also often do their own rides, own races, and do their own thing.

This is where Joël and I are different from many of the others.  Joël and I are a husband and wife who are similar in fitness, share the same goals, and follow the same training regimine.  We train together, do the same races, and have even raced together as a "duo" at stage races and endurance events such as Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic (multiple years as a duo), Pisgah Stage Race, and Patapsco 66. 2014 we were the mixed-duo winners at Trans-sylvania.  What a "duo" means is that we need to ride together for the entire race, which depending on the race can means many hours a day for many days in a row.  We enjoy riding together when we train and we also enjoy challenging each other to see who can get to the top of the climb the fastest or will say "race you to the sign post" and sprint.  When it comes to races we will ride together for a bit when we lap each other but we will also challenge each other to see who can put in the most laps or finish the race in the best time.

And what do we do when we aren't on the bike? We try to travel as much as possible in our campervan lovingly called The Nankvan.  Road trips to race and cycling vacations are things we do together.  So not only do we train together, race together, we also sometimes live in a Chevy Express when doing all this training and racing. Add in our dog Clifford and it makes for one happy family.

A little history here.  Joël and I met through cycling.  A mutual friend introduced us at a bike race.  Was it coincidence or planned that both of us then showed up at the next couple of training rides and races.  Both Joël and I were competitive cyclists when we met, so that made it easy for us to understand each other's drives and goals and to incorporate it into our relationship. I am sure that is a big help when it comes to trying to figure out how to ride with your valentine, if each of you are already living that lifestyle you just combine it together.
Many people ask us how do we do this? We train daily together, go to the same races together and often ride together during the race and then we are stuck with each other in a van for at least a few hours if not even days before and after the ride. Communication, support, and a shared love of what we do is key.


Isn't communication always the key
Communication about every aspect of cycling is key to be successful at riding together.  And don't just talk about it, write it down. At the beginning of the year we sit down and talk about what races we want to do, what our goals are, and formulate a broad plan for the year.  Joël then writes up a training and racing schedule and it is posted on the wall. This way there is no confusion about what is going on. We know what the goal is for each workout, what races we are training towards, and what to expect for the week. Of course this is a pliable plan based on how we are feeling and what else is going on in life but it decreases the confusion and anger that can occur when spouses are thinking about or planning a different ride or route.

Have a plan
Pre-planning helps us know what to expect from each other and helps things move along smoothly.  For those that have seen us at races, especially 24 hour races, you can agree we certainly have our act down pat. From the moment we arrive to the moment we leave we have a plan.  The plan is discussed prior to departure for an event or race, that way we know what is happening.  When we arrive we both just start doing our part. Joël knows what to get ready and what to set up, as do I.  We each have our specialities and our duties; Joël is always in charge of the bikes and I am always in charge of the food and cooking. We communicate along the way (there is that communication thing again) if we need help or assistance. By working as a well-oiled machine we keep the stress level low, get things done in a timely manner, and keep husband and wife disagreements to a minimum.


Sometimes it is OK to go your own way
Do our own thing at times.  I know, this entire blog post is about how we ride together. But every so often one of us is really having a bad day. We want the other to have a good ride and maybe we just need some time to battle the inner demons on our own. So what do we do?  We tell each other about it. We talk about what is best, staying together or riding on our own. If we decide to part ways we make a plan about what route each is taking and when to expect to see each other again. Sometimes a little alone time is for the better.

Support each other
Support each other. As I noted above, we each have good and bad days. We congratulate each other on the good days and help each other on the bad days. Joël's favorite thing is giving me a high five when I clear a certain area or finally make something I have been struggling with. I usually give Joël a "way to go sweetie" when he has an accomplishment. I think the support-thing was most evident when I first started mountain biking. After many years riding on the road I had strength and endurance, but I could not ride on the trails due to their technical nature.  I was SO slow, I would stop all the time, get angry, and cry frequently. Joël would just hang in there and help me however needed. Sometimes it was giving advice and sometimes it was just being quiet.  If needed, he would be my spotter through technical trail features.  Via his help and support many years later I am now at times leaving him behind on the trail.  And yes, when he is having a day like I used to I support him in many of the same ways.

Kissing makes everything better
Kiss often, and especially at the end of a race.  It definitely took practice to be able to kiss while riding, but now that we have mastered the skill we try to include it with every ride. Especially when ending a race, no better way to cross the finish line after riding together all day than to celebrate a great day on the bike with a kiss.  Kisses on the move are the best, but a kiss also makes a great way to congratulate the other on finally clearing a section, making a big climb; or just a great way to share the enjoyment of a ride or a beautiful view.

So after reading this I am sure you are thinking Joël and I must have amazing rides together all the time. Sure, we have many great rides together but I will be honest. We do have our days when we just want to not talk, maybe ride alone, and even have the occasional trail-side dispute. But that is what being a couple is all about, we do have these bad days but we figure out how to get through them. Maybe we go our own way and meet-up later, maybe we stop to talk about things, or maybe we just have some quiet time and focus on ourselves. Most important is we get through them and make sure the rest of the ride and the next ride are enjoyable.

Riding together is something that brought us together and something we share together almost everyday.  Both of us are looking forward to many more miles of turning the pedals together, sharing the podium together, and living in the van together.

Photo credit to most of these photos goes to Abe Landis and Firespire Photo. Abe is an AMAZING photographer and his presence is appreciated at races. Thanks Abe for all the photos over the years and always doing such a great job of capturing the best "duo" moments of Joël and I riding together.

- Jess