Pat's Peak Mountain Bike Festival6 Hour Endurance race
June 8, 2019
Hennicker, NH
This was a last minute addition to the Nankman race schedule. A race Joël and I usually do this particular weekend was canceled. A friend brought to our attention the Pat's Peak race specifically due to the fact it has a 24 hour event, thinking we would we interested in it. Since we already had a 24 hour race planned two weeks after Pat's Peak we decided something shorter for this date would be more appropriate. Pat's Peak also had a 6 hour race which would allow us to get in a good day of racing and training and would enable us to scout out the venue for potential 24 hour racing in the future. So after much discussion, at 7 am on Friday morning we decided that evening after work we would drive to New Hampshire for a race the next day.
The event was advertised as the Pat's Peak Mountain Bike Festival Weekend; and it truly was a weekend of cycling events. On Saturday there was a 6, 12, and 24 solo and team races. On Sunday cross country and downhill racing. Kids races were also included that had some awesome skills features. Live music and vendors were set up throughout the area. Held at a ski resort, camping was allowed pretty much anywhere on site, with many camp sites directly along the course. The resort amenities were open, having a restaurant and bar available for food and drinks during the weekend. In addition, one of the best things a race can offer, there were flush toilets and hot showers.
The course for the endurance and cross country events was the same. Measuring in at just over 7 miles with almost 900 feet of climbing per lap. That's a fair amount of climbing per mile, but what can one expect at at ski resort being that it's on a mountain. The course was pretty much all single track; challenging technical single track. The course started with tight, steep technical switch backs. The middle of the course included twisty and rolling single track with some gravel road and grassy sections interspersed here and there. The last section of the course was primarily down hill, including a fast technical descent. The trails were quite rocky and rooty, which is just what Joël and I like. The resort puts a lot of effort into their trails, having built numerous bridges all over the course at muddy areas and even built a tunnel for the XC/endurance course to go under the ski slope/downhill trail. Two aid stations handing out water and snacks were passed four times during the race. The course marking was adequate and mile markers helped keep track of where one was. The race directors and staff we friendly, courteous, helpful and socialized with racers during and after the event.
So what is our personal experience of this race? Awesome venue and amenities. Joël and I were able to park our van close to the course in a somewhat secluded and shaded area which was perfect for Clifford. Cliff could just wander around and hangout in the forest, which is what he enjoys. We had some friendly neighbors who were also racing and camping for the weekend. The race was challenging, pushing hard for six hours beat us up. Powerful climbing, working hard through technical sections, and bone jarring descents hurt everything. There was just no where on this course to take it easy. It was a tough but fun course, demanding but rewarding. And we must mention, there are fast people up north! In the solo womens field the first place women took the lead right from the start and all I could do was try to keep her from getting too far ahead; its a race, you just never know what will happen. The third place women and I battled it out for a bit, I was able to eventually pull ahead for the second place spot. In the singlespeed field Joël had many super fast guys to race against. After racing hard the final lap, Joël took third place.
Awards were done on the deck overlooking the ski resort, a unique venue for awards that made for great photos. Prizes included medals and many items donated by sponsors. After the awards, Joël and I treated ourselves to well deserved beer at the pub, where many competitors and race staff were hanging out talking about the day of racing. That's always a great thing, when people hang around after a race, it makes the event fun and supports a sense of comradery. We slept onsite in the van after the race and on Sunday went hiking with Cliff at the resort while doing some cheering for the solo 24 hour racers who were on their last few laps. The only negative things we can say about this weekend- if you go to New Hampshire bring insect repellent, the mosquitoes were terrible.
Pat's Peak is a race we definitely recommend and will on our schedule in the future; just a question of the 6, 12, or 24 hour event. The atmosphere, vibe, and all the little extra perks were amazing. As a 6 hour race and cross country the course is perfect, as a 12 and 24 hour race one has to be prepared to go slow and put easy gears on your bike.
- Jess and Joël