Point Peter Pounder 4 Hour Race
August 11, 2019
Port Jervis, NY
Jess 1st overall women
Joël 4th single speed
Lucky's Revenge 50 Mile
August 17, 2019Allamuchy, NJ
Jess 1st overall women (in fact, the only woman to finish)
Joël 4th single speed
Michaux Endurance Series Terror of Teaberry 30 Mile
Michaux State Forest, Shippensburg, PA
Sept 15, 2019
Joël 2nd single speed
Jess 2nd overall female
Bearscat 50
Waywayanda State Park, Vernon, NJ
Sep 21, 2019
Jess 1st overall female
Joël 5th single speed
Back to back weekends racing on challenging, technical, super rocky courses two different times. What the heck were we thinking? As if one wasn't enough, we had to do two.
Lucky's Revenge 50 Mile at Allamucy State Park was, well, I can't even explain it. Painful. Challenging. Rewarding. Stupid. Exhilarating. All those words come to mind. It by far is the most difficult 50 mile race either Nankman has ever ridden; in fact after almost eight hours of riding it was almost as painful as a 24 hour race. But despite what may seem like negative things to some, it is already on the race calendar for 2020.
Put on by Hilltop Bicycles, this race is in remembrance of one of their teammates who loved the rocks and the challenges of Allamuchy. Lucky thought racers should challenge themselves and enjoy a nice long day out there on those rocks. Thus, the Lucky's Revenge race, a 15, 25, and 50 mile version was created.
Both Nankmans raced the 50 mile version, which was two 25 mile loops. How was it? Tortuous. But also amazing. Hurtful. But also fun. Allamuchy is relentless, the technical riding is never ending. Rocks, roots, boulders, stream crossings just keep coming and coming. This course never gave riders a break, it was just non-stop technical East Coast riding. Perfect conditions for my Liv Pique Advanced, it's nimble actions made the technical sections ride well and the climbs as smooth as could be.
Just finishing was a challenge. For the 50 mile event, almost half the riders did not finish. In fact, I was on the podium alone because I was the only female to finish. Joel picked two heavy of a gearing and was relinquished to much walking, and thus finished 4th single speeder.Best part of this race? The pizza afterwards. In fact, I was handed an entire pie on the podium. Can't beat that, hungry racer winning a pizza!
This certainly was a challenging race but it was a great race. A race held for a great reason and put on by a group of people who just love cycling and love racing. Registration and race start/finish went smoothly and on time, aid station volunteers were friendly and happy, and custom awards were given out. This race hurt for many days after but the Nankmans will be returning.
The Point Peter Pounder put on by Starcrawft Productions and DeJay Birch is a race that exists purely for the fun and the challenge of racing. As a part of the H2H series for both XC and endurance, racers come from all around the mid-Atlantic region to take part in the series and accumulate points for year end awards.
This is a tough course that puts even the most experienced riders to the test. The watershed trails are a never ending roller coaster of rocks, short ups and downs, and twisting and turning switchbacks. This is what makes them fun and also what makes them beat up racers, especially when racing for over four hours. Joel's Trust fork was perfect for these conditions, making the rocks seem as smooth as can be while my Liv clothing and gear held up well to the beating it was taking over the long and challenging course.
What a well done race. Course markings are spot-on, volunteers friendly and helpful, and the awards venue can't be beat- the flag pole at the top of the Bronx-Elks park overlooking Port Jervis and the spot where PA, NJ, and NY all meet. Post race travel into the historic Port Jervis for some good company, food, and drinks.
As for individual races, I was feeling good and came away with the women's win. Joël was having not the best day and finished 4th single speed. In fact, I even passed him a few miles from the finish and beat him fair and square.
The Volvo Michaux Series is always a local favorite. Pure back country racing at it's finest. These trails are rugged, untamed, unkempt, and pure fun and pure pain at times. Rocky and technical, walking can expected. Rhododendrons, ferns and other various vegetation line the trails, adding to the beauty and rugged feel.
Terror of Teaberry is the final race of the three race series throughout the year. It is touted at the most technical, the most challenging. And it certainly is. There is a 10, 20, and 30 mile division. 30 miles may not seem like much, but the faster racers take 4 to 5 hours; others taking 6 to 7 hours. Both Joël and I raced the 30 mile distance.
This really was a race for both of us. Not a huge field of racers, but a fast field of racers. Both the single speed and women's category had local top-notch riders. Both Joël and I had some back and forth battles during a good portion of the event; making everyone work hard and making it a race. In the end both Nankmans ended up second place.Post race is just another reason to attend these races. Competitors and their friend/family hang around and cheer for other racers. A number of people sit in chairs and line the finish of the course. Food is included with entry; it is delicious, hearty, home cooked food. Also included is beer, a keg is there for ample filling. Another thing to make this an even more awesome is that free camping is available in the race parking lot before and after the race. Cash prizes and merchandise are awarded to category winners and series champions at the end of the year, just another great bonus for attending
So if you like challenging and fun races, good food, and comradery the Michux series of races are worth putting on your event schedule. But be prepared for some tough riding; full suspension is recommended or if you are crazy to ride a hardtail put on some chubby tires like Joël did.
Always a favorite of ours, Waywayanda and the Bearscat 50 course is just a super fun place to ride. Rock garden after rock garden with minimal major climbs; it is a race that is primarily all single track that is technically challenging but has amazing flow and rideability. Put on by Black Bear Cycling, this group picks out and the best trails this park has to offer and puts on an amazing event.
Besides an awesome course, many rider-friendly amenities make this an event worth attending. Free camping is available at the race venue the night prior to the race. Post race food is provided for racers; always a hearty meal. Awards are cash prizes and goodies from sponsors. Many riders hang around afterwards swapping race and ride stories.
The race offers a 25 and 50 mile division; one lap for the 25 milers and two laps for the 50 milers. Being two laps, 50 milers can leave nutrition and hydration at a neutral place near the start/finish for grabbing mid-ride. In addition, a neutral aid station is available mid-lap. As mentioned above, the course is rocky and technical but a fun rocky and technical. Everything is rideable and with speed and power and it all flows well. There are no sustained climbs, just numerous short and steep climbs, many being strewn with rocks. Views of the forest, lake, old iron forge buildings, and camp grounds make for interesting sights along the way. This is just a fun course to ride!As an added bonus, wildlife is not uncommon. It's not unusual to see bear and rattle snakes along the course! Scary but interesting. Both Joël and I have seen bear numerous years and one year I saw multiple rattlesnakes.
Joël was up against a stacked single speed field. Having a great race but racing really fast people he was only able to ride his way to 5th place. His Giant XTC and Trust Performance fork were the perfect ride for this course, helping maneuver the rocky sections with power and speed. I had a tough day but was still able to put in a good enough effort for the win. Despite pushing hard I just couldn't get to my normal race intensity and felt just wiped out at the end. But most important I made sure to enjoy the day and enjoy the ride, which is impossible to do when riding my Liv Pique Advanced. It's just a fun and amazing bike to ride.
So that's a wrap. Almost 200 miles per person of riding some of the gnarliest single track the east coast has to offer. Thank goodness for good bikes, good gear, and the support of Saucon Valley Bikes to keep our equipment going. How about us? After all these rocks Saucon Valley Massage and Balanced Acupuncture is what keeps our bodies going.
- words by Jess
- input by Joël
- photos by both of us