Wolk Creek 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race
By Loki Events
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
May 15-16, 2021
1st overall male and female for the
Nankmans
Loki Events and
Matt Johnson put on top notch event in the Wolf Creek race. Held in Mark
Twain State Forest, the endurance competition was a 6, 12, and 24 hour event
hosting both solo and team events for all the distances. A good course, friendly fellow racers and
local residents, amazing pre and post race food, supportive and caring race
staff, and unique personal awards made for an event that was worth the 15 hour
drive, would be recommended to others, and will be considered returning to.
The course was pretty darn perfect for a 24 hour
event. Laps were approximately 11 miles
taking riders on average anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes to complete. With the
exception of the tiny bit of gravel through the pit and camping area, the
course was single track. The single track was a combination of flowing, twisty
trails along with rough, babyhead strewn rocky sections. It was fun!
It was just the perfect combination of being challenging enough to keep
riders on their toes but yet not so challenging as to be unsafe and sketchy at
night and when tired. Skilled riders could use the technical features to their
advantage but novice riders would not be overwhelmed. The elevation was overall rolling, no major
climbs or descents with a total gain per lap of approximately 600 feet. This make
for a more gentle ride overall with no major leg burning climbs but it did mean
there was a lot of pedaling, which made for more tired legs later on. But
still in the grand scheme of things gently rolling that is a little extra
pedally is better than leg burning steep climbs every lap. The forest was beautiful. Greenery bursting
everywhere with wildflowers popping up at various places along the trail. There
was a pond filled with bullfrogs and a small creek with an ornate rock bridge.
Weather during the preceding week had cooperated with soil that was neither
too mushy nor too dry. Even a few hours of mid-race rain didn’t affect the
course too much; it got a little
slippery and peanut butter like at some places but really not too bad. Still an
enjoyable ride even with the rain. Great course markings kept all racers on
course, event at night and when tired.
The event, being in just one of the of the first few
years of happening, was still on the smaller side. But this made for a more
friendly and close-knit feel. All riders seemed to really want to be out there
and were enjoying the ride. So many
talkative and friendly racers, even the faster team riders were courteous and
supportive when passing even though they were really going for speed. Spectators and racers waiting in the pit area
were always cheering and offering help.
One local family whom Joël and I talked to quite a bit before the race came out
to cheer during and after, even offering us assistance pre and post race if
needed.
WOW about the food is all that needs to be said. Race staff had a full spread for racers
during the race including fruit, snack bars, water, electrolyte drink, and even
tater tots. Yup, warm and salty baked tater tots. So good for either during or
post riding. Food trucks were present
during the time of the 6 and 12 hour event offering shaved ice treats and
beer. Too bad many 24 hour races missed
out on this; or at least the Nankmans did. We were racing, unfortunately no
stopping for beer. Post race on Sunday
morning for the 24 hour racers pancakes, sausages, and fruit were offered for
breakfast. It’s amazing how many pancakes a hungry racer can fit into their
stomachs!
Accommodations for racers, both teams and solo riders,
worked fine but was interesting. 6 and
12 hour racers, both teams and solo riders, could set-up their tents in the
parking lot that the race looped through where the timing tents and race hub
was which was perfect placement. Only
caveat was that riders could not park there; they needed to drop off all their
gear and then drive to a parking area down the road and leave their vehicles
there. A little logistically
challenging. 24 hour riders were to set-up their pits along the side of a gravel
road that lead from the parking lot to the start of the single track. The race
went right by this area, so it worked just fine as a pit stop and was just fine
for a pop-up tent set-up during the race. But it was a little strange for
sleeping the night before and for those that slept during the race, especially
if they needed to set up a camping tent. Finding a flat and comfy spot was
tough. Joël and I had to park the van at a weird angle
essentially in the forest along side the road to be able to have a good
sleeping spot and to accommodate our awning and pit area.
Other race amenities.
Race swag included optional T-shirts, hats, and hoodies. Custom made metal awards were given to top
finishers. Riders still present at the end left with sunglasses, fruit, and
other snack items. But best underlying
race amenity was the race staff. The race director really cared about the race
and the racers, he was out there the entire event cheering, announcing, and
talking to racers. He got to know everyone. The electronic timing worked well
and the timing crew stayed up all night, smiling the entire time. Race volunteers were helpful and supportive
all the way from registration to post race awards.
Now, how about the Nankmans race? It was struggle the entire race for both Joël and I. We enjoyed the ride and
had a good time; our minds wanted to go but our bodies did not. Doing a 24 hour
mountain bike race just two weeks after our 380 mile 33 hour ride across
Pennsylvania (Crush the Commonwealth) was a stupid idea. But, one never knows
how far they can push their body until they try. Things hurt way more than normal. The sore
muscles, achy body parts, exhaustion, and blisters from two weeks ago were not
yet healed and they all reared their ugly heads early and with vengeance at
this event. But oh well, we came not only to ride but to race for 24 hours so
that is what we did. It was a bit slower
going and there was a bit more stopping than usual but we pushed through the
agony making sure to smile and enjoy the ride every pedal stroke of the way. We each took a short nap during the early
morning hours. Not planned but we need it; being cold and wet along with minds
and bodies that were overly tired a short sleep of about an hour was necessary. Joel did have to put in one really hard effort when chased by some dogs during an early morning lap, after yelling at them to go away Joel had to pedal just a little harder to put distance between the dogs and himself. But all in all we wouldn’t be doing this if it was not fun
so that was the main goal, of course along with race hard and do the best we
could. That ideology paid off, both Joël and I took top honors earning
first overall male and female. Joël putting in 19 laps riding for 209 miles with a
moving time of just over 12 hours and myself 17 laps for 187 miles with a
moving time of just under 20 hours.
So that’s it. A
stupid idea for still tired and not recovered bodies but a good idea in that it
was a race well worth taking part in. We race hard, did well, and enjoyed the
event. Big thanks to Loki Events for
putting on a great event in Wolf Creek. Also, my personal thanks to Saucon
Valley Bikes, Lupine Lights, Liv Cycling, Honey Stinger, and Saucon Valley
Massage for making it all possible.
- -Words by Jess; photos by Joël along with fellow races Matt and Tiff and professional Janzow Photography
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