Big Lick 200
“At the end of the day, it’s just you out there. So be prepared”- quote from the event Ride Bible
Event: Big Lick
200
Part of:
unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley weekend of rides and races
What: 200 mile
gravel, dirt, and rural paved roads throughout the idyllic farm country and
mountains of Bald Eagle State Forest and surrounding areas
What else: unPAved
has everything from 30 mile fun rides to 120 mile timed events
Organizer: GroRaces
Where: Lewisburg,
PA
When: October 12-13, 2024
2:30pm on Saturday the 12th. 15 hardy riders are gathered around the unPAved race headquarters within the Lewisburg Fall Festival & Woolly Worm Winter Weather Prognostication celebration in downtown Lewisburg. A blue sky with sun and temperatures around 70 made for perfect weather while riders took are taking in cheerful and anxious chit-chat with each other, friends, and family waiting for the countdown to the start. "3, 2, 1, go!" and the wheels start rolling while a police escort leads the way out of town to the Lewisburg Railtrail for the start of the Big Lick 200. A mix of " this is going to rock!" along with "holy shit what I am getting into?" course through my mind. But oh well, regardless, here I am and there is not way to get to the finish other than pedal.
Last year, 2023, was the inaugural year for this event. I was one of the riders chosen to give it a try, essentially to give it a test run. The 2023 edition was a bit of a shit-show for me. I underestimated the course, the weather, and my hydration and nutrition needs. Poor choices like attending the unGraveled games and pubcrawl the night before the event were fun at the time but not so much race day. Novice to holding an overnight event, the course was a bit different than expected for a gravel event; many miles of single track and difficulty in finding refueling areas took their toll. A significant drop in temperature overnight in the mountains almost had me pulling out. A number of riders pulled out in 2023. I persevered to the finish but came across the line in 24 hours; four to six hours longer than expected. Goes to show even experienced and seasoned ultra-endurance racers have bad days. It was certainly a challenging yet rewarding event. Despite my substandard performance in 2023, I was invited back for 2024 and my goal was to get retribution and retaliation for by piss-poor performance last time. Read on for details but I can allude goal accomplished.
2024 started off with a short and uneventful visit to the unGraveled games Friday night which all meant a decent bedtime and good night sleep pre-race. Saturday morning, race day morning, was filled with pre-race happenings such as packet pick-up, bike prep, and lots of relaxing via book reading and movie watching. Joël was not riding this event, in fact he was part of the race organization crew and was the Big Lick on-course support. Clifford the dog stayed home during the event. Thus it was just me in the van for a good portion of the weekend. Parking for Big Lick riders was in a lot adjacent to the finish line at the Miller Center; just a few minutes ride to the start. Around 1:45 I decided it was time to eat a peanut butter sandwich and head over to ride staging.
Now, as you
already have read, the start was a police lead-out through town. This was casual
and talkative but once we hit the rail rail it was like a freight train rolling
down the track. A peloton of riders
pacelined it until the course turned onto the paved farm roads and then riders started to split up. My mantra at
this point “ride your own ride”. It was
tempting to try to stay with the front group but this was an event more about
perseverance than speed. I just
pedaled along, met up with others here and there, and kept my pace and effort
aerobic. The beginning of the course was beautiful. The rolling hills of the valley dotted with
Amish farms was picturesque. The rural paved roads were fast and pleasant to
ride. It had me smiling all along the
way.
Once passing under route 80 to the north side of the course the terrain
changed. It was now time for gravel and now time to climb. The fall leaves and fairytale forest scenery
surrounding the dirt roads were a beautiful sight and distracted from the
difficulty of the mountain ascents. Joël crossed
paths with riders here and there, everyone said it was nice to see him and have
some cheering and motivation. A fellow rider Joanna and I met up were back and forth with each other for some time; we both were trying
to find a water stop around mile 33. No spighot found, so onward we pedaled splitting up until later. I eventually found a creek
and then a church to fill up my bottles. Good cold mountain water.
Before I knew it the first aid stop, an Ingrams Market gas station, loomed ahead. With recently filled bottles and enough food packed on my bike I didn’t need to stop. I circled through the parking lot to throw away some trash, said hello to others, and went on my way. By this point my Lupine Light headlamp was turned on and the temperatures were dropping. Many of those whom I encountered at the Ingrams soon passed me and I was all alone again. I stopped to put on extra layers, saw Joël again a few miles later who promised a party, campfire, and whiskey at the upcoming aid stop and then began the long climb up over the mountain to head towards RB Winter, the first drop bag aid stop stop at mile 84.
New for the 2024 edition was drop bags placed at two state parks. 2023 riders were 100% self supported, they had to carry everything they needed on them selves and their bikes. This year, racers could have their own pre-filled bags or totes delivered to camp sites at mile 84 and 128in them whatever ; putting in the bags whatever wanted. These stops also had water and bathrooms. Believing in the self-supported spirit of gravel ideology of ultra-endurance events I opted for the bare minimum in my drop bags; only what I would usually buy at a gas station stop. Some food and drinks and that is it. I carried all my clothing and other gear on my bike. I wanted to depend only on myself, not on what others would bring me.
Regardless of what was in one’s tote, the aid stop at RB Winter was a welcoming beacon, an oasis in the forest. It was also the camping location for the overnight Slumber Party ride. By this point it was cold, temperatures around 40, and even a few rain drops were felt here and there. I pulled in and Joanna was there putting on extra layers and eating her myriad of snacks. I did the same while she and I chatted about the roads, the chilly temps, and that the best way to stay warm is to eat. Pies, Muscle Milk, regular milk, soda, Honey Buns, Pringles, and cookies were all eaten. Joanna headed out before me; I took some time in the park bathroom to stand under the electric hand driers for awhile to warm myself and my clothes. Once thoroughly warmed and cozy time to ride again. Only bummer about this stop: no whiskey, no party, and no campfire as promised. I arrived at the campground after 10pm, state park rules for quiet hours. The Slumber Party people had gone to bed, the campfire was put out, and the whiskey was a no-go because not allowed in state parks. Sad face but oh well, just keep pedaling.
By now it was somewhere around 11pm or even later, who knows the exact time. I just pedaled along. Temperature regulation was challenging, which is my Achilles heel, my Kryptonite. Jacket on because cold and shivering on a descent, jacket off because sweating and overheating on a climb. I can just never seem to find a good middle ground. When it gets like this I try to keep my pace more regulated, which means taking the effort level down a bit, to keep my heartrate and thus body temperature more even keel. However, it's amazing how frustrating and how much it slows one down to ride like this. The time wasted to go slower, the time wasted to make clothing adjustments. I didn’t see a single other rider for literally hours. However, I did see more porcupines during the overnight hours than I have seen in my entire life this far. They were everywhere. Add in a few raccoons, an opossum, and some deer; all they typical wildlife. Since it was literally just me out there throughout the night and early morning hours. I sang songs to myself, chatted to the wildlife I saw, and talked to my bike. Just another sleep-deprived overnight endurance ride. Nothing different here.
The next aid at mile 128 was Poe Paddy. I rolled in and was all alone. It was dark, it was cold, and it was lonely. I made quick work of eating some food and stuffing my pockets with more to take. I filled my bottles from the spigot and then did a quick lap of the campground hoping for another heated bathroom or shower house with hand driers but alas there was not one. With a bit of a chill and a sad face because I was tired of being cold, dark, and on my own I pedaled out of Poe Paddy. But...despite my sad face I was also starting to gain hope because I knew the end was in sight. This was the last big stop; only 70 miles to go. Soon the sun would come up, it would get a little warmer, and the day would be new again.
Riding together for a few miles there was welcomed chit chat and comradery. Now almost 18 hours in, I was feeling lack luster and my fellow rider was feeling strong so off he went. In addition, I was beginning to have some back injury issues bother me, thus I knew it was time to back off the effort and just easy pedal for now. Of course I happened to be feeling these aches and pains just as some monster climbs were part of the course and even a few miles of chunky, rocky, gnarly, puddle-filled jeep trail. I admit, I did some walking here and there during these parts of the course just to give my back and body a break. Dawn came which meant it was time to turn off the lights. This is always a mental game-changer to see the sun come out, to get out of the darkness and feeling of unknown.
During the ride
along steep climbs and jeep trail Joël showed up again. He seemed to be
enjoying driving his truck on this four wheel drive appropriate terrain. No stopping to chat, just a quick wave to each other and that was it, I
just wanted to get’er done. After the
jeep trail was the descent to Camp K, which was an aid later in the day for the
other events but just water at the time of the Big Lick. Post Camp K it was literally a rolling to
flat pedal to the finish. Somewhere in these morning hours a light drizzle started. Not bad enough to cause concern, especially knowing it was now the homestretch.
Rural country roads meandering through farms and small villages lead back to the rail trail the course started on. Passing by the Rusty Rail Brewery which was an aid stop later in the day for other events, a beer seemed inviting, but alas the brewery was not open yet. Riders taking part in some of the other rides of the weekend were heading out, it was welcoming and inspiring to cheer each other on. At 10:30am, a total time of 20 hours, I passed under the finish arch at the Miller Center for my official unPAved finish as the third place female.
Welcomed back by race officials and other riders I was handed my uniquely and traditionally Pennsylvania woopie-pie along with other finisher swag along with my meal and beer tickets. A quick congratulatory chat with other riders and thank you to race personal and then it was off for what was really wanted and needed: a shower, food, and a nap.
After filling my belly, cleaning off, and a quick sleep I headed back to the finish line, aka post-ride party area. Riders from all events were hanging out, socializing, eating and drinking. A good friend was riding on Sunday and I was looking for her and her husband; I later found out I slept just a little too long and missed them. Sorry friends! Joël had a respite from his race duties for a bit and had some time to hang out with me and others. Much talking, much eating and much drinking occurred. During this post-race party time was also the awards ceremony for the Big Lick riders. However much I wanted to stay and celebrate the ride of myself and others, by mid-afternoon my body said ENOUGH. It was time to get out of the sun, hydrate and eat, and take a good decent sleep. Back to the van in the parking area and I was out.
2023 was a learning year for all. 2024 was a successful year for all. I certainly learned from my 2023 experience and did not repeat my downfalls. The race organizers and support crew did an amazing job this year putting together a well-rounded event that had everything about it dialed-in and well-done; much improved, thank you for that. I can and will highly recommend the Big Lick to others and it will be on my schedule in the future. That being said, any ride and everything about the unPAved weekend should be on all and any riders schedule. If you enjoy beautiful albeit a challenging gravel, quaint towns with history and character, festivals and race venues that have more to do than just ride bikes, and an event with a social atmosphere then put unPAved on your schedule.-Jess
Photos by race sponsored photographer Abram Landis (Firespire Photography),
Behind the scenes support from Saucon Valley Bikes and Main Street Gym in Hellertown, PA, Liv Cycling USA, Lupine Lights North America
Thank you to all the race volunteers, the city of Lewisburg and everyone there involved in the event, all the race sponsors and organizations taking part, and the event organizers for making unPAved what it is- an amazing event.