Endurance MTB Racing During the Pandemic
It has been months. Like many of you, I haven't been on a group ride or been in a race in months. Many of the gravel and cyclocross races I had planned for the spring-summer-fall have been cancelled. And for good reason. There’s no reason to risk unnecessary contact these days. And after three months of riding solo, it’s kind of strange to dip your toe into a group event. I only started riding with a neighbor recently, and then it was only side by side at a distance, not in a pace line. When I saw the Stoopid50, a 50-mile mountain biking race in Stokesville, VA, was still being held, I was interested to see how it would be run given all the restrictions. The race was originally scheduled for spring but postponed to Father’s Day, June 21st. The appeal of this race are the epic MTB trails and the convenient camping (note: it was once held in PA at Rothrock State Forest and moved to VA a few years back).
Pre-Race There’s not a better setting for an endurance MTB race. Home of the Shenandoah Mountain 100 (SM100) for 21 years, the team at Stokesville has really optimized the camping and riding experience. My campsite was right next to the field and pavilion where the start/finish was set up. I literally rolled out of bed at 7:45, had coffee, a small breakfast, and was ready to race. I could hear the pre-race announcement from my campsite. It had been raining earlier in the week, and the night before the race it rained on and off. I had heard the course “drains” really well, so I wasn't too worried about the wet, but I should've paid more attention to the conditions. I should've lowered my tire pressure a bit more and been mentally prepared for slick trails.
Race Day
To practice social distancing, racers were sent out in groups of 10, approximately 2 minutes apart. Just before the start, we were called by bib number to line up on the larger grassy field. Some racers had masks on, others didn't. All the staff were sporting their masks. I opted to wear a mask until we started rolling then I pulled it off and tucked it in my jersey. I went out in the third wave, across the campground and up, up, up. Up Hankey that is. If you haven't ridden in the George Washington National Forest, you are either going up or going down ― in a few cases you're transitioning between the two.
Climbing Hankey
I’m not complaining, I like climbing and descending. But this climb to the top of Hankey is a relentless, 8-mile, 1800’ effort. It’s very steep in some sections and a wider double track in others. It's 46 minutes for the KOM to get to the top: it took me more than an hour. The rocks were slippery. The roots were worse. So, there were a few times I slid out and had to walk up a bit to get started again. It was tough. I passed a few of the racers from the group in front of me during the climb and was passed by a few from the group behind. Everyone politely kept their distance.
Aid Station
At mile 12, I arrived at the first aid station. It was well organized, volunteers were wearing masks, and drop bags were laid out for easy access by bib number. Things were spaced out and everyone was respectful. There was even social distancing water resupply with a 3-4’ pipe running out of a 10-gallon tank.
Once I replenished, I departed the aid station with a DCMT teammate on sweep duty, we chatted as we went up the road. I was ready to make the next turn as my Garmin commanded. Good thing he was with me or I would’ve missed the turn as the course from prior years was changed because of the high water levels on the creek from the week’s rain. As a result, we missed out on four miles of single track, staying on the pavement for a few more miles.
Creek Crossing
As I turned back in the woods and got back on the single track, I realized just how swollen the creeks were. At the creek crossing, a swift water rescue team was in place, and racers were directed to grab the installed rope as they waded across the shin deep water, which was three feet higher the night before. I got back on the bike, shoes soaked and headed up the single track. This section of the trail after the creek crossing was really wet, and the moisture was trapped under the tree canopy―it was dank. At mile 18, I caught a racer on the hill climbing out of the creek crossing, and we went back and forth passing each other before I decided to let him go ahead. That was the first rider I’d seen since the aid station. Moments later, another racer came flying by like we were standing still, he was climbing with tremendous skill on wet rocky, rooty sections. He ended up winning the Open 50-mile race. So I didn't feel so bad. Sweat in my eyes, muddy all over, I finally made it up and over the climb and had the joy of a sweet descent back towards a camping area. Three more racers passed me on the descent. From here there was a short, paved section before I was back at the aid station, only 15 miles to go. Except I had to climb back up Hankey from the other side, through some tough switchbacks, over the top, and then a long descent to the rock garden.
Rock Garden
As I made my way up the climb, there were a few brief rain showers moved through, providing some relief from the heat. Getting wet didn't matter at this point, I was already soaked. I made it to the top, having to walk the steep sections of the switchbacks on the way up. I was looking forward to the three-mile downhill back towards the campground. What I hadn't anticipated was the two miles of rock garden section before the next creek crossing. It was technically challenging, but ridable. Especially since the sun had dried this section, providing extra traction.
After I got through the rock garden and crossed the suspension bridge over the creek, I was back on the pavement for a mile before the short single track climb back into the campground and the finish line. I was happy to be done.
Results
The field wasn't very big, but I did well: 1st in the 50+ and 4th overall. All in all, I thought the organizers (Chris Scott shout out) did a great job, and I wasn't concerned at any point during the race of social distancing issues, etc. I see more people on the local paved trailers near my house than I did during this race. There were periods where I saw no one. Near the end I was passed by 4 to 5 of the 50 milers who would make up the podium.
There were probably 80–90 total racers on the course that day. The SM100 is still on the schedule. Registration numbers are higher than the Stoopid50. If they approach the AM100 with the same mindset, it should be a great event. And a safe one for the participants and the volunteers.
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