Single Track Stampede (STS) Race Report or the Rootiest Race We've Ever Done

Last week's race report detailed the Bear Creek Challenge which is lovingly described as the "rockiest race we've ever done." This past weekend's race, the STS, is now in the books as the rootiest race we've ever done. While we had heard from others that this was a rooty course, we quickly found out that the roots were never-ending throughout this 7 mile loop. Luckily, it was a dry day and a dry course which made the entire course entirely ridable. There were few climbs to speak of and just wonderful flowing single track through a beautiful park complete with picnic sites, shelters, and free-growing wildflowers.

The STS took place at Sprague Brook Park which is located about 20 miles south of Buffalo right on the edge of the Allegheny Mountains. This was a new race and new venue for the Jeffina and we looked forward to racing with our teammates from this part of the state, as well as spending time with EJ. We drove to EJ's house on Friday evening and woke up early Saturday morning to head out to the race. EJ chose not to race since he was one of the sponsors and dedicated his time to promoting products. EJ's line of products now includes not only crank protection, but full bike protection for frame and forks, as well as a race promoter's package of bike numbers, banners, and soon-to-come course tape.

As we pulled up at the race venue, many other vendors were setting up. EJ and Jeff got the pop-up tent ready and I went to work preparing food and water bottles for our race. Jeff's new handy-dandy foldable, portable, mobile feed station (say that three times fast) has elevated Jeff's prototype feeder to new heights. All the water bottles are easily accessible and we can even throw in gel backs, if need be.


















As we warmed-up, Jeff and I rode the first part of the course and remarked that after riding so many different types of courses this year, each race presents us with a challenge. For instance, if you only ride courses that are rocky, you become a great handler in rocky courses; if you only ride double-track, you have great speed on double-track courses. So, when courses are drastically different from week-to-week, it forces you to consistently work on handling skills that you may not otherwise.

We lined up in our respective categories with the experts up front, separated by a small gap to the sports, and then beginners. Typically, the expert category takes off a few minutes in front of the other categories, but this was not the format for the STS and this will be my only criticism of the race. Even though the categories were separated by small gaps, we all took off at the same time. This meant that approximately 100 racers were on the course at the same time and all the categories would mix together. As you might imagine, this created some havoc on the first lap. Both Jeff and I would talk later about the amount of traffic on our first laps. It was nothing less than chaotic.

Jeff was in a "train" of guys on the first lap and would have few opportunities to pass. The majority of the course was singletrack which made passing difficult and it very quickly become obvious who knew the course well and who didn't. For the locals, Sprague Brook is a mainstay in their riding. Jeff really couldn't open up any speed until down towards the end of the first lap. At this point, his teammates and brothers, Ben B. and Jason B., were a few minutes a head, so Jeff just kept the pace high as he began learning the course. At the end of three laps, Jeff finished in 6th place overall and 1st in his age group. He has been feeling better as the summer moves towards the fall and hopes to keep his fitness for cross season.

In my race, similar to Jeff's, I was in a train of riders on the first lap and not knowing the course, felt very tentative. I had a strong start, but towards the end of the first lap, found myself passed by a local woman. I watched her lines and quickly realized that she knew this course well. I pushed myself to work back up to her and through the start/finish area (which held the only extended climb), continued to push hard. I would start to open up a small gap. On the second and third laps, I continued to learn the course and enjoy flowing singletrack since I was not being pushed by the sport riders. I would go on to take the win by 3 minutes, but that is not to say that my race was without hardship. As many of your know, I've been working through low back pain for the past 18 months and have been helped tremendously by a new chiropractor and Brent Moorehouse. Both have helped to restore my full range of motion and increase strength. On my 2nd of 3 laps, I slid out on a root, which is not a big deal since I pulled out a foot to catch myself, but when I did, my hip hit a tree -- it stopped me cold. I went on to finish the race, but immediately got ice on the area. It is now Monday morning and my low back is severe enough to keep me off the bike for a few more days. Luckily, I am well-versed in low back pain and know what to do: give the body time to heal. I am hoping to be back on the bike in a few days and ready to race on Sunday in the NYS series.

After the race, the Ellicotville Brewing Company provided racers with free beer (mountain bikers love beer!) and pizza, pasta, and salad was available. I took down a few ibuprofen (no beer for me) and enjoyed the rest of the day.















Team Crankskins had a fine showing. Jason B. won the overall; his brother, Ben, took the singlespeed division win; Jeff won the 40-49 category; and, I won the expert women's race. Equal pay out was given to the men's and women's racers. Equality is good!

Awards Ceremony








































We traveled home Saturday evening back to EJ's house, and found his wife and kiddos swimming in the pool. I was treated to a garden walk and learned from EJ's daughter about how to care for snails.

Jeff packed up the car and I gingerly got into the passenger's seat to head home. We would stop and get BIG burritos.

To view more images from the STS, click on the Flickr link at the top of the page.

Next up for us is the Bellearye, stop #4 in the NYS Mountain Bike Series.

Together, we are Jeffina. Crankin' out the love, crankin' out the miles for Crankskins.com