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Shenandoah 100
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Harrisonburg is a quick drive up 81 and has plenty of lodging. It's an early 6:30 am start so just factor in some drive time. The race is fantastic.
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DO IT!!! I had a great time last year (my first,) and have already started planning for this year.
Amazing support, great racers, beautiful trails.
As PainkillerSPE said, Stokesville Campground, the start and finish of the race, is just down the road, but I think you'd miss out by not camping Fri. and Sat.
Hanging out and meeting people, soaking up the atmosphere, and don't forget about the observatory!
Los
Amazing support, great racers, beautiful trails.
As PainkillerSPE said, Stokesville Campground, the start and finish of the race, is just down the road, but I think you'd miss out by not camping Fri. and Sat.
Hanging out and meeting people, soaking up the atmosphere, and don't forget about the observatory!
Los
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Ditto sslos
I did it in 2008, an dhad a BLAST. It was not just a great race but an amazing experience.
I'll never forget the guy yelling at me when I crossed the line: "RING THE GONG! RING THE GONG!" I was like WTF?? (I was so blown out and tired)...
I'm definitely in this year!
R
I did it in 2008, an dhad a BLAST. It was not just a great race but an amazing experience.
I'll never forget the guy yelling at me when I crossed the line: "RING THE GONG! RING THE GONG!" I was like WTF?? (I was so blown out and tired)...
I'm definitely in this year!
R
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No facilities at the campground other than outhouses. You need to clear out the day after the race. I stayed in a camper so I had a nice hot shower the night after the raceCevan said:
People did have generators (just don't run them at night). It can get cold at night, race start temps were in the high 40's last year. So plan on bringing a sleeping bag and some light cold weather gear.There is a observatory on the property that is open at night. I suggest checking that out if you are not to drunk.
I'm in again for this year as well. I finished in 12 hours 30 minutes last year.
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http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/47907891
this is my GPS profile for the course using a 705.
this is my GPS profile for the course using a 705.
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159 Posts
My days of camping at mtn bike races are over. I'm too old. And the only tent I have is a backpacking tent and there's no way I'm spending 3 nights in that.
Renting an RV is not a bad idea.
I've also managed to recruit 2 of my buddies to do the race with me. :thumbsup:
Renting an RV is not a bad idea.
I've also managed to recruit 2 of my buddies to do the race with me. :thumbsup:
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Sm100 is a fantasitic race and some serious mtn biking going on. Unlike Leadville. Yes I've done them. Camping at the SM100 and the Wild101 is what makes them great events. Great atmosphere before and after the race. Be careful what size camper you rent. It is held at a campground that stopped being used many years ago. Roads are pretty narrow. A smaller trailer would be ok, but I wouldnt rent some big beast. Enjoy it. It is an awesome course. Great singlerack. Rock gardens, etc. !!
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Stayed in Staunton about 30 minutes away at a nice hotel with a parking garage since I had my wife with me. (named Stonewall Jackson Hotel I think??) Lit parking garage was very nice for early morning setup. Later heard from other riders the campground was noisy, but I'll probably camp this year anyway since I'll be going alone. Note that I said "riders". Hard to say I'm racing when I take time to do pictures and chat. If you don't camp be prepared to work for a parking spot when you drive in since the place is pretty busy.
I wrote a very wordy report about the ride here: Have patience since that report was sort of intended for family and friends.
I wrote a very wordy report about the ride here: Have patience since that report was sort of intended for family and friends.
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I did a few 6hr races and a 24 hour race last year and enjoyed them more than typical XC races. So I decided to give the SM100 a try this year. I have purchased the Chris Eatough Sm100 training plan but I would like to preride as much of the course as possible. The good thing is that I live about an hour from Harrisonburg. Are there any group training rides that happen during the year? Or at least some maps and suggested parking areas to ride a certain section of the course.
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I'd say preride on that course would be a great idea. A lot of it you can really hammer on if you know that you're not facing a steep climb around the next corner. Of course, I live 3000 miles away and the only time I've been there was for last year's race. I had to play it safe for the whole thing and it cost me hours in total ET. From what I understand, all of it except for the final drop through Stokesville campground are open year round. It would be nice to preride that drop too since you're going to do it tired, but you might have to sign up for some group thing to get to it. Organizers ask that we stay away from the private property to ensure we can have access to this for the next 50 years. I agree 100%. Great event and worth the 3000 mile trip. I'd guess you can easily do pieces of it in loops and almost don't have to worry about parking since there are lots of nice forest service roads separating each of the climbs and single track drops. Get familiar with the gps tracks posted online and you'll see what I mean. From my experience last year I'd get familiar with the two single track climbs (Briery Branch and whatever that thing is that climbs away from Ramsey Draft near Augusta). The first one is almost unridable for normal humans, I was able to do most of that 2nd one but it was tough and did have to stop a few times. Depending on your descending skills I think the Cookie (??) trail is probably the most difficult and probably deserves some attention. That's the first one you do in the morning. Lots of mechanicals there from people having too much energy for their bike and/or skill level. Oh, and you need to do the single track off the top of the Hankey Mountain climb. That one's not for training purposes. It's one of the nicest pieces of trail I've ever ridden anywhere and deserves to be done just for fun before you go crashing through it at race pace.
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The Ramsey Branch climb was nothing more than a hiking trail. It was super narrow and in some places unridable. I ended up in a walking congo line on that one. The Hanky Mountain single track was the best out there. On the descent after the death climb I almost went over the side of the mountain because of fatigue and going to fast. Then after I thought it was almost over we had to climb back up Hanky MountainSoCalXCRider said:
I was so happy when I saw the speed racer sign.Jamas,
I too would like to pre-ride the course also a few times, or at least sections of it. Not to duplicate Jamas request, but does anyone know where to park, etc to ride this thing. I assume it would probably be best to have 2 vehicles, one at the top, and one where your gonna end up, so you dont have to ride back to the top? I also bought the SM100 training plan, but might have to convert mine to a 16 week plan, rather than the 12 week plan because of scheduling issues.
maybe we could get together a group or something once we figure out the parking situation, and get a group ride together. Im not trying to win the thing, but would love to just finish it.
I too would like to pre-ride the course also a few times, or at least sections of it. Not to duplicate Jamas request, but does anyone know where to park, etc to ride this thing. I assume it would probably be best to have 2 vehicles, one at the top, and one where your gonna end up, so you dont have to ride back to the top? I also bought the SM100 training plan, but might have to convert mine to a 16 week plan, rather than the 12 week plan because of scheduling issues.
maybe we could get together a group or something once we figure out the parking situation, and get a group ride together. Im not trying to win the thing, but would love to just finish it.
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Outstanding ride and highly recommended. I stayed in a rental house the first year. What a relaxing time and will repeat it again this year. Last year stayed in a hotel in Bridgewater - 15 minute drive. The hotel had a kitchen and worked great for pre and post hot shower and cooking light pre race meals. I am too old and have a job for a reason and do not camp out.
I definiitely recommend preriding the trail. It will make a significant difference in you finish time and a trail you have already seen feels shorter mentally. Plenty of tracks on line at the garmin site for gps. I good weekend is to cover the 50 or so miles on a saturday and the last 45 or so on sunday. You do need someone to pick you up though or ride with someone and use two cars. The trails can get overgrown in the summer and are in much better shape for race day. The organizers do a great job of clearing the trail.
I have done it twice. 9:59 and 9:47 the last two years. The weather has been very cool the last two years and excellent riding conditions. Not much advice for racing except stay with in your training and do not get caught up in the morning rush too much though it is a good idea to get to climb #2 at 20 miles as quickly as you can to get away from as many people as you can. Make haste slowly!
I definiitely recommend preriding the trail. It will make a significant difference in you finish time and a trail you have already seen feels shorter mentally. Plenty of tracks on line at the garmin site for gps. I good weekend is to cover the 50 or so miles on a saturday and the last 45 or so on sunday. You do need someone to pick you up though or ride with someone and use two cars. The trails can get overgrown in the summer and are in much better shape for race day. The organizers do a great job of clearing the trail.
I have done it twice. 9:59 and 9:47 the last two years. The weather has been very cool the last two years and excellent riding conditions. Not much advice for racing except stay with in your training and do not get caught up in the morning rush too much though it is a good idea to get to climb #2 at 20 miles as quickly as you can to get away from as many people as you can. Make haste slowly!
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I'm not sure where you live but I would like to start preriding the 2nd weekend in Aprilnov0798 said:
if anyone is interested. If anyone knows the area and would like to be a tour guide that would be better yet! I have the Nat-Geo map of the area and with all the info posted online
I should be able to find my way. I don't have a Garmin but I may need to invest in one.
Also, I am shooting for about 10 hours is this unrealistic for my first try?
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