Shenandoah Mountain 100

Permalink | No Comments (0) | Share This

100 mile mountain bike racing. One of the finer formats of mountain biking to evolve out of the plethora of short lap rat races so prevalent in the 1990s. Closer to a big long fun ride. Often only a race for a select few. Those who race hard and fail to appreciate the difficulty of the distance can be found laying along side the trail or totally shelled at an aid station. For sure the slumlords can bring down their wrath the hardest even 6 hours into the race. But the character and nature of the event is very dependent on not only the course but the demeanor of the volunteers, the supplies at the aid stations the atmosphere at the start, finish and the overall production of the event.

Virginia’s own Shenandoah Mountain 100 is without question one of the most rewarding race experiences of the year and it is not only because of the amazing course and ripping single track downhills. The character of the race is FUN from the weekend camp out to the pre-race dinner and most especially the post race party/camp out. An atmosphere where once you finish it doesn’t matter how well you ended up but that you finished and all you’re friends are around, fresh French fries are awaiting you and you’ve just been handed a pint glass to sample from one of the many delicious kegs. Stay tuned, it is always the event of the year. And you get to check out killer views like the one above looking down the dowells draft decent.