Bakers Dozen is a 13+ hour lap race held in Leesburg, Va. Presented by Plum Grove Cyclery & Go Time Racing, the race can done solo, as duo, or as part of a 3 person team. This year was my first year racing it, and I registered as a female duo with Sara Chua of Joey's Bike Shop in Elkins, WV.
Sometimes life gets in the way of riding/racing, and I honestly wasn't even sure I was going to be able to pull this race off. First off, I was getting burned out with riding, and it was only April (not good!). I hadn't really ridden much in the 2 weeks prior, partly due to lack of motivation and partly due to not having any time. I desperately needed to get a new car and I was extremely busy with work and personal stuff. Sara was having similar issues. Thursday night, we both decided to make the trek (IF my car would even make it!!) and just race "for fun" - to get rid of some of life's stresses and to just learn to love the ride again.
Basically I had no goals, structure, or expectations. I just wanted to have some fun and ride my bike in the sunshine after a long, cold winter.
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| Bakers Dozen Course |
The Pre-Ride
We arrived at Leesburg Friday night, with just enough light to set up our tent and unpack our cars. It had rained off and on, so we decided to skip a night pre-ride and check out the course early in the morning before the race. I volunteered to start the race, so I went out for my pre-ride around 745 (race starts at 9). Just like Tuscarora, I wrecked hard while testing out the course, and I was also having valve issues with my front wheel. Sara ended up starting the race while I scrambled to reset my front and get in race mode for lap 2.
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| getting our tent ready in the early morning- soon this field would be packed! |
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| checking out the course |
Overall the course was just amazing. The 8-mile lap was fun and flowy, with minimal climbing and technicality.The dirt was hard and packed. There were a few log piles and a few rock sections, but there was nothing unrideable. I remember feeling as if I was almost in a video game, smiling from ear to ear the entire time. I'm still in awe at how awesome my Giant Lust Advanced 2 handles trail. The cornering is so unbelievably fast and responsive, and it is absolutely amazing on the downhills. I feel like a whole new rider on this bike.
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| first lap- all smiles |
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| 8th lap, still smiling! |
Right around lap 5, we realized that we were in second place and sort of bumped up our game. I was pretty determined to get a sub-40 laptime and came really close, but never got it. My best time was 41:30, but I know I could have shaved that minute and a half if I was more aggressive in my passing. There was a huge mix of riders and sometimes you just have to claim a spot longer than you want. Yet another thing to work on... :)
The heat was also a factor. Not because it was necessarily "hot". More because it was the hottest it had been in 8 months. It was record breaking temperatures that just felt like it was 100 degrees, even though it really wasn't. That feeling accelerated once it got dark and the sun went down. I would wait for Sara underneath a ton of blankets (cooled down) and then jump up and take everything off because I knew I would be racing at full intensity and my body temp would skyrocket.
Our team was 15 laps in, and it was around 830ish as I set out for my 8th/our 16th. At this point, lights were completely necessary. As I crossed the cow pasture (yes, I really wrote that), I noticed my rear was going flat. I tried to unsuccessfully fix a gash in my sidewall before finally throwing in a tube for the last 15 minute section. Bummer! But, even with the tire change we had plenty of time to head out for one more lap before the cut off.
As I crossed the finish line, we ran up to check the results. With 3 laps up, there was a slim chance that 3rd place was going to catch us. And there was DEFINITELY no way we were going to catch up with Sue and Libbey. So, I reluctantly called it a night. Surprisingly, I really wanted to ride that last lap, but sometimes I have to listen to my head over my heart. My head was telling me that I had just raced for 12+ hours, I was running on a tube in the back and a prayer in the front, and people were going to start to get much more aggressive in that last lap. Night racing is really, really fun though. :)
Results
We came in second place, women's duo ---with Sue Haywood and Libbey Sheldon taking first. Considering that we were out to race this "just for fun in the sun", I was really happy with those results. I felt absolutely great out on the course, loved the ride, and had no sustaining injuries or issues. AND I got to race with my bike buddies!
This race will be on my calendar next year, without a doubt!
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| #RideLife |
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| Myself, Sara Chua and Sue Haywood - Our awards picture, taken 15 hours after the race started :) |
