Riding My First Bikepacking Endurance Race

I wanted to feel accomplished.

There was a voice in my head always saying,

you could do this, give it a try.

The Trans North Georgia Race was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I got the chance to do it!

“My goal is to finish it within 2 days”

I would say to anyone who asked, oozing confidence.

Had I done any mountain bike, multi-day races before? nope.

With no pressure of a sign-up fee, all I had to do was pack up some gear and get to the starting line before they shot the gun. Easy.

As the race date got closer, I was able to stay consistent with training rides.

Putting in the hours and figuring out what I can eat that won’t upset my stomach and keep me fueled.

Fast food chicken sandwiches (shout out to Chik-Fil-A) and gas station ramen noodles and Mac n Cheese were my the top favorites during the race. A warm feel in the middle of a suffer fest is one of the best things.

The set up, picture taken mid race

The night before the start,

I collected my satellite phone. Looked over all the mechanicals of the bike. Meticulously placed each piece of equipment in its specific pocket. Filled all the water bottles and bladders. Took a CBD gummy to make sure I got sleep.

At 4am, all the participants collected in the motel parking lot and loaded their bikes to get hauled to the starting line.

15 minutes after the starting gun went off, I trailed behind the friends I had made the night before.

Flashlight, navigation, satellite in view (many people lost theirs on route!), easy water grab via camel-back.

I got lost within 30 miles and it started pouring rain.

“I am in over my head” I thought as I started to realize the consequences of not having a plan B if my Garmin didn’t keep up.

I re-started the maps and re-tracked the trail until I saw a cyclist in an orange shirt turn into the forest. I followed him and found tire tracks going in that direction, this is where I had missed my turn. There are no signs for the TNGA. Only when you’re on the Pinhoti trail system did you notice white diamonds with a turkey footprint.

“How could you have missed that?” I thought to myself as I looked down and saw 20 tire marks showing me the way.

I rode until about 11pm that night, found a church with shelter and set up my bivvy for a couple hours.

I woke up 4 hours later and a couple cyclists nearby had already started packing. I packed up my bike and rolled out right behind them.

I caught up to that rider from 2 days ago that I followed into the woods, and we ended up riding at the same pace. Eventually we started talking and introduced ourselves. His name was Tom, and Tom lives in the area and rides these trails often.

We get into a rhythm of riding about 70miles / day and sleeping for about 4 hours every night.

Refueled snacks at select gas stations, refilled all the bottles and bladders at every stream crossing. (I used the Sawyer SP181 system).

I bonked hard

We were coming up to the halfway point, and I got so excited I forgot to eat and drink anything for 2-3 hours.

I didn’t know how far away we were; I just knew we were close!

The group I was riding with picked up the pace.

I start to freak out because I couldn’t catch up! My legs were burning, I’m almost out of water, and I am SO ready for a break.

We finally reached Mulberry Gap.

200+ miles in I took my first shower and washed my clothes. I only packed one extra pair of padded shorts and wore them inside out a couple of times.

The water stung my saddle sores and the blisters on my feet so much that it brought me to tears. I think I stood there for 10 minutes before adding soap.

I was over everything about this race.

‘You’re in the thick of it. Finish it out.’ I repeated to myself.

After the torturous shower, eating freshly made, hot food, and an ice cream shake, I watched the volunteer mechanics install new brake pads and make sure everything still looked good. I went to lay down in a real bed.

Of course I couldn’t sleep. This wasn’t the end of the race, the bed was too soft (compared to sleeping straight on the ground), this didn’t feel right.

After 2 hours of rolling around I decided to get back on the saddle.

Tom and I

The best piece of advice -

I heard and didn’t believe until I was on the 3rd day grinding up another mountain, “Just keep pedaling. Your legs will keep going, it’s your brain that will tell you to stop.”

I was surprised with how long this was taking me! I thought for sure I could finish this within 2-3 days! I had been training for a half Ironman, I felt like that should have been a lot!

My new goal:

To cross the finish line, no matter how long it took me.

Keep eating, keep pedaling, keep the water bottles full, stop for some fresh food. It doesn’t make sense to quit now.

I remember

Mile long gravel climbs,

Riding down a river made of boulders.

Misty, rainy, mornings. Hot muggy afternoons. Spider web filled evenings.

Hiking the bike up steep single track.

Smiling on the downhill runs (no brakes!).

Riding next to a friendly k-9 for 2 miles.

Hornets’ nests, trail snakes, and having a close call at the shooting range.

River crossings and duct tape covered blisters.

Beautiful valley scenery and grassy filled single track.

There were many points where I wanted to stop.

To travel all the way to GA, to get this far into the race, I couldn’t quit unless something medical or mechanically stopped me.

The Pinhoti trail will always have a special place in my heart.

This was the hardest race I’ve pushed myself through.

I finished the TNGA trail in under 5 days. I slept the rest of that night and took all the naps the following day. Grabbed some ice cream and slowly walked around town, waded in the cold creek, otherwise my legs would have grown roots into the ground.

tldr; do the hard thing. but do if for yourself.