2020 "White" Snake Creek Gap TT Finale

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails"  - William Arthur Ward

Many sail adjustments were needed in preparation and making it to the finish line at the 2020 February Snake Creek Gap Time Trial. In Chattanooga, Tennessee we had the most eccentric weather pattern over only one week. Every day was a new forecast and every day required a change in mindset. The week started with beautiful 70+ degree weather and blue skies. Mid week, torrential rain with thunderstorms and tornado warnings. The rivers started to rise 20 feet above river banks. The rain was in the forecast to continue into the weekend, so happy, another wet race. Maybe I should take my son's kayak to the race instead of my bike. The rain looked so ominous that my husband and team manager, Craig, made sure Brady and I would be prepared by ordering new rain jackets. Then just like that, the rain forecast disappeared, in its place, wonderful blue skies and above 50 degree temps. Yes, buying the jackets worked; the rain was scared off. Oh...But wait....within 24 hours, the warm, blue sky forecast changed to below freezing with wintry mix. Seriously...this is the weekend winter decides to show up!  Good thing I had a new jacket to wear,

Time to get prepared.Time to be a realist. Vaseline for the face, hands and feet (great insulator), Afrin to help keep snot from freely running down my face and lots of energy. This race was going to be a calorie burning feat. Clothing, what to wear? Needed to stay warm but not too warm; sweat can be just as bone chilling. Layers packed, hydropaks filled with water and Skratch Labs Sport Hydration mix, bottles with sweet tea and a shot of whiskey ready. Sails adjusted for the voyage ahead.

My goal, sub 5 hour race. I put in the training over the last month. Zwift provided me with a great training plan.  My Saris M3 smart trainer gave me opportunity ride while the weather was sub par. I have maintained great functional fitness through Orange Theory Fitness. I am feeling strong. Time to put my body to the test.

In the Dry Creek Parking Lot the snow started to accumulate on the the ground. What a beautiful sight! Dressed in my jersey, vest, arm warmers, knee warmers, long socks, 2 pairs of gloves and rain jacket, I rode out of the start tent with a smile on my face and music in my ears. Time to set my sails. I rolled down the initial gravel road, mouth open, tasting the snow. How cool! This does not happen very often in the South. This race was going to be unforgettable. I was ready to concur my goal. The puddles on the initial fire road where much bigger than last month. Not a good omen for the creek crossing.

Approaching the creek, I saw 3 other racers just staring at the bridge. I did not want to slow down. Speed across the bridge was important as well as to keep from getting cold. I did not want to start feeling cold that early. I tried to beat one racer from the group to the bridge but he squares up to the bridge before I could, then he stopped! I waited for him to clear the bridge before I advanced. The bridge was once again covered by at least 1 inch of water. Focusing on staying on the bridge I failed to plan my dismount. As I approached the end, I realized that the bridge was several feet short of the opposing bank. My font tire hit the water and I got bucked, like a bad bronc rider, by the sharp angle created by the bank and the bridge. I attempted to hard pedal up the bank...nope! The water came above my waterproof Bontrager OMW boots. Wow, that water was cold! I emerged hoping the water did not seep into my boots. I also noted that my fingers are already starting to get numb. Not good...not good at all!  As I concentrated on keeping my fingers moving, I hoped that the climb ahead would get my blood pumping fast enough to warm everything again. From behind, I could hear one of the racers yell out "is there another way around the creek?" Sorry bud, cross the creek or go back to the start line. You are going to get wet no matter what...time to put your big boy pants, this is THE WHITE SNAKE!

The snow was falling in massive fluffy flakes. It was such a magical sight. My smile could not get bigger. The music in my ears kept me up beat and my feet moving. At mile 3, my fingers were getting warmer and my feet did not feel cold. Just then, I looked up to see Eric Henderson, going in the wrong direction! He didn't look happy. All he can say was: "It is way to slippery on the trail up ahead!" What a heart breaker! Eric was not able to finish in January...snake bit, again!  I did not know exactly what had happened but I do know that Eric is one of the toughest mountain bikers around and he didn't quit due to trail conditions, it had to have been mechanical failure. Time to change my sails a little...mud ahead!

Going up the third climb I could feel the slightest little fatigue. The ground was very slick. The wet snow was packing down into ice. I needed to keep moving and did as little walking as possible. I had a small spill as my front wheel slipped off the side of the trail. Getting to my feet, Carey Lowery flew up the hill towards me. (I hope she did not see that fall.) I quietly let her pass. She looked focused on getting this ride done. It was time to reassess my goal. Looking around I noticed the beauty of the snow again. I also started to realize that my initial goal of sub 5 hours was slipping away. The trail had become too slick with layers of ice on top of  layers of mud. I just needed to focus on finishing, staying warm and motivated. My music picked me up again...just keep grinding forward. I was looking forward to seeing Craig's smile ahead.

At the Snake Creek Gap Parking lot I took my time. I was not going to make sub 5, so I needed to make sure I was comfortable for the last muddy, wet and slick 17 miles. Unfreeze my peddles (which were packed with ice), new socks/gloves and changed out my pack. So far my hands and feet had stayed warm but very wet. As I walked up to the truck, Craig was taking care of Brady...he had taken a fall and needed some attention. I struggled to get my boots off for new socks. My hands did not want to cooperate. I got nutrition and a shot of whiskey to warm my soul (I was not going to miss the shot of whiskey again).  After what seemed like an eternity, I finally got back on the trail.

Now it was time to see if my training was going to pay off. I took my time going up the climb...more muddy and slick the farther up the trail I went. The 4 inches of snow on the ground was starting to melt in the late morning sun. The trail was like a path left behind by a glacier; lots of little pieces of ice mixed with water, mud and rock. My tires were slipping everywhere. My original plan was to ride as much rock as possible. Now my sails where adjusted one more time to realize that the smart race was to walk the larger rocks. Don't waste energy.

Riding down Vomit Hill, I decided not to repeat January's mistake...Not Today Devil, no crashes on the hill.  Remounted to pedal off to The Wall...the scene of my Jan meltdown. I felt great hiking up The Wall..training paid dividends. In the difficult conditions, I conquered The Wall with legs left for the finish. For the last 4 miles, I joined a group of about four other riders. Pace lining as we slipped and spun. It was nice to have a little bit of company. Just plugging along...Wait, WHAT, are those the towers? Had I missed the fire pit and the fallen pilot memorial. I was overcome with joy; all downhill from there!! The ride down Dug Gap Mountain Road was very difficult. The mud was so thick the only way to keep my bike up right was to stay in the grooves made by other competitors. I was not able to descend as fast as I wanted, but it really did not matter. I am almost done. I am so proud, so excited and SO ready to get out of those wet socks and gloves (my back and chest was dry thanks to Craig).

At the finish line I realized that my preparation for this race was on par. From the training to clothing choices, I had set myself up for success. Even though I did not make my original goal, I did finish in 5 hours and 18 minutes.  On average racers were finishing 30-45 minutes slower than the previous month, I was only 18 minutes slower. What a fantastic day! My smile kept my heart warm, my body was ready and my mind stayed on track.

I finished the time  trials in 3rd Place in the Women 40 and over category. I found myself on the podium next two women whom I have been chasing for years. I never thought I would share the podium steps with these two celebrities from the local mountain biking community.  I could never have accomplished this epic race without my support crew; most importantly my every supportive and hard working husband, Craig (he does so much, there would be no way Brady nor I could do what we do without him!), Scott's Bicycle Centre, Trek Bikes and Bontrager.  The boys at Scott's have their work cut out for them!  The snow, mud and ice took their toll on my Top Fuel!

Here is a link to all the results: 2020 Snake Creek Gap Time Trials

January 2020 Snake Creek Gap Time Trial

PSA…THIS IS A LONG ONE!!

2019 was a rebuilding year for me. In December of 2018, I had surgery to repair my fraying rotator cuff and release a nerve which was leading to weakness thanks to the talented hands of Dr. Dorizas at Chattanooga Bone and Joint.  Both injuries were a result of a crash I took years ago and struggled with since. It finally caught up with me…I am not 20 any longer, I had to listen to my body and take the time to heal. I spent 2019 recovering and building strength. Nothing was harder than waiting for the official release to ride again. To help with muscle gain and fend off future injuries, I added Orange Theory Fitness to my training…OTF time has paid dividends. This year, 2020, is poised as the “get your ass in gear” year, and it starts with THE SNAKE.  My son, a very strong cyclist for his age, informed my husband and me that he wanted to race the 34 mile SnakeCreek Gap Time Trial.  My thoughts…are you sure?!?  Of course you are, and no better way start a year then to take on the toughest course around…feet and head first, all in! I will either finish or throw the bike off one of the mountains and try to thumb a ride back to the car.

                My training leading up to race day had not exactly gone as planned. Life had many distractions, including the holidays and a nasty virus running through my house the week before the race.  Thank goodness for my gym training. Riding time was minimal and I was going to have to rely on my base fitness to get me through. Other race day preparations were on track. My husband put a mountain of time into making sure Brady and I were prepared; trips to Scotts Bicycle Centre for race day nutrition needs, working on my old faithful Trek Top Fuel, preparing meals full of nitrite rich foods, helping us gather our gear; he even packed a sag stop emergency bin. He thought of everything, including a bottle of fire water to have on hand for any sag stop pick-me up’s. All I had to do was have enough faith in me to toe the line.

                After weeks of wonderful, southern winter temperatures of 60 degrees and very little rain, the sky opened up for 2 days straight. It was as is if the race gods felt wanted a canoe race instead of a bike race. The rain literally stopped just minutes before start time. Based on experience, and my husband’s previous race knowledge, I knew these trails were going to be a mud fest…to say the least!

After gathering a few fellow friends and racers at the Dalton Convention center, Craig and our friend Chris shuttled the motley crew to the Dry Creek Trailhead...suddenly a year of working hard to get back on the bike came into focus! It was time to see what my body could do. Despite the very soggy conditions, the temperature was a perfect 54 degrees. No need for extra clothes on this ride. With some heavy AC/DC and Metallica riffs playing in my ear, I gathered my gear (including my pearls…of course) and pedaled over to the start tent. There stood Craig with encouraging words and a smile…GO! I was off to battle the long trail, mud, rocks and my demons. As I rolled down the first part of the course, a wide gravel service road, I noted a lot of other racers had already had to stop to strip clothing. I snickered under my breath, knowing now they would have to haul all that gear in their packs for the next 34 miles.

As I splashed down the road and sung along with my music, the infamous first “creek” crossing appeared up ahead. For the last 4 years, the race organizers have provided a temporary bridge to assist in the crossing. This year there had been so much rain that the bridge was not quite tall or long enough. Water was flowing over the top of the bridge and I could not see the opposite side of the bridge due to the volume of water. Thankfully my Bontrager OMW winter boots did their job and kept my feet dry. The first climb was just up ahead.

As I was just getting into my groove on the climb, another racer caught my eye on the side of the trail with a puzzling look on his face. As I always do…Hey, you good? He replied:  Do you have a chain break? Knowing that I was not going to be setting any land speed records today, I stopped and helped my fellow racer out…banking trail karma and helping another achieve his goal.  (By the way, whatever shop that guy uses, don’t go there).  After successfully helping him repair his chain, I was back out on the climb. I had watched several of my friends, my son, student-athletes I help coach and fellow competitors pass. It was now a mental battle to hold back, not push too hard, there were plenty of hard mileage ahead, and setting a pace which I could maintain but reduce the space between me and the other ladies in front of me was key.

I knew Carey Lowery was untouchable, as all ways. She is such a fast rider and racer.  I really admire her abilities. Could I get back to Ali and Monica?  They are not in my age group but I love riding with them and always strive to keep pace with their talents. Keeping a smile on my face, I pushed through the mud, streams and climbs over Pine Needle Hill, through the Pitchers Pond area then the long climb over Horn Mountain. I had managed to catch back up to Ali and enjoy a few minutes of conversation with her about our holidays. I found Monica, who was setting a steady pace, and managed to stay with her until the next downhill.  I even had a brief moment with Starr as I saw her do the most epic muddy, rutted out, steep downhill left-handed switch back in perfect form.  I felt confident with my performance. The final decent leading to GA Hwy 136 was a blast!!! It brought a huge smile to my face. Just in sight was the Snake Creek Gap Trailhead, the mid-point of the race, and as planned Craig’s smiling face waiting to refuel me before the next major climb. I was feeling great! My legs felt as if they still had plenty of miles left in them.

If you have ever ridden the 17 miles from Snake Creek Gap, you understand the statement “this is where the race starts”. While the first 17 miles has some climbing, it has nothing on the rocks of the last 17 miles. I knew I had my work cut out for me, but had to stay positive. After switching out my packs, grabbing some more nutrition and a kiss, I was off to climb Mill Creek Mountain. A climb with a 5% average grade and 447 feet of vertical gain in 1 mile, plus throw in baby heads and mud for fun! I reached the top and was still in good shape. I thought, alright, I can do this! I enjoyed the breathtaking views along the ridge line and smiled as I descended the other side of the mountain into Swamp Creek. In this section the race crosses the creek 3 or 4 times. It was hard to count as there were several small springs running due the amount of rain. I welcomed the water as it helped wash off some of the peanut butter mud the encased my tire and crank.

Quick bath over…Climbing out of Swamp Creek, up Mill Creek Road, I started to feel the last 26 miles. My legs and back started to tighten and I felt my pace slow. The demons were starting the creep in. I knew I had to grind over the numbing forest service road climb to find fun single track.  I just had to suffer through it and pedal, damn it! As I neared the top of the climb, I once again saw the smiling faces of Craig, along Chris and Alison Campbell whose son was racing too. They were a welcome sight. I decided to stop for a quick second, stretch out my back and get a warm hug to help re-center.  The only thing I forgot…a swig of whiskey. I cannot believe I totally forgot about the whiskey! Note to self, next month get a swig of whiskey at the top of Mill Creek Road.

Next up: 8 Miles of Hate…I rode along Middle Mountain and then the gradual climb on Hurricane Mountain, I started to feel some energy return. Confidence returned just in time! I needed all the strength and confidence I could muster, the Vomit Hill descent laid ahead. I had cleaned the bomb down during my December pre-ride but those conditions were perfect…today was only perfect for making mud pies. I started to question myself. Willfully forcing a positive attitude, I started down the flow trail, butt back, elbows bent, and knees pointing straight ahead. “Let the bike move under you” was my mantra. I could see the one high root of the drop...NOT TODAY, I am not crashing! Then…Then I noticed another racer walking the trail just above that drop. Could I get around him?!?!? RIDER BACK!  The racer moved over but not far enough. And just like that, I was on the wet ground with my wheel stopped by a big boulder. Oh well, probably for the best, I will be back in February and I am going to clean that drop! I walked the remainder of the descent and re-mounted. I knew at that point I did not have much trail between me and the dreaded THE WALL; a 0.1 mile climb of 87 vertical feet which equals a hair pulling 16% grade!!! As I approached THE WALL, my body had buyer’s remorse…I could imagine the conversation between my body and my brain.  Body…Lady, I didn’t sign up for this.  Brain…STOP talking and start moving.  Body…MAKE ME.  Brain…I will.  Body…NOPE! Just like the back seat of my car...the battle waged on!

In October of last year, I tested the strength of my shoulder with a brief return to racing at the Lula Lake 5 Points 25/50 Race.  Pushing through mechanical issues and less than great fitness, I was able to win the 25 mile singlespeed category.  I know how to quiet the conversations in my head and push through, but man, they were much louder than in October!  Shhhhhhh!!!

At the bottom of THE WALL (get the point, it is a WALL), which starts the 3 plus mile ascent up Dug Mountain, I had a few words with myself. I was struggling. I needed my body to keep going. Every step up was one more step closer to the top. There is no turning back now and no one was going to give me a ride back to the car!  I remounted my Trek Top Fuel and attempted to pedal …nothing, no power..no nothing. Just when I needed power the most…nothing! With a continuous rock garden for the next 3 miles, it was time the buck up buttercup and get moving! I tried, I tried hard!  My mind is waffling between do I stop and take a break verses keep pushing through, you have more in you. I had a very hard mental and physical feat to get through and I need to pull myself together. Even my arms were trying to quit...pretty sure they were just jealous of my legs. I finally made it to the to The Fire Pit .. a key segment on Strava and within sight of The Towers. I knew the most technical rock sections awaited me but so was 1.5 miles of the most gratifying, final decent down to the end of the race. Time to embrace the suck and push on!

As I struggled to get over the rocks after The Fire Pit, the top 50 mile racers: Thomas Turner, Spencer Whittier and Brad Cobb passed by. As always, they passed with much poise and a polite “rider back”. Brad even gave me a few words of encouragement. I watched them as they seamlessly pedaled along, up and over the rocks with little effort. I had to get back on the bike! I was experiencing muscle failure; I tried to navigate the lines on the rocks, sometimes successful, sometimes being stopped by the smallest of rocks. Make it to The Towers…the final landmark which beckons racers to the end of the singletrack and the start of the descent to the finish!

I pedaled along at a snail’s pace; suddenly I saw them, The Towers at the top of Dug Gap Mountain Road. I think I may have shouted out with a little excitement of the sighting. I was there! One last little uphill push and then down the road to the finish. Through the final boulders, I gave a big sigh, only the tricky descent down the rutted out road separated me from black blacktop. As I neared Dug Gap Battle Road, I heard a race volunteer ringing his cow bell and yelling words of encouragement. His excitement really helped...thank you to all the volunteers!  He pointed out the last little climb on the road then all downhill. I tucked my elbows in, laid my chest as close to the stem as possible and pushed my hips to the back of my saddle. It was done! I had made it through some of the toughest miles in Southeast mountain bike racing…But more importantly, I AM BACK!

                This was my official start to the 2020 season. My come back year. I started the year by tackling The Snake head on, and conquering my demons on doubt. I finished with a time of 5 hours, placing me 3^rd in my age group for the day. What an accomplishment! I absolutely gave it my all. My muscles had nothing left. Now time to get back to work preparing for the February version of The Snake Creek Gap Time Trials. Only God knows what the weather will be like, but I know I can do it. We will all have to wait and see if my times keep me on the podium.  Until next time, I hope to see you on the trails. You will know me…just look for the pearls and the lady talking to herself.

                Thank you to all my supporters: my trusted local bike shop and race team sponsor: Scott’s Bicycle Centre, my husband/mechanic/head cheerleader and so much more: Craig Lawson, his co-support crew: Chris and Alison Campbell, and my son: Brady Lawson for being my inspiration, motivation and training partner. Congratulations to all the Team HBC racers: Brady, Alex, Brianna, Will, Brennan, and Reid who showed up with grit and determination.