D.C. to Harrisonburg 200

Now that the numbness is leaving my fingers and I can walk normally once again, I figured it was time to share my experiences with attempting an FKT on the "D.C. to Harrisonburg 200" route of the Trans Virginia course(s). Let me begin by prefacing this recounting with a few disclaimers.

First, because I was looking to establish a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the "200" segment of the Trans Virginia routes, I didn't stop and take as many pictures as I now wish I had. In hindsight, I probably could have easily shaved off a full 60 to 120 minutes from my time had I not stopped as much or for as long when I did. This is the balancing act of trying to be competitive in a "sport" that speaks to your inner self, your soul to be cliche, to "slow down and enjoy the moment" more. Part of you wants to take everything in at higher pace while another part of you wants to stop around every corner and snap pictures to share with friends and family. It's a first world problem for sure, but it really is a struggle for someone, like myself, that loves being outdoors on my bike enjoying the moment but also enjoys slowing the pace and documenting the majesty of these moments to share with others.

Second, at best I'm a mid to rear of the pack rider in his mid to late 40's. I came to the sport of cycling late in life and didn't begin taking my conditioning on the bike seriously until 2017 at the age of 43. I have enough conditioning and power to hang with people half my age or riders more powerful than me, but not for long. My strength as a rider resides in my unwavering, often relentless pursuit of not failing to accomplish what I set out to. That often means enduring pain and trying to work through the ensuing discomfort in order to reach the end goal. That said, I'm fairly in-tune with my body and know when to throw in the towel when my body is on the verge of not being able to keep up with my "never give up" mindset. I've been there many times, where throwing in the towel is required to avoid injury.

Finally, the route I chose, the D.C. to Harrisonburg 200 is a new addition to the Trans Virginia route(s) as of this summer (2020). To my knowledge, there haven't been many attempts and the prior FKT was set only a week prior to my attempt. Suffice it to say, this FKT can easily be broken and I'm under no delusions that it's going to stand for long. It's nothing more than a "senior" rider's attempt to push his limits in a cycling discipline that he loves. As noted above, in hindsight, I could have easily shaved some considerable time off my attempt and one day I just might do so, but my next time on this course it will be at more of a party pace and most likely part of the longer 520 and/or 550 routes.

The way I see it, I've got plenty of time left in my life to slow the pace, but figured I'd use this opportunity to push my personal limits and see what is possible. That meant riding for an extended period in the cold and dark of the night in the mountains where I knew I was missing some gorgeous scenery. With that out of the way, let's get into it!

As with most bike-packing journeys, it doesn't begin at the route's starting point. As is the case with me and I'm sure the vast majority of my bike-packing alum, a bike-packing trip can begin days, weeks or even months in advance. Wether it's route scouting, POI hours of operation confirmation, gear selection, bike maintenance or a myriad of other things to check off the list(s), it's definitely an activity that requires a lot of planning. Questions flood my mind about 2-3 days out from a depart: "When was the last time you checked the tubeless sealant level in your tires?", "Can I get away with just a rain/wind breaker or should I bring my puffy?", etc.

I've found over time that making and checking off lists is a must. Also, getting an early start on packing and sorting gear and bike maintenance are most beneficial for keeping anxiety at bay. I'm not normally an anxious or nervous person, but I can't recall ever getting a really good night's sleep before a Grand Depart or Individual Time Trail course/route attempt. I'm not sure if it's anxiety or anticipation to get going that keeps me awake the night before these attempts. My mind is always racing before I am. By the time my head hits the pillow, I've triple checked everything on the bike, as well as route conditions and forecasts to ensure I've chosen the right clothing, all in an effort to put my mind at ease.

All my i's are dotted and my t's crossed, so why am I looking at the ceiling waiting for my Diphenhydramine to kick in at 9:03 PM? Did I mention that I'm a night owl who routinely doesn't get to bed until well after midnight? 9:30 PM rolls around and I doze off hard and sleep for what feels like days only to wake at 12:37AM. "Get up and pee and you'll doze right back to sleep" I tell myself. Lies! 1:30 AM rolls by and I'm tossing and turning trying to get comfortable while a little voice in my head starts to second guess the completeness of my lists. 2:00 AM rolls by and I begin to doze off again. For the next 2 hours I recall opening my eyes at least twice and looking at the clock. Nothing solid in the way of sleeping after my first solid 3 hours. Perhaps at most a couple of 15-30 minute "naps" between 2:00AM and 4:00AM. Not a very good start to say the least!

Outline: Discuss breakfast & Drive in with Jeff.

Outline: Discuss drop off, temp and riding in the dark of the early morning.

Outline: Discuss cramping heading into Leesburg and throughout the next 50-60 miles.

Outline: Discuss pushing through and making resupply stops.

Outline: Discuss long stop at Larkin's and pushing through the night.