As per the previous post - it has been raining cats and dogs for weeks here in Seattle.  We took off on Friday in the pouring rain to head east of the mountains toward the bavarian town of Leavenworth, hoping against hope that race day would be sunny, or at the very least, dry.   

The Bavarian Bike & Brew Festival is an IMBA sanctioned XC race and features a spectacular, but rigorous 8.6 mile loop with 1800 ft elevation gain per lap. Each lap has four creek crossings, challenging single track, and plenty of water bars interlaced throughout spectacular scenery.  The beginner class would complete 1 loop, sport class 2 and Open/Expert would do 3 laps.  In years past, the course has been the site of a few broken collarbones and wrecks that cause delays in start time and for the EMTs to hike up the downhill with their wheelbarrows to bring out the injured riders.  Would this year be a replay of years past?

This race we had almost a full contingent of Sturdy Bitch team members with 5 of 6 in attendance.  Our team jerseys were in and we were ready to sport the name in a bright and visible demonstration of our sturdiness on this challenging course.   The jerseys were a good fit, as they were men's sizes the length was much better and we didn't feel like we were displaying belly buttons or any other mid-rift area.  What a relief.  Thanks go to Rocket Promo  for putting together the jersey design and working with Sonadei to make these happen.  Also huge thanks to the sponsors - Sturdy Bitch , MDJ Racing, Big Tree Bikes , Diamondback Bikes , Rocket Promo , the BC Bike Race , and we of course had to give some space to our friends at Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance , without who most of the trails we ride and train on, wouldn't be possible.

The race is put on by Das Rad Haus , the bike shop in Leavenworth – this is the 6^th year they have been partnering with the Indie Series.  The race site is on the Gibbs Organic Farm .  They open up their property to allow onsite camping and host a beer garden and live music on race day.    The race course actually takes place on the local ride location – Freud Canyon. 

If you want to check out this location to pre-ride the course for next year or just check it out, here are the directions:  From HWY 2 - West, drive through Leavenworth. At the second stoplight, turn left onto Chumstick HWY. Continue to Gibbs Organic Farm (Freund Canyon Rd.) and turn left. Race site is approximately 1 mile - watch for signs.

From HWY 97, turn left (west) on HWY 2. Go 4 miles to Leavenworth. Cross the bridge and at the first stoplight turn right onto Chumstick HWY. Continue to Gibbs Organic Farm (Freund Canyon Rd.) and turn left. Race site is approximately 1 mile - watch for signs.

For a map to the race site, click here.

The day was dry and hot – this is one of the larger local races, not sure on the numbers but I would guess over 200 racers in the 3 classes.  The beginner class started at 9 and the sport class at 10:30.  Kathy and I were in sport class 35+, I would guess there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 20+ women in our class.  We both did 2 loops in 2+ hours…our biggest goal – get as far as we can on our 2^nd lap before the experts – starting at noon caught us on the climb to the top. 

Not sure of the numbers of the expert/open class, but there I got caught part way up the single track climb and even more “fast guys” caught me on the way down the single track.  Got down with just enough time to run down, get the camera, and catch Jodi, Katie, and Virginia at the bottom of their first lap.  They had to do a total of 3 laps which meant almost 26 miles and around 5400’ of elevation.  They looked strong on their 2^nd lap.   As we watched the racers coming around we were closely watching the lead rider – the top 3 male riders finished up in an hour and 52 minutes or so through an hour and 57 minutes.  Talk about demoralizing, but those guys WERE flying when they came through on the climb. 

In the end – Jodi ended up 2^nd in her 35+ Expert, Katie with a 2^nd in Expert 19-34 and Virginia a 3^rd in Expert  19-34.   We celebrated with a beer or two near the beer garden, watching the kids do the kids race, listed to a few tunes from the band Fat Happy and then headed in to Leavenworth for some well-deserved dinner. 

The race inflicted no ambulance-requiring damage to our team or any of the other teams.  Another lovely race day and some happy sturdy girls at the end of the day.

Another week or so of big rides for us and then it’s time for the taper before the BC Bike Race.  Was nice to have done 2 laps and felt like I could do another (maybe not at the same pace!) but it was great to hear that everyone was feeling good and strong throughout the race.  Think we’re getting ramped up!