Category: blog

A letter to those who pedal, from one who did:

Biking was a refuge. For so many years I approached my after-work rides as if to distance myself from the past, and from the daily reminders of “that which we do to one another.”

I found that if I pedaled like a madman, I could, at least for a while, escape the darkness of my emotions, remove the often present anxiety from my gut by blowing it from my labored lungs, and make the continual hypervigilance simply about watching for cars, trucks, and the farmer’s dogs rather than for the other shoe to drop.

I did this in a time that PTSD was just beginning to be discussed, and well prior to the life saving program developed by the Boulder Crest Foundation – of which I am blessed to have experienced their Warrior PATHH program.

I invite you to join me in helping thousands of veterans and first responders who haven’t yet found their peace. You can do this by riding in the Valley Veteran’s Ride for Heroes, an event that gives all proceeds to the Boulder Crest Foundation. This ride is in its 5th year, and has been developed and coordinated by area Veteran’s of Foreign Wars members.

The event is September the 10th, and it begins, and ends, at Stable Craft Brewing in Waynesboro VA. We veterans would love to see you there. If you cannot ride, we’re happy to share a drink with you, so come hang out. We’re also happy to accept a donation of any size through our website.

Please do take the time to watch the attached video, and please, share it and the event to as many of your fellow cyclists as you can.

Semper Fi,
From an area Marine and retired law enforcement officer

When a great project takes way too long to complete, do you still celebrate the result? I think you must! You must celebrate what has been done and push for the next great result not to take as long.

My hat is off to the City of Harrisonburg for completing a major phase of Harrisonburg bike/ped plan, The Friendly City Trail.

If you have not been on the new trail system, I encourage you to get out and experience one — or even all — the legs of Harrisonburg’s newest bike/ped facility.

In a few Saturdays, June 11th to be exact, the Harrisonburg Parks and Rec will hold Pop Ups in the Park at Hillandale Park. This event, at the unofficial City bike park, will be a great chance to bring your bike or walking/running shoes and experience the connectivity provided by the Friendly City Trail. Unlike the remote and secluded feeling you can get in the Rocktown Trails, you will most likely be greeted by others on the Friendly City Trail. Each time I have pedaled or run a portion of this trail, I have enjoyed the experience of seeing others happily using the new paths. The one thing you won’t see is cars!

In all honesty this trail should have been built in 2005 when Harrisonburg High School first opened its doors on Garber Church Road. There were folks in the Harrisonburg bike community pushing for the trail to be built when the foundation was being poured for the high school. Unfortunately those advocates had to wait too long for their kids to be able to enjoy a safe bike ride to high school. Instead, we are celebrating the trail opening 17 years after the completion of the high school, 38 years after the middle school opened its doors, and 3.5 years since Bluestone Elementary was opened. Even though this trail is long overdue, we still must celebrate!

There is a simple question I have continuously asked through construction projects of our schools … We would not open a school that we cannot drive to, so why do we open a school to which we can not safely walk or ride? We need to make the commitment when we decide to build important destinations within our City that we make them connect for all users, not just the car users!

Unfortunately, we have broken ground on the Friendly City’s newest school, Rocktown High School, with no plans to connect this school safely for all users. This thought hit home the other day when I was driving by with my 13 year old son, Ethan. As we drove down South Main Street, I pointed out the new lights hanging above the yet-to-be-built athletic fields, and I said, “maybe you will be playing under those lights soon.” Ethan asked, “will they have a trail?” I had to tell him that there are no plans yet. After seeing how much he enjoys the new trail, I was saddened that he would not be able to pack his soccer ball on his bike to ride to his new high school.

As we enjoy and celebrate the Friendly City Trail, let’s put an arm around our City workers and leaders, give them a squeeze of gratitude, but also give them a pinch to remind them not to wait so long for the next great result.

Open PDF of Friendly City Trail

Whether you’re heading for triple-digit backcountry miles or a quick pre-work rip on the local trails, these essentials are critical to keep on your bike day in and day out.

1. A full water bottle
   It should go without saying that hydration is key for any ride.
2. Mini pump and CO2 inflator
   Spare tubes won’t get you far if you’re without a way to inflate them. The Bontrager Air Rush Elite CO₂ Inflator cuts inflation time to get you back on the trail faster.
3. Spare tube
   Even in the tubeless era, a spare tube can save a ride when a puncture just won’t seal.
4. Tire levers
   Essential for changing tubes.
5. A multi-tool with Allen keys, Torx keys, a spare quick-link, and tire plugs
   Simplify mechanicals with a sleek, integrated multitool that hides neatly in your steertube, and quickly plug flats that won’t seal on your tubeless tires.
6. Zip ties and duct tape
   Handy do-it-all supplies that will help you fix most issues on the trail.

Gear tip

Wrap a little duct tape around the bottom of your mini pump for easy access without extra bulk, and store spare zip ties inside of your pump, if it has a space for them. Alternatively, stash zip ties inside your handlebars secured together with a rubber band to prevent rattling while you ride.

Adapt this list to your needs

If you’re asthmatic add an inhaler, or if you have allergies make sure you’ve always got an EpiPen ready to go. These are just the basics, and you can fine-tune your essentials individually.

This excerpt is part of a longer article by Christina Chappetta on the TREK website.

Learn more

I have been riding the same bike for decades. I shop for new bikes all the time but I haven’t purchased the dreamboat yet. In the meantime, my ride has gotten sweeter with each upgrade!

My favorite improvement is the JonesBar. This handlebar has changed my biking experience.

It shortened, heightened and widened how my hands hold the handles, instantly a better fit for my short-waisted body. My sensitive wrists are happy because the change pushes my weight onto my comfy sheepskin seatcover 🙂

I feel more in control and this is a nice bonus. The grips provide leverage so I can get a burst of speed if I need it with much better balance while riding slowly. There’s lots of attachment spots for dashboard accessories like a bell, computer, headlight and pouch.

Through the years, my bike has evolved. I love being able to get to where I’m going while having a good time. Your bike doesn’t have to be the latest model. It’s important that you ride.

by Amy, guest columnist

Last week I had a text from a friend who was coming to the Burg with some old buddies to ride for a few days. I had not talked with Jesse in years and probably the last time we saw each other in person was during 24 Hours of Moab in the late 90’s. Jesse and his group from North Carolina were coming to the area for 3 days of tasting Harrisonburg trails. The crew planned to hit the lift served trails at Bryce, then spend a day on the Western Slope of Massanutten before taking their final vacation leg west of town. I was super happy that I would be able to give them more than just directions, but actually be their tour guide for a few hours on the last day.

Whenever you take folks you do not know on a mountain bike ride there are always looming clouds of questions in your mind. Mountain biking is such a broad term and folks it can mean so many different things to different folks. I would soon find out what mountain biking would mean to this group of friends.

Not knowing what type of riding the crew of 4 wanted to experience I picked a meeting location with options, Braley Pond. From this part of the forest there are a handful of 3 hour loops that usually do not disappoint. If you are open to letting rides be more of an outdoor experience, an adventure and less of certain ride expectations you have so many more offerings.

After quick introductions the guest stated they were up to anything that had them back to the car in 3 hours so they could hit the road to home and family. I rolled the mental ride dice and it landed on Crawford Knob hike-a-bikes/Chimney Hollow. Knowing this might be a tough roll and even harder ascent I smiled and told the crew the down hill does not disappoint. Note to reader: if your guide ever tells you this it means there will be some tough goings before you get to the “does not disappoint” part.

The first several miles of the ride consisted mostly of paved and gravel roads that slowly tilted upwards, giving me the opportunity to warn them of the Crawford hike-a-bikes. My warnings of the pitches ahead seemed to bounce off them. Their minds were taking in the beauty of the forest, they were only concerned about what we were doing now not what laid ahead. I had now become the student, the client, as these veterans of off road riding were reintroducing me to the full experience of mountain biking. With every pedal stroke this crew was taking in the surrounding forest and enjoying each word of conversation. Mountain biking is more about what is around than what you are on.

When we arrived at the top of the gravel climb we took the left and were immediately greeted by the first Crawford Knob pitch. These pitches are steep and long, soul crushing regardless if you ride or hike the faces. As we topped out of the first pitch I awaited for a barrage of foul language directed towards me, instead I had 4 veteran riders laughing at this experience. Even though each was past their riding prime they still knew what it meant to enjoy the woods, regardless of what the trail brings. Two miles later we finally arrived at the top of the downhill, this is the time for any guide to pump up their crew, tell them they now will be rewarded for all their effort. What came out of their mouth next is something I have never heard at the top of Chimney Hollow, “this is awesome”. We had yet done any descending but this crew was happy, enjoying just being in the woods with each other mountain biking like they have for the past 30 years.

The next three miles of the ride consisted of 1700 vertical feet of loss which was enjoyed by all. Six inches of dirt and rock is what held us onto the mountain, any fall would have been padded by overgrowth that comes in May. The rocks on the upper slopes of Chimney Hollow are not stable, but move under the rider letting you know the mountain is in control. The final gentle slopes of the trail twist through the drainage bringing you down gentle from the down hill high.

The final paved roll back to the car was all smiles with high fives being passed around to all. This tour guide breathed a sense of relief, the clients were happy. “That was a mountain bike ride not a trail ride” was words that came out of one of the crew. This brought discussion for the next 30 minutes about mountain biking and how a mountain bike ride is different from trail riding. Even though their previous 2 days of trail riding was great this they said was their first mountain bike ride of the trip.

A good mountain bike ride does not stop when the wheels quit rolling, it continues for hours if not the days to follow. A mountain bike ride is more about the beauty of forest than the trail which holds your tires. A mountain bike ride is about exploration, the unknown of what lays ahead. As I write these words some 48 after the Crawford Knob pitches the ride is still living in me, like any good mountain bike ride it will last for days if not a lifetime. Take some time this summer to go for a mountain bike ride, explore a new part of the forest and take the time to enjoy it with others.

Happy Summer to each and all.

 
 
We have a few left …

Friends Of Tom Society t-shirts.

If you received the unforgettable hug from Tom, consider this shirt to be a forever hug. Tom will walk the streets of Harrisonburg for eternity. This campaign is as old school as Tom himself, cash only with a minimum donation of $50 per shirt. 100% of the proceeds offset costs. A great gift.

Please share Tom-isms!

Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay is a fitting name for this event on so many levels. The idea of riding a lap over and over again in a set amount of time might make one think they are playing Bill Murray’s role in Groundhog Day. For me, the Deju Va portion of this event was the reliving of so many mountain bike team relay events from my past while creating many new memories, and seeing what the future might look like for this awesome event. During all of the 24 hours of Canaan, Snowshoe, Moab and Big Bear events in which I participated, I never once thought I would be doing a similar event with my family. Bringing the family aspect to such a fun event is the brainchild of event promoter and friend Dusty Burchnall.

The originator of 24 hour mountain bike team relay racing was Laird Knight. Laird, an early mountain bike pioneer, fully understood the camaraderie aspect of mountain biking and wanted to bring the team aspect to the early 90’s race scene. Until one does a team relay mountain bike event, they don’t understand the attraction or addiction some riders gain from such events. Unlike most mountain bike races where the course is the attraction element for riders, the team aspect is what made mountain bike relay races blow up 25 years ago. I remember passing on the opportunity to do the inaugural 24 hours of Canaan in the summer of 1992. On that June evening Chris Scott and I sat in a booth at Sirianni’s Pizza in Davis West by God Virginia, making a stop over on our travels to a race in Ohio. We sat there eating pizza with Laird Knight while listening to the riders in the booth behind us talking about their unknown upcoming adventures. The feeling that Chris and I were going to the wrong event was growing inside, history was being made and we were about to drive away.

Team Jenkini at Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay 2020

Now I jump ahead almost 30 years later with two boys (Ethan 11, Carter 9) who I would not classify as mountain bike lovers, but they are sport enthusiasts who like fun events. I was not sure if the Deja Vu event would spark their interest enough to get them to register, but after my initial invite, Ethan jumped on the chance to do any sporting event. Carter was not far behind with excitement, especially after we went out to pre ride the fun 5 mile course that traversed the lower western slope trails of Massanutten. Any parent of a sport minded kid knows that youth have not been able to scratch this itch for the past 6 months; for many kids this was their opportunity.

I was not able to talk my wife Julie into riding with us, but she was a vital piece of our team. Julie had the experience of being a part of mountain bike relay adventures in the past, she just had to Deja Vu back 20 years. That is the thing about mountain bike team relay events, it involves much more than riders themselves. These events allow and encourage others to participate and have as much fun as possible. The early years of 24 hour racing was jam packed with fun, spectators figuring out any way to participate, those creative juices were stamped and signified so many great events. Dusty’s event encouraged any family member to participate, riding or not is the heart of the Deja Vu. Having the whole family do something together goes to the core of what Dusty believes.

Team Jenkini at Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay 2020

When race time came and after much strategizing between the two brothers, the decision was made for Ethan to be the kick off for our team. Thinking I would be next was a mistake, for there was no holding back Carter’s excitement, he “had to go next”. For the next few hours, my afternoon involved sitting in the lawn chair encouraging riders, enjoying conversation and watching my boys taking turns conquering the 5 mile loop. The time was right for me to sit in a lawn chair and watch history unfold. When it was finally my turn to ride and the baton, or wrist band in this case, was swapped, I got transformed into a competitive junkie from the past. For me the competition is within, pushing myself to my limits and encouraging others to do the same.

As we watched the sun begin to set from one of the prettiest spots in the Valley just above Hensley’s Pond, riders began equipping their bikes with illumination tools. Night riding has changed a lot in the past 25 years. Today’s technology has removed some of the surprises and tunnel vision that used to come with your night lap in the 90’s, the 50/50 chance of your light lasting your lap has been replaced with thousands of lumens packed in small self contained sticks. No more duck tape, flashlights and the constant turning off of your light to save your system. I know this technology helps any parent send their child into the darkness of night riding.

After a majority of riders and support folks left to the warmth of their home, a few of us huddled around the fire pit. Stories told, beverages drank and the feeling that we just experienced the start of the new Harrisonburg tradition grew inside. Next year, maybe my kids will stick around late enough to hear some stupid tales of 24 hours of Canaan.

Hope to see you and your family next year for a Deja Vu weekend.

Thank you Laird and Dusty!

Thomas Jenkins – Team Jenkini

Thank you Massanutten Four Season Resort for supporting the Harrisonburg Community with access to the Western Slope!

For years my Gran Fondo day has been working the Brandywine Rest Stop with the SBC crew, helping riders recover from the mountain they just climbed and more importantly preparing them for the unknown that lays ahead. Having never done the Alpine Loop, the sharp right turn just south of the Brandywine rest stop has always been a mystery to me. I am no stranger to the beauty that shines on the country roads that make up this part of West Virginia, but there is a part of the organized route that I had yet to adventure, that was until this fall when I jump on the “Struggle Bus”.

When my old college roommate Jon sent me a message at the end of September saying he was thinking about coming up to ride the Gran Fondo I read his message with excitement and fear. I was very glad that he was back on the bike, knowing that he would not try and tackle this challenge without some preparation. I feared for my well being knowing that I would certainly have to be his side kick on this ride, repeating a history that runs deep back to our college days at Radford. Cycling had picked both Jon and I up during college, moving our motivation from the party zone to the bike racing scene, a change of lifestyle habits that was needed for us both. After college he followed my travels to Arizona, enjoying the warm winter mountain race calendar, deepening our love for two wheels and pushing our bodies to the limits. After winters in Arizona I continued the cycling lifestyle route while Jon went the more responsible and professional route. But once you have been bitten by the cycling bug it never leaves your soul.

After a few messages and phone calls we were both signed up for the Alpine Loop route, more on a dare and challenge which was only fitting for our relationship. So much of our history was base on stupid decisions like one we just agreed upon. I knew at this late in the game there was no training to be done just shit talking and faking a high confidence factor, something that had taken me this far in life. When Jon arrived in town for the event we both knew we had to prep his bike out, lowering his VA Beach gearing to its fullest potential and making sure his Cervelo was stuffed with the largest tires possible.

When the Sunday morning roll out began down Main Street I made sure that I kept Jon in sight so our goal of completing this route together would not end before we hit Route 33. If my warm up and preparation was longer than the one block ride to the Farmers Market pavilion I might have noticed that my seat was too high, giving evidence that the last ride of my road bike was not by me. After fidgeting around for 15 miles I finally pulled over on the Rawley Springs flats to lower my saddle, but the damage had been done, my hamstrings were toast and Jon had ridden up road. I doubted I would see Jon again…

Climbing over Shenandoah Mountain on Route 33 had been a staple for me 25 years ago but this morning I could not remember the last time I did this ascent. As I peddled with my long time friend Paul Johnston we both commented how this event enabled folks to enjoy this twisting climb in safe fashion, with bikes overtaking the mountain pass instead of cars. As we came to the State border I continued to ride, not pulling over for views like so many other riders, I was too excited to soak in the beautiful bank turns that welcomes you to “Wild Wonderful West Virginia”! I also had to track down Jon.

Coming into the Brandywine rest stop I was able to enjoy the event from the other side of the snack table, packing my jersey pockets with sugar waffles, knowing that I had probably taken more than this riders allotted share. Better yet Jon and I were able to reconnect, take the next right turn of mystery and experience the humorous hell called Fultz Gap. Fultz gap was the leg of the route for which I was not familiar. No cue sheet or route description can prepare one for the 1400 vertical feet of gain that you do on this 2.5 mile dirt road. It is seldom that you see folks falling over on road bikes, walking to the next single digit grade (if there is one) but this was the site on Fultz Gap. What you think is the devil laughing at you while you turn a 20 rpm cadence is just the cows mooing while they freely walk the dirt surface, knowing they own this gap. The top of the climb is the opening of Heaven, you go from the shaded tree canopy to blue skies and green pastures. Riders pull over at these Heaven gates, waiting too for their buddies so they can enter together, just like Jon and I. As the delirium wears off you begin to realize these are not the gates of Heaven just cattle guards keeping the cows back. Life can be mean!

Over the next 30 miles the Alpine Loop route takes you through the back roads of eastern West Virginia and Highland County. This is a place that seems stuck in time, where beautiful roads have been welcoming cyclist for decades. This area is a hard and beautiful place, something I experience over the next two hours of this ride while my body continually yells at me for one simple mistake that I had not admitted before, “YOU DID NOT PREPARE FOR THIS RIDE”! Once again there was no need for Jon or any other rider to wait for this guy, I had jumped on the Struggle Bus and the next stop…nowhere in sight. When you are on the struggle bus it is the “do not quit time”, the time to “dig deep”, the place you go during deeps bouts of exhaustion. The experience on the bus is one that will actually drive you to do something again in the future, but you don’t know it now because your mind and body are only thinking about pain and loneliness.

As I rolled the last few miles to the Sugar Grove rest stop I was super charged by the energizer rabbit, Paul Lottridge. Paul is the only guy I know who can do endless hours of exercise without ever breaking his smile, something this kid needed. Thank God smiles are contagious! Being greeted at Sugar Grove by Jon and Kevin Rogers was the best site for this soul, these two dudes were going to get this rider to back the Burg! As Kevin tucked ice cubes in the gaps of my cycling kit Jon waited patiently laughing, as if in a time warp back to the early 90’s, having scene this site in the past.

It is amazing what moving a saddle forward 1″ can do for ones hamstrings and ice cubes with shots of coke can do for ones inner core. As soon as Jon, Paul Johnston and I hit the steep slope just behind the Sugar Grove rest stop I knew things had changed. My 75 mile training ride that I had just completed had prepared me for the next 35 mile ride. This guy’s body had come back and was ready for the western side of Shenandoah Mountain.

As I look back at those last 35 miles it is a blurred memory, one of just endless smiles. As rain clouds and skies parted for our return to the “Burg” I was super happy to ride with numerous friends back into town. I was super grateful to the two wheel Gods for Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. I was thankful to cycling which had brought these good people into my life over the past 32 years of bike riding.

It usually takes a few days or weeks for the pain to subside after a hard ride event before thoughts of doing it again ever begin to surface. For Jon and I it only took a plate of food, one beer and an hour of laughter before we agree to see each other next year’s Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. See ya next fall Jon, and hopefully many of you too!

Yes, this was a long blog post but a 100+ mile ride is long as hell too!

Thomas