The Tuscazoar twain reign of pain relay by Rick DeShields

Camp Tuscazoar is one of those hidden gems in Ohio that’s fun to ride because of its old school challenging climbs and hard efforts. While the main course is only about 6 miles long it packs in more than 1000 feet of climbing per lap! If the mileage was equal with Mohican that would be twice the climbing! Sounds fun! The Dirt Line and CAMBA are also working hard to create more trails at Camp Tuscazoar. Currently there is a new beginner loop and additional trail on the main loop being designed by Linear Active. As with any major trail project it costs a lot of money to get new trails. Leave it to 331 racing to organize a 2 person relay to plan a fun race to raise money to help with the trail project. By race day 35 teams had signed up including myself and Tim from Ohio Fat Tire with 70% of the proceeds going to the trails at Camp Tuscazoar.

 

Race day came and the concern was that the recent rain would make for wet trails. Thanks to the soil conditions and excellent drainage the trail was firm and in great shape. It was also a hot and humid day and the air felt thick to breathe. I would be starting for our team which we lovingly called “So hoppy to pain in forward”. The race started with a prologue loop on the camp road that took us down and then back up to break up the field before we entered the trail. As I entered the trail my tire popped off of the bead on an off camber turn and instantly flatted. After a few minutes and throwing in a tube I was back on the bike and moving. I was moving well but found that the rocks and roots were a little slick which made things a little more challenging. The trail starts off with a few small climbs and fun uphill and downhill switchbacks before coming down to the Zoar valley Trail which is an extension of the Towpath trail. Once on the ZVT, I took the time to refuel and hydrate before heading back up onto the single track and the arduous repeating climbs back up to the top to where we started. This second half of the course has some of my favorite sections of trail that offer some cool views and some fun challenging climbs. On final climb I ran across a Jake and Michael from Ohio Fat Tire who were volunteering as course marshals. I stopped for a brief sip of a “recovery beverage” before finishing the climb to the top and the hand off to Tim for lap 2. Shortly after Tim headed out clouds and a little rain rolled in but when he finished his lap he reported the trail was still in good shape. Lap 3 and 4 were fairly uneventful and went smooth for us although some of the steep climbs started to get greasy forcing a little hike a bike if you couldn’t keep the rear tire from slipping. During lap 5 the skies started to get dark and I could hear thunder in the distance but no rain fell during my last lap. Oddly enough I was feeling stronger than I had during the entire race so far and was managing a faster pace through the course. Shortly after Tim started our last lap the rain came and opened up with a decent downpour. Thankfully most of the teams were on their last laps. As the remaining racers trickled in the skies cleared and the sun came out. Despite the weather the trails held up and the race was a lot of fun. Thanks to the Dirt Line and 331 for coming up with a fun event and the racers who came out in support of the trails. Also a big thanks to Fatheads, Blue Sky bikes, Dr’s of Optometry and Crank Brothers for their support!