The famous Camp Tuscazoar Stockade, for the race the stockade will be open and teams will set up on the inside for the start and transition area. First of all full disclosure, I'm stealing Mr. Quickdirts race preview format blog...A.) because I'm not that good of a blogger, B.) his race previews are pretty good and they have convinced me to drive a little further to do a race when typically I wouldn't. Check out his blog here and follow him on facebook here. I know he has some excuse like a family vacation or something like that and that is why not he is joining us. Even with the temptation of following Jim Costello around for hours on end I guess family comes first.
Ok I've given credit where credit is due so now the reason you are here, why do you want to do this race, and are all the rumors that you have heard about Camp Tuscazoar trails are true are they really that horrible and old school?
First why do you want to do the race? We wanted to do a fundraiser for the Camp, which is an old boyscout camp that is now owned by a foundation of camp alumni that wants to "Keep the spirit" of Tuscazoar burning. This is private land that they let us play on, so anything that we can do to help we try to do. So we teamed up with 331 Racing and they gave us a unique proposition, we prep the course, bring in the prizes, food and sponsors, they'll do the scoring bring the atmosphere and help us throw one of the biggest events the camp and Northeast Ohio MTB community has seen in a long time. The heart of this race is a fundraiser and because of that 331 is graciously offered 70% of the profits of this race will go back to the camp, so even if you are not a "racer" or this seems like a long event just come out and have a good time, if you are your teammate each do one lap and then just want to hang out in the pit area, do it, and you will know that most of your entry fee is going to help develop the camp that you are enjoying that much more! To find out more about the race or pre-register (this is a pre-register event only!) click here
Twain of Pain, definitely does not make this sound like a fluffy race does it? This event is going to be a relay race with you and a teammate, for classes you can be on a Co-ed Team, Female Team, and Male Team and there is Open and Novice/Sport divisions. Open teams will have a maximum of 4 laps per teammate for 8 laps total while Novice/Sport does three laps per teammate so 6 laps total. After 6.5 hours the race is over and teams will place based on how many laps they completed or who did the maximum number of laps in the fastest time, nobody will be DNF'd because they did not make all the laps. Every lap will be alternated between teammates as you come into the transistion area you will hand a baton off and send your teammate on there way! Teams wil transistion in the area past the stockade, this is a great area for tents to be set up and give it a festival atmosphere. In between your laps you'll be able to mingle with other racers, walk around a spectate, or just sit in a chair put your feet up and relax, whatever you want to do!
Now the trail report, some of you are probably thinking well I heard it's old school, straight up climbs, doesn't sound fun to me. I'm not going to sugar coat it yes there is climbing, is it impossible ..no. Can you handle Mohican State Park? If you answered yes you can complete a lap of Tuscazoar. Over the last year passionate mountain bikers have started converting some of the hiking trails and added extra trail to make it more mtb friendly, you'll find some switchbacks, some flow, and some climbs that will challenge you no doubt, but lets be honest you didn't get into mountain biking to not be challenged right? Overall the race lap is 6 miles with 1,100 ft. of climbing so per mile you will end up with a little more climbing than Mohican State Park for comparison. Overall the trail is not very technical, almost wide and smooth in many places, the most technical aspect you will run into small armor sections that keep you dry and fast steep downhills (those are fun though right?) Now for a photo preview taking you through the trails of Camp Tuscazoar!
Ok I've given credit where credit is due so now the reason you are here, why do you want to do this race, and are all the rumors that you have heard about Camp Tuscazoar trails are true are they really that horrible and old school?
First why do you want to do the race? We wanted to do a fundraiser for the Camp, which is an old boyscout camp that is now owned by a foundation of camp alumni that wants to "Keep the spirit" of Tuscazoar burning. This is private land that they let us play on, so anything that we can do to help we try to do. So we teamed up with 331 Racing and they gave us a unique proposition, we prep the course, bring in the prizes, food and sponsors, they'll do the scoring bring the atmosphere and help us throw one of the biggest events the camp and Northeast Ohio MTB community has seen in a long time. The heart of this race is a fundraiser and because of that 331 is graciously offered 70% of the profits of this race will go back to the camp, so even if you are not a "racer" or this seems like a long event just come out and have a good time, if you are your teammate each do one lap and then just want to hang out in the pit area, do it, and you will know that most of your entry fee is going to help develop the camp that you are enjoying that much more! To find out more about the race or pre-register (this is a pre-register event only!) click here
Twain of Pain, definitely does not make this sound like a fluffy race does it? This event is going to be a relay race with you and a teammate, for classes you can be on a Co-ed Team, Female Team, and Male Team and there is Open and Novice/Sport divisions. Open teams will have a maximum of 4 laps per teammate for 8 laps total while Novice/Sport does three laps per teammate so 6 laps total. After 6.5 hours the race is over and teams will place based on how many laps they completed or who did the maximum number of laps in the fastest time, nobody will be DNF'd because they did not make all the laps. Every lap will be alternated between teammates as you come into the transistion area you will hand a baton off and send your teammate on there way! Teams wil transistion in the area past the stockade, this is a great area for tents to be set up and give it a festival atmosphere. In between your laps you'll be able to mingle with other racers, walk around a spectate, or just sit in a chair put your feet up and relax, whatever you want to do!
Now the trail report, some of you are probably thinking well I heard it's old school, straight up climbs, doesn't sound fun to me. I'm not going to sugar coat it yes there is climbing, is it impossible ..no. Can you handle Mohican State Park? If you answered yes you can complete a lap of Tuscazoar. Over the last year passionate mountain bikers have started converting some of the hiking trails and added extra trail to make it more mtb friendly, you'll find some switchbacks, some flow, and some climbs that will challenge you no doubt, but lets be honest you didn't get into mountain biking to not be challenged right? Overall the race lap is 6 miles with 1,100 ft. of climbing so per mile you will end up with a little more climbing than Mohican State Park for comparison. Overall the trail is not very technical, almost wide and smooth in many places, the most technical aspect you will run into small armor sections that keep you dry and fast steep downhills (those are fun though right?) Now for a photo preview taking you through the trails of Camp Tuscazoar!
The beginning of the trail starts on the Pioneer Point trail this is a half mile trail that is mostly downhill it takes you to a scenic overlook of the Tuscarawas Valley, during the race you will not have time to take it in so check it out on your pre-ride! And stay away from the gasline, a fence is going up soon but probably not in time for the race!
We may have some surprises for the start but Pioneer point is where you will enter the woods, this trail is mostly a fast down hill trail, in fact the first .75 miles is downhill so getting a good start will be crucial in setting your self up for a good lap one. In the Twain of Pain you have to switch to your other teammate each lap (more pain that way right?)
Scenic overlook to the right, fast downhill to the left Next trail on deck is the Pipestone Trail, your still going to be moving and having the time of your life, guess what it keeps going! More downhill just enjoy it and remember what goes down must go up! At this point the downhill will start to get a little steeper and possibly even more fun!
So you've been enjoying a lot of downhill and you start to think to yourself, this isn't so bad it's actually fun, when Pipestone turns left and you see this sign, as heard on today's ride "this is where the pain begins" John Lorson-Soupcan Racing
Corianne on swithback 7 of 8 ...and still smiling! The Pipestone climb will be .75 miles and you'll gain about 190 feet of elevation, expect some tight trail with switchbacks, you'll know you are getting close to the end when you hit the 8 dreaded switchbacks, here is a hint do not start counting from the beginning, you'll know when you get to them and luckily you'll almost be done! After the 8th switchback you get a reprieve and some downhill that will drop you onto doubletrack.
This bridge sneaks up on a lot of first timers, use caution when exiting the double track! Ahhh double track, fast smooth and downhill enjoy it you've earned it, the double track will end on sharp turn to the left and you will meet this guy, heads up you won't see the bridge till you clear the turn, and you'll be riding it at that point so be careful! Also after this is your next signal that a climb is coming but it's not as bad as what is to come, just a couple switchbacks.
Corianne points you to the direction where there is proof that mountain biking is real in Ohio Your last Pipestone sign leads you to a quick turn to the right to the end of pipestone trail this will put you on a ridge line trial parallel to the Zoar Valley Trail, don't look down, trust us it's there, way down there!
The flat says go get it killer, close that gap! Pipestone ends with a steep drop onto the Zoar Valley Trail, that will take you to the Roost Trail, this is our Fast and Furious 1/4 mile of fast, flat action also about the only place you'll get a good sight line of your competition, don't burn yourself out because I probably did not mention that the Roost trail is our second infamous climb.
Fireroad climb! Wasn't that flat fun? A left turn off the Zoar Valley trail and the Roost trail officially starts at this point you are almost half way through the trail, the roost trail begins with a fire road climb that is a gradual climb that gets a little steeper then you get a break on a ridgeline trail then up again, overall the beginning fireroad is the worst the remainder of the singletrack is a gradual climb pacing is key, but if a competitor spotted you on the Zoar Valley Trail there is a lot of room to pass on the fireroad and they'll be chasing you down!
Buzzard's Roost THE place to relax at Camp Tuscazoar you earned it! Top of the Roost! You have officially made it to Buzzard's Roost, stats of this trail you climbed .75 miles and gained 250 feet of elevation feel free to take time and enjoy the view this is the best the camp offers! Now get moving to the Iron Mine Downhill!
Iron Mine, let the fun begin! Now for the payoff of the Roost Climb, The Iron Mine Downhill! If the Twain of Pain had an Enduro (TM) stage this would be it. It starts off with a steep downhill littered with waterbars...note, I said waterbars not jumps, use caution on these bars, they were made to divert water not jump, if you have those skills have fun, if not be safe and roll them because every one of them will kick your back end up and put you in trouble!
Iron Mine DH leading to Icky's trail is another great scenic area of the trails, but there are some skinny bridges to keep your eye on the trail!
The fun of iron mines is over with this short punchy climb, three things could happen stand and power up it, run up the trail, or fall backwards then walk up the section! Iron Mine Downhill ends with a steep punch climb that leads into icky's trail, good news is Icky's is the last trail to the finish line, bad news two more climbs to go
Tuscazoar and 331 does have some compassion race day you will take the "easier" route, a few switchbacks and you'll be to the top and rewarded with another awesome downhill section!
After the "easy" climb on Icky's and downhill you will have a short up and down that will lead to the final climb that will take you to the transition area, remember the trail started on a downhill, and you are at the bottom of the valley, time to pay for that awesome start. Just for the race we rerouted a sketchy bridge and added a more flow/mtb friendly line this will set you up for the steep climb a little better but it's still a grind, on the plus side after this you are done and hand your baton off to your partner it is now there turn! This last climb from the bridge is .5 miles and 200 ft mostly doubletrack and will put you right into the transition area! Like any MTB trail the first time is always the worst, but luckily next lap you will know what's coming and will have a blast, so enjoy your transition time visit other teams tents, then get ready to roll out again!
A huge thanks goes out to the our sponsors for the race, Eddy's Bike Shop and Schwalbe Tires for supplying prizes for the Novice/Sport Division. ED&FA of Tuscarawas county for the pint glasses and CAMBA for the tools and donation to help fund this event.
A huge thanks goes out to the our sponsors for the race, Eddy's Bike Shop and Schwalbe Tires for supplying prizes for the Novice/Sport Division. ED&FA of Tuscarawas county for the pint glasses and CAMBA for the tools and donation to help fund this event.
Layout of the course map.
Elevation profile of the course, the biggest challenges are the hills that has given the Camp Tuscazoar trails it's reputation as "Ohio's biggest little trail" At .75 miles pipestone climb, 2.70 miles The Roost Climb and at 5.5 the final push back to camp on Icky's Trail.
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