04/05/2026
We are in the final stretch for QE26! With rain in the mix today, lots of folks showed up yesterday to help the old guard mark nearly the entire route. With main side singletrack completed in morning, and OCS in the afternoon, a small team was able to knock out the pavement connectors and trails to Geiger Loop and back to the finish this morning. Wow, what an accomplishment! If you see any of these folks next week, please say thank you.
Now, I will say yesterday was one of the first warm days this spring. The canopy is still coming in, but with today's rain it will pop! Riding the routes and hitting the climbs with a pack definitely felt tougher with the sticky humidity. It was quite a change, so focus on hydration this coming week. Quantico is punchy and tougher than most realize. We will have HAMMER NUTRITION products at the aide station, so please take time to review their recommendations. Wegmans has donated 300 gallons of water, so we should have plenty of that as well.
Finally, as the last chance to roll the Epic is on the horizon, I have to mention the climbing challenges. I have 80 medals and I want to give them all out to a 50 miler competitor. I also have a load of medals from past years to support the 35, 30, and 18 milers. If you make all the climbs, minus Pipeline and we have a medal available, you will score! The secret is to keep your head down, spin those legs, and don't give up. My mantra is keep those legs spinning!
Now for pipeline, I have to throw down the gauntlet to all the 50 milers. That climb is tough, but I cleaned it today cold, with my 15 pound course marking backpack with stakes sticking out the top. It is late in the ride, but you can do it! Let's see who can clear it next Saturday. Clear pipeline and you automatically get a medal. Of course, if you say you didn't clear al the others, I would be a bit suspect.
Alright folks, keep those legs spinning, get the ride tuned and your nutrition and hydration plans in order and I will see you all next Saturday for one last round of the Quantico Epic!