Tallasandee Tango 2018
Them: "What do you get out of doing these races?" Me: "A patch, if you're lucky." Them: "But WHY do you do it?" Me: "Ah, that's a very complicated question..."
The 2018 Tally Tango patch
It's good to have a 24-hour Denny's next to your hotel, because I like to start these big rides with pancakes...
Actually, I'll start anything with pancakes. I just really like pancakes.
Oh, and all the other sides that go with them.
30 minutes to the start, time to get everything set and ready to go.
Team ROBS was ready to get this thing rolling!
The 2018 Tally Tango began as it has for the last couple of years, starting over on Weems Rd and the railroad tracks by the water retention area of Tom Brown Park. With a neutral rollout of 50+ riders, and a 10 minute time bonus, we all made our way around the shelf-cut trail around the retention pond and into the west end of the Magnolia Trail.
I went in around 10th in line and it remained fairly tame through Magnolia. As I followed Matt, a local, I could see a gap starting to open up ahead of him. It's a long ride though, no need to rush so soon. As we crossed the paved path over into Cadillac, I again fought the urge to make a tight pass. I heard Rob yell out that someone had dropped their phone as he stopped to pick it up (turned out later to be Dave's).
On one of the technical climbs, our leader's rear tire slipped and he had to dab. I did as well since I was right on his wheel. Starting up again, Gerry passed by me. I followed him for a bit but he soon pulled off and I was once again behind Matt. As we went through Cadillac East to the wood feature toward the end, I called out to Gerry, who I thought was behind me, that the right line was the easiest of the coming descent. Matt thought I said the "red line" and pulled over to watch what he thought was going to be me sending it over the drop or down through the rock garden, I took the right side and toward the land bridge between Piney Z and Lafayette lakes. I could see the lead group disappearing into the woods a half mile ahead, so I sprinted up to over 30mph to close the gap and was on them as they started the climb to the covered bridge over the railroad tracks.
It looked like about 5 ahead of me as we went into the next section of singletrack. Fairly uneventful, albeit at a faster pace, the trail went by quickly and we emerged for the 1 mile stretch in the rocks along the tracks.
SPOILER ALERT: This photo would end up showing the first 7 finishers of the 2018 Tally Tango.
As we emerged from the initial 7 mile singletrack start, the lead group had clarified โ off the front was John, giving chase was Dave, then myself, Andy, & Aaron chatting, Mike right behind us, plus Rob taking the pic and a few other guys.
We were together or within visual through the first 20 miles as everyone settled into their tempo and cadence.
Tallahassee seems to have unlimited gravel and beautifulย forest roads.
Team ROBS finding our groove.
Crossing the Pinhook Bridge
Sandspur collecting
This area of the Stony Bayou Pool in the Flint Rock WMA is so cool and unexpected. You emerge from a fairly dense forest area and suddenly you're in a wide open wetlands savanna that looks like you've been transported to the African plains.
This is why we include grass segments in the Tree Hugger Epics. Training.
As we made it to the St. Marks National Refuge Visitor Center, Rob decided to stop for water there while pushed on to the store a couple miles down the road.
As I pulled in, Dave was just pulling out. At the store, I hosed the caked mud off my bike that I collected around mile 10. I got my traditional 44-oz. Diet Coke with half ice and a Powerade. Drank the soda, put the ice in the bottles and filled them up with Powerade. While there Rob rolled up, Mike was inside pounding down a Subway sandwich, then Joe and Peter rolled in and out quicklyโthey were both focused on the 250 route. I then needed to cut out the grassy bird nest out of my derailleur before heading out again.
Mike and his belly full of Subway passing us
I think this Wakula section is my favorite. Dense coverage, fairly smooth rolling, and just really cool looking.
Heading into just another part of the St. Marks area.
The first 2 years I went down Skipper Bay Rd it was dry, even a little soft. Last year, there were a few spots of about 1 inch of water, though riders who went through later had to deal with waist-high water from the on-coming hurricane storm surge.
This year, we turned that corner to see a quarter-mile of mid-calf-high salt water thanks to a king tide.
This is why we include water crossings in the Tree Hugger Epics. Training.
Salt water foot bath
The cool water on our feet and legs actually felt really good. I was tempted to take a full dip, but thought better of it with another 80-miles to go.
Saying goodbye to Skipper Bay
After carrying my bike for a quarter-mile, I saluted this part of Skipper Bay Rd and moved on the more traditional soft sand portion of the road.
Arrival at Sopchoppy Pizza
After restocking our fluids (another 44-oz Diet Coke with ice & Powerade) at the convenience store around the corner, we rolled in to Sopchoppy Pizza to grab a couple slices. Dave was there finishing up his beer and not looking like he was in much of a hurry.
Dave and I have a history of going back and forth in the these rides dating back to when I first met him on the CFITT almost 3 years ago. Last year, I gave him some of my pizza in last year's Tally Tango. Last year I was in solid position for 4th place before making a dumb decision to pull out at the 120 mile mark for expediency and out of frustration. Dave would eventually end up taking 4th place last year.
The first 90 miles of the route allowed my socks to become furry from collecting 3 different types of stickers and sand spurs.
Furry socks
Control Point photo with the Sopchoppy Pizza Gorilla
After an Obligatory Control Point photo and enjoying a few slices thanks to Dave's pizza pay back, we got back in the saddle. Dave had been complaining of feeling a little beaten up on his beautiful new rigid Salsa Cutthroat and lamenting the lack of front suspension. He headed out and then came back and he eventually rolled out with Rob and I.
Apalachicola National Forest roads
The Bradwell Bay area was fast and smooth and while the Apalachicola National Forest roads were better than last year, it still had it's moments of long stretches of soft white sugar sand.
About 10 miles or so out we came across the Samurai Camp, Dave decided to stop there. We 'Smiled & Waved' but continued on.
The second half of the ANF had quite a few soft sand sectionsโsome longer than others; some softer than others.
This is why we include sand in the Tree Hugger Epics. Training.
Ripping through the under-maintained Forest Loop, it was time to finally stop and remove the sand spurs that kept stabbing me as I was riding through a death from a thousand branch lashes.
Delicate sock surgery
The partial Stonehenge exit of Forest Loop is a welcome sight in daylight.
After almost 30 miles of singletrack, ending with ripping through Twilight at about 14mph in the dark, we made it to our last resupply and about 12 miles to the finish.
While at that convenience store, Dave came flying in.
The next 9 miles would be along a combination of rails-to-trails to city surface streets through downtown Tallahassee, before getting to the final 3.5 miles of the Kohl's and Fern trails.
We headed out and told Dave we were sure we'd see him shortly. He caught us about a mile down the road, we were leisure-pedaling at that point, content with the impending finish. As he went by, I looked over at Rob and asked if he wanted to stay with him, he said no, but that I could if I wanted. I wasn't going to change my strategy of enjoying the ride with Rob and with only 10 miles left.
As we rolled along the rail trail, we'd get glimpses of Dave's blinky in the distance. Then as we came around one corner Dave was on his way toward us, he must've taken a wrong turn. We rolled the rest of the paved segment and arrived at the start of the Kohl's trail.
Dave jumped into Kohl's trail first, but realized pretty quickly that his rigid steed was no match for Rob and I on our full-suspension Norco Revolvers in these final techy bandit trails. He moved out of the way and let us lead. I may have been taunting a little when I realized halfway through Kohl's that I hadn't unlocked my own suspension and shouted how much nicer the ride was once I opened it up. ๐ฌ
As we crossed over from Kohl's and past the cool air coming from the open Publix doors, Dave didn't try to take the lead into Fern Trail. From there, we were gone. I was hootin and hollering' for Rob to go faster in the super fun ups and downs. I felt like I was cracking a whip. It was a blast. The adrenaline was pumping, we were flying over roots and small natural water ruts and I could feel my rear tire was low on air. I didn't care. I told it, it could make it. It did.
As we came from the underpass and out of the bush, Rob and I cruised side-by-side and high-fived that little trail rip and just an overall great ride.
Other Rob, Dave, Aaron, and myself
Rolling in to the finish, not only were our wives waiting, but Aaron was also there to congratulate usโof course, he had finished about 3 hours earlier. ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ Already showered, ate dinner, relaxed, probably read a book or two... sigh.
Dave rolled in less than 10 minutes behind. I guess whomever gets the free pizza in Sopchoppy ends up with 4th place. ๐ ๐๐ป
Team ROBS (me & the other Rob)
Satisfied with the ride, the time, and the company. We had a good fun ride and you can't beat that.
Here are the Top 6 times according to Trackleaders
Flashback to that photo in the beginning at mile 7. Not shown in this list is Aaron who was not being tracked on his first-to-finish 12hr 11min time (arriving 7:11pm)โimproving on his last year run by about 15 minutesโwhich he did on a singlespeed.
After the ride, I told my wife to remind me next year about this ride the same way she needs to about the Chicken & Tots dish at Hurricane Wings... "You don't like it!"
I probably quit many times during these rides and in some, I actually do. I often wonder, while pedaling, why I do these, why put myself through the neck pain, numbness in the hands (and groin), and bruised sit bones? Those that I've finished, I often vow to never do it again. But it has some allure. I love the planning, the studying, the strategy, and I guess even the challenge.
I think, in the end, the WHY is that I just really like long rides in the woods with friends.
See you all again somewhere soon.
Here's the Strava tale of the tape.
Speed data
Elevation data
Hurricane Michael approaching the panhandle as a strong Cat 4 storm
As of writing this, Hurricane Michael had just passed through just to the west of the Tallahassee area. In previous years of the Tally Tango, there were usually quite a few trees down and often big ones. I was surprised how few fallen trees there were this year through Aucilla. Itโs probably different now. ๐
News coverage from Sopchoppy
Initially, there was some sad news regarding the Sopchoppy Pizza Gorilla, but luckily it had turned out that he had been laid down for his own protection. Phew.
However, pictures are coming out showing the destruction in the surrounding areas. Glad to hear there was very little loss of life. The rest can be replaced. Good luck, Florida Panhandle.
