Shannon's story: Poolesville Road Race

BaseCamp athlete Shannon Scanlon shared her experience at the 2026 NCVC Poolesville Road Race (MABRA championship) in Maryland.

Poolesville was a B race with an opportunity to practice race craft and my raceday preparation routines. This race was a 10.7-mile course with a 1.5-mile gravel section. In the Masters 45+ age group, I would race with the Cat 1, 2, 3 and the rest of the masters age groups for 5 laps. With only has 3 in my field, I ended up taking 2nd in age. The podium wasn't my focus this race; it was more about seeing if I could hang with the Cat women through their 1st attack.

I focused on reading wheels and my positioning heading into the 1st gravel section. Unfortunately, I hit the lip coming off of the pavement, which resulted in my right foot coming unclipped. The group surged, which forced me to burn matches to close the gap. I lost my mid-pack positioning before hitting the climb and wasn't able to completely bridge the gap before the turn. Disappointed I was unable to accomplish in my number one race goal, I didn't lose determination to stay on the attack. I continued to push through the 1st lap until the lead group was finally out of sight.

While I didn't meet my race goal, the race now became a training ride and the opportunity to see what power I could generate over the remaining laps. I ended up meeting up with young Penny after the 2nd lap. I thought I could work with her, but she was gassed and had no power to offer. At least she provided me company and a little confidence that I had the fitness to pull this young Cat 3 rider half my age. I pulled her at my high Tempo/SS the remaining laps but relaxed some in lap 4, thinking I would have the last lap to lay it all out there. I was not given the chance, since we were both pulled unable to continue on.

Coach Jill reminded me my biggest win today was "you stayed focused on staying on the power after losing the group. Keeping that mental presence is an important tool in the toolbox, and it is great training for the next event."