Sycamore Thurs. Night ride

It all started at the shop. Matt St.Marie (aka Ice Man) and Herndon(aka Maverick) got in to it over the ride. Ice Man told Maverick that he rides dangerous and makes it dangerous for everyone out there. I(aka Goose) told them to chill out. I pulled Maverick to the side and told him it was not worth it. "Let's roll," said Maverick.

Once we got rolling, Maverick cooled down. After we climbed a long gravel rd., we got to a sick piece of single track. We headed down the trail in Top Gun fashion twisting and turning at mach speeds. On our final approach to Thrift Cove, Maverick was leading me down a path much faster than I should have been going.

All of a sudden I found myself headed for a tree at a rate of speed around 20-25mph. I twisted my body as hard as I could, but to no avail! I hit the tree at full speed and it sent me into a flat spin down Black Mnt. trail. I hit so hard that I landed on my feet facing the direction I'd just come from-- back up the trail and about 10-15 feet away from the tree that I'd just hit with my bike. Maverick heard the impact and asked me if I was OK. I don't recall my response. I want to thank all of the boys for not running over me. I look forward to getting back out there as soon as I heal up.


I think I tore my rotator cuff. I would have loved to have seen a doctor on Friday, but it was Labor Day weekend and they were all booked up and leaving at 1:00pm. I hope to see one on Tuesday.

ORAMM

They are tracking us

It should fun this year. I have no clue how I am going to feel, training has taken a backseat to life. My one and only goal is to have a good time. So my pace will be what ever feels fun at that time. I hope to see ya' out there.

PMBAR Video

PISGAH MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE RACE from Robert Peerson on Vimeo.

12 hours of Tsali race report

The 2nd lap Crew.

The Start of 12 hours of Tsali.


Will Murr about to go out on his lap.



Nick getting mean on it.

Michael thinking about his lap.

Denise showing the boys how it is done.

Philip is all smiles.

Chris has his game face on.

KWood up to all good.

Matt St.Marie's report

12 Hours of Tsali is an event that the Sycamore Cycles team always tries to have a strong showing at. For several years, we only had one open money team at the race, and we gave it our best shot at the win, but never quite made it. Last year, we added some more teams, broadening our level of representation, but still missed the top step on the pro podium despite a very strong showing. This year, Sycamore had 7 different teams at the race, plus one 12 hour solo racer. Our single pro/open money team came to the race hoping to be able to finally take top honors, despite not having our strongest rider from the year before. This year's team was composed of Wes Dickson, Chris Bennett, Donnie Kirkwood, and Matt St. Marie. Bennett started the team out on the run and first lap, and threw down a solid time, only slightly behind a very determined 1st and 2nd for 3rd on the lap. Dickson took the next lap, and posted the fastest lap for the team on the day, but it wasn't quite enough to pull back even with the leaders. The team continued rotation with strong laps from St. Marie and Kirkwood, but kept loosing time to the surprisingly strong and highly motivated lead teams. Despite a series of very fast and consistent laps throughout the day, the team was not able to make up time on the leaders, and finished in 3rd on the day, a solid podium finish for Sycamore's open team. The team is looking forward to next year, when we will once again be gunning for the win in the pro field.

Josh was loving it.

Timmy's report
"Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did very well as a team. Little P, Kell, and Josh all hung tough. I met my personal goal of keeping my lap times fairly consistent and the rest of the guys did as well. When one of us came rolling into the transition area, there was always somebody on deck waiting to roll out. I think that the game ball has to go to Josh. This was josh’s first XC race and he def gave it all he had, he even went out for his first night ride and race lap. Over all, "Jeff Parker is a Pretty Man" did awesome and I can’t wait for next year.

Jeff Parker I don't need to say anything else.

Derek laying down a hot lap.

The girls talking about the plan.

Daniel sheadin' the cabbage.

Geoff on his way to the solo win.

Team Domination's race report

It all started about 11 o clock on Saturday. We had already decided the order of the race the week before. Aaron would go first and do the run because he is like 6'6" and he would only have to take 2 or 3 steps to complete the long run up the gravel road. Derek was going to go second, myself third, followed by Michael. It all started good with Aaron finishing his lap about mid pack of the sport field, hand off to Derek and he was off. Derek came back in and damn!! He just turned a little over a 46 min. lap. That was awesome and he moved us up a couple spots. Hand off to me and I put the power to the ground, just after leaving I caught a guy from one of the Velosports teams and was able to shake him climbing the county line road. I felt really good and the course was FAST. I finished up the last climb which is short but kind of steep, a little down hill and then it is rolling and flat for like the last 3 miles. It is very fast, big ring, burmed corners, and hard packed. I got back handed off to Michael and checked the Garmin. 48:03 nice! I was shooting for 48 min. laps so I was happy with that time, plus I shaved about 5:30 of last years lap time. We continued the rotation throughout the day with no major mishaps but a few things to note:

Michael shaved about 3:30 of last years lap time.
Derek was our ringer of the day not going above 48 minutes until his 4th/night lap
I crashed on lap 2 and saw a snake, you wanna talk about a predicament, put a SNAKE between me and the finish line during a BIKE RACE. "Oh snap its a snake, but I am in a race, but its a snake, but....." you get the picture
The new race kits look pretty awesome, especially when laid over the best bikers body in the PNF (see above pic haha)Throughout the day we kept trading spots with the other 2 Sycamore sport teams mostly staying a few minutes behind the "Chiefs" (insert Atlanta Braves chant here). Going into our last lap we were a couple minutes off them but our ringer came through and got the pass on the last lap to put us up on them by a couple minutes which was pretty exiting to hear. I had already gone back to the camp site for more "real man" recovery drinks. All in all we had a pretty solid race ending up with 14 laps (1 more than last year), and everyone improved on their lap times. There was some very stiff competition there this year including all of the Sycamore Sport teams. Props to the TDS's for laying down and taking 1st place. Again please view the pics above. Obviously I am not smart enough to figure out how to put pics where they belong.

Chad Banner went down to Tsali, he was looking for a race to steal.

He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind: he was willin' to make a deal.

When he came across TDS rolling their bikes and playin' em hot.

And Banner jumped upon a hickory stump and said:

"TDS let me tell you what: I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a mountain biker too. "

"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you."

"Now you ride a pretty race, boy, but give the Banner his due:"

"I bet a GT of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."

TDS said: "My name's Talent and it might be a sin,"

"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been."

Parker you dust off your mtb and ride your lap hard.

'Cos hells broke loose in Tsali and the Banner deals it hard.

And if you win you get this shiny GT made of gold.

But if you lose, the Banner gets your soul.

The Banner jumped on his stumpy and he said: "I'll start this show."

And fire flew from his quads as he got ready to go.

And he stomped down 5,000 watts to his pedals and it made an evil hiss.

Then a band of dominators joined in and it sounded something like this.

When the Banner finished, Talent said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son."

"But if you'll sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done."

"47 minutes on the course, run boys, run."

"The Banner's in the house of the risin' sun."

"Parker in the house, pickin' off the rest,"

"Steve, does your dog bite?""

"yes, dan, yes."

The Banner bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat.

He laid that golden GT on the ground at Talent's feet.

Talent said: "Banner just come on back if you ever want to try again."

I told you once, you son of a gun, I'm the best that's ever been."

"And he rode 45 minutes to the parkway, run boys, run."

"The Banner's in the house of the risin' sun."

"Miles in the pit blowin on a shofar."

Steve, does your dog bite?"

"yes, dan, hard."

And thats exactly how it happened.

Dano out.

Julia's report
Last year despite their best efforts the top spot on the podium eluded the Sycamore Oh Yeahs (Dirty Girls of Brevard). This year they were back for blood. Their four-woman team included such big names as regional pro and glacial morphologist Natasha Cowie, fresh-off-the-boat Ohioan Emily Benson, race director extraordinaire Jenna Bales Walker, and local celebrity Julia Tellman. Cowie led out with a sizzling first lap, put in at least ten minutes on the competition, and kept up the pace the entire race. She also made delicious peanut butter bars and identified wildflowers. Tellman scored the coveted fastest lap time and continued the tradition of never getting kitted up until ten minutes before the race. Walker ignored her gnarly road rash and shoulder damage and threw down some consistent lap times, while maintaining a devil-may-care attitude and a half-zipped jersey. Benson entertained everyone in the pit area, possibly sustained a concussion, and loved every minute of her first night ride. The ladies held a comfortable lead the entire twelve hours and were happy to find themselves on the winner's block after their hard work.

Jamie's report

Team 'Short Shorts' had an awesome time at Tsali this year! Jami, Denise, William, and Ray had fun riding the super fast course and enjoyed the awesome company from the Sycamore crew. Denise endured the sprint and the first lap of the day, putting up a great time and getting us off to a good start. I took on the second lap, followed by Will riding the third one. At first, Ray was a little hesitant about racing at Tsali, but stuck it out and dominated the fourth lap of the day. Overall, we finished 5th in the 'base group,' which we were all happy about since it was our first time out at 12 hours of Tsali. We look forward to racing with everyone again next year!

Jena heading out on another.


Justin telling all that Parker is on track.

Tamer is pinned.

Jamie is having a blast.

thumb's up.

J Miles is on fire

Go team

Get it Yuri.

Roommates

BFFL

Team Stats

1st place Solo men

1st place sport team

1st place open womens team

3rd place open mens team

7th place sport team

8th place sport team

13th place sport team

5th place base team

We also won best team name. "Jeff Parker is a pretty man"

The day started with Chris Bennett picking me up from my house at 6am. We headed straight to Huddle House to get our Big House on. We both polished ém off, because we knew we had a long day ahead of us. After all that eating, we headed to the shop to get ready for a day in Pisgah and hunting for 5 check points. Chris wanted to put on some slightly more aggressive tires, so we mounted up some Specialized Sauserwinds. It was the tread for the day, seeing how we were both rockin' them. Our game plan was to go for all the check points first. In years past, it has always been won by getting all the check points. So that's what we did. And it worked.

We got there with ten minutes to spare. We went straight to the gear check line to get checked in. After showing them all our goods, we were allowed to go get our number plates. Dan Ennis walked up to me and asked if I'd seen Justin, his teammate. Justin showed up with about 3 minutes to spare. After we dropped our pint glasses in Kell's car, we headed back over to where the riders' meeting was going to be held. After the riders' meeting, I went and got our map with the checkpoints and off-limits areas. This was one of the funniest starts you could ever watch. When he says, "go", some folks just started riding up Black Mnt. trail and the rest were frantically opening Pisgah maps. We opened our map and looked at where we needed to get to. The way Eric set up the check points, there were quite a few good routes.

Once we got rolling up Black Mnt. trail, we had to roll though some traffic before clear sailing. Once we got to Maxwell Cove Rd., Dan and I talked about our two route ideas. We both agreed that going Turkey Pen Gap was going to be the the best way to go. We got to Turkey Pen and rolled down to our first checkpoint. Then we headed to Squirrel Gap for checkpoint 2. On our way to checkpoint 2, we ran into Bob K. and Dennis H. and Team Dicky- two of the fast teams- going the other way. Oh No!!! did I pick the wrong route? Thatwas when the fun started in my head! We headed on to Horse Cove and to Yellow Gap Rd. At that point, we had 3 options. We decided to pick the hardest out of the 3 to get it done with. So we headed up Pilot to the our 3rd checkpoint. Then we headed straight back down Pilot. It was so much fun to rip down Pilot with Chris, Dan and Justin. Dan and Justin were headed back in to Turkey Pen, so we headed over to Wash Creek Rd. Getting up and over Yellow gap twice tested our souls a good bit. Once we got past that, I knew we didn't have any long climbs for a while. We headed out to 276 and to 475b. On 475b, we saw Chad and Micheal heading to the same checkpoint that we were. At the end of 225, I was pumped to see Ray(one of the shop regulars) and Dan(Chris's dad). After we got our map stamped, we knew the last part was going to be fun. On our way back to 225, we saw Team Dicky heading to the 225 checkpoint. I knew then that we where ahead of them. We headed back out to 276 and turned onto 477 and then straight to the Horse stables. We had one last test in our way(Clawhammer Rd. to Maxwell Cove Rd.). We eased onto the bottom of Clawhammer Rd. and started picking up the pace as we got closer and closer. When we got onto Black Mnt. Trail, we could taste the the finish. At the top of Hickory Knob, we knew it was all downhill from there. Chris lead the charge back to the finish. We had no clue how we did until we finished. We pulled out the win!!! We went 76.25 miles and 14,770 feet of climbing.

Get Some Chad!!!

Dan P. and Justin taking it to the house.

Chris showing me all the tricks the kids are doing.

TDS in full effect.

How it all played out.

Stage Race Description/Maps
Four days. 145 miles. 38,000'+ elevation gain
Thursday, October 15, 2009: Tornado Time Trial
6 miles. 800' of climbing.
Location to be announced. This will not be in the National Forest but on private land.
This stage will count in the overall Stage Race Standings. It primarily serves to select a Leader’s Jersey for the top Pro/Elite riders. No stage win money will be awarded for the prologue.
*Stage 1-3 start/finish at the grassy field at the Black Mountain Trailhead.Each stage will begin with a 1.5 mile controlled start on Highway 276. Each stage will end with the same 2.5 mile section of trail (Black Mountain) to the start/finish area. This section of Black Mountain trail is singletrack and all rideable. It first climbs 250' to the peak, then drops 1,500' in the last two miles to the finish.
Friday, October 16, 2009: The Transylvania Loop
51 miles. 13,600'+ of elevation gain.
Over 21 miles of singletrack. Farlow Gap and Black Mountain trails offer a true taste of Pisgah’s gnarly singletrack. These trails are among the hardest trails open to mountain bikes in the Pisgah National Forest. In this route you will also enjoy the just opened seasonal trail Butter Gap.

Saturday, October 17, 2009: Land of the Waterfalls Loop
42 miles. 11,700+ ft of elevation gain.
From the low cool streams to the high elevation timber forest, this loop has it all. Turkey Pen and Laurel Mountain trails are both local favorites. This is true singletrack. You will get a chance to cool your feet down a bit on Bradley Creek Trail and test your skills with over 25 miles of singletrack.




Sunday, October 18, 2009: White Squirrel Loop
46 miles. 11,900+ of elevation gain.
Classic singletrack! Squirrel Gap is a continuous 1.5 ft wide singletrack trail hinged to the mountainside for miles. End your long journey with another seasonal trail opened days before, Bennett Gap. This trail is a local downhill favorite. It ought to be a real hoot on your last day! This day packs over 28 miles of singletrack.


http://www.blueridgeadventures.net/stage/main.html

How it went DownI meet Emily this week. Nuff Said!!!

The Start At Hobby Park.

Tristan Holding it down. He pulled out a 3rd place.

Matt St.Marie shredding the cabbage.

Old Man looking for the line.

Game Face

Oh Yeah!!!

Timmy!!!

On your left!!!

I love mountain biking

Sandbaggin' like a Walker

Steve is a rockstar

KB 1st sport race

We had an awesome time down at hobby park. We will have full report soon.