Just Enough Pain

11th Annual Blood, Sweat and Gears Bicycle Ride in High Country June 27

Story by Sam Calhoun

Described as a challenging ride on the mountainous terrain of Watauga County, Blood, Sweat and Gears returns this year on Saturday, June 27, beginning and ending at Valle Crucis Elementary School. Photo submitted

“Thirty days from today at 7:30 a.m. 750 riders will take off in one direction and 500 will take off in the other direction for the 11th year of Blood, Sweat and Gears,” said Sonny Sweet, executive director of the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross, during the annual kick off luncheon at the Mast Store Annex in Valle Crucis on Wednesday, May 27. During the luncheon, Sweet told the crowd of community members, government officials, business owners and media that last year’s ride raised more than $40,000 for local disaster relief funds, and he hoped this year’s event would mimic or exceed that fundraising amount.  

Described as a challenging ride on the mountainous terrain of Watauga County, Blood, Sweat and Gears returns this year on Saturday, June 27, beginning and ending at Valle Crucis Elementary School. The ride is organized by the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross and presented by Mast General Store and numerous other local businesses. 

Participants receive the option to enter the Full Century Route, which is 100 miles and limited to 750 riders, or the Half Century Route, which is 52 miles and limited to 500 riders. Each year, the Full Century Route sells out ahead of time, thus there is no day-of-event registration for the 100-mile ride. Online registration will close for the Full Century Route once 750 riders have signed up. Day-of-event registration for the Half Century Route will take place on Friday, June 26, at Valle Crucis Elementary School from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Registration is not available on Saturday, June 27. 

To register, click to www.BloodSweatandGears.org and complete the online registration process, or print out and complete the application and mail to: Blood, Sweat and Gears, c/o eNetFirst, Inc., 1002 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30117. Registration prices vary.

During a kick off luncheon for Blood, Sweat and Gears on Wednesday, May 27, Sonny Sweet, executive director of the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross, told attendees that last year’s ride raised more than $40,000 for local disaster relief funds, and he hoped this year’s event would mimic or exceed that fundraising amount. Photo by Sam Calhoun

Riders participating in Blood, Sweat and Gears can look forward to a demanding route that showcases the mountain communities of Watauga County. But it comes at a price. Although the route traces a 21-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and a four-mile flat stretch along the South Fork of the New River, it also features a strenuous climb over the 4,500-foot gap at Snake Mountain and countless other lesser peaks, giving truth to its motto, “just enough pain.” 

The ride includes six fully supported aid stations with water and snacks, and food, showers and massages will be available to all riders after crossing the finish line. 

Three entities benefit annually from Blood, Sweat and Gears—the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Jeremy Dale Fisher Fund and the Russell Fund. Fifty percent of proceeds from the Full Century Route go to the Jeremy Dale Fisher Fund—named after an ASU graduate killed in an apartment fire in 1996—to provide assistance to families in Watauga County that are displaced by fire, flood or similar disasters. Fifty percent of proceeds from the Half Century Route go to the Russell Fund—named for an Avery County resident killed in the September 11th attacks—to provide disaster relief in Avery County. The remainder of funds go to the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross for running High Country operations, according to Sweet. 

Mast General Store is the event’s presenting sponsor. The Mast Farm Inn, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority, Coca-Cola, Joe’s Italian Kitchen, Pizza Hut, Footsloggers, Sledgehammer Charlie’s, Southern Peaks Real Estate, M-Prints, eNetFirst and Samuel Jackson & Company are gold level sponsors. Greystone Insurance Associates, Valle Crucis Log Cabin Rentals & Sales, Blue Horse Promotions, Magic Cycles, Boone Bike & Touring, Chick-fil-A, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Best Western, Country Inn & Suites, Three Rivers Building Supply and Triple T Pumping are silver level sponsors. MTN, Haircut 101, Watauga Democrat, Bird’s Eye View, Harper’s Trust, HighCountryRental.com, Appalachian Innkeeper, Earth Fare, SOS, GDS, BREMCO, Suburban Propane, Backyard Burgers, Linville River Company, Michael Galleher Construction, Carolina Mountain Life, Watauga Amateur Radio and High Country Press are bronze level sponsors. 

For more information, email Sweet at americanredcr141@bellsouth.net or call 828-262-8226.

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