SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 ISSUE
Bike Races and Other Opportunities This Fall
Cyclists in the High Country have a reason to get excited. With the fall season quickly approaching and cooler temperatures finally pushing out the sweltering temps that were the mainstay throughout the summer of 2010, mountain bikers and road cyclists are out in full force enjoying the area's bountiful trails and scenic roads.
Additionally, a plethora of rides and races in the area should give cyclists and mountain biking enthusiasts the incentive they need to go out and test themselves against fellow athletes or simply challenge themselves to get out and enjoy a nice, long ride with friends. For those interested in going for a spin in the next few weeks, here are a few upcoming rides and events on the horizon in the area.
The High Country Cyclocross Series returns for its second year on Wednesday, September 8, for four weeks of after-work racing at the Historic North Wilkesboro followed by four weeks under the lights at the High Country Fairgrounds in Boone.
The NWS course will combine sections of the track with the grassy infield and the slopes outside the stadium. Not only does NWS offer covered parking, bathrooms with showers, food vendors and its legendary racing surface, but fans can see almost the entire race from one spot.
The High Country Fairgrounds provides cyclists the opportunity to race under the lights when the days get short, is practically guaranteed to offer mud, and features the legendary “run up,” where riders have to carry their bikes up a short slope illuminated by tiki torches.
Downhill Mountain Bike Racing at Beech Mountain Resort returns Saturday, September 11. The third race in the 2010 Beech Mountain Downhill Series will be held high atop Beech Mountain on one of the area's most challenging and demanding downhill courses. The race is a USA Cycling-sanctioned event hosted by Lees-McRae College. Registration for the event begins at 8:00 a.m. with a 2:00 p.m. start scheduled for the first race. The cost is $40 amateurs and $45 for pros. For more info, email beechmtndh@live.com.
Fast turns and big jumps accentuate the Dual Slalom Mountain Bike Race at Lees-McRae College on Sunday, September 12. The Dual Slalom will be on the ’07 and ’08 Collegiate National Championship track. The Dual Slalom is one of the best courses in the Southeast, starting with tight berms and small jumps, with progressively bigger ones towards the bottom. Fast race times down the track are just under 30 seconds.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a 1:00 p.m. start for the races currently scheduled. The price for entry is $30 amateurs and $35 for pros. For more info, email beechmtndh@live.com.
The 2010 Bridge to Bridge Bike Challenge will be held Sunday, September 19, beginning in Lenoir before putting participants through a series of challenging climbs as they grind their way toward the High Country, finishing high atop Grandfather Mountain for a spectacular vista. Only 800 riders will be allowed to register. Spectators are welcome at the finish line, and a shuttle will be made available for transport. For more info, click to www.caldwellcochamber.org.
On Saturday, September 25, Three Peaks USA: America’s Hardest Cyclocross Race will take place at Beech Mountain. An homage to the UK’s legendary 3 Peaks Cyclocross Race and Pennsylvania’s notorious Iron Cross, this will be a challenge of rider and machine on the unpaved roads that scale Beech and its north and south ridges. Surface conditions range from quality paved roads, to scraped gravel sections that would be comfortable on a road bike, to weathered jeep roads that will force many to walk.
The event also offers a Mountain Bike Division in the 75K and 35K races, as well as two person Relay Divisions. Three Peaks USA is a fundraiser for Mountain Alliance, a community of individuals committed to providing Watauga County high school youth with opportunities to explore and develop their leadership potential through experiential learning.
For more info, email info@pirateraceproductions.com.
Dirty Thursdays at Rocky Knob, the weekly trail building session at Boone's very own bike park, will be cranking it up a few notches in preparation of a big push to get the first loop of the new trail system complete in time for some late season riding.
The Boone Area Cyclists have been hard at it, but they need your help to get all the work done. For more info, click to www.rockyknob.wordpress.com, and lend a hand on Thursday afternoons at 6:00 p.m.
More info on area rides and events can be found by visiting the Boone Area Cyclists Forum at www.booneareacyclists.com.
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