After riding through freezing cold streams, falling over a few times and battling with Sam Koerber in his backyard root labyrinth. I have to say that the Pisgah Mountain Bike stage race was the most challenging course of the year! Man that was FUN! My legs feel like I lost a mixed martial arts battle but the big check proves I in fact survived the beating better than the rest! Despite what looked like a large time gap to second the racing was in fact very close and exciting. Even though Sam broke his chain in the wintry near 5,000ft top of Laurel Mountain; I felt as if anything could happen. A couple minuet lead here is like 2 seconds in a normal race!
Sure enough I had to fight to keep my lead on the last day when it was my turn for chain problems.
After a brutal pace on the opening 30 min climb thanks to (Evan Plews and Colby Peirce) a lead group formed.
Sam, Christian Tanguy, Colby, Evan and myself.
The stages highest point was removed due to a snow and ice situation. This also was good for me because I was less stressed about holding my lead since we where skipping a very gnarly slick trail. We hit some snow cover on the leaves at only 3,500ft at the top of the first climb and I felt in control of the leaders jersey.
After just a half hour of dirt roads I realized I could only use the big ring due to a worn 2nd ring and grimy conditions. Uh oh! After some massive chain suck i realized it was just best to keep it in the big ring. Lets just say the granny gear climbs I knew where coming brought feeling of dread!
Talk about a workout! I made sure to put it to max pace on the low grade 20 minuet climbs to make Sam work but also to reduce the impact of any time gap that may arise. The run ups hurt but i kept it together; Sam got his much deserved stage win! The second to last trail of the day was stupid gnarly but I could see the tire tracks. As I scampered down the wet rock staircase I knew that just Sam had today locked up but I also knew I was just 8 miles from bringing home the overall and was now in no hurry.
Sue Haywood also brought home the gold for Team Rocktown.
After the race we all went to a upscale restaurant bar in Brevard and shared stories and toasted surviving Pisgah.
The Lion has Risen!
Jeremiah
posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 12:18 PM 
