The race is the sixth event of the National Ultra Endurance series and is part of the three-day Fool's Gold Mountain Bike Races & Festival. The event, presented by 55nine Performance in conjunction with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA), will benefit the Land Access Fund in support of the Bull Mountain trails - the site of the first IMBA Epic.
"[IMBA-] SORBA is an amazing group," Bishop says. "I've seen their work at other races in the southeast - they're one of the most active groups in the country. It's great to see the work they perform, and I'm excited to see the trails they've prepared for the race."
With some race proceeds to benefit the local trail efforts, Bishop says he is "encouraged by the 100-mile races and how they're such good stewards of the land areas which they use."
Race Director Eddie O'Dea says, "the Fool's Gold races and festival rides will travel a historic trail system and showcase some of Georgia's most epic riding. 55nine Performance, along with the United States Forest Service and IMBA-SORBA, recognize the opportunity for improvements to the current trails and the need for opening additional trails in this area. We are creating an event that brings together a national caliber race, recreational riding and trail advocacy in a way that will generate revenue to build and maintain trails. It's a perfect circle."
To race the Fool's Gold 100, Bishop says he is excited for two reasons. "It will be my first opportunity to rock the Stars and Stripes jersey at an epic long-distance mountain bike race, and it's a great reason to explore the legendary trails of north Georgia."
"It's going to be an awesome competition; the most competitive endurance race in the southeast. I look forward to it, and I'm really excited to see all the trails," he says. "A race like this is a really cool way to see a region's best trails. One hundred miles really highlights an area. Without even having to use a map, you get a great tour of the best riding in the region."
The Fool's Gold Festival will have organized rides, games, bands, on-site food & lodging, and more for the entire weekend of August 15-17, 2008.
For more information about the festival and mountain bike races, visit www.55nineperformance.com/100.html.
Labels: Advocacy, Race Headlines
