Nankman Adventures in Cycling: Pisgah Stage Race Day 1- How to Hike With Your Bike

Pisgah Stage Race- Day 1

Sunset Motel’s Looking Glass Loop

28 miles with 6678 feet of climbing

September 17, 2013

By Jess

The alarms on our cell phones jolted both Joël and I awake. The alarms didn’t go off much earlier than normal but the pre-race urgency had us up right away, no hitting snooze and going back to sleep. Our room at the Sunset Inn had a very tiny kitchenette, making breakfast took some improvising . Breakfast for an endurance race is important, even more so for a stage race. Joël had waffles, sausage links, and eggs. I had a huge bowl of oatmeal, english muffins, banana, and green tea. After filling our caloric needs, we loaded our jeep, bikes on the roofrack, and headed off the race site.

Today’s stage started and ended at Black Mountain Trailhead in Pisgah National Forest. Most racers were relaxed and talkative while getting ready, all seemed ready to have fun. The first six miles were a gradual climb on paved road. Joël and I joined a group to partake in some drafting, Joël even pushing me at times. That’s the great thing about racing as a duo, we can help each other. Joël is obviously faster and stronger, so he gets to push me at times to help keep our speed up.

After many miles on the road, the climbing really started with a little over a mile on a chunky gravel road. The next 10 or so miles were a gradual, sometimes steep, climb on single track. It was rooty, narrow, and had some rocks thrown in for good measure. We pushed along at a steady pace until finally reaching the top, in which we were rewarded with a few miles of fast, flowy downhill double track on what appeared to be an old logging road.

After stopping at the aid station to grab a quick snack and fill camelbaks, Joël and I were on our way again. Now came another 10 miles of climbing. The first few miles were quite enjoyable, moderately technical single track that slowly wove its way up the mountain. Rhododendron were everywhere and we saw what seemed like hundreds of different mushroom species.

Then the fun began. About three to four miles of hike a bike. Not just the typical push your bike along. This was carry your bike, climb up boulders, lift your bike above your head hike a bike. A few times I had to ask Joël to grab my bike and pull it up a steep incline. At the top we were rewarded with a beautiful view of all the surrounding mountains.

After walking for what seemed like forever, the last few miles were all downhill. Washed out trail with loose rocks and steep drops that just appeared out of now where. Numerous times I slammed on the brakes at the last minute to dismount and run down a section of trail. Joël and I both took a spill on this section, and Joël had to stop to fix a flat. Luckily the trail finally smoothed out and the last mile or two were on a super fast double track that lead directly into the finish chute.

We finished only slightly bruised and battered but happy with the days ride. Finish time 3:54, good enough for 5^th out of the 9 duos (co-ed and mens duos all combined for awards). After finishing we spent some time talking with friends and fellow racers sharing stories of the day.