Pisgah Stage Race- Day 3
Sycamore Cycles Carl Schenck Loop
September 19, 2013
34miles, 5178 feet climbing
Written by Jess with some input from Joël
Sorry, no video today, technical problems with
the camera
Today’s stage was in the Cradle of Forestry,
which is the location of the first forestry school in America- The Biltmore
Forest School. The grounds contained a forestry museum, original school houses,
church, and historic sites. Not only a nice place to ride but historic and
educational also.
After about a mile or two on pavement and gravel
road to help spread people out, the single track started with a steep
climb. Joël and I pushed hard while on
the road section to get a good position heading into the single track, this
worked well, we were positioned in the front half of the race. In fact, we were directly behind the first
place duo team. After some joking with
them that we were coming for them, they slowly pulled away on the climb. Joël and I soon noticed that two of the duo
teams that were just behind us in the overall rankings were close on our heels.
No rest for the weary, we needed to keep a good pace.
The climb went on for about five miles after
which we were rewarded with an awesome descent for approximately four
miles. The first part of the descent was
technical with some decent drops but then it soon turned into a fast, flowy
trail nestled within the rhododendron.
Without risking a crash, I tried to occasionally take my eyes of the
trail to look around, it was beautiful!
After the fun of the downhill, we hit Squirrel
Gap Trail. This trail was like a bumpy rollercoaster ride, tons of short steep
ups and downs with rocks and roots thrown in.
It also happened to be all along the side of the mountain, so going off
the trail meant tumbling down for quite some time through brush and trees. No looking around here, my eyes were glued to
the trail. Which was good, because at one point in the middle of the trail was
a grouse. The first wildlife we have
seen the entire race.
Soon time for another climb, which seemed never
ending. All in all the next climb lasted
for just over ten miles. It started out
on a grassy trail, which looked to be an old logging road now grown over. It then turned into single track which got
steeper, and steeper, and steeper. The
rocks and roots were plentiful. As the
inclined became steeper, the riding decreased and the walking increased. In fact at times I can’t even call what I was
doing walking, it was more like shuffling. I did everything from push, to pull,
to carry my bike; Joël carried it at times for me so I could climb up drops and
over boulders.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, we made
it to the top. We were warned by the
course marshall that the downhill had some “switchbacks from hell”. Wow, he was
right. We descended 1600 feet in two miles, all of which included steep drops,
boulders, logs, and tight switchbacks.
By the end both Joël and I hurt all over- hand cramps from gripping the
bars, backs from the bouncing, and quads from standing with our butts behind
the saddle. All I can say is I am so glad I have a dropper seat post and a full
suspension bike.
The last few miles were on a gravel road. A great way to spin the legs out and
relax. Final time 4:58, 5th for the day and keeping us 5th overall. Our good ride today put in a good amount of extra time between us and the teams behind us. After finishing we took some time
to visit the forestry museum and educational and environmental exhibits in and
around the Cradle of Forestry.
Joël showing off his wheelie skills for Thom Parsons and Dirtwire.tv
Museum at the Cradle of Forestry
Entrance to race start
Looking Glass waterfall