Interbike and Countdown to Pisgah Stage Race

High in above Lake Chelan

As I have mentioned in several earlier posts, I am going to break out of my five year downward spiral of racing ambitions and have a go at the Pisgah Stage Race in Brevard, NC next week. I haven’t participated in a stage race since the last time I visited Pisgah so it seems like the logical place to give multi-day mountain bike racing another shot. Actually I believe that the PSR is the BEST of these type of races I’ve ever done–totally awesome trails second to none, great fall weather, awesome community support, and just the right amount of suffering to stretch one’s spirit without damaging their soul. However, this time I have no other ambitions than simply riding smooth and finishing strong–after all, this IS the “unplugged” version!

My “training” leading up to this event has consisted of a few long races with consistent weekly riding and an occasional epic sampling of Central Washington single track. Did I mention we are lucky enough to also have some of the worlds

Glad to be a fulltime spectator at Interbike these days!

most amazing trails right out our back door?! Last week I tested my psychological endurance with another trip to Interbike. Las Vegas and the bike industry are for the most part unchanged so the best thing about this annual suffer-fest is seeing all my friends and acquaintances from years spent around the bike racing scene. Sure, I remember all the races and their drama or short lived glory, but the afterglow of ten years struggling to be the best I could be is most appropriately defined by great memories of the riders I raced with and the relationships I’ve made along the way. Interbike is an annual reunion of sorts and I truly look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones every year!

My buddy Matt was kind enough to join me for some cross-training!

We have had some pretty substantial wild fire activity in our region this summer and while it never really affected us other than occasional smoky skies and a little ash deposits now and then, access to some of the best mountain biking anywhere was closed for two months. With the roads and forests re-opened we have done our best to pick off as many high elevation rides as possible this month. A couple recent rides took us to places like Devil’s Backbone and Angel’s staircase. I am not sure of their etymology, but as far as I’m concerned riding in places like these with good friends is as close to heaven I can imagine getting on earth. Hopefully the time spent in the saddle crossing divides and negotiating black diamond single track will equate to a good performance next week in North Carolina.

There are beauty trails in these rugged Cascades!

Now all that is left are a few easy rides and several days of travel. Eating well and sleeping better are of paramount importance so that I will arrive at the start line rested and ready since there really isn’t any recovery during a stage race. Unfortunately the days of being foot loose are a distant memory, but I hope my wife, kids and  customers can tolerate my absence long enough to get a this ride in the books. Stay tuned in as I will be posting daily reports throughout the race next week!

Cheers,

EP