Adventures and Such

  Well, it had been a while since a real adventure, and, in a moment of weakness, I apparently put my name on the Trans-North Georgia Adventure (TNGA) start list some time last year. This race is mainly off-road and usually ridden on a mountain bike and runs east to west, from Clayton, GA (at the SC border) to the Silver Comet Trail where it crosses the AL line. It's 355'ish miles and has 40,000+ feet of elevation gain using forest service roads, gravel, single and double track, pavement, and whatever Honcho calls that shit at the top of Hickory Nut. Just kidding, I like that section. And if the route itself weren't difficult enough, the event is held the second weekend in August every year, meaning, essentially, the worst time of year imaginable in the Southeast.   After switching jobs in June, life hadn't afforded me the time to ride as much as I typically would. I completed a whopping two training rides the two weekends prior to the race. Oh well, the mind is strong....

  Towering climbs, hair raising descents, blown out seldom-used forest service roads, knee-deep creek crossings, intimidating rock drops, and energy-sucking hike-a-bike....Pisgah National Forest has it all. And of course, we chose to do it all, in one day (and night).  Pisgah 99 is just a route in the woods that I was lucky enough to be invited to ride by a dear friend and single speed legend, Chris Joice. I was super pumped and, admittedly, a bit nervous about this route. I think the nervousness stemmed from the fact that there was no resupply because the route is just in the national forest the whole time; there is no passing through small towns for resupply at gas stations and what not, like some of the ultras I've done. That meant I had to plan my food for 20+ hours of riding ahead of time and, as you know, if you know me or have read any of my other rambling blog entries, I hate planning! In addition to Chris, a couple of other friends who make bad bike decisions were pla...