Black Bear Rampage

[BikeSwimmer]

Hey Robert - What is this trail like? I have this race circled, just haven't pulled the trigger to sign up yet.

[Robert]

Not sure of the exact race loop but I am signed up. Tanasi is a very rideable trail system. These are real mountains so the climbs are a lot different than around here. Unless it is really wet there are no places you should have to hike a bike. Thunder Rock Express will rattle your cage and the ride down Boyd Gap is steep but very doable, even for me. :big_grin: It is a fast trail system and it will be a great time as long as the weather cooperates. Brush Creek is FAST with banked turns and no technical stuff. It is also a very straight forward trail system. I am not sure what part of Chestnut Mountain Trail they are using but if they use the single track climb it can be a little tricky. I will definitely ride there again sometime in August on a Sunday and pre-ride the trail again when I see the race course. If anyone that is serious about this race wants to meet me down there, we can schedule a ride. I am signed up. I have signed up for ORAMM on 7/22. I still have not booked a room at Black Mountain because my longer rides have not been up to snuff as of late. Not bad but just not great. :eek:

Scott, you can do this but will need a couple of longer rides, say, in the 30 to 40 mile range with some sustained climbs of 2 to 4 miles. Go for it because this a doable epic and you will love the trail system. It was my first real "MOUNTAIN" to ride and I loved it even on a hardtail. Made me want to get even better on the bike.

Sorry for the long-winded reply.

Sign up. For $55.00 look at what you get.

[BikeSwimmer]

Thanks Robert! This does look like fun. I'll probably sign up in the next day or two. You are right, you do get a lot for the $$$.

[Dook of Moots]

Man I wish I could do this race. I love these trails. Best trail system in Tennessee. You can ride these trails in just about any conditions. And the climbs are great. But it the same weekend as Stanky Creek in Memphis. Can't do them all. I choice to support local racing and TBRA first. Have fun. 42 mile at Tanasi. You will get your moneys worth.

[BikeSwimmer]

Jeff - I concur with your thoughts. So many great races in TN! Stanky Creek is one of my favorite trails and it is a tbra race. I've been debating it since the BBR was posted, but the 42 miler just has really got my attention.... I'll decide after the race this weekend.....

[Commander]

Race Course: From the Overflow parking lot east of Boyd Gap Overlook, racers move down to (and will start the race) ascending up from the bridge on National Forest Road 33211, blister the full length of Brush Creek, hammer Boyd Gap, and then follow Old Copper Road down to the first SAG stop at the Whitewater Center bridge. After climbing Bear Paw (staying to the right), racers will follow Chestnut Mountain to the second crazy descent - Thunder Rock Express. Coming off of T.R., you will crank it up 45 to West Fork (2nd SAG stop), and then ride Quartz Loop clockwise, coming off onto the 1330 Bypass to ride River View Loop. Back on Chestnut Mountain Loop, riders will race back down Bear Paw, across the bridge (3rd SAG stop) to speed up Old Copper Road, back up Boyd Gap, following Brush Creek back to the top of 33211 and the finish line.


Wow what a tough course! I'm planning to do this as of right now assuming life doesn't get in the way. I did the Cohutta 35 in April and it was a great race. I think this will be harder for a few reasons. Heat and course layout specifically. I did the entire Cohutta 35 in my middle ring with no problem. Bear Paw staying right is an easier climb so that helps but what gets my attention is Boyd's gap back up. That will be a tough climb regardless but at about mile 35 it's going to be killer.

If I can help clarify the course let me know. Sounds like Robert could help too.

Here is the perfect map for looking at the course.
http://www.sorbachattanooga.com/trails/Tennessee/Cherokee%20N.F.%20-%20Tanasi/Tanasi-Topo.jpg

[Dook of Moots]

I was at Tanasi this weekend and rode most of this course. The group I riding with meet up at the bottom of Tunder rock after a pretty hard day of climbing. I decieded to do one more climb and talked Joe Sweeny and Steven Myers into going with me. We did the climb up service road 45 to West fork and back up to chestnut. Man, this is pretty **** hard climb at the end of a long day of climbing. And this is coming from a guy who loves to climb. I think this climb will be the most demanding effort of this race. I don't think the Boyd's gap climb out will not be that bad.

[Commander]

The problem with Boyd's gap climb is it is as steep or steeper than anything on the road or West Fork and it is going to be very technical and washed out. It is much shorter however so that might be the difference.

[Dook of Moots]

Yea, I agree. Boyd's gap climb is a whole lot more technical. All this talk about Tanasi and my trip there last weekend really makes me wish I were doing this race.

[Commander]

Sold out
http://scottsbikes.com/page.cfm?PageID=116

[BikeSwimmer]

Actually, it has been re-opened due to popular demand! I just signed up today. Any other NMBers racing this? I know there is a TBRA race that weekend at one of my favorite courses, but I really wanted to try my hand at an endurance mtn bike race. Robert, how is your recovery going?

http://scottsbikes.com/page.cfm?PageID=116