Tag Archives: Cohutta

Cohutta Big Frog 65

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Ryan O’Dell and Shana Biese

NUE Race Series #2 rolled out of the Ocoee Whitewater center on April 29 and into the Cherokee National Forest, located near Ducktown, TN. Races included the Big Frog 65 on the NUE Marathon circuit and the Cohutta 100, on the NUE Epic 100 mile Series. In addition, the Old Copper 20 mile offered new ultra-racers an abbreviated version of the big race.

The buzz at this year’s race centered around last minute course changes, the result of Forestry forbidding race organizers from using traditional gravel road routes that had been used for many years. Adding insult to injury, organizers were only given one day notice to make all of the necessary changes. The result was a shortening of the 100 mile race course to just over 80 miles. However, with race day temperatures that topped out at just over eighty degrees, many racers expressed relief that the course wasn’t the full advertised one hundred miles. Although the 100 mile course was shorter, Race Director Justin Mace, reported that it included added elevation this year.

Women’s Open

Toops gets her first NUE Big Frog 65 win!

The defending Ohio Mountain Bike Championship Race Series Champion, Jen Toops, Paradise Garage Racing/Pearl Izumi/Honey Stinger/100%, earned her first win in the NUE Race Series at The Big Frog 65! A novice level racer just two years ago, Toops finished 6:05:32, following an eight place finish at the True Grit series opener.

“I lined up on the start line toward the front group, started the long road climb ending up second going into the single track, and found myself in a group of about five guys. The leader was already out of sight and we were going at a comfortable pace so I settled in. When I hit the fire roads, I really pushed it on the downhill and felt like I was just surviving on the climbs. The heat was really getting to everyone and I stopped at most aid stations to dump water on myself to cool off.

When I hit the last single track, I pushed as hard as I could, still hoping I could catch the leader. With about five miles left I caught sight of her, making the pass on a rocky uphill, and kept pushing the pace until the finish. Big frog 65 was a tough one but sometimes the races that push your limits are the best ones! I will see everyone at the Mohican 100k!
Four minutes later, Annajean Dallaire, Papa John’s Racing Team, hung on for second place finishing with a time of 6:09:52. Seven minutes later, Sara Caylor, took third at 6:16:59.

 

Men’s Open

Baring wins Men’s Open!

Elliott Baring, Pivot Endurance MTB, won the Men’s Open with a time of 4:45:23.

Seven minutes later, last year’s race winner, Andrew Dillman, Think Green, took second in 4:52:09.

“Wow. That was harder than last year! A lot has changed in the past year, my fitness being one of them. A year ago I had been training hard for my last year of racing Collegiate Road Nationals for Marian University and was in pretty decent shape by the time Big Frog rolled around. Since graduating college, however, cycling has taken somewhat of a backseat, but I still decided to make the journey down to Big Frog since I’ve enjoyed the race so much over the last few years.

I was able to hang with the leaders pretty comfortably until about the fifty mile mark and that’s when my lack of endurance began to make itself known. That last portion of single track felt SO much longer than the years before, but it made me feel better when I found out that there were four miles added. Despite being attacked by a bear and dragged into the pain cave, I somehow managed to hang onto second place and secure a spot on the podium.

I am super glad my team, Think Green Toyota of Lexington, and the guys Nate Cornelius and Clay Green convinced me to make the trip down. I was reminded of how much I enjoy this race and its atmosphere. My favorite part of the whole event is the prayer right before the start. As I race my bike I want the cry of my heart to always be, “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for man.” (Colossians 3:23). Thanks to the Big Frog event for hosting such a great race, can’t wait for next year!”

John Petrylak, Scott Pro MTB Team and Bike Factory, came in third with a time of 4:58:26.

“I arrived in Ducktown after dark and met up with most of Cameron race team at their cabin for the weekend. After I woke up Friday and got a glimpse of the AMAZING view out of the front door, I knew it was going to be an unforgettable weekend regardless of the race result.  I did my usual pre-ride of the first ten miles or so of the start and beginning single track on Friday to wake up the legs and stoke the fires. I slammed down a mug of coffee with breakfast after our 4:00am wake-up call on race day and headed to the start. I had the unusual experience of watching and cheering as my friends took off for the Cohutta100.
Before I knew it, we were lined up and ready to roll. Then it was go time. I had a really good feeling in my legs after the first couple of pedal strokes so I kept pushing and still felt great. Before I knew it I was leading my first NUE marathon race up the long road climb.
After about five minutes the lead group was down to only about 10 riders so I started to soft pedal a little and catch a quick breath before we hit the single track.

I remained in the top five or so for the first bit of single track trail. Gordon Wordsworth and Elliot started to get away so I surged down the short paved descent; Andrew Dillman quickly joined me and hit the next section of trail right in front of me. After a big long effort on the trail next to the river we could see the leader’s right in front of us.

Just after the long bridge over the river, I made contact with them and then I did something really counterproductive to effective racing. Up the short steep single track, I caught my pedal on a root that stuck out of the ground like a lasso. Now, any other time this would have been a minor inconvenience. However, at the exact perfect moment, I had just started my surge forward to catch on to the leaders just fifteen feet up the trail. All of the force trying to go up the hill sent me over the bars when my pedal hooked the root. When I landed, my second water bottle flew out of my jersey and down a cliff never to be seen again. And just like that, I was all alone.

I regrouped, remounted, and charged up and on, linking up with some 100 mile riders coming off the out and back after AS1. I kept climbing as hard as I could and descended like a mad man. Finally, after an hour of all out riding, I caught the lead group of Gordon, Elliot, Andrew and the first chase group doing the 100 mile race a few feet up the road after AS 3. Once I caught them, Mr. Wadsworth put out a few nice attacks that left me dangling off the group. Rats!!!

I had burned a few too many matches to counter the attacks, so I decided to settle into my manageable pace up the climbs in hopes of the lead group fading a little in the final miles. No fading what-so-ever happened from this elite group of riders so I continued on towards the finish, topped a bottle off at AS 5, and headed for home.

The last miles of single track lasted for what seemed like days; I knew this could be my first NUE podium and I just wanted to see that finish line banner. I rode carefully but as quickly as my worn out legs would allow me. Then, finally, there it was, the last section of pavement before the finish. I tucked in and headed to the finish; checking over my shoulder about every eight seconds to make sure I wasn’t going to be caught from behind. As I crossed the finish line, I was greeted with one on my favorite finisher prizes; a really nice quality coffee mug. After a really tough race at True Grit I was very pleased with a third at the Big Frog 65 and look to build on this for the rest of the series.”

 

Singlespeed

Wadsworth Crushes the Big Frog 65 first overall!

Following back to back series wins in the NUE Overall Epic Series Single speed division, the Defending NUE Series Champion, Gordon Wadsworth, Blue Ridge Cyclery/Pivot Cycles, made his 2017 NUE debut by crushing it, taking first place in Singlespeed AND with the overall best time at The Big Frog 65 in 4:45:38.

“My goals this season are all about the fun. After the course change was announced mid-week before the Cohutta this year Big Frog represented a fast paced good time on some of my favorite trails. My goals were to race hard at the front all day and I did that. I was lucky to race with one of my best friends and fellow Pivot Cycles athlete Elliot Baring. He and I are Pisgah Stage Race duo teammates and have a great relationship for trail shredding.

After he went early in the game, I chased on and helped put down some of the watts that got him the open win, and me the SS win. I love the East TN trails and my Pivot Cycles LES with Industry Nine wheels tuned by Blue Ridge Cyclery! It was perfect for it as is proven by the LES going 1,2 for the day!”

Jason Betz came in second with a time of 5:34:08.

Sixteen minutes later, Eli Orth, Queen City Wheels, finished third with a time of 5:50:19.

 

Masters 50+

First Race of the Season Proves to be a good one for Burrill

Scott Burrill, team Bikeman.com, came out with a strong start to his 2017 season getting his first win at 5:39:02.

“The Big Frog 65 was my first NUE race of the 2017 series and only my second NUE race ever.  This was also the first race I have ever traveled by plane to attend so I had a few things to learn about bike packing and transport but it all worked out just fine. I arrived two days before the race so I was able to scope the initial climb and single track out ahead of time.

I started the race at a manageable pace for the first climb watching the open guys tear away but being careful to space myself ahead of others before entering the singletrack. During the first fifteen miles or so of single track, I got log jammed behind some slower riders so I had to rely on them to allow me and some others to pass whenever possible. I ended up passing quite a bit over the course of the race which is how I like to roll.

Being a Master, I was on the lookout for the “M” on other racer’s calves; and did pass three or so others in the first twenty miles but I never saw another “M” after that. Not knowing whether there were other masters ahead, I raced the rest of the race with internal speed limits set trying to avoid the inevitable cramping which did crop its ugly head around mile 47.  From there on it became cramp management riding to the end.

I worked with a group of guys on a lot of the Forest Roads and met some great guys from South America. I traded positions with the lead Single Speed guys for a while too and picked up a 100 miler on the flat road on the backside. The last ten miles of single track was pretty much survival mode for me, defend position, don’t crash, don’t take a wrong turn. It all worked out and when I finally emerged at Thunder Rock Campground area, I knew I had made it. The climb back up to the Whitewater Center went fast and I had no one in sight in front or behind me, a great finish area to come back to for sure.

Overall, an amazing race with the incredibly smooth single track, challenging dirt road climbs, and overall a fantastic mix of terrain and conditions. The temps in the 80’s were a bit much for this Mainer coming from temps in the 40’s but it was nice. A dip in the Ocoee was a must afterward!  Sunday, I couldn’t help but go back and ride more of the killer Brush Creek single track before I flew out!”

Sixteen minutes later, Chris Ready, Velo Sports Racing team, came in second place with a time of 5:55:06. Eleven minutes later, Chris Steven Torrence, Racing Greyhounds, finished third with a time of 6:06:49.

WHATS NEXT: Join NUE Race Series for race #3 in Loudonville, Ohio on June 3rd for the 15th Annual Mohican MTB 100! Top series contenders have already committed to Mohican, now the largest attended race in the NUE Race Series limited to the first 700 racers along with the largest series cash purse at $10,000US.

 

Cohutta 100

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Ducktown, TN

Ryan O’Dell and Shana Biese

NUE Race Series #2 rolled out of the Ocoee Whitewater center on April 29 and into the Cherokee National Forest, located near Ducktown, TN. Races included the Big Frog 65 on the NUE Marathon circuit and the Cohutta 100, on the NUE Epic 100 mile Series. In addition, the Copper 20 mile offered new ultra-racers an abbreviated version of the big race.

The buzz at this year’s race centered around last minute course changes, the result of Forestry forbidding race organizers from using traditional gravel road routes that had been used for many years. Adding insult to injury, organizers were only given one day notice to make all of the necessary changes. The result was a shortening of the 100 mile race course to just over 80 miles. However, with race day temperatures that topped out at just over eighty degrees, many racers expressed relief that the course wasn’t the full advertised one hundred miles. Although the 100 mile course was shorter, Race Director Justin Mace, reported that it included added elevation this year.

Women’s Open

Williams repeats at Cohutta!!

NUE Race Series Champion, Carla Williams, Joe’s Bikes, returning to the Cherokee National Forest following her crushing win last year, nearly an hour ahead of her nearest competitor, appears to have had a rough go with the last stretches of this year’s race. She finished with a time of 6:50:52. Here are some excerpts from her blog:

“Sometimes races are not won on strong pedaling performances, but on pure grit, perseverance, and determination not to give up. That was certainly the case for me this past weekend at Cohutta. Maybe it was a crazy residency work schedule recently and constantly switching from working nights and days. Maybe it was not unloading enough from a tough training block prescribed by Coach Beck. Maybe it was simply the fact that I had an off day. Whatever the reason, Saturday’s race involved a lot of suffering, and I got lucky that I was able to pull off a win. If someone had challenged me especially late in the race, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to counter their attack. I’m not going to lie. I was feeling really tired on Friday night. But, Saturday morning rolled around and we biked over to the start line under the Kenda arch.

The start was fast, up the first road hill and into the first twenty miles of single track. It was also hot. Sweat was pouring off my face within the first twenty minutes of riding. I felt pretty good through the first single track and got a lead on the rest of the women’s field. Then, when we got to the 14 mile out and back jeep road, I was with a group of guys and decided to just sit in with them. I wanted to push, but my legs were already feeling too tired for only being 20-30 miles into the race.

The last twenty miles were a straight out suffer fest. The fatigue I was feeling at mile 20 felt it was doubling with every mile. I haven’t felt that bad in a bike race in a really long time. I wasn’t racing anymore. I was simply pedaling to finish, head down, slow spinning up the hills, just flat out focusing not to give up. There were parts of the last single-track section that were really fun, but then a steep kicker of a hill would pop around a corner and that brought all the misery back.

The result was a great one, but the racing was not, and I know I have way more to put out there on the course. I have another month of training, some technical racing at Pisgah, better tapering and then Mohican, where I am already looking forward to personal redemption!

Thanks so much to ESI grips, Maxxis Ties, Huma Gels, Ridge Supply Socks,  Back Alley Bikes for getting my hardtail ready, Chris Beck for all the coaching, and Joe’s Bike Shop for all the support.”

Jenna Blandford came in second place with a time of 7:20:14.

Mari Chandler, Team Adventure Medical Kits, finished out the top three women’s spots with a time of 7:31:36.

Men’s Open

Johnson Repeats!

Defending NUE Epic Open Champion, Dylan Johnson, Cameron MTB Racing, is off to a great start and leading the Men’s Open with a big repeat win at Cohutta! After finishing in second place at True Grit Epic, Johnson defended last year’s win with a time of 5:37:57.

“I suspected that the pace would be higher this year since the distance was shorter and this was indeed the case. I got into the first single track section in second and then, shortly after, I took the lead and tried to hold a high pace. Towards the end of the first single track, Schworm surged up one of the longer climbs leaving just me and Tanguy holding onto his wheel. The three of us continued onto the gravel, trading pulls until about twenty miles to go. I upped the pace a bit and managed to drop Tanguy. As we approached the final single track, I tried an attack on Schworm but couldn’t shake him. We entered the final single track together and I quickly took the lead and gave it everything I had. With only a couple of miles left, I had to fend off cramps but, luckily, I had a small gap at this point. I was probably lucky the race wasn’t a full 100 to be honest. I’m thrilled to be able to defend my Cohutta win from last year and am very pleased with my form right now. My next NUE races will likely be Mohican and Lumberjack.”

Brian Schworm, Think Green – Bicycle Face, who finished second overall in the NUE Epic Series and at Cohutta last year, is in great form and currently picking up where he left off last season, earning second at Cohutta finishing 5:41:26.

“Cohutta is always one of my favorite races.  I love the fast, flowing trails and the long, steady climbs. I even came down during my spring break to check out the new section of trail and get a few days of good training under my belt. Well, as most know, the new section was not incorporated due to Forest Service regulations and the previous course from 2015-16 was also not permitted.  We ended up racing the Big Frog course with an extra gravel road out and back to give an 80-85 mile race.

The race started with the usual big paved climb to the initial single track. I wanted a good position in the trail so I jumped to the front. Once I crested the top, there was a mad dash for the trail where I settled in fourth position.  The pace was fast but manageable as we all rode together until Dylan Johnson opened a small gap. There was a small climb on the single track where I was able to move to second position and, with the following Sheep’s Hill Descent, bridge back to Dylan. The pace then slowed and we had pack of twelve or more headed down the Ocoee Old Copper Road trail.

Once we crossed the Ocoee and started up the Tanasi Bear Paw trail, the group started to break up. In fact, when we hit the Chestnut Trail, I pushed the pace again for the next upcoming single track and it was down to me, Dylan, and Christian Tanguy. We then rode together for the majority of the race, each taking turns pulling on the long gravel sections that followed.

Even though the race was shortened, it was still exhausting due to the relentless climbs and the unusually high temperatures. I was definitely feeling the effort and apparently it wasn’t just me.  On the Big Frog climb at approximately the 60 mile mark, Christian dropped back a bit. Dylan and I continued to work together until the final gravel climb before the last single track. It was there that Dylan attacked and gained a small advantage. I held my own pace and was able to bridge back up near the top. However, as soon as Dylan and I hit the single track section, he attacked again. I attempted to chase but this definitely put me over my limit and he was then able to ride away.

After I regained my composure, I tried to keep my pace high, maybe even close the gap, but I never saw Dylan again until the finish. I was able to secure a second place finish behind Dylan.  Overall it was a great race, it was awesome to see old friends at my first NUE Series race this season, and the new race director did a great job amid difficult circumstances. I need to thank my team Think Green – Bicycle Face for their continued support.  I especially need to thank my amazing and supportive wife, Jennifer Schworm, for all that she does to support me in these efforts.

Up next is the USA Cycling Marathon Nationals in Arkansas on May 7 followed by the Mohican 100 on June 4.  See you all there!”

2013 NUE Race Series Champion, Christian Tanguy, RBS Cycling team, was in great form early in the season with a finish time of 5:46:07.

Singlespeed

Haddock makes a BIG statement with a BIG Win!

John Haddock, J. A. King MTB Team/Carbo Rocket, took third overall in the 2016 NUE Race Series Single Speed division last season. Following an eleventh place finish at Cohutta last year, Haddock proved he is a force to be reckoned with this season, winning Cohutta with a rock solid twenty-five minute lead in 6:04:52.

“Cohutta was, once again, a great race and awesome opportunity to connect with friends both old and new. As usual, things escalated quickly at the start and the initial climb was over before I knew it. I had a hunch that Jim Litzinger and I would be neck and neck early and sure enough, we were together entering the singletrack and in good position overall. Jim was absolutely crushing the trails and built small gap by Aid 1. Eventually, I bridged back up to him on the out-and-back and we held a solid pace in the company of geared friends. Our group kept pushing the pace on the way out to Aid 3 and I was fortunately able to stay with the group. However, at some point I looked back and my SS friend was nowhere to be seen. Now being hunted for the rest of the day, my goal was to keep a solid pace and stay on nutrition/hydration given the heat.

Heading back towards the finish, Lee Hauber and I shared efforts and kept each other motivated. Back on the single track, I kept peering over my shoulder while keeping on the hammer. One last look behind on the pavement and I was finally able to relax as Lee and I crossed the line and immediately crushed some Cokes, which I had been looking forward to since the gun went off. Congrats to Matt and Jim for their awesome competition and strong races! Thank to my team (J. A. King Mountain Bike Team), team sponsors, and Carbo Rocket for your support and commitment to our sport.”

New to the NUE Series, Matt Crawford, UPMC/Pro Bike + Run, took second place with a time of 6:29: 22. This was just his second single speed ultra-endurance race.

“I drove in from Pittsburgh with a big group of other races. I chose to run a light gear (34×40) which turned out to be a prudent decision in the latter part for the race. My main goal was to place myself in the first group going in to the woods. This put me in a good position for the rest of the race. The temperatures were hot, but my legs stayed relatively fresh going into the last single track section and I passed 4-5 single speeds in the last 20 miles of the race. My plans for this year include Mohican 100 and High Cascades 100.”

NUE Marathon Race Series SS Champion and last year’s Big Frog 65 winner, James Litzinger, Dirty Harry’s Elite Cycling, stepped up his miles entering the Cohutta 100 and finishing third single speed with a time of 6:30:11.

“A very hot Cohutta 100 was the first stop of the 2017 NUE series for The Syndicate Cycling p/b Pro Bikes + Run team. We hadn’t experienced anything like the warm weather that we had in Tennessee on race day training in Pittsburgh, PA.  There is always a lot of excitement rolling into your first big race of the season and this one did not disappoint.  I’m always eager to see where my fitness is and to see if I did the right kind of winter training following the plan set by Mike Schultz at Highland Training.

The race got off to a fast start up the 2.5 mile climb, with the leaders starting to gather at the front wanting to get into the fast and fun stretch of single track in good position. I was working my way to the front with SS race winner, John Haddock.  I knew that if I could hang on his wheel that I would have a good chance of being up towards the front.  John and I managed to get into the single track in really good position and had a few geared riders in front of us setting a blazing pace through all the banking turns and short climbs.

When we started the big climb after crossing the river I was able to put a little gap on John and some of the geared riders.  To get this gap, I burnt a couple matches, which cost me later in the race.  When we popped out onto a short road section, John was back on my wheel.  I pulled away again in the single track, but knew the lead was minimal.

I stopped at aid station one to exchange a bottle and didn’t see John behind me. I was surprised and a little nervous that I went too hard again. I was cruising down the road and heard that SS hub come buzzing up behind me again and thought, “Damn, can’t shake him.” I tried to get away again on the first fire road climb and got excited when I caught up to my teammate, Anthony Grinnell, who was racing on a geared bike!  Anthony helped pull me along, and for a moment I thought John was riding by himself, which would have given me a major advantage.  Anthony and I made it to out and back for our wrist bands and on the way back saw John working with three geared riders. Advantage John!  I knew it wouldn’t be long before he was able to catch us with the extra help.

When the group caught us, Anthony and I jumped on board and set a screaming pace!  We continued to push the pace until aid station two where John stopped and we kept on rolling. I thought this would be a great opportunity to try to pull away again but John caught us by smashing the climb out of the aid station like a sledgehammer. At that point, I knew John was in serious shape and wanted to win this race just as bad as I did.

We rode together until about mile 45 or so where I decided to ease off and try to conserve some energy for the finish. I tried to keep a steady pace and ride my own race to the finish. The plan was working well when I caught up to a geared rider from our earlier group.  He said that he was having some hydration/nutrition issues but was still riding very well.  I felt pretty dialed in nutritionally at this point, using a few different Hammer products before and during the race. The Endurolytes really helped since it was about 85 and humid for the majority of the race.  We rode up the final fire road climb together and thought it would be great to have some company on the last stretch of single track at the end of the race.

Again, the plan was going well until I had heard the dreaded hissing sound of air leaving my tire after a puncture on the sharp rocks. I quickly pulled off to the side of trail and reached in my tool pack for the tire plug. In the meantime, Anthony caught back up and offered his support sacrificing his own race as a few riders passed us.  I put the plug in the tire as Anthony prepared the CO2 for a quick fill up.  He used the CO2 cartridge like he was on the pit crew of NASCAR racer, Jimmy Johnson. After he pulled off the CO2, I still heard the sound of air coming out and after further inspection I noticed that I also had a pinch near the rim.  So we put a tube in. This could have been on an episode of funniest home videos. Anthony aired up the tube and I started taking off the tire until I dropped the tire lever down the steep hill watching it roll as I tried to catch up to it. I ended up about twenty feet down and had to climb back up with tired legs.  I’m finally fixed up so Anthony takes off to secure 10th place in the men’s open. Thanks for the help, “Brah!” It means a lot that a friend/teammate will sacrifice some places in the standings to help me out.

When I finally get back on the bike, I am out of the groove I was in and catch my pedal on a rock that sends me over the bars and to the ground. Before I knew what happened, I rolled down the same steep hill but with my bike this time. The hill was so steep that I had to use my bike as a cane to try and get back up. When I started riding again, I noticed that my vision was kind of off now with everything being blurry and seeing some stars. I figured I hit harder than I thought, and just went into survival mode now. I just wanted to finish the race without another mishap. Doing this cost me another place as local rider, Matt Crawford, came blowing by me on the wheel of a geared guy on their way to a great finish. Congratulations to John and Matt on a solid ride! As always, I want to thank my family and teammates for their support and especially to our sponsors for providing some great gear and helping with the lodging for the weekend.”

 

Masters 50+

Clayton repeats with first W of the NUE season

Defending NUE Masters Champion, Jeff Clayton, Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, enjoyed back to back wins at Cohutta finishing in 6:30:13. In 2016, Clayton launched his Series title win at Cohutta. Is history destined to repeat?!

“I’ve been doing a fair amount of 2-5 hour races this year, mostly gravel grinders, instead of my usual diet of 6 and 12 hour races, so I wasn’t too bummed when I saw the news that the race would be 80 miles instead of 100. My teammate and buddy Van and I camped at Thunder Rock just a few minutes from the race start and enjoyed 20 miles of singletrack riding the day before the race….Always fun to enjoy the good stuff just going for a ride in case the race doesn’t go so great!

Roger Masse and a few other guys I know in the Master’s class were present at the start. My goal was to have a strong start and stay consistent. I was pleased to make the (rather large) front group into the singletrack. The out-and-back section of gravel road added this year was pretty tough and gave me the opportunity to gauge my progress against Roger. I looked to have about a five minute advantage after thirty or so miles. Because of the Cohutta course changes, the Big Frog racers were merging onto the rest of the course at about the same time. This made it easier to find people going the right pace to ride with. I was able to slightly increase my lead on Roger by the finish, but he rode well finishing just a few minutes back-I’m sure I haven’t seen the last of him yet!”

Two-time NUE Masters Champion (2014 and 2015), Roger Masse, Rare Disease Cycling/ Keswick, displayed his great form this season, with a close finish, just eight minutes back at 6:38:54 placing second.

Chris Abston, Racing Greyhounds, took third with a time of 7:05:23. Abston is new-ish to NUE. This was his first time racing Cohutta.

“Well, since this is only my fourth NUE race (completed three races last year) I am in uncharted territory. This is my first year doing this race. I am a converted Cat 2 roadie and this is my first year in a dedicated NUE series of races. I am from Michigan so the only way we get any elevation training is to travel down south. Since this was my first race of the year and I am not in peak season form, I just wanted to make sure I had enough energy to get through the race.

We pre-rode the course on Thursday and Friday so I knew about the big climb at the beginning. As the race started, I was with the lead group up the first climb. As we approached the top, I felt I may be going a bit harder than I would like so I dialed it back a bit and tried to settle in at my own pace. The rest was pretty much uneventful. Since I am a converted roadie, the gravel sections are my strength versus the single track so I obviously liked that part. I chose to ride my hardtail bike but when I hit the last eleven miles of single track, my body was looking for my full suspension. That last part of single track was pretty brutal and the cramps were creeping in causing quite a bit of discomfort. I was very pleased to see the dam and race off to the finish. I was very happy with my result and looking forward to the rest of the year. My next race will be the Mohican 100 followed by Lumberjack 100. I am still trying to figure out the fourth race at this point. I race for the RACING GREYHOUNDS and supported by Cycle to Fitness bike shop in Livonia Mi.”

WHATS NEXT: Join NUE Race Series for race #3 in Loudonville, Ohio on June 3rd for the 15th Annual Mohican MTB 100! Top series contenders have already committed to Mohican, now the largest attended race in the NUE Race Series limited to the first 700 racers along with the largest series cash purse at $10,000US.

Big Frog 65 – NUE Marathon Series #2

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Big Frog 65 Race Report

The inaugural Kenda NUE Marathon Race Series was added in 2016 to include 50 mile and 100k race distances held alongside existing NUE 100 mile races. This year, Cohutta Big Frog 65 is race #2 in this best four of ten race series. Marathon Race Series Winners will receive a share of a $5000 cash purse plus comped series entry for 2017, Custom Voler Champion Jerseys, along with possible travel awards, TBA.

Women’s Open Big Frog 65

Blandford gets the W

Jenna Blandford, Women´s Project Pedal p/b VO2, from Louisville, KY took the top spot by just three minutes at 5:14:32. “My teammate, Mary, actually won this race last year (came in second this year) and gave me a lot of advice on how to pace.

I made it a point to get into the single track as close to the front as possible and go hard as I could through that section. Then I dialed it down a bit for the fire roads and just kept it steady. I’m usually a strong climber and that seemed to be where I made the most ground. When I hit the last section of single track, I basically rode like my head was on fire because I really didn’t know how much of a lead I had. This was really my first “A race” of the year.”

Three minutes later, last year’s race winner, Mary Penta, Women´s Project Pedal p/b VO2, placed second at 5:17:26.

Seven minutes later, Lisa Randall, SuperSport Athletic Wear, captured third place. Randall is also the race director for the NUE Series Championship at the Fool’s Gold 100 in September.

“It was a pretty straightforward race – the girls that were 1-2 were able to get away with the lead men up the initial climb, never to be seen again.  My teammate Carey Lowery and I were both on the slow and steady approach but unfortunately for me, but it wasn’t enough to catch the leaders. I sat in third for much of the race until my teammate Carey Lowery and I ended up coming back together on the Thunder Rock descent so we rode in together for 3-4.”

Tiffany Ballew, Peachtree Bikes, from Atlanta finished 5:43:52 to round out the top five.

Men’s Open Big Frog 65

Collegiate National Champion Dillman wins!

Andrew Dillman, Think Green, took top honors with eight minutes to spare to finish 4:16:35. Dillman is the current Cyclocross Collegiate National Champion and raced on the collegiate US world team.

Michael Danish, NOXcomposites, rolled in at 4:22:45 placing second on the day. Dillman’s teammate, Ben Richardson, Think Green Toyota-V02 Multisport p/b SW, arrived nine minutes later taking third place at 4:31:15.

 

Singlespeed Big Frog 65

Litzinger wins with a comfortable margin of victory

James Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling pwrd by Dirty Harry’s, from Beaver Falls, PA took top honors in the SS by nearly twenty minutes finishing 4:32:16.

“Seven of us came down from Pittsburgh for the Cohutta or Big Frog race. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be ready to race after an off season knee surgery. I ended up on the naughty list because of my last minute decision to go down to the race. I’m sure glad I did. With the flowing fast single track, great climbs, amazing views, and fast descents, it was nothing short of amazing! It was super exciting to see a coyote cross the road in front of me. Everyone around the podium looked at me like I told them I saw a Sasquatch!  It was really entertaining.

The race started pretty mild up the first climb, picking up intensity the closer it got to the top. I was able to jump on the rear wheel of the last geared rider to head into the fast, flowing, and fun single track in the lead group. The geared guys were flying through the single track so I decided to let a few ambitious riders past me, in hopes of catching up to them later in the race. Before the end of the single track I was able to catch three of the geared guys on the climb before the first aid station.

I had to stop at the first aid station for some air in my back tire.  I had a few rim strikes in the earlier rock gardens. It was like a NASCAR stop, “25 in the back please!” The young man at the aid station was on it!  All of the aid stations were fast and organized!

Once on the road, I was back and forth with the three geared guys after catching back up from my air fill up. Eventually, I worked my way past them. I wasn’t sure that was a good move at the time. They can be a great asset on the roads and it’s nice to have some company.

I loved the gravel! The fast grinding climbs with the white knuckle descents made the fun race fly- by so fast! I managed to ride briefly with some geared guys on my way to the last aid station. Once I hit the last aid station, I knew that I was in a good position to rail some single track back to the finish! The trail was wide open and just as fast and fun going back to the finish! I was smiling the entire race. I’m very thankful for my family and teams support getting me ready for the race. The guys on my team and shop, Napleton Elite Cycling team powered by Dirty Harry’s know how to get you prepared for your best! I will be at Mohican! I would also like to try Wilderness 101 and Shenandoah. We are also looking into the Hampshire race.”

Peyton Randolph, Trek Store Columbus, took second at 4:51:59. “The first twenty miles of single track was dusty and loose. With the train of riders, we were eating dust for a while. I rode almost the whole day with Brad Rodgers. We had fun swapping positions. The single track was really fast and punchy with very little climbing. When we exited the single track and rode by the first aid station, I was amazed my Garmin read over 20 miles already.

The gravel roads to follow had perfect rollers especially for the single speed. The down hills were screaming fast and the climbs were long and tough. I was so glad to finally hit the last nine miles of single track full of fast flowy down hills and a few short climbs. Overall, the single track was great and the weather could not have been more perfect. I am looking forward to (OMBC) Ohio Series race at Great Seal State Park and the Mohican MTB100!”

Four minutes later, Aaron Shelmire, from Pittsburg, PA claimed third place finishing 4:55:10. Six minutes behind Shelmire, Scott Williams, Napleton Elite Cycling Team p/b Dirty Harry’s, took fourth with NUE SS contender, Ernesto Marenchin, Pivot Cycles, Twin 6, WAS Labs, from Stow, Ohio taking the five spot three minutes later at 5:04:26. Marenchin finished ninth overall in the NUE 100 mile SS Division in 2015.

 

Masters 50+ Big Frog 65

Railey rails it for the W

55 year old James Railey from Oakland, MD was first in the masters completing the course in just 5:11:13.

Thirteen minutes later, 56 year old, Jimmy Karp, from Palm Bay, FL rolled in to capture the two spot in 5:24:04. Seven minutes later, Chris Ready, VeloSports Racing Team, of Arden, NC took third finishing in 5:31:40.

50 year old Matt Rouse, from Fishers, IN took fourth at 5:40:11 with Lou Cataland, Pave Cycling, from Atlanta getting fifth in 5:43:26. Just eleven seconds back, 59 year old Brian Davis, Compass Cycling Racing Team, from Orlando, FL got the sixth spot in 5:43:37.

NEXT UP: The KENDA NUE Race Series heads deep into the backcountry of the Mohican State Forest in Ohio for the 14th Annual Mohican Mountain Bike 100k, a single loop 100k race spanning the four counties that collectively make up what has become known as Mohican Country. For more information or to register, visit www.mohican.net

Cohutta 100 – NUE #2

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Cohutta 100 Race Report

Ryan O’Dell

The KENDA (NUE) National Ultra Endurance Race Series #2, Cohutta 100 and Big Frog 65, now part of the new NUE Marathon Race Series, rolled out from  the Ocoee whitewater center near Ducktown, Tennessee, host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater competition.

The racecourse features more than 14,000 feet of vertical elevation within the Cherokee National Forest, including much of the Tanasi trail system, rated as one of the best in the state of Tennessee by singletracks.com.

Much like last year, the buzz before Saturday’s race centered on the weather forecast calling for the potential for severe thunderstorms.  However, this year would be different than last, allowing racers to enjoy dry and fast course conditions under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low eighties. There was even a pleasant breeze that lingered throughout the day.

Eventual race winner Carla Williams on course. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Eventual race winner Carla Williams on course. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Century Race Series

NUE Women’s Open 100 Mile

Carla the Crusher

Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop Racing Team, who placed second at Cohutta and second overall in the NUE Race Series last season, crushed the competition to finish 7:29:16, more than an hour faster than last year and nearly an hour ahead of her nearest competitor!     

“My goal from the start was to get in and out of the first singletrack section in first place. I definitely burned a few matches in the first twenty miles of the race, but once I hit the gravel roads, I got something to eat and drink and was feeling good again.

I was by myself for the first gravel miles, but eventually Bradd Cobb, who ended up winning the SS category, caught up to me and we road together for the rest of the gravel miles. We would catch other riders and ride with them for a bit until they would either get ahead or drop behind our pace. We were moving at a strong but steady clip up all the climbs and then would have a blast on the sweeping downhill turns. I had no idea what was happening with the women’s field behind me, but I knew there were a lot of strong riders and that I could be caught at any time.

We hit mile fifty under four hours and I was pretty psyched about that. I figured that even if I did get passed, I was on pace for a great time and that also motivated me on the second half of the course to keep pushing up the climbs. I was pretty tired going into the last single track but I still didn’t see any other women behind me, so I just focused in being as smooth and steady as possible and ended up finishing just under 7:30. It was a great day, great course, and great start to the NUE season!”

Mari Chandler, Team Adventure Medical Kits, rolled in at 8:24:01 to take second. Twenty five minutes later, Simona Vincenciova, Hammer Nutrition, who placed fourth last year, took third this year at 8:49:16. “Right from the start and through the first single track section Linda Shin and I stayed together. I noticed my rear tire was starting to get a slow leak and made a quick stop for air at aid station one while Linda stayed behind with a mechanical. For the next 80 miles I pushed my legs hard to stay in front of Linda but, after aid station three, I got passed by Mari.

As I dropped out of the last single track section and was just about to roll into the grass, Linda passed me and Brenda was just behind. I knew I had only one chance to make a move. Right when we entered the parking lot with about a half mile to finish, I clicked through the gears and made my final sprint and kept grinding it till the finish line. Everything played out in my favor and I came across the line ahead of both of them claiming third place. I felt pretty good for most of the race and my Hammer Nutrition was working well to keep me fueled and hydrated in the higher than normal temps.”

Thirteen seconds back, Two-time NUE defending Champion, Brenda Simril, Motor Mile Racing, took fourth in 8:49:29 on a cyclocross bike. The Simrils have completed more NUE Races than any other racer, now at 57, so why cyclocross bikes for Cohutta? Brenda Simril, “Lee and I had decided after True Grit that we were going to take a breather from the NUE series this year and just do whatever comes up and sounds like fun. So, we’re adding a lot of Pisgah races, camping with the dogs, paddling and as many last minute late season ski trips as possible!

We had no intention of doing the Cohutta 100 but were going to join in on the camping and pre-race party Friday night. Then, on Tuesday before the race, we found out that a bunch of our teammates and local riding (and Growler Enduro buddies) had signed up last minute to do the 100 on singlespeed. So…at that point I started to feel incredibly left out and since we don’t ride singlespeeds, I figured the next worst idea would be to ride it on our cross bikes. This sounded like an even better idea after a couple of beers.

We showed up thinking there was little chance of making it through the singletrack at the beginning without major mechanicals (we had 4 tubes, 4 CO2s, and a pump with us plus tires and tubes in our aid bags). We intentionally went into the singletrack at the very back of the pack so we wouldn’t hold folks up and also so we could ride very conservatively to preserve our tires.

The 100-mile women with race winner Carla Williams second from left. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

The 100-mile women with race winner Carla Williams second from left. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Miraculously, we made it to the gravel roads with no incidents. We were tooling along the whole time having fun, even taking a beer handoff from a buddy at the half way point (first time for me in an NUE race!). It felt great going down, but by the time we got to the 20 mile to go mark, I was feeling like it was time to get on with business and get to the finish. The fun part was seeing Linda at the top of the final gravel climb then getting to race her through the last singletrack without killing myself. She’s a super stud so it was great to finish with her. Again, by some small miracle my bike held up even though I lost most of the air in my rear tire on the last section.

That was our stupid human trick for the year so maybe we’ll try to come up with something even more ridiculous for Shenandoah. Did someone say “tandem”??”

Twenty-seven seconds behind the NUE Champ, Linda Shinn, Blacksmith Cycle, came in at 8:49:29 for fifth place, getting a PR in the process.

Riders await the start to the first east coast NUE of the year. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Riders await the start to the first east coast NUE of the year. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

 NUE Men’s Open

Dylan “The Kid” Johnson gets his first NUE victory

Dylan Johnson, Giant Co-Factory Northeast, earned his nickname “The Kid” at Cohutta five years ago. There are not many 16 year olds competing in NUE Race Series let alone having the gumption to try to run with the Big Dogs in the lead pack. That year, he crashed hard early in the race and his finish line became an unanticipated trip to the ER to receive stitches on his face. Five years later, at the age of just 21, this determined young man has earned his first NUE victory blistering the course in 6:42:00, proving that hard work and determination pays off!

“Cohutta has always been one of my favorite NUE races despite crashing my first year when I was 16. The course has a lot of gravel road which means you have to be patient and use a little road tactics.

There was a lead group of eleven of us and, most of the day, I sat in and conserved my energy. Last year I learned the hard way not to go too early when I bonked after a solo break. I waited until fifteen or so miles to go before making a move this time and three others came with me including last year’s winner, Brian Schworm, who proved to be the hardest to drop but I eventually managed to break free just before the single track. Winning an NUE has been a long time goal of mine and I’m thrilled to finally make it happen. I plan on doing Wilderness, Hampshire, Shenandoah, Fools Gold and maybe more.”

Dylan Johnson leading the way in Ducktown. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Dylan Johnson leading the way in Ducktown. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Brian Schworm, Think Green-VO2 Multisport p/b SWORD, second overall in the NUE Race Series last season, crossed the line less than two minutes back at 6:43:59, more than ten minutes faster than last year. “I lined up with my teammates Nathanial Cornelius and Brent Goetz for another go at this race. As many are aware, the course starts with a significant road climb to sort things out a bit before filing into the singletrack.  It’s always a gamble for how this turns out. There had been times that it was full-on up that hill and other times is was just moderately paced. This year it was the latter with the exception of Brian Toone’s jumps off the front.

There was a little chaos with racers vying for position at the top but nothing unsafe. We filed into the trail for some pristine singletrack.  Christian Tanguy was leading us up and I was sitting fourth position.  The pace was quick and not intense.  We continued in this manner until we reached the bridge crossing down near the start/finish area about 45 minutes into the race.  Following the bridge there was another significant climb but this time of the singletrack variety.  There was a bit of reshuffling but we continued on the following singletrack the same as before.

Once we reached aid station 1 about 1.5 hours into the race, we hit the gravel roads.  We knew there was approximately 65 miles of this gravel to follow.  This changed the dynamics of the race. There were 10 of us in the front group but nobody really wanted to put forth much effort to push the pace. I guess everyone was thinking it would be pointless to put forth the effort when everyone else could draft and save energy.  It was also too early for attacks; the others could easily chase down a lone leader.  Therefore, the group continued on at the slow pace. In fact, after a while, seven more riders caught the front group which swelled the group to 17.

Riders are treated to the spectacular scenery around Ducktown, Tennessee. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Riders are treated to the spectacular scenery around Ducktown, Tennessee. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

The race continued this way for a couple hours. Gordon Wadsworth was telling jokes; others were discussing equipment, bikes, etc. There were a few efforts on some of the hills but nothing very serious yet. However, at one point Christian decided to increase the pace. He jumped on the front and led the group up a few hills. A few racers dropped off because of these efforts but still around 10 or so remained in the front.

Things got very serious when we rejoined the Big Frog 65 loop. Dylan Johnson immediately attacked and the group fell apart. I was chasing Dylan with Ian Spivack and Tomasz Golas right behind. Once we crested the climb, the four of us regrouped and worked together to keep the pace high.  This continued until we reached the last significant climb before the singletrack. Again, Dylan attacked.  It was obvious that he was riding strong and was determined to win, and this attack set him in that direction.  The others and I couldn’t hold his wheel and we were spread apart up that climb.

My only hope was to try and catch Dylan in the final 45 minutes of singletrack.  I hammered as hard as I could but never saw him again. Overall I’m happy with second place. Dylan definitely earned the win and I put everything I had on the course. My teammates finished strong as well with Nathanial taking 11th and Brent finishing 15th. We represented Think Green VO2 Multisport p/b SWORD well together with a 1st by Drew Dillman and 3rd from Ben Richardson in the Big Frog 65!”

Three minutes later, Tomasz Golas, DRT, from Bloomfield, IN took third at 6:46:33. Less than two minutes back, Ian Spivak, from Vienna, VA was fourth in 6:48:08.

The next four racers would all finish at 6:50, with just seconds separating fifth-eighth place. 6:50:46 for Scott Hoffner and Defending NUE SS Champion Gordon Wadsworth, Blue Ridge Cyclery/ Pivot Cycles/ Indust, going geared at this race following two straight SS victories at Cohutta. “After last year’s SS win and a good standing in the SS series, I decided to give my new Pivot Cycles LES geared bike a run in Open men.

The bike and body felt great but since I built the bike just this week and didn’t have really any miles on it, some micro-fatigue of working new muscles got the best of me; and rather than push my body into any sort of injury I chose to ride conservative. I also had some shifter cable stretch that sabotaged a perfectly set up 4-way sprint, taking 6th instead of 8th! Dylan Johnson is a man on fire right now and deserved to stand on the top box.

My goal is still a singlespeed victory, but racing bikes is the most energizing and exciting thing in the world to me so I always choose the bike that will give me the chance to enjoy that to the fullest.”

Two Seconds behind Wadsworth was former NUE Men’s Open Champion, Christian Tanguy, Rare Disease Cycling, at 6:50:48. Two seconds later, Heath Thumel, Race Pace Bicycles/ LRC, claimed 8th at 6:50:52.

 

Christian Tanguy is back at it taking 7th at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Christian Tanguy is back at it taking 7th at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Singlespeed Open

Cobb on top!

By just over one minute, Brad Cobb, Motor Mile Racing, took the top spot in the Singlespeed open to finish 7:26:09. “The race started off really fast, and sudden for me. In fact, I took my helmet off for the prayer, and before I could put it back on and buckled, Charles yelled GO.  The chase up HWY64 was a normal fast start, and the field immediately spread out.

This is the first hundred miler I have done in four years (Leadville was the last time), so I knew to push hard, but save as many matches as I could.  The single track was sweet and fast, and I started picking off racers pretty quickly.  When we hit the fire road, I teamed up with geared racer, John Wiygul, and we time trialed to the third aid station.

Single speed winner Bard Cobb. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Single speed winner Bard Cobb. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

At the turn, he spent a little too much time restocking, so I went ahead and kept pressing.  I eventually came up on Women’s leader, Carla Williams, and we climbed Big Frog and passed a lot of folks.  She was under the impression there were a couples of SS up ahead, so we both put our heads down and pushed for the next twenty miles until we came up on one of the SS.  We passed him on a downhill and were able to gap him enough so that he couldn’t catch us.

Soon thereafter, we came on what I thought was the first SS, and we used the same approach, but he was having nothing of it.  In fact, on several hills, he (I think it was James Thompson) appeared to be pulling away from me, and I kept digging and digging to stay on his wheel.  Eventually, Carla and I dropped him and couple of others and then put the hammer down.

We blew through Aid station five knowing aid six was only a few miles away.  Making the left on 221 was a very welcome sight as I have ridden this stretch many times.  As Carla and I approached, the wonderful aid station manned by the Scotts Bike Center Team, I was told I was the first single speeder to come through among hundred milers. So, with about 30 miles to go, Carla and I got back into our groove and made some pretty good time back to the single track.  When we hit Quartz, Carla was gracious enough to let me around, and knowing how close I was to the barn, I totally let loose.

Upon coming across the finish line, I was told I was the first SS doing the hundred.  I was pretty damn happy, but about five minutes later, I was told there were two single speeders that missed the 221 turn and went a few miles out of the way (and one of them was a good friend).  So, I volunteered to the race director to do whatever he thought was fair, and in the end, I remained on the top of the podium.  In my mind, there is an asterisk by the win, but it was still an amazing day to ride a mountain bike.”

Kip Biese, KJBike Coach/ Old Town Bike Shop, from Colorado Springs, was next at 7:27:32. “I was still a little over geared, but not nearly as badly as at True Grit. The start was rough; I barely got there in time riding from camp so I got a little boxed in and didn’t notice the wheels I was following hadn’t held the lead group on the road climb. I was stuck behind slower trail riders until the bridge crossing coming off Old Copper. After that I felt decent and, I believe, at Aid 1 leaving the singletrack I was second SS.

Over the course of the long gravel grind I gradually slipped back and lost motivation. I don’t know how far back I went and, like most of the lead riders, I either went off course or rode backwards on the course. My Garmin had me at almost 105 miles. Once I turned around from going the wrong way, I soon caught my wife doing the Big Frog 65 and knew I was headed the right way.

When I caught John Haddock on a dirt road climb, I realized I might still be in the hunt. After that, I picked up my tempo and picked off lots more riders (SS’ers and geared riders in both races). In the last stretch of trail I felt strong and I know I caught at least two 100mile SS’ers, maybe 3. I caught Stewart Gross just before leaving the trails and sucked his wheel until almost the finish where he had to sprint for his place. I also sprinted as a SS came from nowhere to sit my wheel, but he was actually a DQ from accidentally cutting the course.”

Two minutes later, Scott Rusinko, Nox Composites, from Chattanooga took third at 7:29:04. Two minutes behind Rusinko was James Thompson, Red Eye Velo, at 7:31:17. Two minutes later, Michael Tressler, To Live and Die in PA, rounded out the top five finishing 7:33:37.

Gordon Wadsworth applying his talents in the Open 100-mile category at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Gordon Wadsworth applying his talents in the Open 100-mile category at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Masters 50+

Clayton gets back to back wins at Cohutta!

Jeff Clayton, Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, achieved his second straight Masters victory at Cohutta, coming off a second place finish behind NUE contender Greg Golet at True Grit Epic earlier this season. Clayton finished with a commanding lead with a final time of 7:27:25, the only masters racer to go sub eight on the day.

“I was sorry and disappointed to get the news, shortly before the start that NUE defending Champion, Roger Masse, was sick and unable to attend. But, you never know (as Roger is fond of saying) if/when a new “freshman” talent will show up in Masters Class.

I did know that my new acquaintance Randy Kerr, who I met at another 100mile/100k mountain bike race called Skyway Epic a few weeks ago, would be a very formidable competitor. Randy is a super climber and it seems he prefers to crush the competition on a single speed regardless of what class he is racing. As I expected, about two thirds of the way up the pavement climb at the start, I dropped off the rather large lead group…and, as expected, Randy was in that group.  What I didn’t expect was a small chase group, including eventual women’s winner Carla Williams, to rocket by! I gave an extra effort to jump on the wheel of the last guy and he towed me back to them just as we entered the singletrack.

After passing a couple of (obviously blown up) riders, I ended up in a chain of riders behind Carla.  She held a great pace, but eventually it was time to get back on the gas and a few of us separated ourselves off of the growing chain of riders and held that all the way to the bridge across the Ocoee River. It was there that I saw Randy again (unbeknownst to him).  It seems that a rigid bike has its limitations on the rooty-rocky old Copper Road trail! I also knew that he would disappear again on the long climbs ahead, and he did.

The race settled in for me with a small group of the lead singlespeeders and a couple of us geared riders always clustered around each other, but often not riding at exactly the same pace. Such is the dynamics of long races with the need to ride within one’s own limits, both climbing and descending. I was determined to catch Randy before the last section of singletrack before the finish, so with each rider I would catch who had fallen off of the lead group, I would ask about Randy—it seemed that I was getting closer all the time, and I knew patience, good nutrition, and hydration were key to success.

80 miles into a race the ability to do simple cognitive tasks is (for me at least) quite diminished. So, even though my memory from 2015 and logic told me that I needed to turn left onto FS221 to begin the long climb toward the finish, there were no signs directing a left turn, nor did I see any blue paint arrows on the road, so I continued straight.  Besides, my drafting leech singlespeeder companions (I’d do exactly the same on a flat road!) didn’t say anything.

About five minutes later, having passed a bunch of riders going the other way, and questioning them and myself if they were outbound 100 milers or inbound 65 milers, I raised the question with my companions—they had no idea if we should have turned. We continued on hesitantly until the next road intersection (I measured it out after the race at another 2.33 miles one way) where I saw no signage for our direction of travel–so I announced I was turning around.  Of course several riders I had passed/dropped a little earlier were going the wrong way too so I shouted to them to turn around.  Lots of confusion…and I’m sure some riders originally ahead of me also missed the turn.

My hopes of catching Randy were obviously much diminished, but I soldiered on regardless.  It really helped having some of the singlespeeders  I had been racing with from very early around me (including Scott Rusinko, Kip Biese and James Thompson—all who I believe had been in the lead until the missed turn) fighting each other for position into the singletrack.  I enjoyed the singletrack and was pleased to re-pass a very fast Carla Williams.

Still going as hard as I could along the highway toward the finish, I was amazed to see the green “GO” logo that identified Randy’s jersey back. He was behind a couple of other riders and spinning like a madman.  Randy is hard of hearing, so I knew a sneak attack coming into the finish might work. As we entered the parking lot, I decided it was time and went full attack in my 34-10 gear and had a good gap. I even caught Stewart Gross who had dropped me way back on the last gravel climb. Randy did not respond and victory was mine!

However, my excitement was somewhat diminished when Randy informed me that he’d also gone off course, but didn’t finish out the prescribed course—so he DQ’d. It would have been much better to have a legitimate contest.  All in all I was happy with my race, having taken a course misadventure adjusted ~ 1 hour off my 2015 time—watch out you top open class racers.”

John Schwab, US Military Endurance Sports, placed second at 8:11:09. A little over a minute later, Stephen Lebovitz, Motor Mile Racing, finished third at 8:12:49.

David Jolin, Team Y Not Trek, who placed third at True Grit Epic behind Clayton, took fourth at 8:17:08. One minute later, Alan Miner, Banks Bike, rounded out the top five at 8:18:54.

NEXT UP: The KENDA NUE Race Series heads deep into the backcountry of the Mohican State Forest in Ohio for the 14th Annual Mohican Mountain Bike 100, a single loop 100 mile and 100k race spanning four counties. For more information or to register, visit www.mohican.net

Click Here for full results from the 2016 Cohutta 100