Carey Lowery is racing TNGA and attempting to raise $1000 for Trips For Kids WNC.  You can't help her with the race, but you can help with the fund raising http://tripsforkidswnc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=452688&lis=1&kntae452688=4CB1059986D24A709965F513761D946F&supId=331248301   

Cool route, I must try it sometime! 

That's cool Richard, thanks for putting the time into it!    We do have lots of pavement here in the southeast,  but that is just part of the game!!   where in Pisgah does the SC connection come in?

Tell him to buy one after he gets there,  he will be a lot less stressed and be able to purchase a bike that is compatible with the spare/replacement parts that are for sale in the country.  After he is there, he can figure out the best way to access american bikes and parts if he feels the need.  With a population of 234,023 in 2009,  there will be bikes. 

this advice coming from a missionary kid who spent 6 yrs in the Caribbean. 

I definitely loved it,  waiting for the window of time to open so I can do it again!

Eric,  I would like a clarification.  I already purchased V. II the first day it came out, with this offer I would buy more copies but the problem is I don't know any deserving cyclist to give them too (plenty of undeserving ones).  Do you have a way of getting them to kids interested in cycling who can't afford them or maybe I should just have them sent to juvenile halls or group homes.  Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

Trips For Kids WNC could put them in the hands of some kids who might be inspired:  stephen at trips for kids wnc dot com

What is the approximate mileage remaining for the Sobo leaders? 

We forget that 75% of TD racers do not read this forum...but yep, it's a good, 'neither required or prohibited' element. They're just one of many trappings to steer clear of. It doesn't mean we can't try to help prospective racers see the light on the matter, or feel as if it bears negatively on the unsupported ideal. Many only have one shot at TD. Doing it right the first time is hard to do. Helping people mitigate regret is what some of these forum threads are all about.

I agree,  inform people and let them make their choices.

so, if its common knowledge that a hoteling is slower, then there is no reason to change the rules to include or exclude hotel stays,  by staying in a hotel, one is by default slowing down, causing more mental difficulty etc.    If it were somehow giving people an edge, to stay in a hotel then it would be something to be concerned about,  but since its not....

Also, using local businesses is going to keep the locals happy and hopefully will continue to treat the racers/riders with respect.   

yeh, the dots are back!!   

me too...

relegate the spectator...

I would drive out there and tell him but it would take 4 days...

Yep - he needs to go back. No sign of it yet. Hopefully he realises his mistake when he gets to Pinedale. Perhaps he has a cellphone with a supporter on the other end who will let him know what's happening.

I was under the impression that outside support is not allowed.

I believe there is demand for this sort of thing....from a small group.  Look at the TDR  less than 100 folks, it won't be huge, but it will be used.  I'll be glad to help with options in this area.  keep me updated

Good job putting it together  . I like all the singletrack through Pisgah! I might do it sometime when I have the chance - it could be a good shakedown ride for tnga. I'll map it out to get the elevation data sometime if you would like.

cool,   definitely more technical help would be appreciated.  my Cateye Mity 8 wasn't quite up for elevation..

There might just be a trans-WNC route being developed that starts around Elk Park and ends around Liberty with lots of mileage and lots of climbing 

Elk Park and Liberty?  are those towns in SC?

group depart would be fun, I'm not sure what fall looks like with wife's nursing school schedule so someone else should organize it.

I spent the past year or so pouring over maps, picking brains etc, then the last 4 days riding 250 miles around Pisgah National Forest to map out what resulted in a 190 mile point to point ultra racing route: 

http://ashevillejanes.blogspot.com/2011/06/pisgah-traverse.html

come give the south east a try!

Seems to me its the perfect time to make the most of the situation. It might not be "the route" but it could be the year that someone sets a record for "the alternate route".  Realistically, "the route" that Matthew Lee set the record on could never be the same again.  Someone get out there and set a new record on this year's route!  That's racin'.

yup, that was me,  my write up on PMBAR is in the previous post on the blog:  http://ashevillejanes.blogspot.com/2011/05/5-7-pmbar.html  That was  a lot of fun!