Trans North Georgia MTB Race

[donmeredith74]

Self-supported here as well.

[trebor]

fully solo. done.

Matthew, are you coming out to play?

[Mathewsen]

fully solo. done.

Matthew, are you coming out to play?

That's my plan if I can just find time to get the cues together. It would be hard to miss the East coast's first BPing event. Plus, I have to deliver the SPOT rentals. Glad to hear others are foregoing the temptation for support. I expect David M. to say to any self-supporters afterwards, "congrats, you passed the test by foregoing the support trap". It would be neat if a self-supporter comes out on top as it might arguably eliminate the supported category.

[naked indian]

Cool.  See ya there. Bring the rain gear folks. Looks like highs in the mid 80's and lows mid 60's. Btw this is not the first east coast bikepacking race. 

[Mathewsen]

Btw this is not the first east coast bikepacking race. 

Doh! Sorry Karlos. Though, for XFL do you carry bivy gear/do you sleep(off the bike)?

[naked indian]

The xfl its up to the rider. But for the huracan 300 ya u carry sleep gear.

[donmeredith74]

UL tarp for me... can't stand to be in a bivy in extended rains. A little more hassle but the comfort factor outweighs the minor weight / bulk increase IMO.

[Mathewsen]

UL tarp for me... can't stand to be in a bivy in extended rains. A little more hassle but the comfort factor outweighs the minor weight / bulk increase IMO.

what is the talk of rain about? is there concern over Earl? Fiona?

[naked indian]

I think all we will see from the storms is off shoots of rain bands. Nothing I can't handle.

[DaveH]

That's my plan if I can just find time to get the cues together. It would be hard to miss the East coast's first BPing event. Plus, I have to deliver the SPOT rentals. Glad to hear others are foregoing the temptation for support. I expect David M. to say to any self-supporters afterwards, "congrats, you passed the test by foregoing the support trap". It would be neat if a self-supporter comes out on top as it might arguably eliminate the supported category.

I'd bet a few $$ a self-supporter will come out on top unless some real racer boy shows up with full support.  Haven't read the entire rules page (can't get through that thing!) but the synopsis at the top makes it sound like support options are still pretty limited.

Then again it's an adventure, not a race.  Who would want to finish an adventure faster?  Personally I'm all for prolonging adventures

[naked indian]

According to the rules there are only two possible spots you can get support and you have to finish with the same gear you had  2 days prior.

I encourage those 17 that line up to race self supported.


I have not even toed the start line and feel like I already moved Mt Everest 121 times to make this adventure happen for myself.

I am determined, to finish this beast and finish well..

I will not be the fastest, but I will be STEADY.

[mtbcast]

You can get support in Helen, off Aska Rd, and in Dalton. Really, this matters little for Helen and Dalton because there's any number of businesses around. Woody's Bike Shop is worth a look. It's just outside Helen and might come in handy.

[naked indian]

woody's bike shop, good info.

[mtbcast]

Actually, Woody's is right on the route. It's off 356 just before you hit Hwy 75. The sign is small, as I recall. But that would be a good place if you need tubes, a wheel trued, any kind of maintenance.

[donmeredith74]

I talked to the shop a few days back. They are closed on Tuesdays as I recall. I'm a little foggy on the conversation so you might want to call and confirm that. They sound like a full service shop and they're aware of the TNGA running through there.

[trebor]

That is a good reminder for all - it's a holiday weekend. Services, such as shops, may be closed when normally they would be open. Consider Sunday - Tuesday closures a real possibility.

Prepare for self support and put on your thinking caps if [and when] trouble may arise on the route.

To those riding, I wish you all a wind to your back, dust free trails, a good night's sleep, and the sight of my rear getting smaller on the horizon.

Rob

[mtbcast]

I just called Woody's. They're open everyday 10-5pm except Tuesday.

Just talked to Shane at BearCreek Bikes in Dalton. They are pretty much it. They will be Closed Sat and Mon but open Tuesday. I'd expect the leaders to come through Mon or Tuesday. They are located about 2mi North of the route in town.
Ste 103, 402 North Park Drive
Dalton, GA 30720-2629
(706) 260-2733 - I believe this shop number will forward to Shane as he gave me this number as an emergency contact number. I post it here because it's already posted on their website.

I'm waiting to hear back from Cyclesouth in Blue Ridge. But I did talk to Mike Palmeri at Cartecay Bikes  in Ellijay. They will be open Monday and Tuesday. They plan to have someone in on Saturday but of course, no one will be coming through that soon. Both shops are about 8mi off the route on Hwy 515/5 with Cyclesouth North and Cartecay South. However, they may prove worth the ride in an emergency.

[naked indian]

I just called Woody's. They're open everyday 10-5pm except Tuesday.

Just talked to Shane at BearCreek Bikes in Dalton. They are pretty much it. They will be Closed Sat and Mon but open Tuesday. I'd expect the leaders to come through Mon or Tuesday. They are located about 2mi North of the route in town.
Ste 103, 402 North Park Drive
Dalton, GA 30720-2629
(706) 260-2733 - I believe this shop number will forward to Shane as he gave me this number as an emergency contact number. I post it here because it's already posted on their website.

I'm waiting to hear back from Cyclesouth in Blue Ridge. But I did talk to Mike Palmeri at Cartecay Bikes  in Ellijay. They will be open Monday and Tuesday. They plan to have someone in on Saturday but of course, no one will be coming through that soon. Both shops are about 8mi off the route on Hwy 515/5 with Cyclesouth North and Cartecay South. However, they may prove worth the ride in an emergency.

Thanks for the info, you plan to be at the start?  If not hope to meet you somewhere along the route.  I may stop in and say Hi if the timing is right at the woody's shop. I like bike shops.

[mtbcast]

I'll be at the start. Still trying to figure out if I'm staying up there Friday night or getting up early to drive up. It's about 2hrs or so North of here.

[mtbcast]

MTBCast: Episode 124 TNGA Pre-Show is up! I sat down with Dave Muse and Eddie O'Dea to discuss the route, the rules, and the adventure!