The Pisgah Stage race has grown a reputation as one of the most difficult stage races and endurance events in North America because of the rough and relentless terrain of Western North Carolina. Riders from around the country and the world convene on Brevard for the five-day event that covers 140 miles, with 20,000 feet of climbing. The route takes you on a tour of the entire forest. A few years ago Blue Ridge Adventures introduced an enduro aspect to the event which features some of the best descents you could ask for with long, fast, technical, natural terrain that adds up to around an hour of racing throughout five days.
Dylan Johnson was first to come through half way down on the first enduro stage on Daniel Ridge
Local legend Wes Dickson making the slippery conditions look effortless
Conditions on the first day were dark and damp with periods of rain while riders headed up to Farlow Gap
Jason Luque hauling into the top section
Rocks and roots were covered with slime mixed with mud making it 'exciting' to ride
Some perspective on the terrain...
Very few riders made it down this section because it was so slick
Jen Nielson making it through the thick of it
Tristan Cowie headed down to the infamous waterfall crossing on Farlow & on his way to a stage win
Although you can't tell from this picture, this is atop a sizeable waterfall
Tristan making that Stumpy work while putting in a solid lead on the field
Kerry Werner making the crux corner on Lower Black that makes or breaks your time
Local ripper, rally racer and fan favorite - Nick Bragg
Tunnel vision is a common theme here
Racing is tight across all classes
Perfect morning start on day three
It's all good times and laughs
And for most it stays that way
Taking the inside line on the XC rig is no easy task - Nick Bragg
Winding down the ridgeline on Bennet Gap
Some things just aren't worth trying...
Cypress leading Tristan into the drop
Evidence that something went down on the drop...
After some visual evidence at the finish we found out who's blood that was and that the front tire burped on impact off the drop. Ouch!
Stage four had to be shortened due to rain and high river crossings which meant that the pace was turned up on day four
Rainy morning peloton with eveyone B-lining it to Laurel
Cypress and Tristan pushing each other down one of the rockiest and most physically demanding trails in the forest
Your switchback game has to be strong to do well on this one
Pilot has got some exposure
Jason Luque linking it all together
For those that made it through The rock garden, the stoke was high
With rain from the day before the dirt was perfect for stage five on Bracken
Tristan coming through on Bracken just after Cypress
Brevard College recruits some serious talent on their cycling team. 19-year-old Tyler Clark nipping at the heels of the leaders on day five
Local Annie Pharr pumping her way down Bracken to solidify her 3rd place in the enduro & the overall
High-speed trains just waiting for the opportunity to pass - Kerry Werner
Back to that Brevard College talent thing... (no dropper)
Olympian Georgia Gould with the inside pass on the final stage solidifying her overall enduro win
Women's Enduro Overall podium
Men's Enduro Overall podium
Overall podium images courtesy of Icon MediaFor full results & more information check out Blue Ridge Adventures
MENTIONS: @BurkeLawrencePhoto
www.blueridgeadventures.net/oramm/race-4
www.pisgahproductions.com/events/pisgah-111k-mtb-race
Pisgah is rad, you can definitely ride it on a XC bike with high post (done it) but a little more travel and a dropper will definitely help reduce the Code Brown frequency.
The ORAMM I didnt like as much... its much easier terrain than the P111K being mostly gravel and roads but its in July and that southern heat/humidity gets to you.
I believe that's the spiral staircase on Bennett's gap. The outside line is already pretty gnarly! I dumped a shiny new Pivot demo bike there last summer I've never even thought about just dropping right down the middle!
This being said, Lycra jokes aside, pretty tough conditions and impressive riding skill!
I’d be happy on my raked out enduro rig I wouldn’t ride that on an XC rig.. Good job ????????