November, it’s the right time for a mountain bike race right? While this might be a late season event it may be the most fun single day event around. The Swank 65 is the longest running mountain bike race in Pisgah and one I’ll be back to anytime I can make it happen. This year we got a new course, Link to my description from last week, which did not disappoint and for the 2nd year in a row saw some amazing weather. Definitely the right way to wrap up racing in 2019.

Luckily for me the race didn’t start until 10 am, I was coming off a whirlwind couple of days. Driving to or from Atlanta each day since Wednesday for either work reasons or family. Saturday consisted of going to the GT football game in Atlanta and trying to keep a 14 month old from losing his mind. Not exactly what high end race preparation looks like but completely worth it. I had made sure my bike was ready early in the week and other than that the rest isn’t all that critical. I wrote out my course preview mid-week, which was really my way of kind of thinking through the course and thinking about when to fuel, etc.

Sunday morning was cold, we pulled into Cove Creek and as I watched the car in front of us go through the creek I was surprised how deep it was. I pretty much made up my mind right there I was going to go for the bridge. I have a problem at races sometimes of getting caught up catching up with people and forgetting to spin around and actually warm up. Luckily this year, Joe came by and wanted to go spin, so we got to catch up and spin. Back to the truck to drop off all the extra layers and get over to the start. I may have mis-timed it a little and had to do the scoot in from the front, not my favorite move but it happens.

I pushed a little harder than normal off the line this year knowing I was going for the bridge with everyone else. We made it across and fortunately the pace wasn’t out of control on the gravel over to Daniel Ridge. A pretty good sized group formed, I worked my way through to get up near the front as we turned onto the narrower doubletrack. Keeping a close eye on Joe, Art, and Jacob. Knowing that’s about where I wanted to be heading into the trail. It wasn’t long before that group split up a bit, with 5-6 riders pulling away. By the time we made the right onto the trail congestion wasn’t an issue.

I got into the trail right behind Art and stayed on his wheel for a bit, as it leveled out a little he offered to let me by and I was feeling pretty good so I went. Over the top, across the traverse to the rocky descent, and started down the soggy mess that was Daniel Ridge. I was pretty sure Joe would catch me here and sure enough he was on my wheel less than half way down. We came to the last little technical part and I managed to plow my front wheel right into a hole, bringing me to a dead stop. While my bike tried to throw me over the bars I managed to keep it together but I did give up two spots to Joe and Jacob. This did allow me to witness Joe pull a sweet bunny hop over a pretty big tree though.

Up to Gloucester Gap, we had a little group going for a while with Joe, Jacob, we eventually picked up Andrew. Pretty uneventful, hang the right onto 229 to start the climb up to Farlow. Still feeling pretty good, I tried to stay really steady here. It wasn’t long before I managed to make a little gap between the other guys. The long climb was in really good condition and just ticked by, I really enjoyed it being earlier in the race than it had been in past years. Over the top and I don’t see anyone in front or behind me. It would pretty much stay this way the rest of the day. I started down into the “back bowls” of Pisgah and managed to get a big ol grin while letting it all hang out on the way down 140a. Rocks, water, dips, rises, the sun coming in at a great angle, so much fun and so pretty. Once I made it up the pitch that starts 5003 I found another steady pace and let it rip for a while.

Back to Gloucester, pick up a fresh bottle, and start over to Butter Gap. Near the top I started to get worried I was getting complacent and I knew the two guys most likely right behind me were good at “pacing” events and would be coming on strong as the day got longer. I put in some effort over the top to get to Butter more quickly and kept my foot on the gas for the climb up to Butter. Easing my way through the gnar at the top, making sure to keep the rubber side down, this allowed me the confidence to crash in one of the easiest corners just before turning onto Long Branch. Fortunately I was unscathed other than my shorts being pulled way up.  Long Branch, Searcy Creek, 475, all came and went smoothly. One more real climb to go.

Heading up Daniel Ridge rocks, the first time I really started to feel crumby. Once I hit that wet, creek-like part of the trail I was slipping, sliding, and just feeling like I was going backwards. I knew Jacob and Art were closing in. Finally I made it to the stairs, then up over the two “drops”, around to the connector. I really wanted to get off near the top of the connector however there were other riders there watching, and I still had some gas, so I stayed on and rode “for the camera”. Finally hit 225, I took a min or two to recover from that dumb effort up the connector, then put my foot on the gas and did what I could to make time. Over to Cove Creek and still nobody behind me. At this point I felt pretty good, I rode cove hard, but with just a little caution to make sure and stay upright.

I finished in 3:32, 9th overall and 1st in the Vet Men. More excitedly though Lizzie came running to me at the finish line and I felt pretty good all day long while having a blast riding the course. I had gone almost entirely with the Carborocket half evil for fuel which I’ll have more about later but it worked great. I rode my Stumpjumper ST with gears and it performed flawlessly all day long. I was also right in worrying about Jacob catching me as he came in about a minute after I did and let me know he had seen me a few different times throughout the race. It’s also worth noting Lizzie was concerned as to why my friends had all gotten to the finish line before me.

The Sycamore Cycles folks had a pretty good day overall and I’m pretty sure we all had an awful lot of fun. The Swank has quickly become one of the 2 races that I immediately put on my calendar every year. I’m already looking forward to next year.