Grassroots Cycling

New Member

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:39:00 +0000

I would like to formally welcome our newest rider from Pittsburgh PA. Not only is the rider our second female but she is faster than me. We look forward to a successful year with this new addition. Here is her profile with photo coming soon;

Discipline: Mountain Endurance/XC Cat 2Mountain Bikes: 2008 Gary Fisher FerrousCX: 2009 Bianchi VolpeFavorite Local Trail: Bavington, North Park, Frick Park, Boyce Park2009 Results: 1st place Month of Mud @ Brady's Run - XC Cat 2/3

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:52:00 +0000

I would like to welcome Maxxis to our family for 2010 season. Thank you for your support!!!!!!!!!

Another Spin up Curtis Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Knowing that our team trip is in a few weeks, I opted to head out to take another run at Heartbreak. My preferred route is closed this time of year due to hunting season, so I had to take the less than ideal route up Curtis Creek Road. This is the infamous 9 mile climb I suffered through during ORAMM.

It was another nasty day filled with rain, fog, and temperatures in the 50's. I felt great through mile 20, and then things went south. I didn't particularly feel well after that point, but kept the pedals turning up the parkway until we got to Heartbreak. I was so tired, I didn't even enjoy the downhill which was the reward for the day. Oh well. I'll probably hit this in the Spring and feel much better about it. yeah right.

GPS Data

ORAMM Training

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:37:00 +0000

I've had a countdown timer on my Google page since December '08 for ORAMM. That's when I decided ORAMM was going on the race calendar this year for me. It has been a constant reminder that July 26th is fast approaching. I look at it every morning for at least 2.37 seconds before diving into the days work. I remember when the number was over 200 days. "I've got time to train" I told myself...and training I did. The Winter Challenge, 6hr Grind, and the Riverfront Classic have all led me to today. Today, the countdown reads 20 days. 20 DAYS!!! How did that happen? Knowing that my training time was coming to an end, I was looking for a last test of mental and physical strength.

There's an infamous gravel road climb in the middle of the ORAMM course. It's called Curtis Creek Road(CCR). It's about 9 miles in length and climbs over +2,500ft in elevation to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over the past 200 days, I've read a lot about the CCR climb which was moslty all negative. "Gravel Road Pukefest" was the latest reference on MTBR and someone sent me a note saying " Are you sure you want to do it?" after reading my route on MTBR. Honestly, the negative press on CCR made me want to do it more. I need help!

The reward for all the climbing is the Heartbreak Ridge trail. Heartbreak is one of the best downhills in Pisgah. Heartbreak is the trail everyone wants to ride, but unless you're shuttling, you've got to put in some serious climbing to get there. I've ridden Heartbreak twice before, but both times, I took a lesser travelled route up through Ridgecrest/Montreat. It's about 10 miles shorter than CCR. Since this was my last major training effort before the big race, I decided to test my mettle by hitting CCR.

I spent Friday night getting my ride ready. In the last month, my bike and myself have taken a beating so it needed some TLC. I'll skip that story for now. I swapped out my front rotor and replaced both sets of brake pads. I'd also be sporting my new Maxxis Crossmark as my rear tire choice for the day. After all that work, Sunday didn't start out all that well. As I was loading the cars, the rain started to fall. It rained all the way into Old Fort and I got to thinking....Do I really want to do this ride today? I actually pumped myself up the entire hour ride over by jamming to XM radio. Somehow it helped and I was all business as I pulled into Andrews Geyser.

As I'm getting ready, Asheville YetiRider(MTBR) shows up to join me. I figured I was going solo with the weather conditions, so it was nice to have a little riding company. We set out at 10am in the steady rain from the Geyser. I hadn't taken the route through Star Gap, so there was a small sense of "I hope I don't get lost" in the back of my brain. I had the maps and GPS route as backup, but as I've learned before, that stuff can be useless when you are in remote wilderness. It's funny how the mind works. Something simple at home becomes a total disaster on the trail.

The first part of the ride goes up lower Heartbreak. It's steep with lots of switchbacks. I was regretting my tire choice under the wet conditions, but we walked the slippery stuff and finally made it to trail that heads to Jarret Creek. The rain backed off a bit as we headed down to Star Gap. The never ending road finally spit us out onto CCR and although the rain stopped, I was soaked.

And so it began. CCR starts mildly before slowly sucking the life out of you. I don't remember much of the climbing because I entered a zone with one purpose. Get this over with ASAP. After the campsites, you are on a death march up to the parkway. I rode everything, but spent a considerable amount of time moving in an out of granny gear and standing up to avoid cramps. As the elevation backed off near the top, I knew I must be coming up to the Parkway. What a relief to finally be there. 5 miles on the Parkway felt good knowing that Heartbreak was close. After the hike-a-bike up to Heartbreak, we shot down Heartbreak at a good clip before returning to the Geyser.

The Verdict:
33.58 Miles
+10,258 Elevation Gain
CCR certainly lives up to its reputation. Ok, I didn't literally puke, but figuratively there was a lot of puking going on in my mind. Hmmm, come to think of it, I did also have a dry heave feeling in the stomach at the beginning of Heartbreak. Anyhow, I would never take a recreational ride up there since there are other ways to get to Heartbreak. It should be interesting to see how this climb feels during the race. At least I'm mentally prepared for it. Next up...the race itself.

-Mike

Dirty Dawg

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:20:00 +0000

What an Epic weekend, Dirty Dawg just might have bit harder than any race I can remember. I had a Taco for lunch on one of the downhills and thanks to a strong tree I was able to salvage the rim and finish the race. Not before that dam Dirty Dawg bit a hole in my tire. So not only did I destroy my rim (which even now after an hour on the stand still looks bad) but I had to change my tire on the power line road. Mentally I was gone after that. Just in case I forget about my rim I have all the cuts and bruises to remained me of that dog day afternoon. I hope that this coming weekend won't be as hard on my body.

6 Hours of Pain Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:52:00 +0000

The Grind on the Greenway was a total mud fest. It didn't start out that well for me either. 5 min before race time I noticed my rear tire was completely flat. I was able to test my flat changing speed, though. The whole day I really felt like my legs were not cooperating. I just didn't have the energy I expected.

After 4 laps and 5 hours, I was done. I rode until I stopped having fun. I'm already thinking about next years race. What will I do differently? We'll have to wait and see.

6 Hours of pain

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Good luck Mike as you subject yourself to 6 hours of pain.

The Dragon Returns!

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Well, it appears that the Dragon has returned after all with a 40 mile Epic route this Sunday 4/5. Two of our team members will be racing. Good luck Adam and Steve. Slay the Dragon!

Race Details

ORAMM Registration opens in early March.

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Just a friendly reminder to the team that ORAMM registration is in early March. I'm sure we'll be all over it.

"On Sunday, July 26, 2009 Blue Ridge Adventures will host the 10th Annual Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell. The race will be limited to 400 participants, all of whom will receive a commemorative tshirt. Registration will open in early March. "

http://www.blueridgeadventures.net/

Bling

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:47:00 +0000

The uniforms have been ordered. If you are interested in racing for our team stay tuned as we will be posting a complete layout of requirements and fees. Also I will provide you with some money saving opportunities exclusive to the Grassroots Team.

First Event of the Season (Off Road Tri)

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:37:00 +0000

As I think about the pain the Dragon will bring in April, I've signed up for this in February. So far, no one else I've talked to was interesting in showing up. I guess I'm on my own for the "23 miles of pure racing bliss..." We'll see.

It's on like Donkey Kong.

2009 Jerseys are coming soon.

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:52:00 +0000

It's hard to believe, but 2009 Grassroots team jerseys are in process. Once the final artwork is approved, I'll post full images of the team gear on the website. For a small preview, you'll have to look here.

Ride local Roanoke

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:58:00 +0000

If anyone wants to ride here in Roanoke or is interested in learning some new trails let me know. I ride every weekend. SS welcome.

Lets ride

noreply@blogger.com (Muskrat) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:02:00 +0000

Once this site is complete you will find local ride and updates on our race team. We will also have links to our sponsors. Check back soon.

Grassroots Cycling is online!

noreply@blogger.com (Squirrel) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Happy New Year! Grassroots Cycling is now online.

More exiting things to come, so stay tuned.