I'm betting he and Trey are fueling up. Hopefully there's no issues with them or their bikes!

Rob Roberts called in from the downside of Stanly Gap. He’s fighting some knee pain. And Karlos Bernart called on the climb out of Helen. He managed to replace his pump as a road cyclist sold him his!

A quick word with Matthew Lee and Brad Kee as they were leaving Mulberry Gap!

Eddie O’Dea called in from Tatum Lead!

You can at Trackleaders.com. Just click on the checkbox.

Russ Marshall called from Stanley Gap!

Rob Roberts called in from Aska Rd., Mark Donaghy called to say he’s out, Eddie O’Dea makes it to Mulberry Gap at around Noon and we got a word with him. Check 'em out on the feed!

So far we've had 5 drop:
Don Merideth
Shey Lindner (hamstring)
Lisa Randall (sick)
Mark Donaghy
Charlie Rome

He finally did. Got word he got some shut eye East of Potato Patch.

FYI: Check the feed. Charlie Rome called in to pull the plug on Wildcat Rd. Rob Roberts called in from Vogel State Park!

Calls last night from Russ Marshall and two from Eddie O'! And this morning Karlos Bernart called in from Mill Creek fighting bees stings and flats!

TNGA Episode Day 1 is up!

It is! It's hard to decide where to be, though. Staying in Helen or even NEAR it was out, though. What a madhouse. Blairsville hotel, cold beer, and may backtrack and see where the leaders are in the morning!

Eddie O’Dea called in from Hogpen!

TNGA10 -Karlos Bernart called in from Dillard, Rob Roberts called in from Hwy 76, and Eddie O called headed up Trey Mtn!

Here's a video of the start!

The start was a little late but no worries. I'll have some video to post up of the start in a bit.

Episode 125 It all starts Saturday! One last pre-show with some info as well as information on our Sipstream giveaway! This gave me a chance to test run doing the mixing on the mini notebook since it will be the travel machine for this race.

I've not done these types of races. I fantasize about it, no doubt. One day, perhaps. But I have covered many for a number of years now. I know there are some who are trying for 36hrs. From what I know of the route and from speaking with those who've done it I don't see a 36hr happening. That's saying a lot with the likes of Matthew Lee, Eddie O', and others in this thing. I'm hopeful of a 4 day, perhaps a sub-4 but that's pushing it. You can't look at mileage and climbing alone. There are a lot of turns. This is going to raise the probably of getting lost. There's some hike-a-bike and other things to slow you. I say all of this and yet hope I'm blown away by the finish time.

As for support or no support, I think those who are already used to non-supported racing know what it takes to do this unsupported. In a way this gives them an advantage. Keep in mind, though, there are only 3 places they can receive support. And this support is really rather limited. I think there is a strong possibility the winner will go it solo because as Matthew has noted before, there are pitfalls to stopping. The lure of a hotel bed or even having family or a friend there to fuel you can slow you. It takes your mind off the game, somewhat.

This is going to be fun either way!

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!

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.

[Woody's]

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.

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.