 |
|
|
The Battle For The Evermore rides again!
"Walkin' in the park just the other day, Baby, What do you, what do you think I
saw?
Crowds of people sittin' on the grass with flowers in their hair said, hey boy, do you
wanna score?"." - Bob Plant, circa 1972.
"This is the best course I’ve ridden all year, and I’ve raced all over the country." — Jeremiah Bishop (he said BEFORE the snow)
"Now that’s what I call a mountain bike race!" — at the finishing line, 98 champion Trek’s Chris Eatough
Nowadays, fewer folks wear flowers in their hair. But, this is the kind of venue where sitting, chilling, drinking in the tranquil, bucolic setting of the astonishing Mountain Lake is a natural and compelling practice. Often, the mountain IS misty, as the scientific fog testing station at its ‘4300 foot summit indicates. However, if you’re racing this one, you won’t likely be humming any sweet songs, save perhaps, Taps. Misty Mountain Hop is you a tough and lengthy (10.6 mile) rock-n-roll experience, characterized the following way:
![mtlakelogo[1].jpg (7445 bytes)](mtlakelogo1.gif) |
The course circles the majestic hotel and it’s spring-fed namesake (the lake), with easy spectator access throughout. With a starting line over 3900’ above sea level, and a max height above ‘4300, this is the highest race in Virginia. The views are simply unbelievable. The course is fast and open—a bonafied blast. Here's a look at a piece the nation's largest cycling periodical published about the place.
Also, we are adding, at NORBA's behest, Junior Olympic classes for the future pros. Age classes are broken down tighter than previous, with 10 and unders, 12 and unders, 14 and unders, and 16 and unders. These in essence replace the Junior Sport class. Junior experts will race their typical class.
Saturday, we’ll bring back the time trial, plus riding and repair clinics, and lake kayak demos from Smith Mountain Lake Kayak Company. Taylor Entertainment Group will again provide professional, hi-fidelity sound.
Here's a shot of 1998 XC winner, 4X World Solo 24 Hour Champion, and 1997 East Coaster's Virginia State Champion, Trek's Chris Eatough. Ever wonder what XC superstar Jeremiah Bishop looks like in his pyjamas? Look no further!
And what self-respecting race would not have a theme song. This one's no surprise, but download (right click, save target as) this mp3 and crank your winamp til' the rafters cave in anyway.
Race Date: August 29, 2004
Cross Country Race Registration Sunday, October 24: 8am up to 1/2 hour prior to race start.
Course length: 10.6 mile big loop.
Starting times Sunday:
Beginners 1 & 2, Junior sport, 10:00am (1 lap),
Pro/expert men (2 loops)
Pre-register by 8.21 and take 10 bucks off your entry: $25pro/semi-pro/expert, $20 all others. First time beginners, who've never raced before: FREE.
Race day $35 (pro/semi-pro/expert). $30 all others.
To get there: Mountain Lake is located 15 miles west of Blacksburg. Take route 700 (to the right, or north) from Blacksburg. From the west, take route 613 (the same climb Lance Armstrong attacked on to twice win the Blacksburg stage of Tour Dupont). Climb 2500' vertical to the hotel. Stay on 700, passing the lake, until the road turns to dirt. Staging is at the horse barn to the right 1/4 mile up once the road turns dirt.
Here's a DeLorme brand map to the place where Dirty Dancing was filmed (Mountain Lake Hotel).
Accommodations: If Virginia Tech is playing football on this weekend (we don't know as of now), there will be NO hotel rooms in Blacksburg to be had. I suggest making the reservation now, canceling if needed. Or look to Roanoke/Salem hotels, about an hour out. One right on interstate 81 (at exit 141, Salem) is the Quality Inn, 540.562.1912. Good luck!
Here is a list of Salem/Roanoke hotel prospects within 70 minutes of the course. This will work if you travel by I-81.
Camping: Primitive camping is available at White Rocks (toilets, water) campground at the foot of Mountain Lake for a reasonable fee (less than 10 bucks). The best route is to come over top of the mountain, straight on route 700. It turns to dirt for about 10 miles after passing through the resort. At the foot of the mountain, look for White Rocks sign on right.
