4^th Annual Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell

On July 20^th Old Fort, North Carolina was the start point for one of the, if not the toughest off road bike races in the country. This race is 63 miles long with over 14,000 feet of climbing. The start elevation is 1400 ft and the highest is 6100 ft. There is a $4000 cash purse with $500 cash to the overall winner. There is a 200-person limit with an entry fee of $60 in advance or $70 at the start.

Orientation is held at the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort. With the log cabins in the background bikers listen to race organizers explain the course and it’s dangers. Let there be no doubt this is not a course for the weak of heart, it will take a strong and dedicated person to finish this course and most if not all will return with battered body and equipment. Race top five winners per class are listed below:

Veteran Riders

Glenn Poupore Time 5:45

Big E Time 6:31

Don Newman Time 6:35

Brain Curran Time 6:42

Eric Christopherson Time 6:52

Open Riders

Charlie Storm Time 5:09

Charles Pendry Time 5:19

Jacob MaGauhy Time 5:30

Cesar Grajalas Time 5:31

Jeff Shirey Time 5:33

Ladies Open Riders

Trish Stevenson Time 6:32

Erin Winter Time 6:56

Shey White Time 8:56

Rebecca Leeb Time 9:18

Colleen Pitts Time 9:40

Thumbnail photos below click on them to enlarge. From left to right; starting point at Log Cabin, riding thru Old Fort, warming up on the cabin porch, time keepers waiting for the riders to come in, race coordinator talking with a rider that finished, cooling off in Mill Creek, rider coming in at finish, another rider finishing race, teepee was home to riders at Catawba Falls Campground, riders "Carbing out" on spaghetti in the teepee prior to race.