Report by Rob Lichtenwalner, NoTubes Trans-Sylvania Epic Team

Stage 2  Rothrock Cooper’s Gap w/extra credit

Lets start by saying when mike and ray asked me to be on the transylvania epic race team it wasnt because of my intelligence. The second stage is sometimes called the toughest since it has 5300′ feet of climbing and is 38 miles ( or in my case 50.5).  This was the stage where i was supposed to help our 5 person team ( the misfits ) get in the lead and give them some breathing room.

The weather was hot, hot , hot.  And muggy as a sauna.  The start was relatively calm with with no big attacks as i stayed safely behind the leaders.  Somewhere along the way the pack split a bit, ended up alone,  and I came up to a wrong way sign – a giant W.  Instead of looking back to see the bright yellow arrows going the correct direction , I saw another option with tracks and took it.  I figured if there were track on it, it must be correct.  Bad idea. Turned out to be an epic mistake for our epic team. After an extra loop and plenty of A.D.D. moments of looking at birds i ran into some lovely ladies that pointed me up the hill to the point i turned  the wrong way in the first place.  Coming up to the second aid station was like winning the powerball at that time.  Killed some Heed, coke, and pretzels , then got on my way. A big THANKS to all those aid station helpers who arent even afraid to touch a gross hydration pack. Yuck

Even though i messed up,  the route was a blast.  The rain from the right before really kept you on your toes as the rock were like ice. Yes , there was a rock or two.  Thinking back to two years ago when my wife, Sarah, and I did these courses on a tandem i couldnt help but thinking what the hell was i thinking and why is she still with me?

At the finish i didnt dilly or dally, just B lined for the freshly filled pool.  Oh that was killer.  What a day!!!!  I’ll get you next time Coopers Gap!!!!

Here’s a pic of 12 year old Tanner Davis of the CO/VA Connection Epic Team finishing up his stage.  That’s two for him.  Yea, he’s starting with the Experience Category an hour earlier but he’s freakin’ 11.  Seems like if he can do this…

 

Race notes:  Bicycling Mag’s Mike Yozell succumbed to the heat and was not able to finish the stage.  Team CF’s Chip Meek rode a great stage and his team is now in the lead.  Tomorrow Tim Johnson – yea, that ‘cross guy – shows up to hop on his team.  It should get interesting.