Finally got up the gumption to go up to Snake Creek Gap for some hardcore mountain biking after hearing about how treacherous it was for a year. The treachery wasn't overstated. It was like battling for 30 minutes just to go 100 yards. Rocks the size of goat heads for a solid mile it seemed. First half hour on the trail was spent exploring what turned out to be non-biking trails. I finally found the proper Pinhoti trail after hiking up an awful ridge up to the radio towers (next time take the gravel road up.) Now onto to some rolling ridgeline singletrack! I started to grin at this point but it didn't last long. Next was the infamous mile-long section of rocks. This is the most technical biking I've ever done. It was rough going but oddly toward the end of the day when I was really tired, I was biking over this technical stuff with more skill. After this was more technical downhill and climbing. So much unending climbing out there it seemed. A lot of hike-a-bike. I dismounted probably 100 times today and cursed about 50 times. I only made it to Hurricane Mtn, about 6 miles from the beginning, then decided it was time to double back before getting out too far. Good thing because I bonked pretty hard. I am curious to see the rest of Snake Creek, maybe one day. I was elated to be back at the car. Glad to be done but couldn't wait to get back out there.
First of all, huge thanks to my wife Renee for getting up with me at 4am to get ready for the race and providing pit crew and moral support! Went into my 3rd triathlon in Blue Ridge, GA pretty confident after spending this year ramping up my swim at the Aquatic Center and Open Water Swims at Lake Allatoona. Swimming being my main limiter and biking and running, my strengths. I never realized just how much technique is involved with swimming and it's been a challenge to get faster in the water and to also become comfortable in open water. For this race, I knew I would have no problem with the Sprint distance: 600 yard swim, 18 mile bike, 3.2 mile run. No I don't have an expensive Tri bike with aero wheels, aero bars or aero helmet. In fact, you'd laugh at how much my race bike costs. Hey, I figure I'll build my body up first before diving in fully with the expensive gear. Rested 3 days prior and was battling a groin/adductor pull. Hurts like crazy unless legs a