ED9 - Saturday

The Second annual Enduro from Crow’s Next Productions consumed the lives of a few dedicated riders this past June 13^th and 14th. Known as the ED9 or Enduro De Nueve, this race awards the title - Most Bad Ass Mountain Biker in the World, to the rider that accumulates the most points over the course of the weekend. The weekend consisted of the following events:

· Cross-Country Race

· Skinnies

· Wheelies

· Speed Trials

· Night Time Pump Track Time Trial

· Dodge Ball (non-biking)

· Derby

· Uphill Race

· Downhill

· Short Track Downhill

· Lake Jump

The Enduro is really just an opportunity for a few people with mad skills to get together, show off these skills, push their skills and have an unbelievably fun time doing it. Last year it was thrown together at the last minute, on a shoe string, underground, and sketchy, and turned out amazing. And the all the same goes for how it came together this year. Points were awarded a little bit differently this year. Last year the only people scored were those that were there for pretty much the entire weekend. This year we gave anyone, even random passers by, the opportunity for points in this event. The number of people participating in any one event equaled the max points awarded and it went down from there. In addition the first, second and third place winners of each event received bonus points (3, 2, 1 respectively). The above events were 11 of the 12 events of the weekend. The 12^th event was “Winning the Party”, which is determined by, the main score keeper at the commencement of the party, which of course is when the Party Winner is done. And finally, additional participation points were awarded - the number of events participated in was added to the total (1-12 points).

It all began at a local trailhead Saturday morning. Marshall Hance pops out at the end of his ride just as people begin gather. He had just completed the course in 47:30, so that was the time to beat. Marshall came and raced before everyone since he had to work all day and miss out on many events which he would have certainly dominated in. Eventually everyone racing made it and was ready to go. Chief Volunteer Kylee Cross and Organizer Beth, lead the racers out down the road to the official start. Special guests to this ride included Adam Ray, pro road racer, hill climber extraordinaire, and Adam Engell - a totally random guy to us who had just finished riding this trail. Adam Engell was training for an up and coming race that covers the same ground and seemed pretty stoked to hop on to this little group ride, for a cool down maybe? The race began and Adam Ray kills it up the climb, dropping everyone but Adam Engell and they kill it till the end. Also on this trail were people who had never seen this technical challenging fast hard trail before. This included Eric Nicoletti, from Georgia, who arrived the day before with his pregnant wife of 8 months, her friend and their 4? year old child. Eric, who got turned around on the course, still managed to come in top 5, setting the tone for the weekend of subtlety killing it across the board.

Results for the Cross Country Race:

1. Adam Ray - 45:45
2. A. Engell - 46:52
3. Marshall - 47:30
4. Dunn - 51:03
5. Nicoletti - 51:05

From here we traveled to Industry Nine, where the afternoon events took place. Snacking on fresh pasta salad and Pisgah Brew riders spent the next few hours preparing for the Skininies, speed trials, wheelie competition, and a dirt sprint with jumps. We were sad to have to bail on the Bunny Hop and Dirt Jumping competition, but a lot had already happened and a lot still needed to happen to finish this day of events and it was a sacrifice, benefiting some in the end, hurting others.

As photographers Jeff Zimmerman and Bryan Bloebaum began to catch air on camera, Johney Massey dominated the skinny ride, Travis and Justin killed the speed trials, and Ryan Taylor showed everyone how to ride wheelies.

Skinnies

1. Massey

2. Travis

3. Jut

4. R. Taylor

5. Denny MF Stevenson

Speed Trials

1. Travis

2. Jut

3. Nicoletti

4. Winston

5. R. Taylor

Wheelie

1. R. Taylor
2. Nicoletti
3. Dunn
4. Massey
5. Gabe

Before heading out to take a break and grab dinner, we fit one more quick race in. A “dirt sprint” through part of the jumps and pump track of Industry Nine’s back yard. Our youngest rider began his participation here in this quick ride through the yard. Ian, Otto’s son, laid down an amazing time it just like his dad.

Dirt Sprint

1. Kevin Burkhead
2. Otto
3. Denny MF Stevenson
   
4. R. Taylor
5. A. Winston

While dusk set in, ferries descended upon the Kenilworth pump track and set up tea lights throughout the dirt and grass. Around 9 something it was dark enough to start the time trial, and Otto and Ian went out for the first runs so that Ian (4 yrs old) could make bed time. This event was nearly impossible to score as each “pedal stroke” was a 7 second penalty and with it being dark we had to go on the rider’s honest opinion as to how many pedal strokes they had or had not needed. I do feel confident that the top riders nailed the whole course without penalty, and therefore got the points that they deserve. Otherwise, sorry, ya know… its really just a bunch of people hanging out so it doesn’t really matter.

Jeff Moreadith (1^st) and 3^rd place Marshall Hance are two people who know every curve of this track so well they could ride blindly and then there is the out-a-towner-Eric Nicoletti, 2^nd place, never been here before, dropping jaws. We did find out later that Eric rides a lot at night.

Night Time Pump Track Time Trial

1. Jeff Moreadith
2. Nicoletti
3. Marshall
4. Callum
5. A. Winston

From the pump track those that were still in it to win it, cruised on to the ole flint street bike house to continue to work on the keg from Pisgah Brewing Company.

A killer party ensued and once ready we took off for the local park where we separated in to 4 teams of 5 and had a quick dodge ball tourney where we had our second major injury of the weekend – Travis seriously rolled an already bunk ankle in a heated match on the old fenced in basketball court. Again this year, Justin brought his team in to the final match and dominated to be the last man standing.

It was getting late.. was it 1.. 2..? Participant numbers were getting low but we still had to have a derby. The derby happens fast. Everyone gets on their bikes and as soon as your foot goes down you are out. Adam, the local favorite, dominated again.

Derby

1. Winston
2. Denny MF Stevenson
3. Troy
4. Jut
5. Nicoletti

We began to loose more and more participants to the lateness of the evening. This is when the “winning the party” competition begins. A posse of seriously ready to dance ladies and a few key dancing participants, Callum, Justin and Massey tore up the rug and bounced the bass under our roommates room (SORRY!). I battled the majority with respect to the volume. It was too hard to fight for a low volume as the Enduro is a once a year, unprecedented, history making event and this was all part of the competition. Eventually (around 4 am) I finally seized on a dancing break and killed the music. Up until this point Eric Nicoletti was still hanging out (!!!), with a 4 year old and pregnant wife sleeping above. He eventually caved as the last 4 chatted it up on the front porch. Adam, Callum, Justin and Massey and I had one last laugh and said good night and see ya in a few hours at the next trail head for the uphill/downhill battle.

Party Winning

1. (Tie) Adam, Callum, Justin, Massey
5. Nicoletti

However, I actually won the party.. its part of my job on this weekend.

Photo credits to: Bryan Bloebaum's Blue Tree Images and Jeff Zimmerman Photography
More pictures here

If rock stars raced bicycles..

This is how it started..

This is how it ended..

In between partying to the point that we were burning money on Friday night and jumping 3,000 dollar bikes into a pond on Sunday we covered ALOT of ground. We rode our bikes as though we were rock stars for two days for nothing more than a t-shirt for the winner and the title of MBAMBW. To me, the Enduro is what riding bikes is all about, hanging out with your friends, making new ones, testing your comfort zone, forgeting about all of life's worries and getting rad time after time. Here is the quick run down of events..

Saturday's events - XC race at Kitsuma > dirt jumps, skinnies, speed trials, pump track time trial, wheelie contest at I9 > night time pumptrack time trial at Kenelworth > nighttime dodge ball Monford Park> derby on Flint St> dance party till 4:30 am at the bike house.

After 3.5 hours of sleep it was once again time to rally. Sunday we met up at N. Mills for a crushing hill climb XC race up Trace Ridge > Downhill time trial Spencer > then it was on to camp Caldwell for the final events, Short Track Downhill race and then the finale, Lake jumping.

It took me a day just to recover enough to get this post up. My body still feels the effects of the weekend (as it should) and even though I gave it my all it was Atlanta's very own Eric Nicoletti that is now officially the Most Bad Ass Mountain Biker in the World. It was great to pass the MBAMBW title to someone who not only rode his bike with stamina, style, and speed all weekend but also who was still on the dance floor at 4 am AND had the courage to bring his wife who is 7 months pregnant, his son who was 5 years old and his wife's friend who had no idea what to expect and stay at the flint street house where we were bumping hip hop till 4:30 am. For all you boys who didn't show because you had some excuse, well, you should take a lesson from Eric. My boy lives it and I could not feel better about handing the title off to someone of his caliber. Just so you know I still made the podium and picked up a third place. Adam Winton, took second beating me be by only two points. Final results and some amazing photos will be on the Brew Crew Blog in the next day or two for each event.

Overall the weekend could not have been better, with all recklessness that took place only three people got hurt to the point they could not continue, and no injuries were serious enough to make a trip to the hospital. We were also very pleased that no one went to jail as bailing someone out on Sunday morning would have increased the 20.00 race donation considerably.

Big thanks to our sponsors Pisgah Brewing for the keg and to Industry Nine for the pimp wheels and letting us take over the facilities on Sunday. Jeff Moreadith and John & Nichole Caldwell were incredible hosts and I thank them for allowing us the use of their properties to make my ideas come to life. To all the people who cooked awesome food, timed the races, helped with scoring, took amazing photos, drove several hours to ride all weekend or just hung out and contributed to the good vibes of the weekend I thank you all! This event could not and would not happen without all the wonderful people who came out to play and are a part of an incredible bike scene.

Rock on..

Jut Rut

photo credit goes to Bryan Bloebaum, he rocks..

Jeff Zimmerman Photography

Lake Jump!

To bad you can't get paid for gettin Rad..

Yes, in these rough waters we all need stuff to look forward to. And for those of you looking for something to get excited about, consider us your new savior. Now, you may think that statement is a little over the top but I know something you don't.

THE END-uro IS COMING, ARE YOU READY?

If you're not, you better get down on your knees and pray to the mountain bike Gods for the skills, liver and legs you will need to make it through a weekend that will test every aspect of what people do on big wheel bikes these days. Just so you know how to prepare for such a feat I suggest putting in long miles, riding pump tracks in the dark, hitting dirt jumps, riding logs, bunny hopping everything in sight, practice your wheelies, going down the steepest rockiest trail you can find at speed then climbing the longest steepest hill you can find, and you probably want to know how to swim too. On top of all that, you need to practice doing all of that with little to no sleep with a six pack buzz. Pisgah Brewing will be supplying the refreshments all weekend long so you stay properly hydrated and loose. If you were at last years event then you have an idea of what to expect but know that we have a few new challenges up our sleeve to keep it freshhhh. if you were at the event last year, check your email and hit me back. If you've heard the stories and think you have what it takes to for go for the title of M.B.A.M.B.W (Most Bad Ass Mountain Biker in the World) then track me down and get the details. It's capped at 25 riders to keep it tight so you better let me know. pisgahbrewcrew at gmail dot com if you want to get in on the action. Oh by the way, it's happening june 13-14th and you better let your boss know you might be late on Monday.. werd.

Jut Rut and crew

J

More rain and racing..

The brew crew split up to cover some ground this weekend. Bruce and Shanna headed south to hit SSUSA. Bruce went down and showed several of the fastest guys in the country with one gear how to ride but in the end it was Asheville local and Brew Crew Racer Shanna Powell who brought home the belt to Asheville. Yes, the Pisgah Brew Crew's very own Shanna Powell is the offical SSUSA Champion! This only adds to the titles held by the Brew Crew racing team. MBAMBW, SSUSA Winner, Cougar Nationals Champion, and I am sure there are more. Props to Asheville local Ohio Rob for putting together the event and representing the belt for 2008-2009, the torch as been passed and I am sure we can find something to do with it.

The rest of the Crew stayed in town for some Bent Creek backyard racing this weekend. Brew Crew members Adam and Lela were kind enough to invite a ton of good party people over to their house to both celebrate Adams bday and their new pad. While they were at it, Adam decided to throw a little short track racing in for good measure. Just like the past few weeks of racing we got our fair share of rain, mud, and lighting. The Pisgah IPA made up for the lack of dry trails and helped keep the party side of the race going and a good time was had by all. And just to prove the everyone's a winner who comes out to race in less than favorable conditions the rain washed away all the times that had been written down during the event.

The Brew Crew is at it again and the Enduro is once again just lurking around the corner with a pocket full of candy and a sweet van ready to take you away for the weekend of June 13-14th. Check back in by the end of the week for some more details on how to get involved.

Werd..

Jut

come hang with us this weekend.

The Brew Crew will be hanging at the Ag Center the weekend (April 25-26) making sure that Gearheads is nothing short of the best bike expo and gear sale to ever take place in the Asheville area.

Six months of planning and countless hours of work are coming to a close and rest assured that Jut Rut has topped himself.. The Enduro De Ocho was my introduction to the Asheville area and while it was a ton of fun it was not the event you would take home to your parents. Gearheads however, is one event that is all good times but still wears a button up shirt, is courteous and shows up on time. There are going to be some rad events taking place while killer deals take place ensuring that more people do more cool stuff. I myself will be looking for something with eight inches and if Gearheads makes a dime I will probably give in as a gift to myself for just breaking even.

It's only 4 Days till showtime. Get ready for something good. I can guarantee that you will not be able to say you didn't get your 5 bucks worth. Free massages, free contest such as bunny hop contest, dirt crit, kids mtn bike races and computrainers heats. Each of which if you win, you take home some gear of your choice. You can learn something useful from one of the many informative clinics or just get stoked as the best dirt jump builders and dirt jumpers in the area come together to throw down.

Yes, there are good deals and good times to be had. See you there. If you want to come and help out, know that there will be one hellava party for Volunteers on Sunday night sponsored by Pisgah Brewing of course.. CAN YOU SAY DIRT JUMP - DANCE PARTY at the AG CENTER!

Hell yea!

Jut Rut