River Gorge weekend

If there's one race on the TBRA calendar that everyone should do at some point it's the River Gorge Mountain Challenge Road Race. In my opinion it's by far the most challenging race course our state has to offer. There are very few who can actually excel on such a demanding course, but at the end of the race you feel the effort.

The initial loop of the Raccoon Mountain road race course is tough by itself, but when you throw in Sand Mountain and the River Gorge mountain finish it makes for a long long day of climbing.

I'm not an exceptional climber and expect to eventually get dropped when the climb lasts more than 2 miles. Despite the suffering on the 3.5 mile finishing climb I must say it's a lot of fun to compete on such difficult terrain. When it's over you feel as if you've accomplished something, even if you weren't in the top 20.

If you haven't done River Gorge and want to compare then think of the long climb on the Highland Rim road race course. Highland Rim is nothing compared to the River Gorge climb. The Gorge is longer, steeper, and a FINISHING climb. At Highland Rim the climb is just 14 miles into the race when everyone is fresh and just getting into a racing rhythm.

I have a good reason to miss this year though. HOW 100 is where I'll be on Saturday helping with SAG and taking pictures for the site.