This is a stupid question, but how does the Swank 65 compare to the ORAMM. I know the Swank is shorter but is it just as technically challenging? I'd like to do it, if only for the fact that it's named after some of my favorite reading material... How was the weather last year? Pisgah can get b*ll-numbingly cold in November...
Do you have any other info on the specifics of the course? Just this morning some friends asked me if I knew the course and I said "no, but I hope it doesn't have Farlow Gap in it".
I agree...early Nov in the south...both cold and warm is a good bet.40 degree temp swing morning to afternoon is common.
KP- the rumored route for this year will be shorter than ORAMM, but will include the exceedingly tech descents on Farlow/Daniel. There's just nowhere near as much climbing or mileage , even with the big climb up to Farlow and the additional trail . Look at it this way...
Last year, on a slighty easier course than rumored for this year, Sam Koerber won the Swank in 2:53. Sam came in 4th in the ORAMM in 5:30. Even adding an hour to the Swank time with rumored changes, which is probably way too much, it would almost 1:37 minutes faster than the ORAMM finishing time...and in race time, 1:37 is A LOT. For a more average mortal comparison- it took me 4:07 to do the Swank last year with a plate and seven bolts in my shoulder, so I was proceeding cautiously. This year, in about the same shape( one month of training after last surgery in March) but no hardware, it took me 8:20 to do the ORAMM.
Hello!!!!!
Did someone say FARLOW?!?!?!?!
Hmm... I had sworn this race off for awhile, BUT FARLOW!!!!!
The Wonderboy on Farlow:
That pic doesn't even come close to showing the steepness of FG. As for the comparison FG aside technically they are very close. Climbing up to FG is tough but not as tough as Curtis Creek IMO.
I think the attached pic is from the last time I rode up there 2003 (?). Used to have a nice shot with *rt* in it from 2000 (?). She's so tiny - it makes the STIL effect better.
I think the attached pic is from the last time I rode up there 2003 (?). Used to have a nice shot with *rt* in it from 2000 (?). She's so tiny - it makes the STIL effect better.
So uh, yeah... wheres the trail? Is it the skull-sized rocks?
So uh, yeah... wheres the trail? Is it the skull-sized rocks?
I try to stay on the torso sized rocks as they are more stable. The skull sized rocks can tumble down if you bump into them and kill any riders in front of you.
If the route is the same as last year, and it looks like it is on the web site, most of the serious climbing is on gravel roads or double track. The exception is the haul up Long Branch after you turn left off of Butter Gap. The first little stretch out up the campground is a climb, but not a really steep one. The grind up to Farlow really kicked my butt last year. It took me close to an hour to go 4 miles.
Thinking about coming over from Chattanooga and doing Swank65. Single speed? or FS geared 26er? Is there a lot of extended climbs?
Whether 26 or 29 some will SS and some will FS w/gears. In between you can find from 1-27 speeds and from rigid to full suspension. It's a fun race and camping @ Cove Creek is free the night. There will be a nice big fire going and you can kick back and enjoy the cool night air.
Ok...I'm on the fence now. How long and steep is the biggest climb? I actually do better through the really technical stuff on my SS 29er. Took my first ride today on FS bike since July to knock the cob webs off. I really would like to do the race on the SS. Has anyone out there done Black Bear Rampage and this race. Maybe I could get a comparison.
Just quit worrying and do it. I finished (almost last) last year and pretty much anyone who owns a bike is faster than me. There are multiple bail-out points if you choose not to finish. The course is basically 4 loops, all of which start within a few miles of the s/f area. If you are too tuckered to continue, you can always hit the campground and beer early.
The longest climb is probably about 5 miles and steep enough to put most people in their granny gear.
I rode this course about 3 weeks ago on my SS with a 32x19 to train for the Starge Race....gear was perfect. All of the climbing is moderate except for the 4miles or so up t Farlow......but you just alternate seated and standing and you are good to go. I wouldn't go any taller on the gearing or you will spin out to much in my opinion.
Has anyone out there done Black Bear Rampage and this race. Maybe I could get a comparison.
The Black Bear Rampage and Swank are both great mountain bike races. Each one takes place in mountains of the South and is roughly 40miles. Otherwise, they're quite different. The Ocoee area has fast, flowy trails with very few, if any, technical sections. Swank is Pisgah, if that makes sense. Also, September and November are likely to present different riding conditions.Took me less than 3.5 hrs. to finish the BBR. I hope to finish Swank in as close to 4 hrs. as I can get despite the distances being the same. Hope that helps...
44gnats that is exactly what I was looking for. I also finished Black Bear this year in 3:25 and realize there is nothing technical at all about Black Bear. I have never ridden in Pisgah, but I enjoy Technical stuff. In your opinion is the extended climbs at Swank going to be steeper and longer than the one long climb at Black Bear?
greg44- it's night and day.
Seriously.
A good example related to gears:
At Tansai/Black Bear, I literally never have to use my granny ring.
There several sections where I'm happy to say I'd use Granny on the current Swank course (4 mile-plus climb, steep sections of Long Branch).
I also get off and run the steep transitions on Farlow Gap.
My .02....I really really really wish that Blue Ridge Adventures would go back to the older and in my opinion harder course for the Swank. I haven't done the new course, but if I read the map right, it looks a lot easier.
Mike Brown..Great info. I agree with analysis of Black Bear. I single speeded it this year in 3:25, last year did it on my geared bike and never got into granny gear. I think you have helped make my decision. I'm running the geared full suspension bike. I'll have to knock the cob webs off of it and go do some laps at Raccoon Mtn to get used to changing gears again. Are you racing it this year? If so What class?
44gnats that is exactly what I was looking for. I also finished Black Bear this year in 3:25 and realize there is nothing technical at all about Black Bear. I have never ridden in Pisgah, but I enjoy Technical stuff. In your opinion is the extended climbs at Swank going to be steeper and longer than the one long climb at Black Bear?
Greg: If you enjoy the "technical stuff," then you will love Swank (and Pisgah in general); virtually all of the course is ridable for someone reasonably skilled as it is not a double black diamond whistler kind of route, yet there are some tough moves/sections nonetheless. Sam Koerber (last year's winner) rode a hardtail 29er and undoubtedly was on his bike for all but maybe one or two spots (uphill stretches on Farlow where the trail is washed out or too steep to pedal).
As for the "extended climbs," the most challenging is the gravel road, believe it or not, up to Farlow. Takes me about 25minutes from the intersection with another gravel road to get to the top... it's a tough grind but not terrible. The climbing in Swank is generally a good bit tougher than anything at Black Bear, in my estimation, as it is either steeper and longer (such as is the case with the f.s. road up to Farlow - 229, I think) or more technical (such as the Cove Creek climb). If you knocked out BBR in sub 3.5 hrs on a ss, then you will be fine, regardless of whether or not you run gears and/or bring the squish. Best of luck and hope to see you out there...
The Swank is a fun race with lot's of different features. It's gonna hurt, the depth of that hurt depends on how fast you wanna go. I have done it single speed and gear, on 26er' each time. I ALWAYS enjoy this race, the terrain is steep but rewarding with enough FS road to give you plenty of time to recover/eat.
The attitude is very relaxed/grass roots feel,
So, if you are wondering if you should try it? I say go for it. There are several spots where you can bail with relative ease if you need to. If you ride regularly and have done the Snake, BB Rampage, ORAMM, or anything comparable, then you are set to have a good ride.
Thinking about coming over from Chattanooga and doing Swank65. Single speed? or FS geared 26er? Is there a lot of extended climbs?
Lot's of extended climbs, lots of extended technical descents, a fair amount of dirt road climbing. I'd bring the FS geared bike if you've never ridden the course. You'll have more fun.
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Originally Posted by teamdicky
