Episode 5: Return to Brown’s Creek

The last installment of the CCORS series is a return to Brown’s Creek, back to the same location as the first race in the series, but on a completely different, old-school trail network on another part of the property. Unfortunately, there would be no story of redemption, no underdog podium finish out of nowhere. There would only be a positive Covid test and a disappointing no-show on race day. Womp womp.

With no race shenanigans to report, I’ll use this opportunity to make some observations about the CCORS series and share what I learned by ripping off the band-aid and finally entering a few mountain bike races.

Humbling Is Not Humiliating

For years, fear of the unknown was the biggest hurdle to entering a mountain bike race. Uncertainty about race etiquette and feeling out of place were front of mind, especially as it relates to passing and being passed on tight trails. I was pleasantly surprised that the general vibe at these events was more encouraging than cutthroat. While I didn’t get a foot on the podium, without prior mountain bike race experience, I managed to place 6th in the series out of 32 racers that participated in the CAT 3, 40-49 age group.

Surprise! There Are Few Surprises

While the CAT 1 races were consistently tight, with the top two or three finishers often separated by a second or less and settled in an unpredictable and exciting sprint finish, the other groups proved more predictable. Fast riders were able to get a little separation, and even if the finish order from race to race wasn’t identical, it usually involved the same cast of characters.

There Is No Substitute for Putting in the Work

While I had hopes of sneaking in a podium finish before the end of the series, that proved difficult. After being spoiled by 10 years of consistent wins and podium finishes with my wife in multi-discipline adventure races, I found that there are a lot of mountain bike specialists out there, dedicated to their craft. The guys on the podium ahead of me were simply faster, regardless of trail type or terrain. Buying a faster bike may have helped close the gap, but not enough. Race experience, local trail knowledge, and training for speed matter more.

Who Knew Eastern NC Has Some Good Trails?

While other parts of the state—the Piedmont, foothills, and mountains of Western NC, especially the vast trail network in Pisgah—rightfully receive a lot of press, there are some hardworking folks in Eastern NC building trails and cultivating a burgeoning bike culture of their own. The trails I raced in the CCORS events included Brown’s Creek, Blue Clay Bike Park, Big Branch Bike Park, and The Hulk, and all are worthy of a visit. While it may take a few laps to get your miles in, they will test your cornering skills and provide a good excuse to bring your mountain bike on a trip to the beach—just make sure to keep it inside. The coastal salt air will rust all those expensive metal components in no time.

Having a Race on the Calendar Keeps You Motivated

I have found this holds true for group trips and events of all types, from 5Ks to all-day adventure races. Especially in the winter, competing in a race series with one or two events a month provided the extra push to get out the door on cold and still-dark winter mornings, sending me into spring in better shape than most years. The Eastern NC soil also drains better than here in the Triangle, allowing a more reliable outlet to ride while our trails can remain closed for days or weeks on end.

There Are Good Folks Running and Racing in This Series

The host clubs from Cape Fear SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association), Down East Cyclists, and Myrtle Beach Area Mountain Biking Association deserve thanks and appreciation for a well-organized race series that was serious enough for experienced racers, fun enough for weekend warriors, and welcoming enough for first-time mountain bike racers like me and Rob.

Whether new to racing or a seasoned veteran, CCORS would welcome you for their 14th edition of their race series next winter. Good luck!