There were no E-Caps to be found at the 3rd or 4th rest station tables on the Off Road Assault on Mt Mitchell and I was a man in need. Finally Brotha Man Bob asked a guy that was waiting on his friend and the good samaritan took pity on us and graciously gave us each 4 out of his friends bottle. They helped out for sure. It was a tough ride. I had a broken chain on the climb up Curtis Creek which cost me about 15 minutes to fix, big thanks to the guy that was walking that pointed out I was not trying to break the chain on the right place -
rookie! Then, much later in the race, at the top of Kitsuma the 2nd time around, my cleat came loose due to the screw backing out (another
rookie mistake). And there were the cramps. They side lined me a few times and caused me to lose some time, especially since they caused me to push most of the Kitsuma uphill switch backs my 2nd time around. Let me tell you, I was glad to get back down to Old Fort.
My Stats:
Total time: 7:54 almost one hour longer than my time last year of 6:58.
Stopped time: 34 min 59 seconds, number of time stopped: 10
Total mileage: 62 miles (they advertise 63 miles, my equip is probably in error)
Elevation gain: 16,301' (they advertise 11,000", my equip maybe in error, but that much? I dont think so, maybe someone will be able to verify)
Average moving speed: 8.4 mph
Thanks Clara Ann for all the pictures and exceptional support. You made my day!
Starting line.
Robert Peerson unfortunately had his head turned away from the camera below. He did great! It was good to ride together some. That Ibis is an awesome looking bike!
The Jareds Creek Rd rest station^
Beth killin' it at the finish line. She looks like she just took a walk in the park^
Noel out supporting Dad.
Tiff, Noel and Grace^
Lucas (little Dan) and Dan chillin' while Noel looks on^
They were probably saying "isnt he ever going to show up?"
I really appreciate Dan and Grace coming out and lending me support.
Finally.
No, it's not tan. The trails were in great shape but awefully dusty. I wouldnt have wished for it any other way.
The shoe incident. What a rookie! I'll be checking those screw heads often in the future. If I do the race next year.
Chillin' in the creek with my new friends from Boston, Jess and Tal Ingram. They both killed it with some great finish times. I never saw Tal during the race (he was somewhere out in front of me) but Jess and I rode together a little bit a couple of times until my cramps started getting the better of me on the climbs and I had to slow down. She had a good pace going.
Back at the car, cleaned up, talkin' to Starla and happy to have finished.
Starla hangin' in the car.
Lucas chillin' out, thinking about how he'll eventually be breaking the course record.
Brotha' Man Bob. Killin' it for the third year in a row. He's a machine. Thanks for the encouragement Bro! You are the man.
The view of Grandfather Mtn from Ripshin Ridge^
The double track right before the single track kicks in^
After Hedleys, the climb back up to the car.
I didnt see this fella until I was riding right past him, uphill. I spotted him just in time to turn my crank so that my right foot was at the highest point and be still clipped in. I feel very lucky that I didnt roll over him and glad I was able to warn Tal and Johnny C. in plenty of time.
whew, that was too close.
Johnny Calhoun ^
Tal on a big climb.
Amos' Epics
Thanks Clara Ann for all the pictures and exceptional support. You made my day! 
Starting line.
The Jareds Creek Rd rest station^
Tiff, Noel and Grace^
Lucas (little Dan) and Dan chillin' while Noel looks on^
Finally.
No, it's not tan. The trails were in great shape but awefully dusty. I wouldnt have wished for it any other way.
The shoe incident. What a rookie! I'll be checking those screw heads often in the future. If I do the race next year.
Chillin' in the creek with my new friends from Boston, Jess and Tal Ingram. They both killed it with some great finish times. I never saw Tal during the race (he was somewhere out in front of me) but Jess and I rode together a little bit a couple of times until my cramps started getting the better of me on the climbs and I had to slow down. She had a good pace going.
Back at the car, cleaned up, talkin' to Starla and happy to have finished.
Lucas chillin' out, thinking about how he'll eventually be breaking the course record.
Brotha' Man Bob. Killin' it for the third year in a row. He's a machine. Thanks for the encouragement Bro! You are the man. 
My 11th bear sighting. First time of having one sitting in the woods within earshot of his breathing. Pretty intense situation, we watched him climb up an embankment, cross in front of us, dive into some think under growth then I think he had either penned himself in or was stopped and resting. He was sure breathing hard. We didnt go into the woods after him.
Johnny Calhoun dropping down the steepest section ^ and beyond.
Johnny was back on the Kona 29er.
