Just a reminder that the race is this weekend. Keith Porter has been hard at
work to make this a premier event. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer
we could us a few more people on Saturday and Sunday. You can race on Sunday
and still volunteer. Contact jamie@...
Thanks!!

I just read this post on the TMBRA site written by Scott Schaeffer and thought
it was worth passing on.

This may be the first time TMBRA has ever set up shop in the Double Lake corner
of the National Forest, but it's been a long time coming. DL is quite possibly
the oldest purpose built mountainbike trail in Texas. Around 14 years ago, Dan
Murphy of West End Bicycles and then promoter of the Texas state series led a
team including Michael Melton, George Rickard, and other storied pioneers in the
Texas mtb scene to DL to construct what was to be the "Houston race course."
After it was completed, forest service management got cold feet and stopped any
racing there from happening. Since then, it has been like the unknown jewel,
well maintained by a core of fans led in recent years mostly by Jim Mackey who
kept it in great trim for a relatively small group of regulars. Now the current
land managers, after allowing a Fat Tire Festival last January, have opened
their doors for GHORBA to promote the long awaited first race at DL.
Racers will love the facilities of DL. Set in a thick old growth forest, almost
the entire trail is shaded. The leaves have started changing making for a
beautiful pallette of fall colors. The camping facilities are well maintained,
the sites with power were just added in the last couple of years. At the
trailhead which will be 100 yards away from the start line is a rustic old
building with real toilets and 3 showers each for men and women, you'll think
you're back in summer camp again. Other bathrooms/showers are dispersed around
the park and camping areas, we'll throw in some portacans so you won't feel too
out of place. The expo/team areas will have some shade and will be right in the
middle of everything, expect at least two food vendors. There will be no parking
for that area, you will have to drive down and unload your stuff and then leave
to park where directed. Please help us with the parking, it's one of the biggest
concerns of the park rangers so please cooperate. The town of Coldspring is only
a couple of miles from the start line, it has a couple of restaurants, some
convenience stores, and a full service grocery store. Cleveland, 17 miles away,
is bigger and has more amenities. It's only 45 miles or so to H-town so tell
your relatives to come on out and watch you.
There's going to be a special fun event added to the beginner categories. This
was inspired by a story a friend told me from a race he did in New Mexico this
summer. Before the beginners take off, we will draw one class at random. Me, the
race director, will then take off slightly after the class previous to the one
chosen, with about a 2 minute head start. I will ride one lap only, the first
one in the chosen class to catch and pass me gets a bonus prize. How easy can
that be?
I hope to see you all there, the future of this race hinges on both the
attendance, and the good manners while we're there. Please support this great
venue so that it can keep its proper place in Texas mtb lore.
_________________
Expert 40-49, Warda Race Director, TMBRA Board Member

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