Hot Doggett 100/Metric Century Boasts Epic Climbs

July 17, 2007 on 12:44 pm | In Road Racing |

BioWheels had another strong showing at a local event with the Hot Doggett 100 and Metric Century.  Century Events have come to play an important part in the western North Carolina cycling community.  They bring together the full spectrum riders, from recreational to professional, to test their limits and have a lot fun.  Hot Doggett is quickly becoming one of the locals’ favorites in an area that has a lot of these types of rides. Doggett is only in its second year and as it becomes more established, should rival popular events like the Hilly Hellacious and Blood Sweat and Gears.  The ride begins and ends in Mars Hill and showcases the best this area has to offer. That is, of course, beautiful scenery and climbing.  Doggett has lots and lots of both.  Epic climbs like Sam’s Gap, Grape Vine (metric only), Doggett Mountain (100 only), Devil’s Fork, and Murray Mountain make for two of the most challenging routes around.

BioWheels was well represented at the event with at least eight riders between the two rides.  It was a beautiful, hot summer day and good day to be in the mountains riding. Three of us, including myself, missed the start time of the century. There was some confusion about the start time and some exploding tubes (my fault). When Eric Krause, Jeremy Hargrove, and myself rode up to the starting line the 100-mile riders had been gone for 17+ minutes. Only Matt Rice, Andy Pooser, and Mike Jackson had set out on time. Eric and Jeremy decided to chase on to the group and I decided to ride the Metric, which left a half hour after the 100. Jeremy had an awesome ride and was able to catch well over 50% of the field and finished with Matt Rice in just under 6 hours.

Eric had an even more challenging ride. While gapped in between groups he took a wrong turn and ended up creating a 117-mile route. That’s a long day in saddle and he did it pretty quickly considering. Pooser and Jackson both finished in the top 5. Pooser unleashed a furious attack with about 4 to go and only 2 other riders in the front group responded. Mike finished with the rest of the front group ensuring 2 in the top 5, not bad representation at all. I was a bit down about missing the start for the century and pedaled with a little anger in the metric. I rode with the front group (5 riders) until Sam’s Gap and then went for it. The front group was a great group of guys and it was so much fun I forgot about being disappointed really quickly. I was able to hold the gap and finished about 7 minutes up on the front group.  I know I saw more Bio jerseys out there but didn’t get a chance to catch everyone’s story.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday in July. We all should thank Caroline and Tony Atkins and our teammate Grant for putting on such an awesome event. I seriously think this will become a one of the more prominent events in the area in a few years.